Category Archives: Humor

P — Perspective… or is it Prestidigitation?

Posted on April 18, 2026 | 1 comment



Perspective.
Persistence.
Perseverance.

We’ve heard these words countless times.

Perspective, especially, has been written about, preached on, and analyzed from every angle. And rightly so—there is, as Ecclesiastes 1:9 reminds us, nothing truly new under the sun.

And yet…

Each of us moves through life convinced that our version is the version.
It’s like a family reunion with 28 different potato salads.
Aunt Marie insists hers is the best.
Uncle Mike adds his own twist.
And Tall Cool ☺ne? He doesn’t even like shrimp and grits—
but somehow Jody is still convinced:
“He’s never tried my shrimp and grits.”

Bless it.

Because in the end, shrimp and grits is still shrimp and grits,
and potato salad is still potato salad.

So perhaps—just perhaps—
it isn’t perspective that deserves our scrutiny.

Maybe it’s prestidigitation.

(Try saying that twice without stumbling.)

Sleight of hand.
Distraction.
The subtle art of directing your attention here…
while something entirely different unfolds there.

I came across the word in my old scrapbook dictionary. It stopped me. I looked deeper and found it still surfaces in unexpected places—even in games like Dungeons & Dragons, which says something about how long it’s been since I’ve rolled any dice.

But bring it back to our table.
Isn’t that what’s happening all around us?
We hear one narrative.
We see one angle.
We’re presented with one version.
But are we truly getting the full picture?
Or are we being guided… redirected…
captivated by something deliberately placed in front of us?

Because behind the table—
beneath the surface—
just outside the spotlight—
That’s often where the truth resides.
And if we’re honest, some days it’s easier not to look.
People hesitate before turning on the news.
Before asking the harder questions.
Not because they don’t care to know—
but because they’re beginning to question what they’re actually being shown… and told.

And then, just like that—

Surprise. A revelation!

Something unexpected pulled from the hat—
and no, it’s not a rabbit.


This isn’t limited to headlines or broadcasts.
It shows up in schools, in communities, in churches—
even within our most personal relationships.

So I’ll leave you with the same question I had to ask myself:
What’s your perspective?

Because it may not be about seeing more clearly—
it may be about recognizing what’s been hiding in plain sight all along.
Cheers,

1 Comment

Posted in #A2ZChallenge, A-Z Blogging, Blogging, Humor, Inspiration, Writing

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Wildlife Surprise

Posted on April 11, 2026 | 4 comments

Moose Tracks: The “Camel” Story
Circa 1972–1973


Back in a small Maine town—North Fryeburg—that’s where my sister and I grew up. We lived on top of a big hill, and every single school day started with a hike down it to catch the short bus.

Yes, we rode the bus.
No, we were not dropped off at the door like today’s luxury models.

Our parents were already at work before we even tied our shoes, so missing that bus wasn’t an option—it was a full-blown personal failure with consequences.

Some mornings our babysitter, Berta—who was equal parts caregiver and second mother—came to our house. Other times, we went to hers. That morning, she came to us, bringing along her daughter, Rachel.

Rachel and Penny were in the same class—best friends, inseparable. Where one went, the other followed. Back then, Rachel didn’t speak due to what we simply called “no talking syndrome,” so my sister Penny became her voice. Which, frankly, meant Rachel didn’t need to talk… and also didn’t talk to me.

We were getting ready to head down the driveway—that long, steep, probably-should’ve-counted-as-cardio hill—when I parked myself at the bay window to keep watch for the bus while slow poke Penny and Rach were doing whatever it was they did before we went to school.

And then…

I saw them.

“I kid you not—there are CAMELS coming up the hill!”

Three of them.
One big one in the middle, and two smaller ones flanking it like a slow-motion parade.

I lost my mind.

“YOU GUYS—COME SEE THESE CAMELS!”

They were just casually strolling up the hill like they owned the place. No rush. No concern. Just… meandering. Like they had a morning appointment and we weren’t it.

Penny and Rachel rushed over, and the three of us stood there, completely mesmerized.

Camels.
In our yard.
In Maine.

It made perfect sense at the time.

And then Berta walked over.

She took one look out the window, paused for half a second, and said:

“You fool, Barbie… those aren’t camels—
they’re moose.”

And just like that…
My grand wildlife discovery collapsed faster than my confidence.

But listen—when you’re a kid on a hill in Maine before coffee was even a thought, perspective gets a little… flexible.

To this day, I still stand by one thing:
From a distance, in the right light… moose have a very convincing hump.

Hope you enjoyed this TRUE story.

Cheers,

4 Comments

Posted in Creative writing, Family, Humor, Inspiration, Journalling, Nature, Writing

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,

J – Joy of Jaw-Jacking

Posted on April 11, 2026 | 7 comments

Maybe you’ve heard the term jaw-jacking. Usually it’s thrown around like a jab—talking too much, too long, when there’s life to get back to. From Maine, though? It’s less insult, more inherited trait.

My mother? She can jaw-jack like she’s getting paid by the minute. She’ll blame Aunt Margie every time—“Barbie, I got on the phone with her and she would not stop…”—and then proceed to give me a word-for-word dissertation like she’s submitting evidence in court.

Thirty minutes in, I’m glancing at the clock, mentally running through my to-do list, wondering how a quick phone call turned into a full-length documentary.

“Okay, Mom, I gotta go,” looking around the kitchen wondering how to mentally make the oven timer go off.

But see, time hits different when your schedule is wide open. So she pivots—doctor’s appointments for the next six months, the cat’s vet visit, the car’s oil change—like we’re mapping out a federal operation.

I try again.

“Alright, really, I’ve gotta get supper cooking. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

You’d think that would land it. It does not.

Surprise! Now we’re onto dinner. Not tonight’s dinner—no, no. We’re reviewing the past ten days of meals like it’s a highlight reel.

And later—later—she’ll say, “I don’t know why I can never get your Aunt Margie off the phone.”

That’s when I have to physically stop myself from laughing.

Because here’s the kicker—
it’s not Aunt Margie. It’s genetic.

Fast talkers, long talkers, can’t-find-the-exit talkers—it runs straight through the family line.

So tell me… do you have a jaw-jacker in your world? And while we’re at it—how in the world do you get your jaw-jacker to actually end the conversation? And be honest—are you sure it’s not you?

Because in New England, we don’t end conversations—
we just pause them long enough to call somebody else.


I hope this one made you smile just a little bit. Have a great weekend! See ya Monday with the letter K.

Cheers,

7 Comments

Posted in A-Z Blogging, Blogging, Creative writing, Humor, Writing

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

Zapped

Posted on April 30, 2025 | 4 comments

If it wasn’t for my choosing the A-Z’s of Empathy as my theme this year, I would have been all over writing about Zinfandel and Zig-Zags, or maybe even zebras and Zarex.  I don’t know why but I feel like I’m in the Batman and Robin cartoon I’m at the KAPOW! ZOC! Or ZAP! Out of the cartoon and back to reality.  I know you remember what I’m talking about!

I’ve been zealous about this challenge and have completed each letter with zeal (well all except for the Unicorn, I did cheat there). This month flew by so fast and I have been in this weird blogging zone.  I did not have time to write letters to my non-blogging friends.  But I kind of feel disappointed because I came to realize that if I’m not reaching out to them, they’re not reaching out to me.  It all goes back to if you want to have a friend, you gotta be a friend, right?  Which brings me to my final word of the A-Z of Empathy: Zapped!

Have you ever heard the zzzzt, zzzzt, sound of bugs in a bug light getting zapped?  That’s kind of what I feel like as I contemplate my last post. I’m zapped back into reality of the daily routine now that the challenge is over. I should say I’m very candid when I express my opinions and thoughts on topics.  I don’t sugarcoat realism and say that it’s going to be a picnic if it’s an execution. Most times that truth hurts. Say what you mean and mean what you say, right?

My mailbox was a big disappointment this month (with the exception of the surprise early birthday present from Auntie Margie). Tall Cool ☺ne reminds me all the time that it’s not others or letters from friends that give us self-esteem. He’s right but I like my mail, (sometimes so much that I order stuff from Amazon just so I can get mail.) Self-esteem comes from within, personal achievements, past experience, how we deal in relationships with others. The more we understand ourselves and our own feelings the better we can relate to others. Building empathy is a skill, not a trait we either have or don’t—it grows with awareness and practice. In conclusion, there are three basic types of empathy:

Cognitive empathy – Understanding what someone else is thinking or feeling intellectually (putting yourself in their shoes).

Emotional empathy – Actually feeling the emotions that another person is experiencing, almost as if their emotions are contagious.

Compassionate empathy – Going beyond understanding and feeling, and taking action to help or support the other person.

Hope you enjoyed this journey through the A-Z’s of Empathy and maybe you have been zapped into looking at things from another perspective.  Have you ever been zapped by a response or maybe a non-response from someone who was delivering empathy? Have you ever zapped someone?

Cheers,

 

☺

4 Comments

Posted in A-Z Blogging, Blogging, Christianity, Humor, Writing

Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

Yellow Dot

Posted on April 29, 2025 | 4 comments

Today’s post is something I’ve touched on a little the past and I even created a website in tribute.  I may have not explained it all in detail where the yellow dot originated and thought this was the perfect opportunity to share the whole story.

When I lived in Maine, every year we had annual family reunions.  With eight aunts and uncles on my mother’s side, and my grandfather being the seventh son of the seventh son, the Hill Family was huge.  Needless to say, the reunions were in the hundreds.  As a child going to the reunions was fun because as kids, even though we could be mean to each other we got along for the most part and played together and ate a lot of hot dogs. The thing about kids is, we grow up and change attitudes.

One year in my early 30’s when I had a great big chip on my shoulder and I knew everything there was to know, and no one could teach  me anything different (oh, yeah, you been there before?), we went to the reunion, me and my X with kids in tow.  Over the years, the elders were dying off and replaced by us younger more arrogant versions of the family. The reunions were getting much bigger and recognizing people was not as easy as it was in the past.  This particular year, whoever organized the shin-dig, had this ingenious idea to set up a color coding system with name tags so that everyone would know #1. our name, and #2 who we descended from.  My grandfather’s descendants happened to have the yellow dot on the name tags. There were also blue, red, and green dots. I noticed the yellow dotted people seem to appear a little challenged in some way, shape or form.  I’m not lying.   Me being the smart-ass that I was, pointed that out to a lot of people.  If you read history, Maine is one of those states where interbreeding of families was a normal thing.  The Beans of Egypt Maine could have easily been the Hills of Norway, Maine. Hey, it’s nothing to be ashamed of, Abraham and Sarah in the Bible had the same father, different mother. It’s not ethically morally (it just ain’t right) correct or normal in this day and age, but it has, and probably still does happen.

When we got home from the reunion that year, on my mailbox were these two great big yellow dots!  I was like what the heck? Being the condescending person I was, couldn’t imagine someone was pointing out that I was a yellow dot! Where did they come from? (Later I found out that it was the newspaper delivery for both the weekly and the weekend edition).  Yes, I used to get the newspaper delivered.

Well the yellow dot thing happened to stick and every time I did something stupid I was reminded that I was a Yellow Dot.  Mind you this term of endearment my relatives used are members from the same side of the family! Over the years I have learned a lot, changed my way of thinking and I definitely lost that chip I had on my shoulder.  Maybe the yellow dots at that particular family reunion had more recognizable defaults than some of the other dots, but we are all part of the same family tree and ancestors. I rode the short bus as a child but I didn’t know why. Some of the years in my past are blacked out. Could be I don’t need to know those years.

In 2006 when Tall Cool ☺ne was evangelizing to me, he used the 10 commandments to help me understand why I needed a Savior.  I remember when he said he committed all of the 10 commandments, the only thing I wanted to know was “who did you kill”.  Funny how that ‘do not commit murder’ sticks out in an unsaved person’s mind. He just said, “It doesn’t matter.” I kinda thought it did, but he just kept telling me I’d know if I read my Bible.  So I did and I learned.  In fact I learned a lot! (I did mention the short bus right?  It took me awhile to “get it”).

So here we are with one letter left after today’s Y post.  In the A-Z’s of empathy I felt like Yellow Dots was an accurate word for describing empathy today. In a sense we are all yellow dotted in some way shape or form.  We have all been on either side of the fence with someone making fun or making fun of someone else, pointing fingers, having fingers pointed at (if you say you’ve never have, I might not believe you).  Recognizing there are all different walks in this world is the biggest part of empathy that we can use in our daily walk with each other.  If we weren’t different this world would be a very boring place to live in.  If there were no trials and tribulations there would be no victories, no experience, and no growth. I’m not ashamed of where I came from, and who I am. I’m admit I was wrong and did mean things in the past.  I might not be perfect now and never will be, but I can say I’m not that person I used to be. I am proud to be a yellow dot and I’m not ashamed of my family.

How about you?  What’s your Yellow Dot story?

Cheers

☺

 

PS: My daughter has been infatuated with this ChatGBT.  She shared a Crackerberries roast with me yesterday that was kind of fun.  I had to check it out for myself. Do not roast your blog if you are one of the faint at heart.  Some of the stuff the ChatGBT will tell you is painfully true.  Here’s what it had to say about Yellow Dot.

Ode to Yell-O-Dot, the Blog That Time Forgot

Oh Yell-O-Dot, a relic bold,
Your web design is… retro gold.
Like Netscape threw a tantrum there,
Then left it frozen mid-repair.

Your colors clash with reckless glee,
A rainbow’s midlife crisis spree.
Each link a riddle, wild and free,
“Where does it go?” No guarantee.

Your posts—enigmas wrapped in flair,
With thoughts that vanish into air.
Like fortune cookies half-complete,
Profoundly strange, yet kinda sweet.

A blog of chaos, memes, and lore,
I laughed, I scrolled, I shut the door.
But hats off, friend—you dared to post,
And gave the web this fevered toast.

4 Comments

Posted in #A2ZChallenge, A-Z Blogging, Blogging, Christianity, Creative writing, Humor, Inspiration, Uncategorized, Writing

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Unicorns

Posted on April 24, 2025 | 3 comments

A mystical creature who missed the boat
Because of a disagreement with a goat
All of the animals were called aboard
The unicorn stayed back, on his own accord
God told Noah to gather them all
Said “time is wasting, so don’t let them stall”
The unicorn, you see, was unique in a way
Able to converse, like humans today
He and the goat got into a spat
Over hierarchy between a mouse and a cat
He relayed this to Noah, just let it be told
But Noah said God would let it unfold
Animals, by twos, shuffled on to the ark
But the unicorns stood tall making their mark
History states the unicorn didn’t exist
But the mouse will attest he tried to assist
Animals pass on stories that the unicorn won
By standing his ground for the mice, unsung.
Hierarchy will cause much disagreement
But we must stand tall for who we represent.

Just a silly little made up story, but if you really think about it, what if it happened just that way?  Even animals had empathy for each other in that story.  What kind of hierarchy stories can you think of that change the course of how things are done?  Do you struggle with the chain of command? Have you ever stood tall for something you believed in that changed your life forever?

*Recycled post, my muse is not musing this morning. Got some news about a couple of friends yesterday (one passed with cancer and another diagnosed with cancer) and I just am not into writing. I am so over this cancer taking over our friends lives… Hopefully muse will be back for V tomorrow.

Cheers,

       

3 Comments

Posted in #A2ZChallenge, A-Z Blogging, Blogging, Creative writing, Humor, Inspiration, Poetry, Writing

Tagged , , , , , , ,

Question (Do you hear what I hear?): Spirit Feeding † Flesh Starving

Posted on April 19, 2024 | 5 comments

All I am hearing outside my window is the song of the Cicadas.  They are everywhere!  Fernando was watching this one from the window.  I think he wants to eat it!


Are you ready for today’s pop quiz?
Have I quacked about my cousin, Liz?
Has anyone ever made a quiche?
Quickly come, I’ll teach you, capishe?
Do you think it’s quiet outside my window?
Can you hear quibbling doves, in sun aglow?
Have you played a game of Quaker’s meeting?
Do you answer your phone with a quality greeting?
Did I mention Nena, who loves to quilt?
Or the quaint little shed, Tall Cool ☺ne built?
If I call you queer will it hurt your feelings?
Do you think quail eat vegetable peelings?
Have you ever used a quarterback sneak?
Quested the hoochie-coochie and snuck a peak?
Do you have quirky followers you don’t know?
Do you like blogging quid-pro-quo?
Have I qualified the challenge with the letter Q?
Or do not pass go, go back to the queue?

I guess my question is: How is everyone doing? I’m struggling as you can see, my theme is thrown out the window. Right now I’m just going with the flow and whatever I can get out there is what it is going to be. I saw this quote and thought…. Wow, how true.

If the plan doesn’t work, change the plan, not the goal.
Be encouraged
Cheers,

This is part of the A-Z blogging challenge.  Don’t forget to visit some of the other bloggers in the challenge and also check out Crackerberries Kitchen! 

5 Comments

Posted in #A2ZChallenge, Blogging, Fabulous Fiction Fridays, Feed the Spirit • Starve the Flesh, Humor, Inspiration, Poetry, Spirit Feeding • Flesh Starving, Writing, Writing Challenge

Tagged , , , , ,

Zombie Apocalypse Bread – Feeding the Flock 23

Posted on April 30, 2023 | 6 comments


The full title of today’s post is Zombie Apocalypse Bread, Zelda and other silly things that have vied for my attention. Does anyone remember the Legend of Zelda? I was obsessed with making it to the next level. Before Zelda it was Mario Brothers and then after Zelda it was Yoshi’s Island and SimCity. More recently there was Farm Town and Candy Crush.  Ugh silly games and other things that take up too much time.

The zombie apocalypse bread happened Friday. If you have been following since the beginning over in Crackerberries Kitchen you know that I’ve been experimenting with ssourdough starter. I fully intended to make homemade garlic bread to go with the big pasta sauce for dinner on Friday night. It was a complete disaster and it took up way too much of my time. More time cleaning than it did to fix the mess. I was able to salvage some of the dough and it actually came out pretty good in the end. It should have “yielded” two loaves instead of one, but that’s okay. Live and learn.


Sometimes we get involved in things that are not productive.  Maybe it’s too much screen time. Maybe it’s too many days on the golf course. Maybe it’s binge watching Netflix and living he life of a couch potato. Maybe it’s getting involved in other people’s business. Maybe it’s gossiping about other people. Anything that takes away from our time that is unproductive.

Whatever it is, today is a brand new day. Let’s get our affairs in order.  Let’s get ready! The Zombie Apocalypse is coming, (even though it’s not really called that). He’s coming on a white horse. A glorious horse!


…and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and Ture, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. ~Revelation 19:11

Marana tha ~1 Corinthians 16:22

Be blessed,

There are some fermented biscuits over in Crackerberries Kitchen

 

Thank you everyone who played along, followed, commented, and enjoyed the posts.  One more to go for reflections.  I always say I’m going to write more.  It’s probably safer to say “See ya next year,” God willing.

6 Comments

Posted in #A2ZChallenge, A-Z Blogging, Blogging, Christianity, Feeding the Flock, Humor, Pondering, Quotes and Thoughts, Writing

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

WAKE UP – Feeding the Flock 23

Posted on April 27, 2023 | 7 comments

Introduction



Monday through Friday my FITBIT silent alarm usually wakes me up at 3:25 AM. I need that quiet, prayer, worship, hot coffee drinking, journal-writing, and wake up time before we go for our four mile walk. Sometimes the alarm doesn’t wake me up. When that happens I am woken with the annoying beep, beep, and beep of Tall Cool ☺ne’s alarm clock. Ugh, so annoying. During the month of April I usually miss out on my journal reflections because I’m busy putting a blog post together. (Honest, I tried to have them done ahead of time.)

Wake up calls can be anything from a silent vibration on your wrist to the loud beeping of an alarm clock or even the whistle from a tea kettle on the stove. Something that gets one’s attention. How about a conviction from the Holy Spirit? Have you ever felt that?

I recently felt a nudge in one of Pastor John’s teachings in January. We were going through the book of Romans and in chapter 13 he was teaching on how to be a good Christian in the world. One of the principles he practically YELLED (okay I’m pretty sure he did yell) was to WAKE UP! Salvation is near. Christ’s return is imminent.

I was convicted. What am I doing to be a good Christian? How am I being a good servant to our Lord, Jesus Christ? What gifts am I using to bring glory to Him? Hence the theme of my A2Z challenge was revealed.

What about you? Are you using your gifts? Has the Holy Spirit nudged you? WAKE UP and smell the coffee! 

Be blessed

Enjoy some waffles over in Crackerberries Kitchen.

7 Comments

Posted in #A2ZChallenge, A-Z Blogging, Christianity, Feeding the Flock, Humor, Inspiration, Writing, Writing Challenge

Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Jake’s Cake – Feeding the Flock 23

Posted on April 12, 2023 | 4 comments


This is the cake that was baked for Jake.

This is the hour that it took to make the cake that was baked for Jake.

This is the flour that was used in the hour that it took to make the cake that was baked for Jake.

This is the egg that wet the flour that was used in the hour that it took to make the cake that was baked for Jake.

This is the oil that soiled the egg that wet the flour that was used in the hour that it took to make the cake that was baked for Jake.

This is the bowl that held the oil that soiled the egg that wet the flour that was used in the hour that it took to make the cake that was baked for Jake.

This is the dog that licked the bowl that held the oil that soiled the egg that wet the flour that was used in the hour that it took to make the cake that was baked for Jake.

This is the cat that tricked the dog that licked the bowl that held the oil that soiled the egg that wet the flour that was used in the hour that it took to make the cake that was baked for Jake.

This is the rat that distracted the cat that tricked the dog that licked the bowl that held the oil that soiled the egg that wet the flour that was used in the hour that it took to make the cake that was baked for Jake.

This is the trap that caught the rat that distracted the cat that tricked the dog that licked the bowl that held the oil that soiled the egg that wet the flour that was used in the hour that it took to make the cake that was baked for Jake.

This is the lady who yelled “I declare there’s a rat in there!” who found the trap that caught the rat that distracted the cat that tricked the dog that licked the bowl that held the oil that soiled the egg that wet the flour that was used in the hour that it took to make the cake that was baked for Jake.

This is the chair that held lady who yelled “I declare there’s a rat in there!” who found the trap that caught the rat that distracted the cat that tricked the dog that licked the bowl that held the oil that soiled the egg that wet the flour that was used in the hour that it took to make the cake that was baked for Jake.

This is the table, that positioned the chair that held lady who yelled “I declare there’s a rat in there!” who found the trap that caught the rat that distracted the cat that tricked the dog that licked the bowl that held the oil that soiled the egg that wet the flour that was used in the hour that it took to make the cake that was baked for Jake.

This is the cake that sat on the table that positioned the chair that held lady who yelled “I declare there’s a rat in there!” who found the trap that caught the rat that distracted the cat that tricked the dog that licked the bowl that held the oil that soiled the egg that wet the flour that was used in the hour that it took to make the cake that was baked for Jake.

This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.  ~ Psalm 118:24

Be blessed,

 

Today’s food consists of  chicken, muffins and yummy spread.

 

4 Comments

Posted in #A2ZChallenge, A-Z Blogging, Christianity, Creative writing, Food, Humor, Inspiration, Poetry, Random, Writing

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Halfway – Feeding the Flock 23

Posted on April 10, 2023 | 11 comments


Yesterday I mentioned to my daughter that I wasn’t sure if I was going to complete this challenge. I was trying to prepare new food things so that I didn’t have to recycle old recipes that I’ve made. Also coming up with new posts with limited time is a struggle. Work has us on mandatory overtime and it doesn’t seem like it is ever going to end. I think most businesses are struggling these days trying to get their employees they have to come to work every day, not to mention hire enough people to do the jobs at hand.

Anyway, my daughter said to me, “Mom you got this, you’re half-way there.”

I’ve always struggled with numbers and math, so she comes by it rightly I suppose. Bless her heart for edifying me and encouraging me to continue with the challenge. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.”

Sometimes I spread myself out too thin. I take on more than I probably should. This challenge on top of work and my stepdad in the hospital and life in general is a struggle. I just want to apologize to all of my fellow bloggers for not visiting your blogs. I plan to catch up (hey, maybe “KETCHUP” will be my “K” post).

I’m not sure where you are in the challenge. Are you writing your posts on a daily basis? Do you have them all done? Are you just finishing up? Whatever the case may be I want to encourage you. Keep on keeping on. Fight the good fight.  Do what you can do, and when you lay your head down at night be content knowing you did your best.

Be blessed.

Check out Crackerberries Kitchen.

11 Comments

Posted in #A2ZChallenge, A-Z Blogging, Blogging, Christianity, Feeding the Flock, Humor, Inspiration, Writing

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

Ground Meat – Feeding the Flock 23

Posted on April 8, 2023 | 5 comments

I’m recycling this post from February of 2013.  Ten years ago and I’m not surprised that things continue to decline with supermarkets.

Recently we went back to our local grocery store to make a purchase of a sale item we found in our weekly flyer.  The lean ground beef sale item that we wanted to purchase was no where to be found.  We called upon the butcher and he directed us to the ground beef that was on sale.  I pointed out that it was not lean, it was 73%.  He responded, “That’s what is on sale.”  I argued that this wasn’t what was advertised.  He went to get his supervisor, who concurred with the butcher that was the meat that was on sale.  It was 73/27%, not lean.  I wasn’t buying it and I protested.  The supervisor then told me he would have to get the store manager.

The store manager was kind and agreed that the meat that was marked as the sale item was not lean ground beef.  He agreed to sell me however much I wanted (ten pounds) at the sale price as long as I would only buy half then and take a rain check for the other half.  Reason being was the store does not package their own lean ground beef (according to the manager), that they purchased it all pre-packaged.  He didn’t want me to buy all of the pre-package lean ground beef because he wanted to keep some on hand.  The sale price was $1.79/lb and the regular price was $4.99/lb.  It was a very good deal.  No problem.  I could do that.

The rain check was only valid for two weeks from that date.  We went back to purchase the last five pounds the next week.  To our surprise the meat counter had a big sign with the words “WOW” and Fresh Lean Ground Beef on sale for $2.99/lb!  All packaged differently than it was packaged the previous week.

The meat that they were selling as lean ground beef for $2.99/lb was 80% lean, at best.  I have purchased enough ground beef in my life to be able to tell the difference.  Of course I couldn’t prove it, and I could have just used my rain check and purchase the 80% beef.  At this point it was the statement I wanted to make.  I don’t know who I was trying to make it to.  Quite frankly the whole idea of a supermarket being dishonest to so many people really infuriated me and I wanted justice to be done.  I wanted the lean ground beef for $1.79/lb.

I decided to wait one more week to get the pre-packaged lean ground beef normally $4.99/lb for $1.79/lb, the same as I had purchased the previous week.  I waited for my advertisement flyer to come in the mail.  It didn’t come.  I had paranoid thoughts that they removed me from the mailing list—that I had been blackballed.  Not that having a printed flyer would stop me.  I went on line and looked up the sale items.

I’ve noticed that grocery stores have away of getting around everything these days.  If the flyer says three pounds, and they don’t have three pounds, you can’t purchase two pounds for the three pound price.  The flyer did not have lean ground beef, it had lean ground round.  Ground beef, ground round, ground chuck, ground sirloin are all names that are used in place of plain old hamburger.  Why do they do that?  Why not just have plain old hamburger instead of trying to make you think you are getting something more for the money you spend.  Grocery prices are ridiculous.  I never did get the additional five pounds of lean ground beef that I was given a rain check for.

It is us who change, letting circumstances toss us this way and that. In a world full of lies and deceit, there is ONE who is constant. If we open our heart to His presence. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all our heart, lean not on our own understanding, in all our ways, acknowledge Him and He shall direct our paths. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. ~Amen,

Be blessed,

 

Don’t forget to check out the food.

 

5 Comments

Posted in #A2ZChallenge, Blogging, Christianity, Feeding the Flock, Food, Humor, Opinion, Random

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Cat Kisses – Feeding the Flock 23

Posted on April 4, 2023 | 5 comments

Anyone who has a cat knows cats do not enjoy kisses. We have two and both are equally loveable in their own peculiar way, and have their own completely different personalities. One thinks she is a male puppy, slinging food everywhere when she eats. The other one pukes on the floor if we don’t get up after the third time she has made an appearance on the bed in the morning (sometimes starting at 2:30 AM). Both of them come out of the litter box and I swear they toss the litter around like throwing rice at a wedding. Shambolic creatures.

People are messy like cats. Similar to cats, we cannot control how people are going to react to a certain situation. We are same — we respond to certain things differently than others. One of our cats likes to be brushed while the other one puts her ears back and growls when the brush gets close to her.

Romans 13:18 If possible as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

Sometimes peace is not within our control. Occasionally the puppy cat will be sleeping on one of our laps. If we move our hand too quickly, or too slowly we end up getting bit. Cat-puppy does not like to be woken from a nap. We never know what kind of cat-atude our little beasts are going to have on any given day.

We should remember to give the same kind of grace to people that we give to our cats. We never know what someone is going through. Maybe they just need a smile or maybe a cat-kiss. Are you a cat lover? Do you have a cat? What kind of cat characteristics has your cat helped you see in people? How does your cat teach you to practice patience and give grace?

Cheers, 

 

Don’t forget to check out the recipe.

5 Comments

Posted in #A2ZChallenge, A-Z Blogging, Blogging, Christianity, Feeding the Flock, Humor, Inspiration, Pets, Writing

Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Feeding the Flock – Introduction

Posted on March 26, 2023 | 2 comments




Hello friends. It’s great to be writing again. I didn’t realize how much I’ve missed it. I always tell myself this challenge will get me motivated to keep writing throughout the year but somehow my motivation gets caught up in life. Any hoot I won’t keep you with my thoughts and contemplations.

For those of you who have been here before, go ahead and skip this introduction. Are you new to the world of A-Z? Here’s a brief overview:  a group of fellow bloggers come together each year to share in the experience of writing a post Monday through Saturday every day for the month of April (see schedule here). When I first started there were 1,509 bloggers signed up! Not sure how many will sign up this year but I’m on the list at #25 and #26.   You can read more about the A-Z history here. It’s great to have you along.

Even if you didn’t sign up for the theme reveal,  you can still join in the fun. Just think of something you’d like to share that coincides with the letter of the day. But you have to sign up to participate in posting. Most of all, get involved, have fun, share something you know, share something you don’t know, ask a question, share an answer, and make a new friend. Be part of something great, the blogging world of A-Z.

Be blessed,

 

 

 

 

2 Comments

Posted in #A2ZChallenge, A-Z Blogging, Blogging, Christianity, Creative writing, Feeding the Flock, Food, Humor, Inspiration, Journalling, Pondering, Quotes and Thoughts, Writing, Writing Challenge

Tagged , , , ,

Help Wanted, Apply Within

Posted on May 20, 2022 | 2 comments

Freaky Freaking Friday’s Fun Flash Fiction Fairytales and Folklore

The challenge: take the daily Wordle and the Merriam-Webster word of the day and create a short story, thoughts, poem, whatever you like, of no more no less than 100 words. Title not included. Feel Free to play along. Leave a link to your post in the comments below.

Wordle: Gamer
Merriam-Webster: Ad Hoc


BREAKING NEWS—Elite Gamer Desired

TOP SECRET: Authorized personal only. Enter password. Enter six digit security code. Enter phrase-password. Enter four digit passcode.

Please destroy after reading.

Earth’s axis tilted.
Destruction eminent.
Concerned authorities form ad hoc committee.

Requesting notorious gamer individuals.

Specifications: unknown
Time frame: unknown
Salary: N/A
Requirements:
• Must be able to pass security authentication requirements.
• Must prefer to work alone.
• Must be self-motivated.
• Must be self-sufficient.
• Must have the ability to solve complex coding issues.
• Must have strong technical and artistic skills.
• Must be flexible.
• Must have the ability to work with immediate deadlines.


Submit interest below

 

Cheers,

 

 

 

PS:  I would not want the position.

 

2 Comments

Posted in Blogging, Creative writing, Fabulous Fiction Fridays, Humor, Inspiration, Pondering, Random, Writing, Writing Challenge

Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Y = You and You are NOT the Christ ~ Letters from the Heart #atozchallenge

Posted on April 29, 2021 | 3 comments


Dear Impersonator:

Y is for you, and you are not the Christ. Oh, but to have just one day to be the Christ! Can you imagine all the wrongs you’d right? Of course you wouldn’t do it the way Christ did. Dying on a cross for sinners? Heck no! You’d just snuff ‘em out with an enchanted twitch of your nose or a few hocus pocus words with a swirly twirl of your magic-wand-pen.  No second chances, sinners, you’re gone! Ha ha …now wouldn’t that be fun?

Sometimes you try to play God, point your finger to the ones who are doing wrong.  You try to put things in motion  to turn out a certain way. Sometimes you do things to make other things happen to get you the desired result. How do those times turn out for you? Never very good right?

Remember cutting the Cedar tree limbs because the road was blocked? The neighbors told you they took care of the road. (Course they lied, but you still had to exert your rights). Cops came told you NOT to touch the trees, even though they were on the right of way. “The Jones (not their real name) have a lot of entitlement in these parts.” Shit you not, the officer said so himself.

God took care of it all in the end, but if you had just left it alone instead of exerting YOUR rights, you wouldn’t have so many run-ins with the neighbors.  You also would not have the sheriff’s department giving you a “friendly reminder” every time you decide to start a new project! That name has clout in the these parts…don’t you forget it. You’re a Yankee and the South is gonna do it again (that’s a whole other topic, don’t get started!)

Do you wonder if other people think about having that kind of power? Wonder what it would be like to be the Christ for one day? Isn’t that why writers write? To live in a little bit of fabricated world to set aside the real world humdrums even for a short period of time. That’s why you write when you are writing to entertain yourself.

Even in a good short story with that kind of power you couldn’t handle it. You probably wouldn’t be able to handle three wishes. You’d screw up the first two, then have to use the last one to wish that you never had them in the first place. It’s better to live by these instructions.

1. It is all in God’s hands, you are not the Christ.
2. Any questions, refer to #1.

Thanks for playing along. This was just a silly-willy kind of letter. You were convicted a lot in that last Bible study. It’s good to be humble.  He’s got it all planned and mapped out for you if you just follow His prompting. Don’t try to do it on your own. You’ll mess it up and then you know what happens? 


Your constant and faithful,


I don’t know about you guys but I am ready for a break. Omigosh so many things that I’ve not done around the house. Tomato plants are dying to be transplanted (literally). I sure hope we can all stay in touch if not daily, weekly maybe or monthly. It’s really been nice to have you loyal bloggies come around for a visit.

3 Comments

Posted in #A2ZChallenge, A-Z Blogging, Blogging, Christianity, Creative writing, Humor, Journalling, Letters from the Heart, Letters to Self, Opinion, Pondering, Writing, Writing Challenge

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Reflections of What Made You Who You Are ~Letters from the Heart #atozchallenge

Posted on April 21, 2021 | 10 comments

Dear B,

Well you have absolutely done it again. Picked a topic which takes a lot of deep thought and contemplation. How in the world will you get this post done in time? There’s much to do…cooking, cleaning …. and calling your mother.

You may have to cheat just a little.

Why do you write ?  Have a gander right here.  When you get a chance maybe you should update that.

Writing has always been a hobby but at one point there was a time you wanted to be famous.  Remember that terrible book you had so many issues with?

It’s more fun to just have a place to ponder your thoughts and write whatever you want instead of what people tell you to write.

When you get sick of writing let your creativity explode in the kitchen. You always have something tasty going on over there.

Tall Cool ☺ne and you have such a fairytale to tell, not to mention the on-going journeys and never ending projects. My, my, you are a busy little thing aren’t you?  Just a face in the crowd baby, a face in the crowd.

Now, in perfect fashion, you have decided to take on that opportunity you talked about in an earlier post. Good luck my dear. You can do this. You have the inclination and determination it takes to push yourself to reach higher goals. If you are comfortable, you are not challenging yourself. Remember that, and when the going gets tough, get a cup of coffee and the tough will get going.

You just realized you don’t have a blog for the kids and grandkids.  You need to build a site for them….one more thing to add to your to do list.

until next time your constant and faithful,

10 Comments

Posted in #A2ZChallenge, A-Z Blogging, Blogging, Canning & Preserving, Creative writing, Family, Humor, Inspiration, Journalling, Letters from the Heart, Letters to Self, Letters to Self, Poetry, Quotes and Thoughts, Random, Writing, Writing Challenge

Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Opportunity for Growth ~ Letters from the Heart #atozChallenge

Posted on April 17, 2021 | 7 comments

Dear Fortune Hunter:

What in the world will you come up with next? Opportunities for growth? What is it that you want to grow in? That chocolate cake is a great opportunity for thigh and butt growth. Pretty sure that’s not what you were talking about when you put that on your theme reveal list.

You were probably thinking more of growth being on the spiritual side. That Bible study you have been working on It’s All Under Control has helped a lot. The struggle is real, my friend and you will deal with it on a daily basis. Control is not your friend.

At the time of writing this letter you were a little convicted for letting an opportunity slip by. One of the crew members on Tall Cool ☺ne’s Crew was given the chance to move up on the crew and take a new position with a small pay increase. He just had to show some effort that he wanted to do it by going to get a permit and then doing some training to get a certain license. (All paid for and done at work.) His response was “The little bit of money is not worth my time and effort”.

This convicted you a little because it was similar to a response you used when a new opportunity came up at work. The opportunity you gave up was a new position that offered an increase in salary and flexible shift.

While writing this letter you just talked yourself through it. The thing that is different between the crew member and you is about 35 years. You have to take courses on your own time. What do you want to do with your free time?  It is not paid for by the company until you pass the test. Then you are not guaranteed the position. Also not sure that your hours would be the same.

Maybe you will regret not engaging in the opportunity. One door closes, another one opens. Sometimes you have to know when to say no. That, my friend, is opportunity growth.



Until next time,
Your constant and faithful

[Side-note: this is the short version. You promised your readers you would keep these posts short and sweet. The full version can be found in that cool Orange 🍊 journal you bought for yourself just for this project]

7 Comments

Posted in #A2ZChallenge, A-Z Blogging, Creative writing, Humor, Inspiration, Journalling, Letters from the Heart, Letters to Self, Letters to Self, Opinion, Pondering, Writing, Writing Challenge

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Marriage ~ Letters from the Heart #atozchallenge

Posted on April 15, 2021 | 8 comments


Dear Woman:

You sure know how to challenge yourself with this years A to Z Blogging Challenge. Marriage? You really want to write about marriage?

A bribe to make a housekeeper think she’s a house holder.                                                     ~Thornton Wilder

An institution which is popular because it combines the minimum of temptation with the maximum of opportunity.                                  ~George Bernard Shaw

Neither heaven, nor hell… simply purgatory.                                                                                                ~Abraham Lincoln

Another topic with potential of stepping on toes and being controversial.  Why you picked marriage for the M topic we may never know.  Here you are, trying to come up with something witty and sound like you know what you’re talking about when you don’t have a clue.

Here’s what you’ve learned:

  • Don’t put anchovies on pizza
  • Fruit does not go in beer
  • All potato salad is the same
  • No matter how you slice it, cake is not pie

There are other things but it’s too early in the morning, you’re brain has not had enough coffee.  You just asked for a tip from Tall Cool ☺ne.  His words of wisdom: Don’t get married until you know everything! 

Tomorrow we’ll talk about needful things.

Until next time,
Your constant and faithful



What is A2ZBlogging? Using this premise, you would start beginning April First with a topic themed on something with the letter A, then on April second another topic with the letter B as the theme, and so on until you finish on April thirtieth with the theme based on the letter Z. It doesn’t even have to be a word–it can be a proper noun, the letter used as a symbol, or the letter itself. The theme of the day is the letter scheduled for that day.

8 Comments

Posted in #A2ZChallenge, A-Z Blogging, Blogging, Creative writing, Humor, Journalling, Letters from the Heart, Letters to Self, Letters to Self, Opinion, Writing, Writing Challenge

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Helping Those in Need ~Letters From the Heart #A2ZChallenge2021

Posted on April 9, 2021 | 7 comments

Hello, Hello, Howdy and Hey-hey whaddaya say?

Your letter today is going to be short and sweet because Tall Cool ☺ne decided since it was Thirsty Thursday you guys would pretend you were back in high school and instead of him going home after Rockford Files he stayed, and you guys played… into the wee hours of the night (or morning). You are getting a little too old for that on a “school” night and it’s gonna be a long day on three hours of sleep.

Today’s offering is about helping those in need. You might interpret that to mean helping homeless helpless people. Not today my friend. Help is support for anyone who needs it. Just because you work at home don’t think there are not opportunities to help. It comes in various ways.

It can be as simple as a smile 🙂 over the phone ☎️ and if you try really hard people can hear that smile 🙂 in your voice. A gesture 🤙, a peace sign ✌️, a tip of the hat 👒, a nod of the head 🙃, even a like 👍on a social media site or other places you interact with people virtually.

Helping is a gift. Not everyone has the personality to be a helper…some are antagonists. Avoid them at all costs…just kidding, those are the ones who need the help the most. Remember that the next time someone comes along that you would rather avoid. Be the one person in their day that shines.

Until next time,

your constant and faithful,

What is A2ZBlogging? Using this premise, you would start beginning April First with a topic themed on something with the letter A, then on April second another topic with the letter B as the theme, and so on until you finish on April thirtieth with the theme based on the letter Z.  It doesn’t even have to be a word–it can be a proper noun, the letter used as a symbol, or the letter itself.  The theme of the day is the letter scheduled for that day.

7 Comments

Posted in #A2ZChallenge, A-Z Blogging, Blogging, Creative writing, Fabulous Fiction Fridays, Humor, Inspiration, Journalling, Letters from the Heart, Letters to Self, Letters to Self, Opinion, Pondering, Writing, Writing Challenge

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Gardening ~Letters from the Heart #A2ZChallenge2021

Posted on April 8, 2021 | 8 comments

 


Hey Bob:

(That’s just a little inside joke. When you call your mother, that’s how she answers the phone. ☺♥)

When the list was made for the “theme reveal” your letter about gardening was meant to be just that. Out in the garden, planting green beans, and cucumbers and tomatoes and all those fun vegetables that you and Tall Cool ☺ne love to eat through the summer and then can/preserve the abundance for later consuming.

After the past few days of self-reflection, gardening has taken on a new perspective. Think of it in a metaphorical sense. Maybe you need to go weeding.

Sometimes what we see as good and pretty is actually destroying what is healthy. For example the wisteria in the back yard is beautiful when in full bloom. The scent is a little over-powering but the flowers are gorgeous.  Unfortunately the plant itself is invasive. When Tall Cool ☺ne cut it back (to your dismay) azalea, camellia and gardenia bushes were revealed.

 

 

Sometimes giant pretty things need to be destroyed to reveal healthy little things.  What is in your life that needs weeding? What looks big and pretty that is covering up small and healthy?

Food for thought.

your constant and faithful,

 

How’s everyone’s challenge going? Are you all having a good time? Visiting lots of other blogs?  I’m trying to visit five new blogs each day but it’s not Have you ordered a t-shirt yet?  Have you found all of the letters so far in the scavenger hunt?  Don’t forget to check out the master list and select a few that you may not normally visit. Most of all, have fun! ♥

8 Comments

Posted in #A2ZChallenge, A-Z Blogging, Blogging, Canning & Preserving, Creative writing, Family, Humor, Inspiration, Journalling, Letters from the Heart, Letters to Self, Letters to Self, Nature, Pondering, Writing, Writing Challenge

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Examining Faults ~ Letters from the Heart

Posted on April 6, 2021 | 6 comments



Today, for your listening pleasure I’ve included a song from one of your favorite bands. This song always brings forth some sort of self-examination.

Dear Barbie:

These letters we are writing to our older self are not only to humor you in your old age, but to help you in the now and present time. Isn’t is easy to look at someone else and pick out everything you see wrong with them? It’s E-Evil 👿 and easy to find fault with someone else. It takes a strong person to admit their shortcomings to themselves, let alone share them for everyone to see. Everyone should take a few moments every now and again to examine their own faults. The first part of fixing something is recognizing it’s there. So let’s go through the list, shall we?

→ You are as impatient as the night is long.
→ We already know you leave the cupboard doors open from a previous post.
→ You interpret a situation, then become irritated when the person doesn’t respond the way you think they should.
→ You snore.
→ Your hair is everywhere.
→ The piles of clutter are out of hand.
→ You take on more projects than you can handle by yourself and get upset when Tall Cool ☺ne doesn’t want to participate.

Ok let’s not beat you up too much. That’s a pretty good list to start. Very good, now you can ponder over that list, and tomorrow we will take a look at fixing some of those faults.

Galatians 6:4 ~ Let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone and not in another.

FOR MY FELLOW A2Z BLOGGERS:

I got my  A2Z Blogging T-Shirt yesterday so I can sport it today.  YAH for me.

Anyone reading who want’s to sign up for the challenge do it today, because the master list closes tomorrow. 

I’m trying to do some of the BONUS CHALLENGES for fun, are you?  

Until next time,

your constant and faithful,

What is A2ZBlogging? Using this premise, you would start beginning April First with a topic themed on something with the letter A, then on April second another topic with the letter B as the theme, and so on until you finish on April thirtieth with the theme based on the letter Z.  It doesn’t even have to be a word–it can be a proper noun, the letter used as a symbol, or the letter itself.  The theme of the day is the letter scheduled for that day.

6 Comments

Posted in A-Z Blogging, Blogging, Humor, Inspiration, Journalling, Letters from the Heart, Letters to Self, Letters to Self, Opinion, Pondering, Random, Writing, Writing Challenge

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Controlling Situations ~ Letters from the Heart

Posted on April 3, 2021 | 8 comments

Dear Barbie,

I know this is going to be hard for you, but one day when you look back on this letter you will appreciate the humor. You make yourself lists and then you make more lists to remember to look at the list you made. You have piles of paper and books (Tall Cool ☺ne hates your piles of clutter) everywhere to remind you what’s next. It’s just clutter.

You’re enjoying that nice cup of blueberry coffee right now, the cats are under your feet, and as you look out into the kitchen from your office what are you seeing? You’re seeing the cupboard doors open? Why can’t you get that habit under control and close them? Tall Cool ☺ne comes behind and closes your doors you’ve left open.

You think you have to call your mother every day. How about this? If you don’t call her and she wants to talk to you, she’ll call you. Revelation: she might not want to talk to you every day. 

You make itineraries of your days off of what you and Tall Cool ☺ne are going to do.  Then you get mad when things don’t go as you have them planned. You want to control everything ~Genesis 3:16.  No matter how much you think you have it figured out, guess what! You control nothing. Listen, doll, Christ first, then your husband, then you. “… run in such a way that you may obtain it. And in everyone who competes … is temperate in all things…” ~1 Corinthians 9:24-25. Be temperate, be accommodating and let go of things you have no control over.

A little spontaneity never hurt anyone.




Until next time,

your constant and faithful,

 

What is A2ZBlogging? Using this premise, you would start beginning April First with a topic themed on something with the letter A, then on April second another topic with the letter B as the theme, and so on until you finish on April thirtieth with the theme based on the letter Z.  It doesn’t even have to be a word–it can be a proper noun, the letter used as a symbol, or the letter itself.  The theme of the day is the letter scheduled for that day.

8 Comments

Posted in A-Z Blogging, Blogging, Christianity, Creative writing, Family, Humor, Inspiration, Journalling, Letters from the Heart, Letters to Self, Writing, Writing Challenge

Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,