Hulu Series and Halloween Treats

I have gotten in the habit of spending my evenings watching McCleouds Daughters. It’s and eight series show that is on Hulu. I am on the fifth series now. It is about a horse farm and the four women who run it. All sorts of things happen on this show, good and sad things.

I love these farm, horse shows. It not only is good and clean watching, it takes up my evenings. Have you ever seen it? If not, maybe you can start watching it. I also love Heartland. It is pretty similar. I just don’t want these series to end.

Next, I am looking forward to watch the holiday shows and movies.

A question I have for you. I am going to be staying home and passing trick or treats to the kids that live out here. They are having a Halloween walk throughout the complex. With the virus still being active, what is a good treat to hand out that keeps all safe and happy?

McLeod’s Daughters

2001 ‧ Drama ‧ 8 seasons

Seeing What We Don’t Notice

Maybe I shouldn’t admit it; but I am a little afraid when I go out in public to places I am unfamiliar with. When I moved to Florida years ago; I moved to a city by far larger than where my home town is that I reside in.

 

Everywhere I went; I saw a variety of people that I was not used to seeing. I saw many cultures. I saw homeless people. I saw purple hair and long hair, different clothing styles. Maybe I should change the word afraid to not knowing how to react, or is that a stupid phrase also.

 

My brother and I learned that we should not go outside in the dark of where we lived because there were rat snakes roaming about. I am sure that they have their purpose in this world; but considering the great inner fear of snakes, I didn’t care if they were rat snakes or garden snakes; they were snakes and I obeyed.

 

We really get used to ” our area”. When we live, work and play in the same surroundings, we get comfortable. When you venture into a new area and don’t have that comfortable feeling and we see new things and people; we don’t know what to think or how to respond.

 

I think this is me so I will erase the word afraid and not knowing how to react to; I need to broaden my horizon in culture. I  have been way too sheltered in my own little corner of the world.

 

God placed a lot of countries, cities and towns on our planet. Along with this comes culture, different foods, interests and lots of learning for us. I remember one day while living in Florida, my brother and I went to a gas station to put fuel in the car.

 

I didn’t get out of the car immediately because sitting beside the pump was a big trash barrel and going through the barrel was a homeless man. I glanced at my brother and he was staring at the man. I stared along  with him. I had never really witnessed a homeless person before; only read about them in the news.

 

As I watched him, I started to take his place in my mind, and my feelings of wonder turned to pity for him and then I found myself asking what could I do to help. Suddenly I was anxious to get out of the car and pump my gas. Afterwards, I handed the man a twenty dollar bill and told him to have a good day. He smiled big and shook my hand until I thought my arm was going to fall off.

 

I had a swelling in my heart. I had helped someone else instead of thinking of my  usual thoughts. It felt good. It even seemed that my brother and I had a better day than ever. Our spirits were lifted. I had torn down the uncomfortable wall and opened myself to something I had not dealt with before.

 

I have since then studied culture much more. Learning of rituals and habitats of others is very fascinating. Beliefs others carry is a great learning experience. God  sure did an awesome job at placing so many different people under one big, blue marble.

 

I look at life different today just from that one day years ago with my brother. Now with my illness, I am stuck in my comfortable surroundings; but I seek out what others are doing, how they think, are they hungry or cold; when I am able to get out from under my own roof.

 

Right here in my home town there are people in need. People who are hungry or cold, who need us. They may need a dollar or two or a meal from McDonalds and I am sure they need a prayer said for them as much as we need prayers said for ourselves.

 

So in conclusion; we need to step out of our comfort zone. We need to quit thinking of ourselves. We need to look for others who may look different or eat different but realize they need the same things as we do. To be cared about, to be loved, to be noticed.

 

I will never forget that teaching lesson from so long ago, sitting at the gas station, waiting to pump my gas and the man I helped. How it made me realize how lucky I am in life, how blessed and how much better I felt; helping someone.

 

Writing this has immediately taken me to the thought of beauty. I think I am going to use my camera to not only take beautiful nature, but to capture, or try to, the beauty inside each heart I pass.

 

The photo below is at my class reunion. I am the one on the bottom second from the right

Stepping Outside my Box

I am trying something new. A way to use my  photos for more than just my eyes. Check this out! If it is successful; I will build more varieties.

https://shop.spreadshirt.com/understanding-feelings/color+of+summer-A5b240edbf6c60d19f24e3836?productType=813&appearance=231

 

https://shop.spreadshirt.com/understanding-feelings/emotions-A5b23ff83aa0c6d155a4981ac?productType=943&appearance=231

A Teen’s Diary

You, as a parent, teach your children to think for themselves. To learn to live independently as an adult. You teach them not to lie, steal and be untrue to themselves.

Suddenly, you notice over time that their personality is changing. They aren’t spending as much time with the family interacting. They seem to have gained new friends, but haven’t met them.

They are dressing a little different than usual and using new make-up. Are they just growing up right in front of your eyes or is something going on? After all, you did teach them to think for themselves.

Something is eating at you though. Your instincts are kicking in. This seems to run through your mind daily.

One day, you are in their room. You are putting their clothes a way and when you pull open the dresser drawer; you spot a book. You pick it up and see that it their dairy book. Do you read it? Yes or no readers?

Story a Day

http://storyaday.org/day-28-use-these-words/?ck_subscriber_id=211865176

The Prompt

Your story must include these words; ink, previously, work, breeze, seven, run, delicious, example, spontaneous, barb.

 

Hi, my name is Mandy. I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and today I am 19 years old and have just finished my freshman year of college at a Christian college. It was a lot of hard work; but I made it.

I watched many kids run around and have fun while I remained behind and studied. I felt a little jealous when they would bring back delicious smells of left-over food from where they had dined.

Every morning I woke to my alarm at promptly seven. I would run through my morning routine of getting ready for school. I would walk through rain, sunshine and windy breezes to catch the number seven bus.

My life was never spontaneous. Anyone who knew me; knew where I was most times. Today, I didn’t want to be me. I wanted to be free. I decided my first summer break day was not going to be previously what it had been yesterday.

I was going to mentally cross the barb wire and live on the wild side. I started my trip with a stop at the Tattoo Ink store. I looked through the examples of drawings and picked a cute butterfly. I told the artist I wanted it placed on my right ankle.

I then went to my favorite clothing store and then had lunch at a little bar and grill type restaurant. I walked more than ride the bus. I watched the birds and looked at the new leaves on the trees. I smelled the fresh air.

When I arrived home; I was tired, but it was a good tired. As I lay in bed I thought about what I was going to do with the rest of my summer. I wasn’t really sure; but I knew I would be ready for school when it picked back up again.

Save our Youth

What makes people do bad things? I just read where a babysitter bit a three year old. For heaven’s sake! She was the babysitter? How in the world do parents find the right person to care for their children? It doesn’t do any good to get references, people can lie.

 

Word of mouth is a good way to find a good babysitter in my opinion. Someone who has already tried and have been satisfied with the care. What about the things going on in our communities?

Priests who are pedophiles. Gym teachers, coaches. Why can’t we trust our leaders?

(Pedophilia, or paedophilia, is a psychiatric disorder in which an adult or older adolescent experiences a primary or exclusive sexual attraction to prepubescent children.)

It seems these two-legged creatures hide behind their jobs, looking and abusing our youth.

http://www.fox25boston.com/news/trending-now/3yearold-allegedly-assaulted-by-her-babysitter-dies/717932130

 

https://www.ncronline.org/news/accountability/buffalo-diocese-priest-says-he-abused-probably-dozens-boys

 

https://nypost.com/2018/02/19/us-swimming-did-little-as-hundreds-of-coaches-abused-kids/

 

Do you believe that the more we take God out of office, the more damage is done to our people and youth? Let me know your thoughts on this question.

 

Something has to be done. We are hoping our youth will help care for us when we grow old. Do you want someone caring for you when you are helpless when their mind has been torn and damaged from their childhood?

What can we as citizens do to change things? Please share your thoughts with me.

 

 

 

French Intensive Container Gardening

https://www.stretcher.com/stories/15/15mar16g.cfm

Happy New Year WordPress Friends

Look back
Don’t linger
No tears
No sorrow
Lessons learned
Take with you

Look forward
Be calm
Think clearly
Stand strong
New chances
New year.

Written by my feelings.
Terry Shepherd

 

Living in Today’s World

My mind wanders back to the day of 9/11, 16 years ago. What was I doing? Where was I? I was going through my own hell on that day. I had split up with my ex. I was living on my own on minimum wages. I had lost my mother a year prior. I was lonely, miserable and sad, angry at everyone; including myself.

I remember having slept a restless night, probably from worrying too much, instead of leaving it in God’s hands. I woke up later than my normal time. I got my coffee made, sat down to drink it and flipped the television on.

Oh my gosh! What! What in the world is going on?

I listened and learned our country had been hit by mean and hateful people. Lives had been lost. Quickly, I forgot about my problems and thought about how my mother wasn’t here to see this.

I sat glued to the television. I didn’t get much accomplished that day. I grew quieter in thought and just watched the TV. Hour after hour, my heart sank. Before I knew it, I was beginning to pray.

I had been brought up in church. I did the weekly church thing, but this moment, I found myself drawing nearer to our God. I felt tears dripping as my heart tore more open from this world tragedy.

From that day forward, God and I became closer friends. He helped me get through my father’s illness and death. He helped keep me strong for my brother’s seven-year illness and his death.

He showed me I could make it on my own in almost any situation. He helped me draw closer to my children and to understand I was not only their mother, but I could let loose of the trying to guide them in their own lives, and just plain enjoy knowing they love me, no matter what.

Today, I thank God for awakening my need for him. I pray for all those lost in the terrible 9/11. I continue to pray for our world of disasters today; other countries in turmoil and hate, tornadoes, fires and hurricanes. I pray for our Congress and President Trump.

No matter what my opinions are of any goings on, the fact is; God is in charge and knows exactly what to do. Now, today, I am fighting my own health concerns. I try to give more to God and enjoy the little things in life; like waking up.

I try and succeed most times, to find the good in the negative in people and in my surrounding situations. God is good. I don’t know why he doesn’t stop some things from happening; but I know he has his reasons. Maybe, he wants us all to draw near to him, lean on him.

So many of us feel we are in charge of our lives. We have to make the decisions. We must make sure our children are happy, our spouses and partners are happy. Our job performances are noticed, our paychecks bigger each year.

The truth is, it doesn’t matter, none of it. God brought us into this world out of ashes. He will take us out of this world in a blink of an eye, and I promise, nothing is going with us, nothing.

All that matters is; we love God, praise his name, give thanks for everything we do  have, continue to love him when things don’t go right, and the biggest to me, is TRUST HIM, and don’t worry about what others are thinking or saying. We are God’s child. He made us perfect in his vision. He has us right where he wants us, each moment, each day, each year.

God bless our country. God bless our military. God bless you.

 

Trust, Faith, Hope and Prayers

I am what some would say,”Addicted to Facebook.” Maybe I am, maybe I am not. Your call on that one. I do know that I read a lot of what streams and I also advocate for Multiple System Atrophy. I also belong to several MSA groups along with Parkinson’s and Ataxia groups. There is so much support from these wonderful people; because we understand each other’s symptoms. It is a great place to go for answers, a shoulder to cry on, a place to vent, and make good friends.

 

I get so aggravated at the name calling, people thinking that they are the only ones who are correct and swear words. During the streaming process, I ignore some gross stuff, laugh at others, pray for all, and shake my head at the politics.

 

I hear it everywhere. People where I live discuss it often. There are Veteran’s here who reside and they have very outstanding remarks about our past and present President’s. They chat openly about the wars they were in, and I listen in awe as they bring their memories to life.

A Veteran is a dictionary

With incredible stories

True life history

No stones left unturned

A Veteran is my history friend.

Written by,

Terry Shepherd

07/13/2017

 

Now, it’s a different story on Facebook. It seems everything goes. Nothing is sacred. I do believe we are all free to our speech. We do live in America. I don’t believe we should bully, block people, unfriend friends over politics.

 

Isn’t it more important that we gather together in common ground and think positive thoughts for our government and pray for their thoughts and actions? We, the people, can not change so many things in life, but we can come together for the better of our future.

 

I admit I get nervous. Their is so much talk about big cut backs for government programs. I know for me for instance, I have little funds, I depend on their help for medical expenses. I wish I didn’t have to, but my illness prevents me from doing so much in life.

 

What I have to do is; pick out information that is important and let the rest race out my other ear. There is  much gossip that spreads from mouth to mouth. What do we really know is truth or lie? I have to trust that our President, Donald Trump, has our best interest at heart, and with all the pushing and shoving he is faced with daily, he will give it his best shot.

 

Trust, this is what is needed

Hope is what we must carry

Pray is a must

And leave the rest to God.

 

Written by,

Terry Shepherd