Getting one's ducks in a row

     

     The physical life we experience here on earth is so very fragile and fleeting. Having just attended a memorial for a dear friend has made it all too real. 
     Quoting an oft' heard maxim — but, one that rings so true — not one of us will escape this life alive. 
     We have also heard the phrase, to get all one's ducks in a row. In other words, it's a reminder to make adequate preparations for our departure from this life. 
     Recently, I spent time with my lawyer updating my will. This too, has brought the reality of life and death, centre-most in my thoughts once again. As strange as it may seem, we do not leave this world according to age (the oldest first), nor are we privy as to our departure date. It's all the more reason to be adequately packed and ready. 

     The Good Book says,"The length of our days is seventy years or eighty, if we have the strength, yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass and we fly away."  

— Psalm 90:10 

     Although having our earthly business taken care of is all-important, I learned early in life that I should reflect on where I would spend my future in the hereafter. We were created for far more than this present life, though many refuse to face this truth. 
     

     In the Bible, a wise King Solomon penned the words found in Ecclesiastes 3:11, "He has set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end." 

    In knowing my Creator and Saviour, I have a peaceful assurance that is enough for me. I have a sense of inner peace and well-being.
     I am looking forward to my inheritance explained so well within this stanza from the traditional Celtic hymn, Be Thou My Vision. 
     It has been used in Irish monastic tradition for centuries and currently is a very inspirational part of today's modern worship songs.  

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise, 

Thou mine inheritance, now and always: 

Thou and Thou only, first in my heart, 

High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.   

— Be Thou My Vision, lyrics

     May my labours be effective and enduring, even though I am so transient.

— beulah

Daffodil days of April

"I wandered lonely as a cloud

 That floats on high o'er vales and hills, 

When all at once I saw a crowd, 

A host of golden daffodils; 

Beside the lake, beneath the trees, 

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze."

(First stanza)

 —  William Wordsworth

     April is Daffodil Month and today is Daffodil Day — a special time when we Canadians are asked to take a moment to reflect upon the many folk who are on a cancer journey and to remember those who have died. 
     Wearing a daffodil is a great way of showing we remember and care. Without a doubt, all of us know someone presently fighting this dreadful disease. Many of us have loved ones, no longer with us, because of it. 

     

     I have lost several members of my family, the latest, Nelson, my dear husband.

     We are told that every three minutes, yet another Canadian will for the first time, hear the words,"You have cancer." 
     Unfortunately, none of us know if we will be next. I was interested to learn that in 1935, the Governor General of Canada invited Canadians to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the coronation of George V, by donating to the Jubilee Cancer Fund, raising nearly $500,000. 
     The Canadian Cancer Society has been fighting for us since its inception in 1938. The Society has grown and expanded because of ordinary folk like you and I who have found creative ways to give unselfishly of our time and resources — in the hope for earlier detection; in the hope for better treatments; in the hope for more survivors; and, in the hope for a cancer free future. 

     No matter what difficulties we find ourselves going through, it is always easier to carry on when we have loved ones and friends by our side. We are all in this fight together. What better way is there to show our love and support to those who are needing it, than by wearing a replica of the beautiful daffodil — a symbol of spring, hope and new life.
     It is so poignantly expressed in William Wordsworth's lovely stanza. A host of golden daffodils have been fluttering and dancing all across our fair land this April. 
     Keep up the good work, fellow Canadians!  

—  beulah

Switching the channel to Laugh-In

     

Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In is an American sketch comedy television program that ran for 140 episodes from January 22, 1968, to March 12, 1973 on the NBC television network. Laugh-In was hosted by comedians Dan Rowan and Dick Martin and featured, at various times, Chelsea Brown, Johnny Brown, Ruth Buzzi, Judy Carne, Richard Dawson, Henry Gibson, Arte Johnson, Goldie Hawn, Larry Hovis, Jeremy Lloyd, Dave Madden, Pigmeat Markham, Gary Owens, Lily Tomlin and others.

     "Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face."

— Victor Hugo

     Continuous warm, spring days seem to be a long time coming this year. Maybe, we all should fret less about it... and just laugh more. Growing up with a house full of siblings, I have memories of fun times mixed with lots of laughter. 
     Laughter is precious — it can rescue us from an embarrassing situation, it can give us a fresh approach to a problem — and, it can help us keep a sense of proportion through a difficult time. 
     More and more, humour is being recognized as a powerful force for maintaining good mental and physical health. It helps us breathe deeper, exercises the diaphragm and even makes the wrinkles — that sooner or later are bound to appear — pleasant ones. 
     Even the medical field recognizes the healing power of laughter. In 1969, Stanford University psychiatrist, Dr. William F. Fry found that one minute of mirthful laughter gave him the same cardiovascular benefit as 10 minutes exercising on a rowing machine. 
     Also, Dr. Richard Johnson of John Hopkins University School of Medicine, said,"I believe that people who have a good sense of humour are likely to live longer, [and] not come down with so many stress-related diseases." 
     Johnson adds, "that's probably why Santa Claus has lived so long. Ho! Ho! Ho!" 
     So, if you want to boost your immune system, find things that make you laugh. 
     In the Bible, Proverbs 17:22 says..."A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a cast-down spirit dries up the bones." 
     Having taught young children for many years, I learned that not only do kids say the darnedest things, but, their growing awareness of life, often causes them to blurt out some pretty choice sayings. 

     Here are a few for your laugh of the day. 

• "When my grandson asked me how old I was, I teasingly replied, 'I'm not sure.' 'Look in your underwear, Grandma,' he advised. 'Mine says I'm four.'" 

• A second-grader came home from school and said to her mother, "Mom, guess what? We learned how to make babies today," The mother, more than a little surprised, trying to keep her cool, said,"That's interesting, how do you make babies?" "It's simple," replied the girl, "You just change 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'." 

(Why wouldn't an English teacher love that one?)

Give me a sense of humour, Lord. 
Give me the grace to see a joke. 
To get some humour out of life, 
And pass it on to other folk

"Blessed are the flexible; for they shall not be bent out of shape" — Anonymous.

— beulah

Picking up where others have left off

     

     This is Earth Day — a day intended to inspire awareness and appreciation for our wonderful earth and its natural environment. 
     Each year on April 22 Earth Day is celebrated in more than 192 countries; officially having its beginning 43 years ago. Its aim is similar to Arbor Day, which I experienced as a child in our country school. 

     It was a time to plant trees, shrubs or flowers, doing garbage and litter pick-up, with a strong message encouraging us to keep our world clean and beautiful.

     
     "As kids, we were told to be wise in our use of life-giving water. Have not. Waste not, was a saying oft' repeated in my era." 
     
     

     
     
     Reduce, Reuse, Recycle may not have been in our vocabulary, but it was our normal way of living, especially during hard times. 

     It was God's mandate — given to our first ancestors — that they (we) should be good and faithful stewards, exercising dominion over all earthly creatures and keeping His created realm properly cared for. 
     Our earth supports our life. It behoves each one of us to do our part in keeping our earth green and gorgeous — a safe and healthy place for everyone.

— beulah

Have I ever told you, you're my hero?

     

     We all have heroes in our lives, the people we admire for their various accomplishments; war heroes, sports heroes, or others who have displayed stunning feats of courage. It may be a family member or friend that has played a crucial role in mentoring or influencing us in some way throughout our life, and we respectfully call them our hero. 
     How beautifully portrayed, was the heroism we all witnessed recently at the tragic event of the Boston marathon; the spirit of kindness and love, the immediate response of so many! 
     I have been thinking of yet another group of heroes that well deserve the badge of courage. Several friends of mine are experiencing on-going health challenges; one has to visit the local hospital three times a week to receive her life-giving dialysis treatment. Another, has to administer her own dialysis at home, four times daily. Fighting cancer with severe accompanying pain, yet another friend smiles and without a complaint says, she's doing O.K. Another, a long-time friend and mentor who has truly been my hero, lies immobile in her bed, the result of a stroke. Disabled and challenged people surround us daily — the list goes on. 
     Some time ago, I came across this poem The World Is Mine, by Dr. Tennyson Gruyer which is a poignant reminder of how we should view life. The thoughts here are too good not to share.

                    

The World is Mine

Today upon a bus I saw a girl with golden hair;
She seemed so gay, I envied her, and wished that I were half so fair;
I watched her as she rose to leave, and saw her hobble down the aisle.
She had one leg and wore a crutch, but as she passed--a smile.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine;
I have two legs—the world is mine.

Later on I bought some sweets. The boy who sold them had such charm,
I thought I'd stop and talk awhile. If I were late, t'would do no harm.
And as we talked he said, "Thank you, sir, you've really been so kind.
It's nice to talk to folks like you because, you see, I'm blind".
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine;
I have two eyes—the world is mine.

Later, walking down the street, I met a boy with eyes so blue.
But he stood and watched the others play; it seemed he knew not what to do.
I paused, and then I said, "Why don't you join the others, dear?"
But he looked straight ahead without a word, and then I knew, he couldn't hear.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine;
I have two ears—the world is mine.

Two legs to take me where I go,
Two eyes to see the sunset's glow,
Two ears to hear all I should know,
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine;
I'm blest, indeed, the world is mine.

"I want to daily review my blessings, one by one, with a grateful heart."

— beulah

To Boston, with love

     "I find it difficult to comprehend why some beings will go to such means to destroy their human brothers and sisters."    

— Beulah Eagles

     This week, with disbelief and sadness, I watched the unfolding of the tragic scenes surrounding the most prestigious race of its kind — the Boston Marathon. 

     Held annually since 1897, this is the world's oldest, annual race covering a distance of 26.2 miles of winding roads through eight Massachusetts cities and towns. 
     Watching on-the-spot news, seeing the flags representing the countries of the participants, the spectator stands where happy well-wishers cheered on family and friends, it was a picture in my mind that suddenly became very vivid. 
     Last fall, my eastern cruise included a visit of the New England states and a tour of Boston city. Pointing out many historical sights, our guide proudly told us of this notable marathon as we passed through Copley Square and the official finish line that I was now viewing in horror at such unbelievable carnage. 
     I find it difficult to comprehend why some beings will go to such means to destroy their human brothers and sisters. 
Though terrorism is a sad fact of life, I know GOOD will ultimately triumph over this rampant, evil. God will see to it!
     Meanwhile, we stand firm and fearless, respecting and encouraging our fellow man along our oft' difficult journeys through life.

— beulah

Back to the Future, but, "I'll be back in time"

     "With all our progress and advanced technology, I sometimes wish — just once — I could slip back in time to savour the slower pace and share it with my grandchildren of today."   

     
     Much like Michael J. Fox, the teenaged movie character, Marty McFly — I too, can imagine being sent back in time — only my travel tales would be less-likely to involve car chases and teenage romance — yet, they'd hold an equal measure of nostalgic moments of yesteryear. 
     Like, lying on your back in the grass with friends, imagining what the fluffy white cloud shapes reminded you of.

   

     Enjoying the freedom of playing baseball without the adults trying to help kids understand the rules of the game. 

     It was a rare privilege to be taken out by your parents and be treated to dinner at a real restaurant. What a thrill it was to receive a quarter as our weekly allowance! 

     The excitement was high when opening a new laundry detergent and finding free glasses, dishes or towels hidden inside the box. 
     
     No one ever wondered where the car keys were located, as they were always in the car, left in the ignition — the car doors, never locked. 
     Stuff from the store came without safety caps and seals because no one had yet tried to poison a perfect stranger.

     

     "Milk was delivered to our door in glass bottles with cardboard stoppers." 

     "Summers were filled with bike rides, picnics, baseball games, hula hoops, visits to the pool and eating Kool Aid powder with sugar." 

     
















"Our telephone numbers were prefaced with a word prefix denoting the area — mine was Glenburn 0523L." 

     Though, in our minds we rate those times as the good 'ole days — we have in fact, accepted progress and technological advancements of this era as improvements, ones that continue to increase our quality of life, hopefully, for the better.

     We must still continue to dream big.  
     As we entered a new century, US President Bill Clinton stated in his New Year's address to the nation, 

     "When our memories out-weigh our dreams, then we are old."

— US President William Jefferson Clinton

— beulah

Good words in the game of Life

     

     

     "I'd like to think I am growing slowly wise, or, wising up in my later years." 

     
     Recently, I have been musing on the subject of wisdom and the difference between it and knowledge. Wisdom is often defined as the ability to discern or judge what is true, right or lasting. 
     On the other hand, knowledge is defined as having information through experience, reasoning or acquaintance which is gathered over time. Wisdom, in turn, shows itself by acting on that knowledge. So, if one lacks knowledge, he or she, will also lack wisdom. 
     English poet and literary critic Samuel Taylor Coleridge called it "common sense to an uncommon degree". It is not the white hair that engenders wisdom, though we have often heard it said, but, the lessons learned while doing life. 

"By the time you're 80 years old you've learned everything. You only have to remember it". 

— Comedian, George Burns

     I'd like to think I've acquired some gentle bits of wisdom from the journey I've been on thus far.

     "I'm learning to keep my words soft and sweet, 

just in case I have to eat them." 

Here are a few:

• I'm learning a good example has more value than good advice.
• I'm learning to keep my words soft and sweet, just in case I have to eat them.
• I'm learning to refrain from gossip.
• I'm learning to focus not on what I lack, but on what I have.
• I'm learning to grasp every opportunity to show my family and friends that I love them.
• I'm learning that I still have a lot to learn. 

     I was fascinated with this old Yiddish word, mensch, that I came across recently. 

     "A mensch is someone who is true, sensible, wise enough to be no longer naive, but not cynical, a person who gives advice for our benefit rather than his or her own." 

     A mensch acts not out of fear, or out of a desire to make a good impression, but out of a strong inner conviction of who he or she is and what he or she stands for — one of integrity. Sounds like wisdom, personified. 
     King Solomon — wiser than any man who ever lived, — is credited with writing many wise sayings from the Book of Proverbs. A worthwhile read and a great road map for living, Solomon says, 

"The fear (loving reverence) of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." (Proverbs 9:10).  

And again in Ecclesiastes 8:1, he writes, "Wisdom brightens a man's face and changes its hard appearance." 
     "What does wisdom look like? Wisdom is: peaceful, caring, flexible, forgiving, given to kind words, acts of courtesy, humble, gentle and gracious to the core." 
     There is a secular wisdom that many are striving for, but, there is also the offer of a godly wisdom that James 1:5 says, we should ask God for. 
     I believe those who pursue godly wisdom add beauty and honour to their lives. 

"Someone once aptly said,'There's a big difference between being SMART and being WISE.'" 

     
I want to always strive for the latter.

— beulah

"Pass the comfort, please"

     

     I've heard it said, "Some eat to live, while others live to eat."  In our land of plenty, I think the latter probably best describes most of us.

     It's amazing how pervasive the subject of food is. Every second commercial we see on TV is advertising the latest food. Restaurants abound in every city and town, and 20- foot high billboards shout out the latest hamburger concoction; all encouraging us to centre our socializing around food. 

     Eating is always a decision, and what kind of a diet we choose is up to each one of us. 

"It has been said, 'You are what you eat.'" 

     Someone has added to that thought, "We are much more than what we eat, but what we eat can nevertheless help us to be much more than what we are." 
     That may take some thinking! Not only for physical stamina, but also, for mental stimulus, food choices are important. 

     

"I think most of us could admit to enjoying comfort foods from time to time. "

     A comfort food is described as one that soothes the psyche, invokes feelings of nostalgia, safety, security and increases positive feelings. 
     For some, it might simply be a hot cup of their favourite tea, after which, things begin to look brighter and they once more feel, all's right with the world. 

     To illustrate, I share this precious story of my 18-month-old great-granddaughter, Evie. Already very active, a few bumps and bruises have already begun to happen in her life. 
     After a recent fall, the tears finally subsiding, Evie requested her favourite fish-shaped crackers — her very own comfort food — obviously, feeling they would help make everything OK again.

     
     I agree with this quote from Dorothy Draper: 

     "Eating is really one of your indoor sports you play three times a day. It's well worthwhile to make the game as pleasant as possible." 

     
     So, sensible eating folks!

Beulah's note: Check out a new blog I've started, RECIPES from Beulah's kitchen. 
     There you'll find regular postings of some of my famous, or infamous offerings over the past years. 
     Some are Grandma's signature dishes, others are just long-time favourites of one child or another. You'll also find recipes of dishes from my family and friends who have shared their wonderful culinary skills with me. My potluck pals share in my enjoyment of eating. 
     If you have a recipe you'd like featured in RECIPES from Beulah' kitchen, send me a Facebook message and I'll check it out.

      My new RECIPES from Beulah's kitchen blog is listed on the home page of this blog, Seeds of Love. It's in the links listing. You can also choose the option within that blog to follow with regular email postings to your inbox whenever I post a new recipe. The same goes for this blog too. Located in the sidebar, top right.
     Happy noshing.

— beulah

Friendship of sisterhood

     

     "Some people will go to any length to find new and different ways to have fun!" 

     Such was the occasion this week when my sisterhood of friends joined me in our yearly spring clothes-exchange party.

     My dining and living rooms suddenly became so transformed, you'd swear you were in a Sear's department store. Shoes, jewellery, scarves and purses were tastefully arranged amid an array of colourful assortments of clothing — different sizes and styles. 
   

     "Each lady — having dutifully taken stock of her own clothes closet — came ready to part with an armload of goodies she had either outgrown or lost interest in." 

     Offering my famous Atlantic chowder, a selection of sandwiches everyone contributed, and Terry's signature lemon dessert made for a tasty and satisfying potluck lunch. 
     
     Modelling outfits while viewing themselves in front of the various mirrors, each lady left quite thrilled with her free of charge shopping experience.    
     Of course, it left the hostess to deliver the remaining items to our local women's shelter — it was a satisfying effort for everyone. 

     "Friends are important no matter where one is on life's journey."

     
     I believe friendship truly is one of life's greatest gifts. I view the friendships I enjoy even beyond our common interests, beyond affection, and beyond our wit and laughter. 
     My ultimate aim is sowing in others encouraging words, leaving them with reminders of God's wisdom, hopefully refreshing their spirits with words of love, strengthening their grip on God. 
     My times with friends give me a renewed interest in them, as I find myself remembering to include them in my prayers. I like to think that my senior friends and I are re-discovering the gold in our golden years.                         
     See a story entitled, Friendship of Sisterhood in Seeds of Love, http://www.blurb.ca/books/3940439-seeds-of-love, and scroll to Page 177.

—  beulah

Death and taxes

     

     We have all heard the saying that,"there are two things in life we cannot avoid — death and taxes". None of us really enjoy paying taxes and some of us even do a lot of complaining about them. 
     This is April, the month we are all required to file a statement of our yearly income. It just might help our attitude if we would pause a moment and reflect on why we pay taxes anyway. 
     Firstly, we recognize taxes are a necessary part of supporting a democratic government and a civil society. Taxes support democracy as they fund government services, court systems and national defence, which protects our lives, property and our rights.
     Taxes support our daily quality of life by; giving us clean air to breathe, making sure our food and drugs are safe, keeping our travel safe on highways, trains and planes, and providing for our health care. 
     And so, the list goes on. We all admit these services are necessary as we reap the benefits of living the good life in our beautiful cities, provinces, and country. 

Paying taxes was no less popular in Jesus' day, and some flatly refused

to pay them. 

     Confronting Jesus with the question,"Is it right to pay taxes or not?", his answer was, "Give to Caesar (head of the ruling government at that time) what is Caesar's and to God, what is God's." 

     We really do not have a choice, so each year we do the honourable thing, meanwhile being grateful for this wonderful country we are proud to call ours.

—  beulah