toadstools & the queen

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Photo Courtesy of Kristyn Brown Photography

An anxious man once advised:

“All I can tell you is exactly what my father-in-law advised me early in my own marriage:  “You have a choice to make, you either get on that train or you get out of the way because this train is not stopping.” And just so you know…it never will.” 

Moral of the story: A train’s tightly shackled caboose always follows along…because it can’t go anywhere without it.

Readings of the day for Friday, February 5, 2016.

Gospel Reading

Mark 6:14-29 (RSV)

King Herod heard of it; for Jesus’ name had become known.  Some said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead; that is why these powers are at work in him.”  But others said, “It is Elijah.”  And others said, “It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.”  But when Herod heard of it he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.”  For Herod had sent and seized John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; because he had married her.  For John said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”  And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him.  But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe.  When he heard him, he was much perplexed; and yet he heard him gladly.  But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and the leading men of Galilee.  For when Herodias’ daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will grant it.”  And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.”  And she went out, and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?”  And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.”  And she came in immediately with haste to the king, and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”  And the king was exceedingly sorry; but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her.  And immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard and gave orders to bring his head.  He went and beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.  When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

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Photo courtesy of Pinterest

Divine Love was found in the friends who came to gather what remained.

hugs n’ blessings to all who receive mercy,

for the sake of his sorrowful passion,

from the one True Prince of heaven.

 

i will ‘to-do’ it!

it’s the monday giggles…

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Photo Courtesy of Pinterest

Our daughter is getting married this year.

Hence, Emily Post (the queen of etiquette,) has become my new BFF.

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My Blue Book of Etiquette.

And even though we have never met…

I love Emily! 

She keeps me on track. She keeps me motivated.

She answers my questions when I do not know what to do!

And even when I may decide not to follow her sound advice (which is often,) she continues to applaud my efforts in this mother-of-the-bride role.

Yes, I love Emily!

Because she approves of our daughter’s glitter and sparkle and most definately understands the important etiquette of bedazzling one’s straight-jacket too!

 

Here is the first piece of wisdom she shared with me:

“Great news: Your daughter or son is getting married!

Before you do anything else, take a moment to savor the thrill of this great news.

Finished? Good. Now roll up your sleeves—because whether you are deeply involved in every aspect of planning the wedding or the bride and groom prefer to rely on you as a sounding board while making the major decisions themselves, it’s likely that you’re going to find yourself juggling the roles of adviser, therapist, communications hub, and trouble-shooter. You’ll need to be able to:

Keep the planning process on track without nagging.
Offer guidance without being pushy.
And be a rock of supportive encouragement—even if you disagree with the couple on a particular decision.

All this, of course, is in addition to any specific parental responsibilities that you take on, such as throwing an engagement party, spreading the word about gift registries, contributing to the guest list, bonding with your daughter or son’s new in-laws, arranging a bridal shower, negotiating sticky family situations, and welcoming guests at the big event itself.”

Now…if I could simply get my new BFF Emily  “to actually to-do-it-too!”

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Bridal Shower invites go out!

 

We watched her play in the sandbox,

lose her first tooth,

go on her first date,

graduate from high school

and

live on her own for the very first time.

Now our little girl isn’t so little anymore — and she’s getting married!  

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Best Dad Ever.

And so we’ve been reliving the memorable moments in her life with fondness and looking forward to the days ahead as our daughter becomes a wife …

and maybe one day, God willing, even a mother.

I hopity-hope Emily still approves of glitter for that too!

hugs n’ blessings filled with the kind of fondness that sticks to your heart

like glitter on paper!

And so we March.

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Man’s Best Friend?

Cruelty to dogs is the worst kind
lies in cobwebs of my blown mind,
How

could mankind be so damn cruel
over the animals we were given to rule?

They are ours given by God to protect
seems to me these at times we reject,
mistreatment of animals of our world
always makes my blood boil and curl.

Can’t we remember dogs are man’s best friend
they always remain loyal to the very end,
to see them in such cruel punishment
irks my nerve and burns my sentiment.

Azantquill

And so we March.

(Because an Animal’s life must be protected.)

A Million Human March’ for Animal Cruelty.

*All 50 States now have Felony Animal Cruelty Provisions!

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A Dog’s Best Friend?

Weeks 1-4 Gender is determined immediately during fertilization. Nervous systems start to form creating a foundation for a childs thoughts senses and feelings. Heart and circulatory systems also start forming.
Week 5 A baby’s heart beats for the first time! Their blood starts pumping and organs begin to develop.
Week 6 A baby’s brain is growing. Lenses of the eye appears and nostrils are formed.
Week 7 Elbows form. Fingers start to form. Feet start to appear with tiny notches for toes. Ears, eyes and nose start to appear and teeth are starting to form under the gums.
Week 8 A baby’s bones and cartilage start to form. Tongue begins to develop. Fingers and toes have appeared but are webbed and short.
Week 9 A baby is beginning to move. Their joints are formed. And a baby will curl their fingers around things in the palm of their hands, like the umbilical cord.
Week 10 Eyelids fuse shut and irises begin to appear. The most critical part of a baby’s development is complete and he or she is headed toward rapid growth.
Week 11 Nearly all structures and organs are complete and starting to function. Fingers and toes are separated and fingernails and hair start to grow. These tiny little hands and feet are about the size of your own thumbnail.
Week 12 A baby’s vocal cords are forming. Their eyes begin shifting closer together and ears move to their right place on the side of their head. Your little ones liver starts functioning.

In just 12 short weeks…This is a babies development. At any time it is legal to have an abortion. (Although abortion limitations vary from State to State.) They have a brain, heart, fingers toes and fingernails. They can move their hands and feet and even grasp things. They have had a soul since conception.

And so we March.

(Because a Child’s life must be protected.)

The 2016 March for Life is the largest Pro-Life March in the World.

*And still all 50 States allow Legalized abortion.

How can either not be worthy of Marching for?

Dog and Baby Nap Together
Both treasured & precious in the eyes of God.

 

hugs n’ blessings….until we do not need to March any longer.