Just Showing Off ~ For My Weekend Readers

What's So Special About A Stove?

This Okeefe & Merritt Gas Range

and It's Yesteryear Appliance Cousins

Were Designed and Built to Last

-And Last They Have!

Source: The Harrison House  Personal restoration

Photo taken [in the shop] where Ted worked for months sprucing it up

Source:  The Harrison House  Personal Restoration

Source:  http://cntry.lv/6183gYSH
Not ours but yes I think ours shows well stacked alongside this unique treasure too!

A Saturday Offering- For Weekend Readers Only~

What's It Worth?

P R I C E L E S S

{Shared Only With Saturday Readers, of Course}

A Roadside Flea Market find from North Arkansas in the post 1975 era-After paying a whopping $20 then moved  from Crossett, Arkansas  to Montgomery,Alabama, Orange, Texas, Buna,Texas then Newton Texas and finally South Alabama   & F I N A L L Y restored for a mere  $50. in Troy, Alabama. I understand one of our children now has permanent claim to it





These wonderful scales were a part of The Old Barn  inventory in Newton, Tx. and don't even try to get me to name a price or swap anything for them.Not!



Friend Friday ~

Have you noticed how casually  we use the tag Friend? 

So many around us we call Friend.

I heard someone repeat a conversation with a mutual acquaintance in which the third party referred to me as a good friend.  Strangely enough I cannot even recall when I last had any sight, sound or contact with this person...either close enough to wave a greeting, a written note, phone call and certainly not an in person pause to visit.  Needless to say I was surprised to be called this person's friend even though it is someone whom I admire personally.

This inspires me to  ponder the question: Who are my friends?  Who's friend am I? What qualifies or removes one from that invisible 'friend list'?

Not all those whom I call friend are here in the same town..or down the street or across town in another neighborhood.  Some are miles and miles away..not having seen for months or even years but I still know and cherish them as  friends.  I would so love to have a face to face visit...a few hours or a few days and that might happen...or might not.  Still I count them on my "list of dear friends."

As Long As ~

Mile Marker 7- 

Seven Months

For as long as I Breathe

My moments- My days

will continue to be filled with your words,

pictures of you

Scenes

Memories

 Like the clouds that drift constantly  above & around me

No matter if Others  see.... or sense

You are there

A part of me

 Every hour of the day...
I cannot will it to be otherwise.

Saved For Easy Sharing ~

If I place this photo here I can easily share the collage on Facebook-

Makes sense to me!

 

If Spring doesn't hurry and get here I still have these scenes from seasons past!

Jonell

Did I Tell You About The Morning ~

A Really Great Way to Start This Day- Thanks Cracker Barrel
Permission granted for laughing with but not at

Source

No, not at me dear- with me.  This Morning Brunch  at an area Cracker Barrel Restaurant could be [with slight embellishmets] material for a Gramma Stand Up routine.

 Servers were quickly available for immediate  drink order and I did not bat an eye or hesitate even momentarily to ask for it done My Way, Y'all.

Several months ago at another Cracker Barrel I was told the reason I could appreciate their 'hot enough' coffee was that they heated the cups prior to pouring the coffee into them. I mean, how hard is that. Think of all the times you had your mouth all set for your first  wonderful sip of morning coffee and  even though you just saw it poured into the cup..It is only warm-not hot.  These folks are genius- imagine thinking of this on your own without being asked to do it.  Will wonders ever cease?

Sooooo, armed with this information I asked very directly but politely assuming this would not be an entirely new thought- hot cup = hot coffee,right!  The nice young lady agreeded so we are off to a great start...that cup of coffee I envisioned when I awoke..indeed before my feet hit the floor 40+ miles north of this CB location

Better Is One Day In Your Courts....

Thinking about perfect Gifts this Sunday morning with the Daylight Savings Time change..admiring the perfect gift from a son that's showing off the fragrant Paper Whites on the Breakfast Room table and moving on to other perfect gifts. 

O my Lord and God how perfectly you have planned and provided  for

me I am reminded on this brisk early Spring Like morning in the deep South.  In recent weeks/months fleeting thought of needing to be elsewhere [snuggled up to my children] then moments ago as this gift conversation takes place between me and myself it continues like so...

" Another perfect gift. He planned for this so comfortable place yes, and time where I could settle into this new and strange if not yet totally wonderful again life,

feelsafe secure and claim a new kind of happiness, find a renewed purpose and usefulness and life and I think perhaps whisper confirmation that all this future called the rest of my life on earth' can continue to take place right here where He provided yet another of His perfect gifts...

a puzzle piece slipped securely into the right place."

Again I have been nor have I done anything to deserve this-never could  ..reminds me of Salvation.

This introspection almost takes my breath away...

Majesty, Glory, Honor and Praise....to You Alone !

Yes, I do believe Spring is coming

and

E A S T E R

 

Saturday Morning Waking Up Thoughts - Just Between Us ~

My wake up Saturday  morning thoughts: Lord thank you for a comfortable home that wraps me in precious memories and even tho I am no longer met in the kitchen with a big bear hug from my Silver Fox I am wrapped securely in your arms. [Continue] to help me to soak in the creation around us as My Love did I believe every day..Your handiwork was never wasted on him. He 'got it'. No matter what 'feelings' say to me I have been among all women Blessed..oh so blessed-just keep pointing the way and giving me the heart to see and follow one day at the time! [ make that moment by moment ]

Not the scene at
the Harrison House
But a sweet place we loved



Looking Back
While Still Moving Forward

Modern Day House Hunters -

A Blogger Connection whose work I greatly admire and regularly check in with   Between Naps On The Porch  is showing a wonderful post that really started me thinking ...don't expect serious thinking however. It is totally frivillous...she and I are just observing, commenting and sharing with you. That's all.

BNOTP  post shows some beautiful photos of celebrity homes with landscape views featuring MOATS and she shares with us the fact that apparently this MOAT is now one of the most highly desired high end features on the must have lists of a significant number of home owners in our country.  As always Susan's  posts are beautifully done and illustrated with fabulous photos.



http://betweennapsontheporch.net



My two cents worth and thank you Susan for opening up an interesting conversation today. It leaves me with a little smile and has my sometimes feeble [or lazy] brain working this morning.

Easter Tablescape-

Bunnies- Bargain Or Broken? Both!

Feature Me Friday Porches for you to visit at Heather's at STRINGTOWNHOME

Thank you my wonderful [generous] friend Heather from Stringtown Home for thinking of me and sharing my front porch along with these 'too special for words' professionally designed and staged magazine porches. I have to admit it feels good to be right in the middle of these

designer offerings.

http://www.stringtownhome.net/2014/02/feature-me-friday-porches.html

http://www.stringtownhome.net/2014/02/feature-me-friday-porches.html

Post August 18, 2013 - Choices & Decisions

Here I stand at the 5 Month marker. A  change in perspective as I look ahead  considering  this question:  "What do I do with the rest of this life before me?" 

 I'm presented with new and interesting thoughts, questions and challenges.

1. Yes, it's a New World since  August 18, 2013
2. The  'before' years is OUR history
3. The unknown is spread out before me - a highway
4. What do I do with it?
5.  How do I use it? Fill it? Shape it?
6. Choices- Decisions-Choices

A stage? A Canvas?  A Book? 
A Digital Photo Frame? 
A Tea Party? A Garden?
A Poem?
What will it be? 

Today -the 'mile marker' reads 6 months.

I am posing to self the same questions.

At the moment of our earthly birth we do not have the ability to look around, take it all in and map out  our future  life on this earth. We can't make plans for how we will fill the days ahead.

Logic says this time and space I'm in today must also be a gift from God...just as life, breath and salvation and the amazing wonderful life that is now behind me was....just as the 'heads up' we had with the cancer diagnosis almost two years ago was  such a gift-

A Gift of Time.

I confess I don't have answers regarding the road ahead and what to do with the rest of my life, but I still count it as progress and a positive that I am posing the questions.

As I Breathe

2009 My Silver Fox got a new ring  to replace his
 1959 $25 Wedding Band

 

As I Breathe

I lean in..... to You

You catch me when I would fall

When I want to crumble in a heap and just quit

You gather me in your arms

Just tightly enough to feel secure

and safe

As I Breathe

Sometimes I neglect to pray as I once did

You become the sponge that naturally

absorbs

my Every Groaning of the Spirit

As I Breathe

but neglect your Word

You have it [ and me] covered

Holding me steady

While flashes of verses and phrases of scripture

naturally  cross my mind

Truth-Your Truth

is still there

That never changes

Everything else does

Change

You do not.

So many things are different or have now disappeared

Many ordinary things  now

Less than significant

You My Lord and Savior

Are the same....

As I Breathe.

------

Though satan would want to cause me grief

 suggesting things I should have said or done..

The truth is... there are none.

 No regrets save this one.

... more time

                  My silver fox didn't waste  time with 'what ifs" or regrets.

                  He focused on  trying to do what's right and being the best.

                  We often reminded each other:

           "You are My Best. My Best of everything."

                 He chose not to  worry over things he could not change

             and  often reminded me of same.

He didn't save his 'good manners'

for special occasions

When others could see.

And being a gentleman

Was not on display

for  an audience to observe
.

Doors were opened for me after a hard day's work outdoors

Coming in  late afternoons to get cleaned up

And not a soul in sight to verify .

A real gentleman simply is

It's not a performance to be seen-

He just is....A Gentleman.

My sweetheart never used a different kind of language

With just the two of us

And no one else  to hear.

The world's vulgarities and profane conversation

were never spoken here

And when confronted with such in public

Do you think he ever hesitated to call one down-

Of course not..he always noted there was

A lady present

and in no uncertain terms firmly with an air that commanded respect

challenged the careless speech in front of his sweetheart.

As I Breathe
I lean in to allow YOU to hold me up
Gathering me in your arms
As only the Creator can.

As I Breathe
Soak into yourself all the the thoughts, feelings
and indeed the very Groanings of My Spirit
As Your Word Tells Me You Can.
As I Breathe

The Wisteria Arbor

A labor of love finished fall of 2012

Love is Patient, Kind, Enduring -

 

Such A Love-ly Season

Valentines Day is All About Sweethearts, Young Love,

Mature Love and OTHERS!

Come Along With me to visit with: Heather at Stringtown Home

She is expecting us!

 

All My Love,

Jonell

 

Psalm 40: Vs. 1-5

Today feels like A New Day

Another Gift from God~

I accept that!

 

 

 

1. I waited patiently for the Lord;
    he turned to me and heard my cry.

2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
    out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
    and gave me a firm place to stand.

3 He put a new song in my mouth,
    a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
    and put their trust in him.

4 Blessed is the one
    who trusts in the Lord,
who does not look to the proud,
    to those who turn aside to false gods.[b]

5 Many, Lord my God,
    are the wonders you have done,
    the things you planned for us.
None can compare with you;
    were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
    they would be too many to declare

 

Looking Forward

Jonell

JANUARY 1, 2014- WHAT DO I DO WITH THIS GIFT OF A NEW YEAR?

FIRST, DON'T  EVEN THINK THAT I AM GOING TO POST A LIST OF MAGICAL OR SPIRITUAL ANSWERS TO ALL OUR QUESTIONS, FEARS OR DOUBTS. I AM NOT THERE. PERHAPS I WILL NEVER BE BUT I AM TRUSTING THE JOURNEY.  I MEAN NOT TO SAY WALKING BLINDLY EXPECTING EASE AND SMOOTH SAILING. I TRUST THE GUIDE-MY SAVIOR AND LORD.

As I held with determination and a tad bit of desperation to my hot cup of coffee at my favorite breakfast place this New Year's morning and read from what promises to be a gift called blessing  [ A copy of "The Noticer" by Andy Andrews] and focused on getting into this love gift from Mike and Pam, I grabbed onto some thoughts worth savoring.  I pray I will.

A bit later  I was reminded of Gratitude. Driving the few miles back from my breakfast outing I began to ask myself questions and answer myself with a list of things in and surrounding my life for which I am grateful, indeed bountifully blessed. 

The conversation and list continued something like this:

 "Self" I began,

1. You are dressed both comfortably & warmly, with a jacket just in case you are cold
2.  You have no real health issues other than some weight that needs to go away
3. You have four adult children not far away who would 'at the drop of a hat' be on the way to take care of anything you might confront
4. In your medicine cabinet you have two, yes only two prescription medicines and one of those is  Vitamin D
5. You do not nor have ever had Diabetes or high blood pressure
6. You are easily recognized as a "senior" citizen and have a full head of hair [ good DNA] and your very own teeth and was not the least bit surprised when the dentist recently discovered NO CAVITIES
7. .You have a wonderful home

Number 7 seems the perfect place to pause, though this is not the end of my Gratitude list  by any means.
 

Continued:  Yes, in 2014 I and the rest of my family have some difficult things to tackle. The first for me will be to visit the cemetery where my Sweetheart of more than half a century was buried in 2013 and then choose a headstone to mark the place.  No, I do not anticipate this being in any way easy but it has to be checked off of my 'hard to do' list.
 

I also posed this question to self as I drove home this morning: What are you going to do with the rest of the life ahead of you?  No, I did not see the answer scrawled  across the sky but at least I have  begun to consider the question. 
 

If you are family, blog follower or regular reader you know I have been dealing with the issue of not being able to 'write' for LGH during  recent months and feel without direction or motivation.
 

Nothing has changed much there but lack of direction does not mean that I Quit and Stop Breathing or Thinking. I know I must 'move on'...yes I actually have the memory of my Silver Fox asking me...almost pleading with me to do exactly this-Move On with Life & not grieve forever.  Indeed that is and no doubt will remain a major challenge for 'who knows how long.'  
 

For this day the first of 2014  I choose to Continue-my next thing on the New Year to do list is to have lunch with a dear friend and faithful prayer warrior.  She is cooking BLACK EYED PEAS  today. How priceless that she thought of me!
 

Did I not tell you I of all women am Blessed! I am NOT LUCKY. I am blessed by a gracious and loving God ..the one and only God I serve.

I shall return and we will continue this line of thought -I know you have a list of things to check off your 2014 list too. Go for it, but don't forget to check back soon.

Looking Forward

Christmastime at Gramma's House`

Christmastime 2013

This is the first and only artificial tree we have ever had.  We got it in 2006 when we first moved to Brundidge, Alabama. I started [ & have continued] a theme that consists of Gold, Silver, White & Clear Glass Ornaments.  Each year I have found a new ornament that fits with this color scheme. This year I found two.  There were 6 large Gold Balls & 12 faux mercury glass pine cones. The tree is 9 feet tall- the same as the living room ceiling. In 2006 our youngest grand daughter was very impressed by Gramma's decorating style. Now at almost 16 not so much.  Her observation goes like this: "But Gramma, there's no COLOR . You need some color!" [Yes, I know. I have to work on this photography thing!]

Looking Forward,



Reflections from Personal Facebook Posts August 17 - 2013 Forward

 August 17, 2013  [One More Day]

Major FAMILY TIME...sweet one on one time w their Dad/Pop /more coming tomorrow- we see gifts every day-and GOD DOES NOT GIVE .SHABBY GIFTS--good and perfect ones HE knew the friends and neighbors and church family who would support and surround us right now!!  

 ---------------------------------------
Ted Percel Harrison-
A God Fearing Man
September 11, 1937 - August 18, 2013 10:30 p.m. 
Now>Eternity in whatever Heavenly, Glorious form God has Arranged for him/us.
 The youngest child  of Daisy and J.T. Harrison
A Baby Brother of John, Betty and Trice Harrison
A Sweetheart, A Husband-
Father, Daddy, Dad...then "Daddy"-
-and My Silver Fox-
God's plan is perfect..that is not up for discussion or debate..
"This is the DAY [s] the Lord has made...
We will continue to rejoice in it...in Him our Lord and Saviour.
forever and forever
AMEN
*June 21,1959 - August 18, 2013

August 21, 2013

A note from a precious friend Pam Smith:
I met Ted and Jonell about 7 years ago. The first time I saw them, I thought what a beautiful couple. After my many years of being their friend I saw just what a beautiful, God loving, God fearing couple they are.

Ted was blessed by God. You can see it in his family and see how his walk with God impacted their very being. He left a legacy with his kids, his grandkids and all of us who were fortunate to KNOW him. It is a legacy of godliness, faithfulness, goodness and hope. He made many memories with his family and not only did he teach them, he showed them and walked beside them.

He had faith in the future and he trusted God to be assured of the promise he was given that his home in the kingdom was real.

Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

My last visit with Ted and Jonell was a trip that I made home to be with them. I must admit it was a selfish one. He was having difficulty with nausea and vomiting. I came to find avenues to help him be rid of the nausea and vomiting and get stronger so he could have quality of life as the end was nearing, also to help Jonell with the difficulty of caring for him knowing that his time with us was limited.

I could tell that Ted being the strong man the ONE in CONTROL already knew how to walk these last few weeks. He didn’t need me. But he knew how very much I loved him and Jonell. While I was there he completed his funeral arrangements, making sure Jonell would have everything she needed without complicating her life, clearing up paperwork and then he was at peace knowing he had done what he needed to do.

Hebrews 11:16 says, “But now they desire a better place that is a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” Ted sought that better place and he has gone home to that heavenly city.

Ted not only showed us how to walk with God, he showed us how to die with dignity always in control. Even to saying that it was time to call Bob. What a role model. He not only knew how to live well, but how to die well, surrounded by his beautiful, loving family who were so blessed to share those last moments with him.

I know when he busted those doors to heaven wide open God said, Well done good and faithful servant……Come and share your master’s happiness. Matthew 25:23 

  *Pam Smith

 ----------------------------

 

August 30, 2013

Though my heart is full of tears at this farewell
For you are [wonderful], I have loved you dearly
More dearly than the spoken word can tell
For you are wonderful, I have loved you dearly
[you have loved me dearly]
More dearly than the spoken word can tell
[These are words from a Roger Whitaker song]

  The "My cup runneth over " lyrics are an old ED Ames song..I blended the two songs together [ accidentally ] Beautiful words anyway!

---

August 30, 2013
7 a. m> '"This is Another Day the Lord has made...I will CONTINUE to rejoice and be glad in it!"

September 4, 2013

Psalm 92: 1-2>It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night,...

September 11, 2013

I know satan would want to defeat today remembering that 9-11 was/is Ted's birthday- so I am thinking the best way to find victory in that would be to turn it around by focusing on OTHERS...beginning with Others who have the same Birthday..   Psalm 48:1 Great is the Lord,& most worthy of praise!

September 30, 2013

Still trying to ORDER MY DAYS..in a world so new and different. A new week..new start...maybe I can do better THIS WEEK!

November 12, 2013

Sitting on our front porch in the early morning I am asking boldly w expectation "Lord God, just show me how to do this" then give me the spirit, the will, the heart to wait, listen and hear from YOU." I am not aiming for a super woman title; I just want to be USABLE.

 ---

Life can at times be so difficult EVEN as we "walk with Christ" and lean on him...HOW CAN PEOPLE HANDLE IT WITHOUT that Security we have knowing where it's all leading and how/where we will spend ETERNITY !!!

I am trying to compose a one liner I would want to share with someone I love and fear they don't know Christ; HEAVEN IS REAL - HELL IS REAL-Come to Him while you can!

November 12, 2013

Sitting on our front porch in the early morning I am asking boldly w expectation "Lord God, just show me how to do this" then give me the spirit, the will, the heart to wait, listen and hear from YOU." I am not aiming for a super woman title; I just want to be USABLE.

November 13, 2013

We invest our ALL in our Children-Our energy, resources, heart -When done well we've GIVEN AWAY our selves and with the right heart never considered it a sacrifice until looking backward. Parenting just like MARRIAGE, when done well is in retrospect a life of sacrificial Choices. [not in sync w what our culture is SELLING at all]   

My [Obligatory] Thanksgiving Post

No the hollow, emptiness that washes over me so many times each day has not gone. No the sick inside feelings that turn to nausea have not stopped. At this point I cannot even imagine a time when tears will not be a normal part of days and nights. I don't have a clue about what's ahead.

BUT DON'T interpret that to mean I am a hopeless mess WITHOUT A THANKFUL HEART here at Thanksgiving. How could... I not be full of thankfulness when I have the security of my Savior-a lifetime of God's provision & mercy-mORE THAN HALF A CENTURY of being loved, cherished & protected by ONE devoted husband and this Ahmazing family he left behind...for a time. Just as we can have PEACE IN A STORM..we can still be so thankful while surrounded, even awash with sadness and emptiness...God is Good..Still~ Grab hold of that and don't let go ESPECIALLY if you too are [still] hurting in this Season of Thanks Giving —

December 6, 2013

Such a rainy morning as this can be dreary or depressing I suppose but I react to it as another incredible part of Creation God put in place for us. The heavy almost pounding downpour gets my attention totally and then when it slows to various tempos of pitter patting it kinda slows me down within..So many weather moments like this found us on the front porch taking it all in..wondering why we we...re the only humans stirring about, sharing prayer and devotion time talking about our family..the Grands and we usually remained there until the wind began to blow sharing too much of the wet stuff with us. As rain would set in it usually seemed like just the time for a fresh cup of perked Coffee. Ah, Yes- those were THE DAYS!

December 11, 2013
Such a Beautiful Sunny Cold morning outside-As I slowly awakened and lay in bed thanking God AGAIN for Life, Breath & Salvation & asking Him for another day to Show Me How to Do This- I bumped into this thought: "He knew/knows from the beginning what we would do /or not do with this LIFE....and He gave /gives it to us ANYWAY" hold that thought I think there's some precious food for thought worth pondering here.
Ahhhhhhhh, What a God we serve!





December 2013

Such a time for reflecting and considering all the challenges of this season, 2013 for our family-it COULD be overwhelming
-so I'm choosing to rejoice and dwell on the sweet family gathering and Sunday worship with a son, our daughter and a grand dau and an unselfish gift of lunch on Sunday with one son. A treasured moment in time to hold dear.
If you walked in our house right now w only me here you would wonder at the Christmas music TOTALLY FILLING THE HOUSE [yes LOUD] LOL... perhaps to drown out & drive away any small flicker of a discouraging spirit ???

Oh lord God fill our spaces, our hearts and minds w so much of YOURSELF that there is no room for defeat, discouragement only for tender hearts filled w HOPE...and where hearts may not be tender we pray for BROKENESS..and submission -and where there could be blindness to TRUTH open eyes to see truth....Ahhhhhhhhhh after that a willingness to act upon that truth ...THEN - VICTORY [in YOU]

Editorial Note:  Keep in mind my purpose for this blog and record of a time I could accurately describe as The Most Awful of  Days and The Most Wonderful of Days.  This  Like Gramma's House blog's intent has always been to be placed in the hands of our Children and Grands for a time when we are no longer a physical presence in their lives.  Jonell Harrison

Our House~Tis the Season

 

Just For You

 

 

 

 

 

A little scene on the front porch beside Ted's  Rocking Chair-using  cones from Magnolias at our Library

 

 

2013
 



 

 For the past 8 years since we've had an Artificial tree

 I find a new ornament-

This year it's 6 large Gold Balls from a shop

in Georgia at Thanksgiving

 

 

Once I get it up...I don't want to take it down.

Ted was always ready to pack it up and send it

back to the attic a couple of days after Christmas,

Not me...'Just two or three more days~'

 

 

 

OOPS, I see something missing from

the Mantle Scene-

The Glass Jewels in the empty panes-

It will get done but I won't promise

the pictures will get posted

 

 

 

 

It is STILL Christmas

Because Christ Came, Died,

Arose & Lives

It's CHRIST mas  Still!

 

 

Looking Forward ~

Jonell