Category Archives: For Family & Fun

Share Your World From 6-8-20

Posted on by under For Family & Fun

One of the advantages of being late all the time is that you are never on time to see who else was late. Melanie started her challenge post for SHARE YOUR WORLD this week by apologizing for technical difficulties which made her late with posting this week’s challenge. No problem Melanie. I am earlier than usual this week and I was still so late I didn’t even notice your were late!

Ah well. SHARE YOUR WORLD is the challenge where we answer Melanie’s questions and in so doing we share our world’s. Late or not it is always nice to share.

When you have finished reading my answers, take a hop on over to Melanie’s site by clicking on either of the underlined links, and you can share your world with lots of others.

SYW Computer Globe

How comfortable are you speaking in front of large groups of people?

I have never minded this. Preaching, singing, acting, teaching…all of that is fine. I do find it very hard to get up in front of business meetings to share for some reason….I am also a nervous wreck before I perform a wedding. Funerals are fine but weddings….don’t even get me started.

What would be the best thing you could reasonably expect to find in a cave?

Shelter from the storm.

What did you think was going to be amazing but turned out to be horrible?

I was very excited about a trip to Gatlinburg TN. Then I got there. The town was probably fine but the hotel we stayed in was so horrible it ruined the whole experience….There was dried spaghetti stuck to the walls and cigarette holes in the shower curtains (who smokes when they are taking a shower?!?)

What’s the silliest thing you’ve observed someone get upset about?

A church steeple.

Gratitude: 

Please feel free to share something that gave you an uplifted spirit during this past week.  (Optional)

gratitudechanges

We have a gopher in our yard! It was so much fun seeing him. I supposes I will not like it if he eats my squash….but we have a gopher!!!

Share Your World From 6-1-20

Posted on by under For Family & Fun

This week I had trouble sticking to my writing regimen. Still, I am learning that when you fall off the writing horse you have to get write back on. This post may be a few days later than I planned, but at least it is getting done.

It is time to SHARE MY WORLD WITH ALL OF YOU. This is the weekly challenge where our hostess, Melanie, asks several questions and in answering them, we give our readers a peek into our worlds.

You can find out more about the challenge by clicking the underlined link above. But for now here are the week’s questions and my answers:

SHAREYOURWORLDSTARHANDS

Questions:

Is it ever okay to commit a crime?  Please explain.

This is a very old and very broad question. It leads to a bunch of “what-ifs” the answers to which have filled philosophy books for generations upon generations and scrolls upon scrolls before there were books. The truth is….I don’t know…it depends…maybe….probably not.

The truth is even if I have somehow managed to avoid breasking man’s laws I have surely transgressed God’s laws and I am constantly found wanting. I am so glad Christ has offered grace for this trangressor.

Do you deal with change well?  (not money, because I know some wit out there is thinking how bulky coins are. Well I did any how.    ) 

I like to think I have improved in this area, but my first reaction to change is still to resist it. I try though never to stick with my first reaction.

Do you like birds?   The sound of bird song in the morning, taking pictures of them, as food?   

I love birds. I feed the wild birds in my yard everyday and am currently in the process of making more feeders.

What’s the least used item of clothing you own?

It used to be my hat, but now that I am going bald I find I wear one to keep my head from scalding. That said I am still not very good at wearing gloves in the winter.

Gratitude:

If you care to share, what are you grateful for?  

It was this girl’s birthday yesterday.

Image may contain: Melanie Franklin, standing, child and outdoor

I am so glad I got to see her and her fam for a short socially distanced visit. We didn’t get to hug, but at least we got to see each other.

Share Your World From 5-25-20

Posted on by under For Family & Fun, Uncategorized

It is time for THE SHARE YOUR WORLD CHALLENGE FROM 5-25-20.

This is the challenge where we are asked five questions, and in sharing our answers, we share our worlds. The weekly questions and my answers are below. When you have finished reading my responses I encourage you to go to the linked site underlined above and see how others have shared heir worlds.

NOW ON TO THE CHALLENGE!

MemorialDaySYW

In your opinion, does patriotism require the belief that one’s country is the greatest on earth?

The defintion of a patriot is-a person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies or detractors.*

I don’t think that requires the belief that your country is the greatest country. It just requires you to love your country as a home to the extent it gives you the desire to protect it.

Why is patriotism considered by some to be the highest of virtues? What is so important about love of country? Shouldn’t we be more concerned about humankind, or the planet as a whole, rather than a single country?

I think it is about commitment to a tribe and to a set of values. I think it is also a commitment to unify as a people against a common enemy. It engenders both the ideas of unity and submission to a greater authority than oneself.

Jesus said a house divided itself could not stand. As that is true patiotism in some form is necessary for a country to remain intact. That right there is a telling statement about the current state of our union.

What is the relationship between decisions and consequences?

Decisions create consequences. The truth is, “You reap what you sow” is a law of the universe. The universe doesn’t care whether you like its laws or not. The universe also doesn’t care whether you obey its laws or not. The universe will simply carry out its laws even if you don’t believe in them. You can no more escape the consequences of your decisions than you can escape the law of gravity. Sooo….Make good choices.

What is social justice?

The definition of social justice is- justice in terms of the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society.*

I think pure social justice is not something which will be achieved in this age, but in the one to come.

and one ‘easy’ one because those others?  Fairly difficult.

What’s one body part you wouldn’t mind losing? (told you.  Silly).

Is fat a body part?

AND FINALLY

What is something that made you smile during the past week?

WATCHING THIS LITTLE GIRL GROW ALWAYS MAKES ME SMILE. SHE LOOKS SO MUCH LIKE HER DAD.

*definitions courtesy of Google dictionary

Share Your World 5-18-20

Posted on by under For Family & Fun

I have come to the time of SHARING MY WORLD WITH MELANIE again.

This is the challenge where Melanie asks five questions and in answering them we all share our worlds. It’s fun! Come on, and give it a try. The questions and my answers are below. Once you have finished with my answers click on the underlined link above and go over to Melanie’s site and see how her other contributors answered. Then write a post of your own and link back to Melanie so we can all share your world too!

SYWAI

What’s something you really resent paying for?

I try really hard not to be resentful, but I have to admit I do hate paying for other people’s mistakes especially in relationships. I make enough mistakes of my own. I don’t need to be paying for the garbage other people left behind.

 What was the most unsettling film you’ve seen?

Pet Cemetery. Years ago I rented it (back when you rented videos from the store). I got about ten minutes in and then I had to shut it off and take it out of the house because it was so evil.

Do you judge people?  

I guess that depends on what you mean by judge.

If by judge you mean consign a person to the seventh circle of Hell in my heart, mind and soul, the answer is “No.” It is not my job or role to determine a person’s future like that.

If by judge you mean, to cut someone out of your life and circle of relationships because of their toxic nature. The answer to that is “Yes. I have done this a few times with people.”

There are a few people I have had relationship with who through life’s events have become very unhealthy and even unsafe to be around. A few times I have had to draw a boundary with them to protect myself and my family. This is a very extreme action and not one I take lightly.

BUT if by judging you mean do I disagree with people and their behavior enough to tell them I disagree with their behavior, then yes I judge people like that all the time on the basis of relationship. I seldom call out the behavior of strangers (you have to be behaving pretty bad in public for me to have me call you out if you are a stranger). If a person is in close relationship with me or if I have spiritual oversight of them, though, those people are going to hear my opinion about their behavior both good and bad. I do not believe this is judging at all. It is disagreeing and being open to a discussion about why we disagree. What the world needs is not more acceptance of all view points. What it needs is a reestablishment of respect. Acceptance demands that we agree on everything and that no one have an opinion about anything. Respect demands that we all get a chance to voice our opinions in the hope of swaying others to them, but through the lens of love which allows people to maintain disagreement and relationship at the same time and leave the changing to God.

Finish this sentence:  “Back in my day, we…”?

Back in my day we only had four television stations two of which only came in for half the day and my favorite toy was a stick from my grandparents wood pile.

AND FINALLY

Gratitude

Please feel free to share an uplifting photo, thought or meme to show your own gratitude.   We can all use some good vibes!  

gratexpressed

I LOVE OWLS

Share Your World 5-11-20

Posted on by under C.cada: Arts and Stuff, For Family & Fun
SYWinbetterhandsModified

What do you know! I am right on time for SHARING MY WORLD THIS WEEK!

This is the challenge where Melanie (the hostess) shares weekly questions geared to help us all reveal a little bit of how we live and think. Here are her questions for the week and my answers:

  • I asked this on an award thingie I was nominated for, and I got such interesting responses, I thought I’d ask it on Share Your World too:  Do you have a favorite kind of tree

I love black locust trees. They are so fragrant in the early summer.

Black locust (Not recommended) | The Morton Arboretum
  • What bridges are you happy you burned

I am happy I burned my bridges to the business world and entered the ministry. That said, I am aware that most bridges can be rebuilt should one really desire it.

  • Would you sacrifice yourself (die) for a stranger?

I don’t think any of us truly knows the answer to this question. In the moment? Stirred by a cause or a story? I don’t know. I think I might have the courage to do so if I had time to ponder the stranger’s plight, but would it be instinctive ( like jumping in front of a bus in a moment’s time)? I have no idea.

  • How have your priorities changed since the C-19 virus took over?

My emphasis on the interior life has deepened. My focus on art has grown. My view of money and provision has also greatly shifted. I feel more free now than I have felt in many years.

AND FINALLY:

gratitudeblossoms

Please feel free to share your gratitude!  During this troubling time, some positive input is sorely needed, so any memes, stories, photos, or anything else you find uplifting is welcome!   Please share!   Thanks!  

I have so enjoyed taking part in

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN JOINING IN

This online Global Arts Summit is absolutely 100% free but registration is required. To register, visit www.TheGlobalArtsSummit.com. When you do, you’ll get instant “lifetime” access to the summit resources and you’ll be able to view them on your device of choice at a time and place that’s convenient for you. If you have any trouble, you can reach out to the email address listed on the summit website.

HERE IS A PIECE FROM ONE OF THE SEMINAR PRESENTERS:

Who’s Your Mommy?

Posted on by under For Family & Fun

My mother served as a nurse her entire life. She worked in an emergency ward in the inner city on the graveyard shift when I was young. She moved to a local health clinic to be a nurse for one of the General practitioners in town when I was a young teenager. That job lasted until after I was married. She finished her career working the critical care building at A Developmental Center a few towns over from our home.

Mom has always been a hard worker, with a firm but kind manner and an extremely sharp wit. Here she is at my daughter’s wedding a few years ago sitting with my son Joe.

These days mom lives with me, my sister and my oldest daughter at the Vicarage which has been our family home for something like forty-five years. She has created quite a legacy to leave to the world.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY MOM!

GRANDDAUGHTER REV. AMANDA LILLIE
GRANDSON JOE AND GRAND DAUGHTER IN LAW JOSEPH LILLIE AND KRISTINE BARRAMEDA LILLIE

Image may contain: 3 people, including Melanie Franklin
GRAND DAUGHTER MELANIE FRANKLIN GRANDSON IN-LAW JAMES FRANKLIN AND GREAT GRAND DAUGHTER DANIELLA BROOKE FRANKLIN
Image may contain: Brenda J. Lillie, standing
DAUGHTER REV. BRENDA J. LILLIE
Image may contain: Joseph Lillie and Amanda Lillie, people smiling
SON REV. J. LILLIE

Share Your World From 5-4-20

Posted on by under For Family & Fun

Well this week I have not been as on the ball in the writing department as I would have liked, but I have done a lot of ministry work and a lot of gardening, so I guess it all balances out. Now however it is time to SHARE MY WORLD USING THE QUESTIONS MELANIE POSTED ON MONDAY MAY 4TH.

I have been trying a new blogging regimen these last several weeks. I am posting at least four blogs everyday and then doing what I call a blog blitz on the weekends. It started out I was posting a blog every hour. Now I am at the point where I am trying to find the most productive hours to post …morning, noon and night… to see where most people are on and reading.

Anywho…. Here are this week’s questions and my answers. When you have finished please take a jaunt over to Melanie’s site AKA SPARKS FROM A COMBUSTIBLE MIND and see how her other contributors have answered.

SHAREYOURWORLDSTARHANDS

What can you break even if you don’t touch it?  (yes there is a real answer to this.  I’ll reveal it in the next week sometime.  Still, answer how you would like – no right or wrong answer)

Oh there are lots of things you don’t have to touch to break. Here are a few: a trance, a sweat, a leg (in theater), a fast, a wind, a heart, and a spirit.

I am sure there are more things but these are what come readily to mind.

What’s the most useful thing you own?

I think the thing that gets the most use is my car.

What’s The Silliest Reason You’ve Ever Gotten Into A Fight With Someone Over?

Algebra. My sister ended up running away from home over it.

If You Were A Snake, How Long Would You Want To Be?   No, size does not matter.  😛

I would want to be a hundred foot anaconda.

AND FINALLY…

gratitudechanges

Gratitude and/or uplifting?   Please share.   We can all use some of those.  

Pluto has been making me laugh this week.

Share Your World From 4-27-20

Posted on by under For Family & Fun, Uncategorized

Well, It is almost the end of the Sharing week but here I am at last to SHARE MY WORLD WITH ALL OF YOU!

This is the challenge where our hostess, Melanie, asks us 5 questions and in answering them we, her contributors, share our worlds. When you have finished reading my shares, please check out Melanie’s site, by clicking the link above, to see how she and all of our other Sharing friends have answered.

Now on to the questions:

SHAREYOURWORLDSTARHANDS

Do guns protect people or kill people?  Or both?

Guns are tools, inanimate objects. They can neither protect nor kill. Now people…people…. How I long for a return to innocence where killing and protecting were not things we did or ever had to do.

Is it more important to be respected or liked?

I think it depends who you are trying to get to respect or like you. I have wasted a lot of time trying to get certain people to treat me in ways they had no capacity for. I have discovered that “like” and “respect” are beggars wishes. Even if you get them you can’t long keep them.

Is having a big ego a negative or  positive trait?  (yeah I know.  Duh. But there ought to be one “gimme’ in the pile)

Oye. We could do with a little less ego in the world right now.

Depending on your point of view, is death a new beginning? 

Yes. In fact, aside from the second coming it is the real beginning.

FINALLY:

gratitudeleaf

I am so grateful to have a garden to work in.



The Weekly Smile From 4-20-20. #weeklysmile

Posted on by under For Family & Fun, Uncategorized

THE WEEKLY SMILE is a challenge I have not participated in for quite a while. I came across it this week and something just grabbed m,e and said, “You must do this.” So here I am smiling with Trent this week.

Here are a list of the rules. You can click the link above to see who else smiled with Trent and what they all had to smile about.

  1. Don’t make your smile about something mean or hateful. Keep negativity out of it.
  2. Don’t make your smile discriminate against anyone for race, religion, nationality, gender, sexual preference, primary language, disability, illness, etc. You know the routine.
  3. Try to keep violence out of it. If some selfless hero helps some people during a time of violence, sure, use that. If a family member received an honor for a wartime action, OK. Celebrating a person is fine, just don’t glorify the actual violence.
  4. Keep politics out of it. Your uncle won an election? That’s something to smile about! You met a high profile politician? Sure, that is too. You want to have a political rant? Please do it elsewhere.
  5. Careful with religion. You might smile about a religious service or something else that had a deep meaning to you, but don’t condemn other people’s religion or try to convert everyone. Keep it your personal experience.
  6. Most people reading are adults. We can handle most of what you want to write. But please, if you wouldn’t want your 12 year old son or daughter reading it, you might not want to post it. Try for PG-13 instead of XX

Here is my smile for the week:

My family always makes me smile. We are a funny group of people. My son says often that the whole family is fluent in two languages: English and sarcasm. That would mean my daughter-in-law is fluent in five languages now (she’s a smarty).

Joe and Kristine are newleyweds, married in January. I was so privileged to go and be a part of their wedding in The Philippines. When they got married both of them knew that the start of their marriage was going to take work. Both of them have contracts in different parts South Korea which require them to live separately until they can find work in the same area. While that seemed difficult they both felt it was workable and something inside them told them it was necessary.

Of course, what no one knew was that they were going to return to a country going into lock down. Joe and Kristine were kept apart for over a month after they returned to South Korea by the travel bans opposed.

They are able to travel to each other on weekends now which both of them are very glad of. Joe and I were talking about the timing of their wedding the other night. How providential it all was. Had they married the weekend before their chosen date, most of the guests would have been hindered from coming by the Taal Volcano.

Here's everything you need to know about the Philippines' tiny but ...

Had they gotten married even a week later we all might have gotten stuck in The Philippines or turned away at the airport as The Philippines began to turn away travelers from mainland Asia the very day Joe and Kristine left to go back to South Korea. Had they waited until their current work contracts expired and they could move closer to each other the wedding may not have happened at all as many wedding plans have now been kiboshed indefinitely by our world wide pandemic. The divine providence behind their choices makes me smile big! Big! BIG!!

weeklysmile2a