HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Halloween is my second favorite holiday next to Christmas! I have no idea why except I have always loved big old houses and most halloween & mystery movies have a big old house in them. Secret passageways, grand staircases, huge rooms with tall tall ceilings, fabulous old fixtures, crystal chandeliers, all have always held a magical place within me. Unfortunately, we are not doing anything special tonight. No costume parties to attend or have. Maybe next year I will feel better.

Has anyone tried kiwi berries? They are a miniature version of a kiwi, but you can eat the skin. Here is what the package says:

"Kiwi Berries are a nutritional powerhouse and a healthy food source containing over 20 nutrients. Kiwi Berries contain twice the amount of Vit. E, yet only 60% of the calories of an avocado. 5 times the Vit. C of an orange; and more potassium than bananas. Kiwi Berries are high in fiber and rich in folic acid.

Ripen Kiwi Berries at room temperature. They are ready to eat when the skin turns a darker green and wrinkles, and the berries yield to gentle pressure.

Refrigerate softened fruit to store for up to two weeks, and return the fruit to room temperature before eating or using in recipes.

Their smooth skin allows you to pop Kiwi Berries into your mouth like grapes. They are perfect for snacks, a healthy addition to a lunch box, or add them to your favorite recipes."

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I actually trim both ends of the berry as one end has a bit of a "crunch" to it, but they are delicious and fun to eat! I purchased mine at the local natural foods store and they are organic, grown in Oregon. I don't think I would want to eat them if they had been sprayed (just like grapes) as their skin is thin and the pesticides can easily permeate the skin.

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Here is one more photo that I forgot to post yesterday. A long view of one of the beautiful vineyards in the Ukiah area.

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Today's poem:

Alone With God In Sleep

by Frank B. Whitney

At eventide God hides the sun

Within His mantle black

That man may for a time withdraw

His sight from worldly things

And enter through the shades of night

Into the deeper realms of soul,

Where there is only God.

At nighttime, too, God gives man sleep

That he may rest his mind from things,

That he may give his soul a chance

To learn great truths of deep import.

Then in the blackness of the night

His lids are closed in sleep profound.

Man feels the nothingness of things

And, groping in the dark, finds God.

There in his deep, unconscious sleep,

Things are no more. God's world's enough!

His soul and Spirit long commune,

And all of soul is satisfied

If thought to God alone is given.

At dawn God gives man back his light;

Man sees the world through eyes renewed,

God stands with man at dawning time

Upon the threshold of a day;

Sends forth His son to conquer worlds, But to return to Him at night

And to his counsels well attend.

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Have a safe and fun Halloween!

More Autumn Pictures

This is the front of Parducci Winery.....love the Jack-o'-lantern wine barrels!

Grapevines up close and personal.

Trees at one of the local parks.

The below 3 photos show a road off highway 101 between Redwood Valley and Ukiah that is just spectacular! Unfortunately, the trees are past their prime, but still show a bit of glow. :o)

Somehow God Answers Prayer

by Frank B. Whitney

Sometimes when I have tried in vain and seem about to lose, to fail, there comes to me assuring peace: The Truth of God will win, prevail. Or when it seems that everything gives only trouble and more care, I turn to God, I think to pray, and find somehow God answers prayer. I need not tell Him just the way to answer when to Him I call; my faith assures me He'll not fail when in my trust I yield Him all. And when I think of only God, to Him alone in faith repair, it matters not how hard my task, I know somehow God answers prayer. Somehow, someway, God answers prayer when otherwise I'd be afraid. 'Tis then He gives me added strength; a thousand hands come to my aid. I need to think less of the lack, to know that He is everywhere, to just appropriate the good and question not His way of prayer.

Have a beautiful day!

AUTUMN'S GLORY

I missed yesterday's post as I went to the store to clean or I should say was planning to do some cleaning, but ended up spending a couple of hours out with Marie looking at the colors of Autumn! We drove along the vineyards from Redwood Valley to Ukiah taking pictures along the way. Most didn't turn out, but I will post a few more tomorrow. I think this is the Methodist Church in Ukiah. We had lunch at Mendocino Brewing Company which is certified all organic. We split the turkey wrap which has a yummy basil mayo and also, their soup of the day, carrot ginger...another yummy! Back to the car, we strolled through the farmer's market, which was setting up, enjoying the pepper trees starting to turn bright orange with their lovely dark pink pepper berries....one of my favorite trees. Do you have a favorite tree? I have only started appreciating trees the past 10 years or so. What a marvel they are! Anyway, back to the store, I still didn't feel like cleaning, but Mike (my husband) and I put out a bunch of costume jewelry he recently found. I also plan to list some on my website too. If you are in the area stop by Redwood Valley Antique Mall. Oh, what a mess my space is, but oh well. How can you spend time inside when outside the earth is calling ?! :o)

Today's poem is:

Selfless Prayer

by Frank B. Whitney

Some one prayed at break of day

When some one needed prayer.

Some one's prayer was lifted high

And lifted some one's care.

Some one stopped at early dawn

To greet with prayer the day;

Some one else with burdens bowed

Felt these had gone away.

Some one thought to pray a prayer,

Knew not another's need,

But heaven heard the prayer he prayed

And answered with full speed.

Some one stopped to know the truth ---

Christ's healing power to know;

And some one else thereby was healed

Of grim disease and woe.

Some one paused to pray a prayer ---

A selfless prayer rose high ---

And some one else shared in the prayer;

To him came his supply.

So when unselfishly we pray,

Our prayers are wafted high,

And others though unknown, in want,

Are healed and helped thereby.

Have an amazing day!

Vineyards and a Haunted Theatre

Here is a picture taken yesterday the 26th driving at 60 mph! As my friend Marie and I went to a haunted "theatre" tour put on by the Ukiah Players Theatre I had her snap some pics of the vineyards as we drove by......not too bad........thanks Marie!

The tour was just ok, sorry to say. Marie and I did our own "haunt" and party back in 2002 so we consider ourselves Haunted House "Connoisseurs" and it was pretty spectacular if I do say so myself! :o) I will try and post some pics this week. We are "dying" to do another now that we have tons of props (some we made ourselves, others purchased) and each year they just keep coming out with more and more "lovely" items.

Here is today's poem.

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My Part in Prayer

by Frank B. Whitney

My part is but to ask in prayer,

not wonder how or when

Will God make answer to my prayer

and send me good again.

My part is but to open wide

my heart and therein find

That God already dwells therein

and has my good in mind;

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My part, to know the good I seek

is ever seeking me

And that the blessing I would have,

already I can see;

My part, to leave to God all things

with not a thought of fear;

For He will always be with me,

yea, ever be so near.

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And now I come to think of this:

God's loving part in prayer?

His part is but to bless my life,

His good with me to share.

He'll not withhold one thing from me

when I in prayer can see

That 'tis my part to well rejoice.

and see Him blessing me.

Sack Lunches

I just received this email from my Dad and wanted to share it....don't know if it is true or not, but food for thought...........

Sack Lunches. I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned seat. It was going to be a long flight. 'I'm glad I have a good book to read. Perhaps I will get a short nap', I thought. Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation. 'Where are you headed?' I asked the soldier seated nearest to me. "Great Lakes Air Base. We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we're being deployed to Iraq." After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for five dollars. It would be several hours before we reached Chicago, and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the ime. As I reached for my wallet, I overheard a soldier ask his buddy if he planned to buy lunch. 'No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks. I'll wait till we get to Chicago. His friend agreed. I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill. 'Take a lunch to all those soldiers.' She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. 'My son was a soldier in Iraq; it's almost like you are doing it for him.' Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated. She stopped at my seat and asked, 'Which do you like best - beef or chicken?'' 'Chicken,' I replied, wondering why she asked. She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first class. 'This is your thanks.' After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest room. A man stopped me. 'I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this.' He handed me twenty-five dollars. Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked, I hoped he was not looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my side of the plane. When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand, and said, 'I want to shake your hand.' Quickly unfastening my seat belt I stood and took the Captain's hand. With a booming voice he said, 'I was a soldier and I was a military pilot. Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot.' I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the passengers. Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man who was seated about six rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another twenty-five dollars in my palm. When we landed in Chicago I gathered my belongings and started to deplane. Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word. Another twenty-five dollars! Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base. I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five dollars. 'It will take you some time to reach the base. It will be about time for a sandwich. God Bless You.' Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers. As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return. These soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could only give them a couple of meals. It seemed so little..."A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America' for an amount of 'up to and including my life.' That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.

Thank you Mary at Isabella's Closet

First, I would like to thank Mary from Isabella's Closet for my darling halloween banner at the top of my blog. She does a wonderful job and so quick too! THANKS AGAIN MARY!

Our poem today is titled "Stop and Pray".

Stop and Pray

by Frank B. Whitney

When things about you are disturbed

and all the world's amiss,

When other persons seem to take

away your joy and bliss,

There's but one thing that you can do

if you would clear your day:

Cease thinking of disturbing things---

stop where you are and pray!

"Stop, look, and listen," warns the sign

at busy thoroughfare,

And so in life this warning's good

to free you from all care.

Stop thinking all disturbing thought

and look to Christ instead,

And listen to His guiding voice

if by Him you'd be led.

And when in life you see that you

have troubled thoughts in mind,

There's but one thing for you to do

if happiness you'd find;

Stop, look, and listen---stop and pray!

Let Christ have His own way!

You'll find your troubles come to end

if you but stop and pray.

Prayer is such a personal act and each religion seems to "teach" their own way of doing it. No matter your beliefs or religion let's just stop several times throughout the day and focus on God our creator.....pure love. Whatever that means to you. It is powerful. Can you imagine if everyone did this? I can.

"We can know that the goal of life is to open out a way whence the imprisoned splendor may escape." ---Eric Butterworth from "Celebrate Yourself!"

Let God move out from you, out into our big beautiful world.

Finishing projects

We are having work done here at the cottage and hopefully today will be the last of some of the finishing work. Nothing too big, but to me it is huge! We have lived here for 3 years and when they put up the kitchen cabinets they were too high for me. (I am short!) So they lowered them and put up a piece of wood along the ceiling that I hope to add some appliques to before painting. We will see when that gets done! Our place is an older mobile home from the 70's, 2 bedrooms and 2 baths set on 2 1/2 acres. It is funny how about 1 year before moving here I had written down that I just wanted to be on 2 acres surrounded by walnut trees and that I didn't care if it was a mobile home or not as long as it had 2 bathrooms! This is when my Mom was diagnosed with leukemia and of course it was very stressful time and I needed a break from it all........Well, here I am ........... exactly where I stated! Now, if I could just demonstrate my beach cottage! That has been in my mind for over 30 years so I will really have work on that...maybe because I haven't written down a detailed list? :o)

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Life Begins For Me Today

by Frank B. Whitney

Life begins for me today!

New worlds before me lie!

The yesterdays have passed away

No more to cause a sigh.

Before me lies the bright today,

All blessings in its hold;

And I rejoice to find it gay

And sing its joys untold.

Today for me begins anew

A life that holds for me

All that's good and real and true---

Its blessings now I see.

I look no longer to the past,

Nor wait for future days;

For with today my lot is cast,

Its present joys I praise.

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This is a special poem to me. Live today in the NOW! No sadness of the past and no worries of the future.

Another glorious day!

Well, the weather in Northern California has been perfect the past couple of weeks. Still in the low 80's with the loveliest slant of light in the afternoon. The vineyards, pear and walnut orchards are all orange and yellow, red and gold. A few years back I wrote a poem about them, but who knows where it ended up! (for those who know me, I have a bit of messiness going on in my neck of the woods) I hope everyone is enjoying these glorious autumn days and getting ready for Halloween tricks and treats.

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When Morning Comes

by Frank B. Whitney

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I like to greet the morning

with a bright and cheery smile,

To waken with lightheartedness,

no memory of guile;

To stretch upon my couch full length

and feel that this old earth

Is filled with joy and all things good;

and celebrate my birth.

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I like to feel that all things new

come forth at morning's light,

That all mistakes of yesterday

just disappeared last night.

And as I greet the morning dawn

a new world comes to view,

I see new opportunities,

and enter life anew.

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I like to greet the dawning day.

I find the day greets me

And says: "Arise! You've things to do!

A thousand things to see!

For I will show you love and joy

and good you've never seen!"

Oh, it's a joy to greet the day

with soul awake, serene.

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If this day finds you blue my friends just step outside and breathe!

Another poem and another day!

Here is another poem from the same book as yesterday. There are 39 and I will include one each time I post. Typed exactly as shown in the book. I hope you find them as positive and comforting as I do.

TODAY IS LOANED TO YOU

Today God puts into your hands

a day that's new and bright;

Yours to enjoy howe'er you will,

it's His again tonight.

This morning in the wee, small hours

He gave to you this prize,

Intrusted you with one new day

wherein all goodness lies.

Now you must find the good it has

and bring it forth to view;

For He has put within this day

some treasures meant for you.

And when you take the good things out,

some good you must put in;

So when tonight God views your day,

He'll find no thought of sin.

Now if tonight God sees that you

have taken out the good,

And put good back right in its place---

that you have understood

Just how to treat a brand-new day;

then on tomorrow's dawn

You'll find you'll have a brighter day,

and others from then on.

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I went to my 30th high school reunion this past Saturday Oct. 18th. (oh my, there goes my age, but really, I am so happy to be alive and want to enjoy every moment that Life has to offer)

I will post pictures later.

HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!

P.S. I have decided to add the comment feature though I may not be able to respond to everyone.

Begin the Day with Friendliness

This poem is from a little book called Mightier Than Circumstance by Frank B. Whitney . It was first published in 1935 at the height of the Depression by Unity School of Christianity.

Begin the day with friendliness

and only friends you'll find.

Yes, greet the dawn with happiness.

Keep happy thoughts in mind.

Salute the day with peaceful thoughts,

and peace will fill your heart;

Begin the day with joyful soul,

and joy will be your part.

Begin the day with friendliness;

keep friendly all day long;

Keep in your soul a friendly thought,

your heart a friendly song.

Have in your mind a word of cheer

for all who come your way,

And they will bless you too, in turn,

and wish you "Happy day!"

Begin each day with friendly thoughts

and as the day goes on,

Keep friendly, loving, good and kind,

just as you were at dawn.

The day will be a friendly one,

and then at night you'll find

That you were happy all day long

through friendly thoughts in mind.

A New Day

Today is the first day of the rest of your life! Well, I have finally graduated into Blogland. We will see what I come up with...something interesting or not. :o) Have a great day!