My friend Sarah brought me some of these recently and I'm not a big blueberry fan (I actually think they are absolutely tasteless)... but hers were loaded with blueberries, and now I've fallen in love with a very TASTEFUL new fruit at the age of 57! They were amazing! Sarah's tips are - add any fruit you want, freeze them and pull em' out for a work snack, or get this.... Dip them in some egg and make french toast with them! (Totally trying this tomorrow morning) Without further adoooooo... Here ya go! CUNNINGHAM FRUIT BARS (gluten free!) Dry Ingredients: 4-1/2 cups of oats 2 tsp baking powder 1 tsp cinnamon a pinch of salt (pinch your child's bum too, while you're at it). Wet Ingredients: 4 ripe bananas 2 eggs 1-1/2 cups of almond ... View Post
The Hand Shake
For about the past year, I've been seriously thinking about moving one week, and half seriously the next week. Then, I stop thinking about it for a month, then my sister sends me a link to a cute condo and I start half seriously looking again. It's been fun some weeks, but stressful others. Meanwhile, I've been purging, and cleaning, and sorting, and purging some more so that when the day comes and I decide to relocate, I can both sell and move quickly. Lo and behold, I fell in love with a darling little condo that was ready to be moved into, and so listing mine immediately was easy peezy! Practically, all I had to do was make my bed and vacuum. I was ready. I sold my home of 22 years in 48 hours and began to fill boxes. Meanwhile, I was negotiating back and forth with the ... View Post
Surrounded By COVID, and….
I spent my summer writing a memoir of my COVID nursing in the Medical ICU. I love the cover of my book, and I love the title. You should read it. Surrounded by COVID, Sustained by Grace! And I was! I was surrounded by COVID in the ICU! And I continue to be, but now in a variety of different environments. I also continue to be sustained by grace. I've pondered and pondered COVID, because up until getting pretty busy with my new job as a hospice RN, I've had time! And now, well - now I'm doing an Advent devotional study with three girlfriends, and we talk often about the anticipation of Christmas, the anticipation of celebrating the birth of our Savior. Best gift ever. And all of this pondering has caused me to ponder even more! Jesus came to earth and chose to be ... View Post
99 Years of Wisdom
Recently a friend of mine lost her husband of 34 years. Because of COVID and work and, well just 2020 in general, I was unable to attend his funeral. Earlier this year, I had a close friend die from COVID leaving his two grown children and his wife. I was at the Memorial, but the funeral was during the thick of COVID, and it was not possible to attend. Family only. It's my custom to wait a few weeks, and then send a card or make a call. I know that weeks after all of the news and activity, oftentimes that's when the reality of the loss hits, and the most lonesome days and nights become difficult, so that's when I like to reach out. As always, and probably like everyone else, I often hold the pen in my hand and stare at the card, right? I mean - what do you say? May the ... View Post
Not Just Joy – GREAT Joy!
Usually just about this time of year, my excitement about the upcoming holidays begins to fade. I get a little down, and I can't wait for the new year to come - but not this year! And that's odd because, duh.... COVID! I've witnessed a lot of people die this year from COVID, both my patients and my friends. Then I blew my knee out and ended up having to retire from the job I loved in the ICU. I had to say goodbye to the friends I'd had there for many, many, many years. I had to rely on the help of family and friends during my recovery, and some of that was rather humiliating. Then I had to find a new job, and had to learn so many new things, and get to know so many new people, and then COVID came back, and...... Well, it's been quite a year - for you too, I'm sure. Can you ... View Post
Jim’s Good Story
I really didn't know what else to title this blog. I love a good story, and I love a crowd of people gathered around to hear one. And if you're a Christian and you follow Jesus - you've got a story to tell. In fact, I would argue that not only do you have a story to tell, you are obligated to tell it. Sharing your story should bring you great joy, and always, always point others to Christ (not to yourself). My friend died today, and he had a great story. "Cancer is the best thing that ever happened to me," he told me one Christmas as my friend and I walked through the live nativity with he and his wife. I asked him that night if I got a crowd together - would he come over and tell his story? He couldn't wait, but we never got around to doing that, and I'm sorry tonight. Jim ... View Post
When I Grow Up
I have this friend. I cannot tell you her name, but she is who I hope to be wise, and kind, and generous, and thoughtful like when I grow up. Let me tell you why... For several years now, I have watched this friend serve her friends and others in the community when they are sick, or struggling, or sad, or financially hurting, or just in need of a ride somewhere, or a few bags of groceries. She drops off meals, listens intently, cooks homemade soups, writes checks, buys thoughtful gifts, calls, sends cards, checks in on people, encourages, prays - and when I say she prays - I mean this woman storms heaven with her prayers! What sets my friend apart from most people is that she doesn't advertise all that she does for others. She doesn't call people and tell them of her ... View Post
See Ya Later, Crocodile!
I had thee most uneventful day today. I spent almost two hours organizing my pretty paper and stationery. Oh, and I ironed for just about as long. My junk drawer also needed some purging, so that happened, but I was soon distracted by a small blue notebook where I recorded funny things my sons said when they were really young. So of course, I stopped everything I was doing and sprawled across my bed to flip through the pages. I know I laughed out loud - really loud, as if I was hearing some of these things for the very first time. How I wish I'd have recorded more. And how I wish I'd have taken more pictures. I need to not make this mistake with my grandchildren. I need more pictures! When we're raising our littles, I think we are all too busy chasing them around to record ... View Post