Birth Pangs

Childbirth, God told us it would be painful, not only for the woman bearing, the child being born but also the husband who must watch (or know) of the pain, yet helpless to mitigate.

I'm still in Jeremiah and the phrase as a woman in pangs or travail caught my attention. Specifically because it isn't related to a child being born; rather, as a visual representative of what nations and mighty men experience as they are feebled before an Almighty God.

Jer 48:41 Kerioth is taken, and the strong holds are surprised, and the mighty men's hearts in Moab at that day shall be as the heart of a woman in her pangs (H6887).

Jer 49:22 Behold, he shall come up and fly as the eagle, and spread his wings over Bozrah: and at that day shall the heart of the mighty men of Edom be as the heart of a woman in her pangs (H6887).

Pangs:

H6887 - A primitive root; to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitively or intransitively.

H6735 - From H6696; a hinge (as pressed in turning); also a throe (as a physical or mental pressure); also a herald or errand doer (as constrained by the principal).

• H6696 - A primitive root; to cramp, that is, confine (in many applications, literally and figuratively, formative or hostile).

H2256 - From H2254; a rope (as twisted), especially a measuring line; by implication a district or inheritance (as measured); or a noose (as of cords); figuratively a company (as if tied together); also a throe (especially of parturition); also ruin.

• H2254 - A primitive root; to wind tightly (as a rope), that is, to bind; specifically by a pledge; figuratively to pervert, destroy; also to writhe in pain (especially of parturition).

H2427 - From H2342; a throe (especially of childbirth).

• H2342 - A primitive root (apparently akin to H2707 through the idea of piercing); properly to adhere to; hence to await.

Jer 49:24 Damascus is waxed feeble, and turneth herself to flee, and fear hath seized on her: anguish and sorrows have taken her, as a woman in travail (H3205).

Travail:

H3205 - A primitive root; to bear young; causatively to beget; medically to act as midwife; specifically to show lineage.

H8513 - From H3811; distress.

• H3811 - A primitive root; to tire; (figuratively) to be (or make) disgusted.

H6045 - From H6031; ado, that is, (generally) employment or (specifically) an affair.

• H6031 - A primitive root (possibly rather identical with H6030 through the idea of looking down or browbeating); to depress literally or figuratively, transitively or intransitively (in various applications). (sing is by mistake for H6030).

H5999 - From H5998; toil, that is, wearing effort; hence worry, whether of body or mind.

H2342 - See above.

H2470 - A primitive root (compare H2342, H2490); properly to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to be weak, sick, afflicted; or (causatively) to grieve, make sick; also to stroke (in flattering), entreat.

Okay, I didn't count 1 here, 1 there, but as a general overview of both pangs and travail most of the time it's NOT talking about actual childbirth. Rather how that searing memory or thought is imposed on another situation or circumstance to relate the depth of pain and anguish.

Just perusing travail - used 25x in 26 verses, I think once, maybe twice it is referring to actual childbirth. That's just looking at the word travail, not travaileth, travailing, etc. I didn't go back through pangs! or pangeth!

I'm using KJV, use whatever Bible the Lord places on your heart, just be a student and look at the words in the original language!

I'd never noticed before how many times the Lord used the graphic illustration of childbirth to give a visual illustration.  Simply amazing.

August 2014

Trusting His glorious provision for each of you as you read through His word.  Either with this format or another.  Taste and see that the Lord is good.

Talebearer

Part of my reading the other day:

Pro 26:22  The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

What is a talebearer?

H5372 - From an unused root meaning to roll to pieces; a slanderer.

Roll to pieces...that's quite the visual.

The word talebearer is used in the following verses:

Lev 19:16  Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer (H7400) among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD.

Pro 11:13  A talebearer (H1980/H7400) revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

Pro 18:8  The words of a talebearer (H5372) are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.


Pro 20:19  He that goeth about as a talebearer (H7400) revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.

Pro 26:20  Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer (H5372), the strife ceaseth.

H7400 - From H7402; a scandal monger (as travelling about).

• H7402 - A primitive root; to travel for trading.

Strife ceases when there is no talebearer...how many can attest to that with YES!  Have you ever been a talebearer?  Had someone bear a tale about you?

H5372 is used 4 times in 4 verses, only once as a whisperer.

Pro 16:28  A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. 

H7400 is used 6 times in 6 verses, twice with slanders and once as tales (carry).

Jer 6:28  They are all grievous revolters, walking with slanders: they are brass and iron; they are all corrupters.

Jer 9:4  Take ye heed every one of his neighbour, and trust ye not in any brother: for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbour will walk with slanders.

Eze 22:9  In thee are men that carry tales to shed blood: and in thee they eat upon the mountains: in the midst of thee they commit lewdness. 

While out browsing for some additional information on gossiping I found  Bible Verses about Gossip: 15 Helpful Quotes some guidelines worth remembering:

Consider these simple steps to be sure you are not involved in gossip:

• Do not associate yourself with one who is a known gossip
• When someone starts to gossip — change the subject
• If you are not part of the problem or part of the solution, stay out of it
• If you have fallen into the bad habit of gossiping — ask God to change your heart
• When you have been the victim of gossip — confront the parties that spread the rumor

They article listed some of the same verses, with many from the New Testament.

2Co 12:20  For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: 

whisperings - H5587 - From a derivative of ψίθος psithos (a whisper; by implication a slander; probably akin to G5574); whispering, that is, secret detraction.

• H5574 - Middle voice of an apparently primary verb; to utter an untruth or attempt to deceive by falsehood.

Tit 2:3  The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things.

Teachers of good things...so ladies, are we?  Teachers of good things?  What are others (friends, children and grandchildren) learning from us?  Do we set a godly example?

This life isn't about being perfect, rather striving to do so...when I write things such as this I 'feel' how badly I miss the mark, I sin.  When I (or any of us) sin, do we recognize it?  Repent?  Seek forgiveness from those we may have sinned against?  Specifically are we going to the one we've REALLY sinned against?  God?

As we journey through this life, we learn to recover from our sin, our shortcomings, our failings, hopefully, we're encouraging one another by speaking truth, lovingly of course.  Be encouraged dear saints, put aside the old man, renew your mind with the Word of God, be transformed from the inside out.  Be an aroma of life unto life, encourage another sister in the Lord today.

Lean, Smooth and Green

Lean - 247 Calories

Smooth - blended to creamy perfection

Green - ugh...what?  Green as in eat your veggies?

Yup.  I am notorious for NOT eating enough vegetables (or fruit).  Bad...worse than bad.  I have a friend who usually eats 2 salads...a day...I just can't do it.  I can't even eat 1 salad a day.

My solution?  Green smoothies.  Spinach and Kale - I know they are ALL the rage right now (according to the recent Google search I did in preparation for this post); however I came upon them differently.  I was out...I needed food, I wanted something reasonably inexpensive and healthy...hmmm, tropical smoothie.

They were running some NEW types - Island Green and something with carrot (oh gross!).  I had to ask the girl 3 or 4 times to repeat the ingredients.  Specifically the part about the extra sweetener.

What?  You've got 3 fruits in there and you're adding additional sweetener?  Uh, no, just make mine without, please and thank you.  It was good.  I was hooked.  I'm forever thinking (no matter if it's food or other things), I can make this at home.  Guess what? I can, I did and mine's much better!

My recipe:

1/2 cup liquid
2 cups kale/spinach
1/2 cup pineapple
1/2 cup mango
1/2 to whole banana


1/2 cup of Orange/Mango Juice (you can use water/coconut milk, etc. - literally whatever 'floats' your boat).  You have to have some liquid to help mulch the greens.

2 cups kale/spinach - my local store sells these as a combo.  Works for me.  I know many who prefer organic and/or buy them separate...probably the same folks who are really diligent to eat salads too.

Note - the 2 cups is an estimate - I literally 'stuff' the blender.  Not PACK, stuff, there is a difference...really.

I then pulse until the greens and OJ are mixed, then hit the liquefy button and let 'er rip!

Once it's smooth I start adding my fruit, usually softest first with the same routine, pulse until 'mixed' then liquefy until smooth.

So in goes the banana, then the mango, then the pineapple. Then a 'tumbler' full of ice..hit the ice crushing function and ta dah!

Wonderfully healthy, frozen drink.  I usually buy a bag of greens, along with 3 or 4 bananas, and 16 oz of pineapple/mango (I thaw mine, yes I know I could use it frozen, I don't like 'bits and 'pieces' of fruit in my smoothie) which will make 6-8 glasses (16 oz).  I freeze my smoothies (I know, I'm supposedly 'losing' nutrients).  When I want one I take it out 3-4 hours before hand and let it 'thaw'.

My experience - I have more energy, mental clarify and some weight loss.  When I don't drink them I actually 'crave' them.  So while I may not be doing them 'perfectly' I am experiencing some awesome benefits.

I found several sites which listed the benefits of green smoothies - a few that stood out were:

My Green Smoothie Does Not Make Me Better Than You - thought provoking, specifically when we take something and use it to make ourselves seem like WE have arrived.  Self-righteousness didn't work too well for the Pharisees and Sadducces.

Feeling Tired?  12 Health Transforming Benefits of Green Smoothies - Weight loss, mental clarity, and more energy.  Definite for me.  And I'll take double on the 'lessens wrinkles.'

10 Benefits of Green Smoothies - They help you stay 'regular'.  Supposedly the calcium in kale is easier for our bodies to absorb than milk calcium.  I'm an aging woman, works for me!

Top 10 Benefits of Green Smoothies - easy to make.  Yup!

Is Your Green Smoothie ACTUALLY Healthy and Balanced? - Definitely something to think about as you 'toss' stuff together for a smoothie, whether it's green or not.

I have tried to make carrot smoothies - it's just not a happening thing for me, at least right now.  Also, I'm researching some of the additional ingredients a few of the articles have mentioned, specifically CHIA SEEDS and CRANBERRIES.

Be encouraged...be bold...blend away!

Liar, liar...

...pants on fire.  I distinctly remember hearing that phrase as a child.  Sometimes coupled with a second verse which probably varied depending upon the child and locale.

Jer 28:15  Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The LORD hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie.

You L-I-A-R.  We had no problem as children calling people out when they weren't speaking the truth, child or even some adults.  However, the 'politeness' of society being impressed upon us, we 'doctor' our words.

Or thinking there is no gain, remain silent.  How often do we refrain from speaking truth, bone crushing truth at times, to those who deserve to hear them?

"Your spouse is cheating on you." "Your child is engaged in sexual immorality." "You are gossiping.*" "Your eating borders on gluttony." "You've made (family, husband, child, work, hobby, fill in the blank) an idol."

Those are hard words...do we have a right, an obligation to speak such hard words to one another?  Or have we become 'sensitized' to judge not, lest ye be judged?

lie - H8267 - From H8266; an untruth; by implication a sham (often adverbially).

• H8266 - A primitive root; to cheat, that is, be untrue (usually in words).

H8267 is used 113 times in 109 verses...the first instance in Exodus 5:9 'vain'.

Killer verse - Exodus 20:16 - Thou shalt not...what?  ...bear FALSE witness against thy neighbor.

Ahhh...another one about false witness:

Psa 27:12  Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. 

Psa 69:4  They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away. 

More than the hairs on my head...hmmm, how many 'righteous' have stood against the multitude being a lone voice in the wilderness speaking truth and yet we today are afraid to go against the tide, to be held up to ridicule, or possible persecution?  We don't want to be like Urijah either, speaking truth and then running and hiding because we lack faith in God and His provision and/or protection.

How willing are we to tell people the most essential, eternal truth?  To ask where are you spending eternity?  Heaven?  Why?  What is the foundation of your hope?

Do you think you're saved because of a 'prayer' or 'walking an aisle' or because your parents or grandparents were Christians, or you've been baptized?

Yet they look and live like the world.  They talk like the world, they watch the same garbage the world spews out, there is really no difference which can be discerned.  How much are we reflecting HIS glory, how different do we look, act, talk, think?

You know a tree because of its fruit - not because you saw the original seed or sapling planted.  So what fruit are you producing?  Is our conversation 'salted' with life?  Are we an aroma of life unto life?

Or has the 'church' become so worldly there is hardly any difference between us and the heathen?  Those in Jeremiah's day, they thought they had the truth.  Their 'prophets' were speaking about conquering and overcoming.  They wouldn't be taken down by Nebuchadnezzar.

Jer 5:31  The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof? 

So how bold for the sake of the gospel will we be?

Note:
* I had a wise older woman once admonish me about gossiping - her rule was:  "If it's not something you could say to or in front of the person, it's gossip."  In other words, don't say something about someone you wouldn't be willing to say to their face.

Jeremiah

Reading along in Jeremiah right now...whose taking heat for speaking the truth.  Have you ever spoken truth to someone and then suffered?  Either because they didn't want to hear, misunderstood your intentions, or couldn't grasp the significance of what was said?

Every time we speak truth, whether as an admonishment, or simply proclaiming the gospel we will suffer - not always - but usually people (ourselves included) don't want to be told the truth.

Truth - you are a sinner, you deserve eternal damnation and separation from God.  Outside the grace of God you will remain an enemy of God.

Granted that's a bit stark, we tend to candy coat our words...we want to speak truth, but not really in a way that might cause us to be ostracized or on the 'outside'.  So how bold for speaking (or receiving) the truth are you?

I was pondering upon the difference between Jeremiah and Urijah.  The name Urijah is mentioned in 2 Kings; however it's not the same man. Used again in Nehemiah but who is the the son of Koz.

Urijah - H223 - From H217 and H3050; flame of Jah; Urijah, the name of one Hittite and five Israelites.

• H217 - From H215; flame, hence (in the plural) the East (as being the region of light).
• H215 - A primitive root; to be (causatively make) luminous (literally and metaphorically).
• H3050 - Contracted for H3068, and meaning the same; Jah, the sacred name.
• H3068 - From H1961; (the) self Existent or eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.

Urijah was speaking the same words as Jeremiah, yet with a different outcome:

Jer 26:20  And there was also a man that prophesied in the name of the LORD, Urijah the son of Shemaiah of Kirjathjearim, who prophesied against this city and against this land according to all the words of Jeremiah: 

Jer 26:21  And when Jehoiakim the king, with all his mighty men, and all the princes, heard his words, the king sought to put him to death: but when Urijah heard it, he was afraid, and fled, and went into Egypt; 

Jer 26:22  And Jehoiakim the king sent men into Egypt, namely, Elnathan the son of Achbor, and certain men with him into Egypt. 

Jer 26:23  And they fetched forth Urijah out of Egypt, and brought him unto Jehoiakim the king; who slew him with the sword, and cast his dead body into the graves of the common people. 

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary

When secure sinners are threatened with taking away the Spirit of God, and the kingdom of God, it is what is warranted from the word of God. Hezekiah who protected Micah, prospered. Did Jehoiakim, who slew Urijah, prosper? The examples of bad men, and the bad consequences of their sins, should deter from what is evil. Urijah was faithful in delivering his message, but faulty in leaving his work. And the Lord was pleased to permit him to lose his life, while Jeremiah was protected in danger. Those are safest who most simply trust in the Lord, whatever their outward circumstances may be; and that He has all men's hearts in his hands, encourages us to trust him in the way of duty. He will honour and recompense those who show kindness to such as are persecuted for his sake.

Ouch.

If the Lord lays something on your heart, or directs someone to 'speak' is there diligence to speak or receive?

Or rather, run and hide in fright?  Afraid of what?  Losing relationships?  Hurting feelings?  Addressing deficiencies in our lives?  How bold are we for the Lord, for His righteousness?

Blueberry...

      ...SEASON!!!

A view from the outside in...................................................................a view from the inside out!

I am extremely blessed to live close to an organic blueberry orchard.  For years the owner allowed people to come and pick for shares, anyone could come.  My sons and I would pick...and she always praised what good little 'pickers' they were (still are)!

Then she retired...and didn't need extra pickers.  However, she would, by invitation, allow one or two people to pick.

This year is the first year to pick without either son...in fact I thought I'd been written off the invitation list altogether!

This orchard holds such sweet memories!  The boys and I would remind one another, only the BLUE ones!  Make sure they're as big as your thumb!  I very rarely ever tasted the blueberries, in fact I'm not a sit and eat them type person.  Love them baked into stuff!

This year I've actually 'nibbled' as I pick and find I do like them...oddly enough fresh off the vine, not once they're home or frozen.

I've done a tad bit of browsing for information on blueberries and found one of the benefits is protection against memory loss!  They can also be used as a natural food dye.

The site WHFoods had this article on blueberries which had a LOT of interesting information on it's many benefits (antioxidants, etc. etc.).

Organic Gardening had this article on how to grow blueberry bushes.  The orchard owner graciously gave me several 'runners' to try and start.  Some had a good root system, which I've planted and several without (a follow up post).  I've got the ones without good roots in a bucket with a bubbler (hydroponics).

Here's what I did yesterday with one of my pints (Blueberry Muffins - actual recipe listed courtesy McCalls Cook Book with my modifications supplied):

Makes 11-14 Muffins
2 Cups Flour (I used whole wheat - finally milled after a 6-7 month hiatus)
1/4 sugar (I use dry honey)
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt (I use natural salt)
1 cup milk (I use dry milk, placing the 'dry' part with the other dry items)
1/3 cup oil or melted shortening (I use olive oil)
1 egg, slightly beaten

Oven at 400, grease muffin tin or use inserts (I spray mine - the 'hope' is the muffins won't stick to the paper.  I use paper because I loathe cleaning the muffin tins!).

Mix all dry ingredients:

I put all the dry ingredients (including the dry milk) together and THEN mix it, this helps to disperse the baking soda and also break up (hopefully) any clumps.

My farm fresh eggs - not beaten, yet.  The olive oil, and then the water (2 cups as I doubled the muffin recipe).

Dry ingredients 'mixed' - check.  Wet ingredients 'mixed' - check!  Make a 'well' in the dry ingredients and then add the wet.  According to the directions mix using a fork, DO NOT BEAT, batter will be lumpy.

Eh...my neck/shoulder/arm doesn't allow this, so the beaters were used.  Once I have the batter mixed (I had to add about 3/4 to 1 cup more of water), I 'fold' in the blueberries.  Dip out 1/4 cup into the muffin tins and bake for 20-25 minutes (toothpick inserted - yeah, you puncture a blueberry it's going to come out blue and wet).  :-)

And they're done...teapot heated, waiting to make a cuppa and have a few of these tasty lovelies with butter (yes REAL butter) slathered on top.

Yum!  Enjoy!

Who Am I?

I've been pondering upon this question for a bit.  Obviously the first answer should be I'm a Christian.

Secondary answers could be: daughter, wife, mother.  It's the mother designation I'm currently focused upon.

As a mother, we tend to have the world revolve around us...everything that goes on in our homes we control (to a certain degree).

We manage, we care, we give, we birth, buy, feed, clean, raise, nurse, chauffeur, counsel, guide, direct and most importantly pray for our families.  Our whole beings become consumed with being a mom.

So what happens when you're no longer a mom?  For many years I designated myself as a single mom.  I'm still have the title, MOM; however the responsibilities, the day to day consumption of my time, effort, talents and abilities are no longer needed, or rather are drastically changed!

I've been put out to pasture!  I've 'seeing' motherhood, as a cog in the machinery of life.  It begins with the first wee one...

...growing inside you.  A part of you, hearing your heart from the inside.  Then, there they are in your arms, so small, a 'canvas' waiting to be 'painted' or a 'lump of clay' waiting to be 'molded'.

There whole world revolves around you...you are the center of their universe.  Then comes the stage where they realize they are their own little person.  They become part of the 'machinery' of life.  Still needing you to help them 'turn', yet truly their own little wheel.

They grow, mature, leave the nest, forming their own 'machine' - a family.

Their lives, with their spouse and children develop and grow.  Your wheel grows further from the center.  You realize you no longer are the center.  You are now one of those outlaying wheels which may still be 'turned' by the 'center' may (or may not) have any real function.

So who (or where) are you in this thing we call life?  Are you currently at the 'hub' - the queen bee?  Running a thriving hive?  :-)

Currently part of a family - but not the center, yet?

Still in the center - not quite out of usefulness (or least borrowing of the laundry facilities)?

Or out to pasture?  Every once in a while you get a 'turn' as the lives of your children revolve?

If so, what do you do?  Who are you?  Who am I?  Is there value in a woman only when she's at the hub of life?  Running a home, managing children?  If you're married and empty nested, are you rediscovering love with your husband?

If you've been a single mom - how do you present yourself now?  Who are we once the children have grown and no longer 'need' (or sometimes want) us?

If you have more than one child, the possibilities are endless for where you are.

If you've returning children and grandchildren, your life once again 'revolves' around them and their needs.  If you're married, your husband.  If alone, and you've invested all of 'you' into your family, you begin to discover yourself.

You find a hobby, a ministry, an outlet...something which makes you 'feel' valued.  God designed us to be 'givers' and 'nurturers'.  Always holding those we love close in our hearts.

I can't say if it's easier or harder for those who have a husband, or elderly family members to care for...something that 'makes' you 'feel' needed and/or useful.  As trying or tiring as it may be at times!

As a single woman - for such is my designation now, it's vastly different.  I may be 'needed' at my job, but I'm not indispensable.  As I reflect and pray about this new season, I ask myself lots of questions.

Am or have I noticed or cared for how others in my position feel or felt?

What is my purpose?  (I know the 'correct' answer is to love God and serve Him); however, HOW does it 'work' now?

I think women like to 'pour' ourselves into people, a husband, children, etc., so when you don't, or feel like you don't, have anyone, what do you do?

Prayer...seeking Him is the obvious answer.  I'm still searching, on a new road to discovery. How about you?

No-See-Ums...

Now you don't see them, now they B-I-T-E you!

Arghhhhh!

Went out kayaking (F-I-N-A-L-L-Y)...wanted a sunset shot...was earlier than necessary, so paddled around for a while, waiting, waiting, waiting.  Ah what's that I spot on shore?

It was a relatively calm day.

Paddling around, I'm titling this one 'Dashed Dreams'

Almost gone, golden sunshine. 

 
I couldn't hang out any longer to get the beauty as the sun 'hit' the water.

Scratch - scratch - scratch - yikes! It's the attack of the no-see-ums! 

Quick head for shore! 

Google natural remedies. 

Ahhh...found some recipe ideas from The Boat Galley:

1 oz essential oils

9 to 19 oz carrier oil or alcohol

The site lists several oils and what they protect from.

OILS

citronella oil (no-see-ums, mosquitoes and biting flies)

cinnamon oil (mosquitoes)

lemon eucalyptus or regular eucalyptus oil (mosquitoes, ticks and lice)

castor oil (mosquitoes)

sweet orange oil (fleas)

rose geranium (ticks and lice)

CARRIERS

Olive Oil, Sunflower Oil or any cooking oil

Witch Hazel

Vodka

Well, organic coconut oil I have on hand...stopped by the local health food store and picked up Citronella and Eucalyptus.  Thought I'd go with the Citronella only as the yellow flies are horrid this time of year.

Plus I've never applied anything like this to my skin and wanted to know if there would be any reaction.  Coconut oil with or without lavender oil is no problem, but better safe than sorry!

Took a 4 ounce mason jar, let the oil liquefy and then added about 25 drops of the oil.  It was pretty strong smelling!

Essential oils are concentrated, you do not want to use anything that is diluted.  The original article (worth reading) emphatically states take care, you don't want to use tiki torch oil on your skin!

My finished product.

Slathered some on and went for a bike ride. Noticed a few 'bugs' (dead) on my arm, so far so good.  Came home and puttered in the yard, messing with my plants.

Had a couple of yellow flies land and try to bit, but very select places on my foot!  I'm attributing this to missing that particular area (knuckle of my big toe! and the back of my foot).  Overall I think this will work.

I was looking for witch hazel (which I thought I had in my linen closet), and found some skin so soft bug repellent...guess the main ingredient?  Citronella oil!

Made up my own spray using an 8 oz bottle filled with witch hazel and 25 drops of citronella oil.  I'll be trying it...soon!

July 2014

Hmmm....I was wondering, is anybody else reading through in the Bible in a year?  I began July's reading, realizing I'd made a HUGE mistake, but no one said anything...looked and realized I'd not posted this month.

So while slightly delayed, it's now correct (I hope!):