F R I E N D S

As the years pass and I am older and older...

I UNDERSTAND when people say over a lifetime you can often count the true friends on one hand. My lasting friends are not always down the street or across town- and sometimes we don't visit face to face for YEARS...but when we do it's JUST LIKE YESTERDAY-

My real friends whom I still cherish LET ME BE ME. They don't try to change me or pass judgement when I don't measure up.

With these friends we do not keep score- of how often one has called or written a note. We accept that LIFE crawls up and grabs us and sometimes does not turn loose. We cherish the memories we share from the past and relish in the NOW.

Reba, My first Christian friend from 1959 I still count as such...We catch up WHEN WE CAN. It's still precious. We are not at all alike-could hardly be more different but again there is a strong bond that begins with our faith and our history.

One friend  *[Shirley]  still in southeast Texas, I might count as the best friend of a lifetime...and while  we could hardly be more different personalities there is an amazing bond. I believe it to be our faith.

Our life journeys have  hardly been similar and I don't pretend to understand 'what makes her tick."

I have no doubt she would say the same about me but we overlook those things and accept each other 'warts and all.' 

Several of these friends are 10 hours or more away..with Pam who is now in S.C. we made a pact to keep the relationship alive...we call [or try to] every SATURDAY MORNING. That's what is often needed -

an intentional effort to nurture the relationship.

  All treasured friendships are not the same-because we are  different and bring different gifts and needs to the relationship.

* Shirley lost her years long battle with cancer this year. The first diagnosis was in 1994

Then the cancer just kept coming back again and again  until it finally won but  Shirley was so ready to go..Only God Himself knows how many people she shared Christ with in clinics, hospitals and doctors' offices (*and yard sales) over all those years.

Back Tracking....

Back tracking is something I always told the children to do when they lost or misplaced something. I would often say: "Just retrace your steps-Back track."

That's still what I tell myself when I suddenly find something necessary is not where it is supposed to be....my telephone, a piece of jewelry, a garden tool.

Well ladies I'm reminding myself today of the significant number of wonderful, unique Bloggers I try to visit regularly have been ignored (not forgotten) for quite some time and it bothers me.  I am  motivated not because  I think you will feel badly towards me...but because I am missing you. I am missing your wonderful creativity,  your open honest writing, all the fun beautiful spirit and personalities.

So I am here to try to reconnect and truly, selfishly to enrich and encourage myself as I travel across the country  by way of this technology, and back track reading what you have  shared in recent months.

I sincerely pray that you have not been dealing with heavy issues or great sadness but we all know life goes on whether we are faithful and attentive to our blog audiences or a total 'no show' as I have been.

I cannot promise - but I will TRY-

The Time- The Days, Weeks, The Whole Month-

Where has the time gone?

How did I miss Thanksgiving?

Actually I did not miss Thanksgiving...It was very real and very 'family', spent with  Three of our four children in the Pensacola, Florida area-

With our middle son and wife along with our oldest who accompanied me to Florida and our youngest son and his youngest...our youngest Grand.

[You KNOW Mr. Lincoln, our Great Grand and his parents were there]

Another grown up Grandson joined in this Thankful gathering and rounding out the crowd, spilling over into the second table were extended family members we have the honor and pleasure of  sharing this time with now and then..

Then before one can dance around the room and count to 100 It is Christmastime-

Well actually I was dragging it out -surely the time between Turkey day and December 24-25 must have been extended to 8 weeks this year.

Why else would I have had such difficulty getting that 9ft. tree up and a respectable amount of house cleaning done?

Did I mention the Costa Rica interruption? Okay, here it is.

Our church's Costa Rica Mission team left on December 15 for a 5 day Mission trip, spending time again with Jose & Leda,(Acts 1:8 partners)  taking with us more than 400 blessing bags for sharing on our big Christmas Party day on Saturday.

Now let's fast forward to Troy and December 20th.....(after mid night)

Can I be forgiven for doing absolutely nothing for at least 24 hours after hitting the ground?

Well, I DID...nothing.

No I cannot share the Costa Rica story in bits and pieces. It will take some time,   some notes, quiet thought and multiple rewrites to pull together  something to give you a true picture of our time.

Don't give up...just come back regularly  to hold me accountable.

This brings us to Christmas at the Harrison House..

Our notes about Christmastime will likewise show up in due time.

We have a fair number of  pictures to share and will happily do so  as soon as the grandson with the real camera gets it all ready for sharing...

to be continued .....soon I hope :)

Just In Case You Were Wondering~

I'm stopping by to clarify something.

Yes, I did leave the country around Christmastime-

But, I did return in time for Christmas with my family.

A small group from my church  returned to Costa Rica in December  (2016)

Below are a few pictures of special moments and dear people .

I've concluded that it's near impossible to share  this with you in little snippets...brief accounts of memorable encounters. Nevertheless I will try to give you a  a few glimpses into

Another Kind of Christmas

In Costa Rica.

So many Christ Followers shopped, filled 1 gallon bags, donated money for us to pay for checked bags, fruit,  and additional supplies as needed.  Then as the Lord led so perfectly, hearts were touched and a plan came together to enable 22 teenagers to attend church camp in January. 

( See the last group picture  below at the end of the post)

Time to say Goodbye again

Back home in South Alabama

on December 20th-

Not to worry-I did get my Christmas tree up before leaving

( 22 youth )

Off to camp in January

Because other Christians Cared Enough!

Gifting-

I love giving-but I plainly dislike the Shopping

I do get carried away with the giving

But I detest that MONEY slips in to mess things up

I do truly love giving to others...
but don't bring me gifts at this time in my life -I have everything-
My house is furnished,
My walls are appropriately covered.

If you  cannot walk in my door without a gift in hand...please-
Something to eat, drink or burn...
okay I'll love something to plant if it's  familiar  and not a new challenge.


I do so enjoy wrapping gifts except when I don't wrap-
I appreciate beautifully done up presents-
but I  enjoy using odd, used and sometimes strange findings to wrap them. Then topping them off with unusual or natural things...love using twine instead of ribbon -  grab a sprig of a dried bloom or a fresh herb stem, even sticking a candy cane under the ribbon or string -This works for me!

There was a time when I was concerned with forming the most perfect beautiful bows...no more-the more simple or  strange the better.

Giving generously over the top presents does my heart good...forget cost-the giving matters..not the spending.(free, cheap, reduced or just simply "on sale" )

It's just important to actually THINK about what and to whom you are giving...just think.

Some of my all time favorite Christmas gifts include a bundle of legal/yellow note pads from Sam's-b//c the giver was taking note of something I used regularly.

And the large  bundle of EMORY BOARDS ...I hope the grand who made the choice knew I was genuinely thrilled!

I can still recall back in the late 1970's  when I had a short unusual wish list for Christmas and an item on it I really, really, really wanted one of my children to get for me was a little $1.25 nail file..('diamond dust' ? )  and no one ever gave me that. I would not buy it for myself because I felt it was frivolous and since I did not actually need it -that was expensive. True story.

And I cannot forget the large gallon size VERY VINTAGE/perhaps antique jar [jug?} given to me by my daughter the year she figured out that I actually do treasure and drool over that used, old stuff from the roadside flea markets- By the way what makes that jug really special is that it has a WIRE HANDLE.  Yes, I'll show you. Don't go away-

And I shall always treasure the simple little wooden angel made and given by one of the older grandsons- I'm not sure he realized it was such a wonderful gift -truly a "Keeper"

Did I ever share with you some of the most unusual  -uniquely wonderful things people had gifted me with..allright, if you insist I will share two or three although I don't have pictures of all .

A work friend of my husband once sent home  (for me) a hornet's nest-Yes he did and I made such a fuss over that..honest to goodness .  That natural wonder of nature was proudly displayed  for years until the weather got the best of it.  Another work friend of Ted's brought back a bunch of beautiful pink rocks collected while his family vacationed in Colorado.

I think it's time to "wrap up " this conversation. 

Later,

JH

ABOUT Q.U.E.S.T.I.O.N.S. ??!!

 What to do?  Where to go?  What to say? 

Why so many questions ...as we stumble into our day? 

Are we not all adults here?!  Based upon the impressive numbers of CANDLES on my last birthday cake or greeting cards- I say yes. So Why?

At some point over the years of my past...my history, I got the idea that I would have all the answers when I found myself  mature, older, old.  No, I don't recall hearing anyone say.."Jonell hang in there for 50 - 6o - 75 years and you will have all the solutions, answers, directions . You'll easily be able to fit all the puzzle pieces together." 




No one ever told me that.  I assumed .....kinda, sorta...I T.H.I.N.K.  I must have. Why else would I be walking around in this teeny, tiny circle I refer to as 'my world' asking myself so many inane, shallow ridiculous questions..indeed why:  (a rhetorical  question )

Well, I have your attention, right?  Great, now you're asking at least on some level;  "What in the world is she getting at? Where is she going with THIS?

Today I am continuing with a recurring  subject:  My BLOG.  Or more accurately  it's my non blog  I refer to.  ( come on you can smile here).

That's what the BANNER reads at my Blog 'Pity Party.'

Sub headers read like this:  Nothing to write about- Nothing's Happening in My Life - My Readers Will Forget Me-


Justa  thought-let's  go back to a few 'notes to self' roughly 3 years ago-during those early days-weeks, months following my change in marital status.

Let's do that-

                

on my chalk board pantry doors look like this:-

( Still- Three Years Later)

-OTHERS-

M.Y. D.A.Y.S.

1. ORDER

2. PURPOSE

3. JOY

* Manna for Today

My initial focus is on the first word-OTHERS

However I am willing to admit I fail   there.

Jonell is more often my primary focus

I want answers NOW

I want solutions wrapped up in little packages-convenient-ready to use with no effort.

I know how to share advice on this topic

I know all about the value of considering OTHERS

But when I start making one of those to do lists that includes

OTHERS...

It's too easy  to procrastinate -

That can wait until tomorrow..

Or even next week, right?

Yes, I think so.

Later


One last note:  Just in case you are wondering- Just consider this little silly post as another of my attempts to just be open and honest (not necessarily transparent) about my own flawed maturity-while at the  same time amusing you as you slip into a new week.

Don't send condolence notes or thoughtful little  facebook notes asking  "Jonell, are you allright?"
I am allright...just spending a few minutes looking into the "honesty mirror'. 

Later....
JH

Can We Talk About Christmas.....Really~

It's not too early to start a plan, set a goal for packing your Shoeboxes

For Operation Christmas Child

Sweet Tea And Saving Grace Blog

Shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child

Resource/Information

bit.ly/SweetFriendsforOCC

Good Reason for Not Cutting My Oak Leaf Hydrangea

About 5 years ago these cuttings came from my  small patch near the (outdoor) laundry room. 

Just a word of caution....when you have either paid or volunteer yard work done:

"No one else will cherish those beautiful blooms as you do."

Clarification: Next May   I will have no perfect blooms like this and not likely to have more than one handful of tiny

"Wanna be Oak Leaf Blooms."

No, I'm not whining-

Just an fyi

It All Began with My Neighbor's Yarrow ~

If you supervise your yard work very cautiously....you could end up with this incredible show of Yarrow.  Neglect to supervise that mowing and you could just end up dreaming of a harvest of Yarrow NEXT YEAR....or the Next season.  Just a word of caution.

"But, Mom I didn't know if that was weeds or flowers~"

I do like the Yellow but gladly rejoice with whatever color thrives.

.

Why do I need Yarrow, you may ask.  Answer: Because it's not only a big

show off like this patch but it dries to perfection for  beautiful dried designs.

Quiet Places~

Front Porch Swing

The Backyard

My backyard swing-

Just Bear With Me, Okay?

I have no clue where this is going. I just felt guilty when I came to this place and saw that it was getting close to a month...yes early July was the last stopover at Gramma's House. If I don't come by and visit with you now and then I fear there will be no one turning into the driveway or knocking at my door.

Since that July 8th post  there have been some pot holes along the way...one more so than the others.

I really don't think it noteworthy to detail  every little or semi serious health issue  but when they are book ends to a real heart stopper ...well that becomes something else entirely.

There's no other way to share this...We had to say goodbye to a 51 year old daughter in law almost 3 weeks ago.  Even stopping to recall it now stops me in my tracks, so to speak.

Now I will back up and give you the story- Their story~ Steve & Carol's story.

Our oldest  waited fifty years for his wife...yes, 50 years.

When they married he was 51 years old. That was almost five years ago. 

Their meeting was a set up by Carol's sister who worked in the same building as Steve. Their first date was intentionally at a very public place...in the early evening at a local Deli and lasted until the doors were locked...closing.

Carol truly became a Harrison when she married our Steve Harrison. in 2011. She was embraced from the start -As they approached ( showing up w flowers always) upon her first meeting with me and Ted she was laughing nervously..we learned later b/c he had just said to her:

"My mom is gonna love you.!"

And I did. We Did. She never forgot, overlooked her new in-laws, always reminding her "husband" to call his parents or schedule a visit. She messaged me regularly and called me... on her lunch walking breaks during the day just to check on me.

I can say no more than: She thought her husband was the greatest and let the world know with such ridiculous enthusiasm . Always noting to new family and friend connections that she was sure she was our favorite daughter in law.

She cherished my son, embraced his family....

I dearly loved her.

Below: Carol with Ted /her father in law.

She loved him. He loved her.

2011

Steve & Carol

I have never seen a woman so thrilled about changing her name -

Collecting & gladly accepting decorative H's until it was time

to say "Enough with the H's Carol."

The Daughters in law...

          

All three uniquely different but a wonderful fit!

Where Carol was...there was fun, laughter,  drama

&

cooking was not a chore.

She wore that  Blue Apron  proudly -always saying

"the more the merrier"

as the guest list grew.

I don't think she taught Steve anything about cooking ...

She relished in being able to throw together a feast for a crowd.

That's what she did!

And did I mention that she loved telling anyone who would listen

what a great  catch her husband was.

One of the things I asked God to find in a wife for my son was

"A wife who thought Steve was the best"

She did!

Mr & Mrs.  -2011

Christmas Eve morning in Brundidge.

Sweet Contrasts - for Hot Summer Days in the Deep South~

Strawberry-Lemonade Layer Cake

Photo: Hector

 Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Source

Photo: Helen Norman; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Source

Transform lemonade in seconds with a handful of fresh mint leaves. Don't chop them--keep leaves whole to avoid murky lemonade (and bits of green in your teeth).  

Source

1 cup sugar

6 sprigs fresh rosemary

2 cups fresh lemon juice, from about 8 lemons

Source

Cilantro Lime Jalapeño Lemonade

Jalapeño adds a subtle kick while cilantro brings grassy, herbal notes to the classic summertime sipper

Oldies- Repurposed

Whaddayado When Things Become Obsolete?

First we discarded them for Washing Machines,

But they just would not go away

People began to collect and display them

Now we're showing off dish garden type designs using these oldies as containers.

We call this repurposing an item.

The Grand Old Flag-

Our Red, White & Blue

Troy, Alabama

What a beautiful sight!

God - Family - Country

USCG 

A special day for our oldest Grandson

I started to say, "If I had a Pool I would do that Flag scene."

Correction:  I have a wooden fence on two sides-

I CAN do the Flag thing!"

Lydia S.S. Class ladies in Montgomery, Alabama

Main Street, U.S.A.

Brundidge, Alabama 2015

The Grand Old Flag

Troy, Alabama

Southern Hospitality with a Patriotic Flare

The View From Pop's Rocking Chair

jwh