Liz's Front Porch

Cyber Space Granny, Reporting!

I just gotta tell somebody, so why not post it for my special friends who hang out in blog-land!!

At 72 years taking up space on this earth, I'm sitting at my computer with buds pluged into my ears listening to sweet music coming from my I-Pod Touch.

Such decadence! Such an amazing feat.

I'm truly blessed.

The amazing thing is that I've already figured out how to download music from my favorite Christian CDs and I've got podcast from Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Chuck Swindoll, and Allistair Begg set up. And to think, a  month ago I thought all pods had to do with seeds in the earth!

The funny thing is that when I went outside to work in the yard just before dark, I forgot to take my new toy with me, so I was stuck with my own thoughts and words and I even had to quietly listen to whispers from my Heavenly Father as I dug in the dirt and potted the last of my annuals to perk up our hot, dry summer days.

My college grandson just shook his head and grinned at me. My daughter e-mailed: "Mom! We never know what you'll do next!"

I think I'll leave the Pod in my purse when I shop for groceries, though. There is a world of friends out there and I don't want to get lost in my own world all the time!!! Some of my most fun conversations happen when I'm waiting my turn at the fist market!

Well. Just thought some of you would like to know.

 

Hugs and blessings,

 

 

        Liz

A Little of My All

 Just in case you didn’t understand my PLAN from the last post, I did not promise to DO anything—like going to the moon or writing or running a 26 K.

           I only said I would tackle the WHAT that I have left. I did not realize how much WHAT there is to do.

           So in preparation of what I’ll be doing, I have cleared out an easy-to-get-to shelf in our bedroom and have finally organized all our photographs, keepsakes, mementoes, cards, letters, and more photographs that tell our seven-year-love story. Everything, including the empty and expectant scrapbooks, is ready and waiting for me to get to work.

           Yesterday I grabbed onto a TODAY thing and made a birthday cake for Dear Heart. Today was dedicated to celebrating my amazing husband's special day and I concentrated my ALL into being in his today.

           Tomorrow I’m going to a writers’ conference. Sally will pick me up at 9 and we’ll have a whole day to think and talk about our written words. Our dreams, hopes, ideas, and hard work will get a fresh kick-start.

           But, I don’t know how much time I’ll have to accomplish those WHAT projects because the front porch has new summer cushions and the petunias and geraniums are blooming profusely. I have two pots of new lemon verbena, lots of basil, and the mint is thriving. Even though I’m still struggling to get the lemon balm to survive, I can make a huge batch of herb lemonade anytime company drops in. The back porch is cooler in the late afternoons and the humming birds are here in droves and I find it difficult to stay indoors.

           So, if I don’t finish my run-away slave novel or get all the photographs into albums or clean out the hall closets, Dear Heart and our humming birds are deliriously happy. And, as I go about my days, busily using all of my WHAT that is left—I’ll smile more and I’ll worship with a happy heart.

           I think that might be what rejoicing and being glad is about. I hope you are enjoying your time, also!

Hugs and blessings,

        Liz

A Plan

I don’t know about you. I know a little about me.

I scan. Skim. Rush through. Glance. Assume.

           Then I run off to the next thing believing I am SURE of what I read, what I think, what I believe, what I know.

One word can make a difference.

           Did you check the web references in yesterday’s Itzhak and Me? If so, did you see what I believed I thought to be true that wasn't?

           Okay. I’ll stop playing around and write.

           At one of those turning points in my life, I stumbled onto a quote attributed to Itzhak Perlman. I had thrown in my towel. I was done. The years had won the race. It was time to quit, give up, stop.

           At that moment I read the quote and I SAW the word: TIME !!

I needed to believe in time.

           I whined awhile then after a long sigh turned back to living and wrote a LOT. I persevered. That was some three or four years ago.

Last winter the years grabbed me unexpectedly. I felt really tired. I became very old.

So I wallowed in being old. A lot. As I’m sure my faithful readers noticed. I acknowledged all my aches, pains, troubles, and hurts. Woe WAS me.

          

            I just hate it when I have to give up one of my pity prizes. I work hard to win every one and I love  every single whine!

  

           No, there’s NO fountain of youth. Yes, I am still tired but I don't have time to be OLD. Believe me when I tell you: there IS a difference between living many years and BEING old.

           The story goes that in 1995 Itzhak Perlman labored onto the stage for a particularly grueling concert and during the last piece, two strings broke on his violin. With no hesitation, the maestro continued playing with only three strings, presenting a dazzling climax to the concert. Then he said,

“Sometimes it is the artist’s task to find out

how much music you can still make

with WHAT you have left.”

           So. After much prayer and a little sleep I guess I’ll tackle the WHAT that is left.

           I have no idea how it will show itself, but I suspect it will be easier to use all of my WHAT that is left. For however long it goes on. 

This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Psalm 118:23-25 NASB

Love,

   Liz