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Sunday, March 29, 2015

Four Gospels - One Story: Palm Sunday

Sometimes when I do a Bible study in the Gospels, I like to put together all the accounts to get an overall view of what was happening.  That was no different with my reading today... I wanted to see all four accounts of Palm Sunday.
To do this, I copy the text from all four into different documents.  Then I color each one in a separate color.  Then I work them together into one story, using each telling to its fullest.
(I have no idea why the wonky formatting... just Blogger being Blogger, I guess!)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Palm Sunday
Matthew      Mark      Luke     John

And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.  The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem.  Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a a donkey tied, and a colt with her, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it to me.  If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.  and he will send them at once.”  And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it.
 This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying,
“Say to (Fear not,) the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold, your king is coming to you,
    humble, and mounted on a donkey,
    on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’”

The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them.  and found a colt tied at a door outside in the street, just as he had told them.  And they went away and they untied it.  And some of those standing there (its owners) said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” And they told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go. 
They brought the donkey and the colt to Jesus and put on them (it) their cloaks, and he sat on them. 
 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the palm trees and spread them on the road to meet him.   As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen.  And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!  Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!”  And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”
 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”

And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”
His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him. The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.”
And he entered Jerusalem and Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.”
And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them.  But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant, and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read,
“‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies
    you have prepared praise’?”
And when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out of the city to Bethany and lodged there with the twelve.




Friday, March 27, 2015

Strong as a Daffodil

Last summer I had my fill of dealing with weeds around this tree.  It was a mess, to say the least.  So we did a 'bust all of them' approach.  I covered the entire area with heavy duty ground cover.  My daffodils had already died back completely so I wasn't worried much about them.

That is until a couple weeks ago it dawned on my that the daffodils were up all over the area (tho none were blooming yet).  Oh no!


I pulled and dug to get the mulch and ground cover off them.  Poor things were flat as paper and absolutely yellow.


What a difference 24 hours made!  Everyone was standing upright...sort of.


And here is the next day... starting to turn green and there are buds!


Two more days.


And now... they will be blooming any time.

Isn't nature amazing?



Thursday, March 26, 2015

Nashville Lawn and Garden Show 2015

Earlier in the month Himself and I made our annual visit to the Nashville Lawn and Garden show.  It was SO needed... only a few days earlier (opening day for them!) it had snowed 7 inches and we were once again trapped on our hill.

This year wasn't as interesting as other years, there were quite a few less garden displays and those there weren't as intricate.  One large section of the building was devoted to a 'wine party' with TN vineyards touting their wines.  Why?  

But there were still cool things to look at...


We both love this millstone fountain.


And what a fun idea of scattering in colored glass into a rock garden to make it a "pond".  I'll be using this idea.


A variation of a pergola.  And isn't that chair beautiful?


There were several small planting areas that I'm going to do my spin on in the yard.



Purple!  I want purple in my garden too.


My favorite shabby chic designer was back.  This year they featured the concrete 'fabric' drape planters.  It's an idea that seems easy enough.  I might give it a try.




So fun!

Several of the floral designers made fairy gardens.




Such cute little dish gardens!

Another favorite: the formal floral arrangements.







They are always so lovely.

Then we moved on to the commercial area.  A lot of the same stuff as in years past.

However, these painted stones made us smile...


Too cute!



Wouldn't this be fun covered in moss?


Himself waiting patiently while I shop.  


Ah Spring... I'm so glad you are back!



Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Koko Remembers Robin Williams


I just read this story on the web site of The Gorilla Foundation and wanted to share.




In 2001, Robin Williams was invited to meet Koko, the gorilla who communicates in sign language, at The Gorilla Foundation in northern California (see photo above). We had no idea what to expect, but everyone was in for a treat, and they became very special friends.

On Monday, Aug. 11, the day news broke of Williams' passing, Koko and Penny and Ron (Drs. Patterson and Cohn) were together when phone calls started coming in about the sad event. 

After the first call, Koko came to Dr. Patterson with an inquiring look on her face.  Dr. Patterson explained that "we have lost a dear friend, Robin Williams."  Koko was quiet and looked very thoughtful (above photo).

More phone calls about the news came in, and Koko overheard one from a former colleague who had worked with Williams while he filmed a public service announcement for The Gorilla Foundation (based on his visit with Koko) in 2003.  The colleague's voice broke at the end of the conversation.  About a half an hour later, Koko signed to Penny:  "CRY LIP" (LIP is Koko's sign for woman).


At the end of the day, Koko became very somber, with her head bowed and her lip quivering (below photo).





Here is the YouTube video of the day Robin Williams and Koko met...





Monday, March 23, 2015

Blue Ribbons, Red Ribbons

This year I was able to get some creative pieces together for the annual Extension Homemakers Regional Cultural Arts competition, a nine county event.  It is the qualifier to compete at the state convention in May.  

I am so pleased with how I did.  I entered 9 items and came out with 7 ribbons of first or second place.  The first place pieces will go up to Louisville in May.


Black and White Photography
"Storing Up Summer"


Jewelry - Beaded
Asymmetrical single strand, using new and vintage beads.


Jewelry - Mixed Media
"Boho Button Necklace"
Buttons, beads, and wire on a chain.


Photography - Color
"Bob White"


Drawing - Colored Pencil
"Carmen's Home"


Miscellaneous Class
"Old Rugged Cross"
Mixed Media art


Ceramics - Hand Formed
Small tray


Sunday, March 22, 2015

Ohhhhh No Way!!

Have you ever seen a photo of yourself and thought "Oh my goodness!"... and NOT in a good way?

Friday Himself and I went out to mail some things, then we headed down to a recreational area along the river for a walk.  Himself took the little camera I keep in my purse and started snapping photos of me as I walked along the beach area.

When I downloaded them I was shocked.


WHO was that frump in the picture??  (Nope... not showing those pics...)

Saggy baggy clothes, no make-up and hair that could use a washing just to get it to fluff up.

IN PUBLIC!!!

Yesterday morning I was up bright and early to rip into my closet and dresser before we went into town to meet someone.  Right along the route is the Goodwill store and I fully planned to make a drop off!


This drawer had been crammed full.  Be gone dark and baggy!  I haven't lost all this weight to not show off my new form.  Most of the drawers looked like this when I was finished.

Then it was time for the closet...


Another armload of things cleared out.  I had a garbage bag full by the time we needed to leave.

When we got home I started back on the decluttering.  

My shoes that are left (actually, I ditched one more pair after I took this photo).


My dress shoes are in plastic shoe boxes with photos so I can remember what's in them.  

Also went through purses, bags, belts... well, about everything I own.  There is another trash bag sitting at the foot of the bed!

Still need to get the jewelry done.  That will be a good job for today.

Plus by the end of the month I'll be sporting a new hair cut and it is definitely time for a mani-pedi!

I never want to see that frumpy old woman again!!!



Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Joni Eareckson Tada

In the late 70s, I think every young woman who attended church ... and a lot of young men... read this book by Joni Eareckson.



It told the story of how Joni became paralyzed in a diving accident and how she has created a new life for herself.

Recently she visited a local church for a speaking engagement.  Of course Himself and I went.  We were one of those young people who read that book.  It was an enjoyable evening.


Joni Eareckson Tada and her husband Ken.



Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Take With Food


When vitamins say "Take with food"... they are NOT kidding.

And I would like to add here that a big bowl of soup for supper is not considered "food" by one's stomach when it comes to vitamins.  I made that mistake Wednesday night.

As we went to bed, I told Himself I was feeling a bit sick/sore in the stomach.  At 2 AM my world blew up and for the next 3 days I was very sick.  It was a blessing that Himself was here.  I was so completely pampered and taken care of.  Wish I hadn't been so sick so I could have enjoyed the spoiling more!

So PLEASE, take your vitamins with some serious food!!!



Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Little Hoopsters

Sports is THE thing in my family, especially for Sis and Big J (both were college athletes).  So it's no surprise that Little Bird and Little Hoss are into sports too (such as it is with a 4 year old and a 5 year old).  Our last trip up, we were able to watch one of their games.


Sis is helping coach Little Hoss' team (he's the one with the ball). 


Running is the best part!  (Hoss is on the far left).


But they are learning skills, so it's fun to watch as they change.  (Hoss in on the far left in red).

The second game was Little Bird's.


She seems to be getting the hang of it.


I was impressed on how well she kept her eye on the ball.


She tries very hard to get in there and work it.

It's going to be fun breaking out these photos when they are in high school!!  LOL