God's Law: The Return of the Circle

So what's with the weather? Could it be all the negativity on the news and people's nasty behavior in general? When we look in the mirror, what looks back at us is the same. When people express hate, are they aware that's what will return to them? Imagine hate is hot black tar returning to the sender. Do you want that?

Remedy: To have peace on earth, we have to master our thoughts and feelings and live from our heart expressing genuine love, compassion, kindness, mercy and peace toward all.

©️2018 Red Convertible Travel Series

The Lord has a field day at Walmart

   

     My daughter, Corrie, made this quilt for me for Mother's Day. The pieces fit together right, the same way life does when we invite the Lord to work in our life.

    I had two Walmart double-bagged bags in my cart. There wasn't enough room to put them into my truck. The man in the car beside me said, "I'll put those in for you."
     "Thanks!"
     A wee girl in his car said, "That was nice."
     "Yes it was."
     I headed to my driver's side and couldn't get in. A sedan was trying to back out. "Wait, just give me a minute."
     Behind my truck I checked the traffic and did my best Goldilocks impression. That truck is too fast. The second one isn't much better. Oh, that van is just right. I put my open palm up for the driver to stop five parking spaces back. He and his passenger broke into wide smiles.
     As I approached the sedan, the noise level was that of a flock of hungry birds. The couple were talking all over each other and glowing, literally. I peeked in, "You can go now." 
     She said, "Nobody has ever done anything like this for us." 
     "You're welcome."
     They went on their way. The van pulled in. I got in my truck. The first man was standing where he could see in my windshield. His arms were lighty crossed. His smile was soft.
      I muttered to my left, "What do I do now, Lord?"
     "Roll the window down."
     Out of my mouth came, "We were people helping people. That's what World Peace looks like."

2018 ©️Red Convertible Travel Series

Memorial Day 2018

Old wars

Current wars 

An Appeal to the World

The way to peace in a time of division

By

His Holiness the Dalai Lama XIV

Co-author Franz Alt

"Love without exception. 

Our spiritual well-being depends

on our innate human nature,

our natural affinity for goodness,

compassion, and caring for others."

"Ethics, compassion and social behavior

are inborn traits.

When we cultivate the inner values

that we all appreciate in other people,

we begin to live spiritually."

"tis more important for humanity's survival

to become aware of our commonalities

than to constantly emphasize what divides us"

"Most human conflicts can be resolved

through sincere dialogue."

"Disarmament is compassion put into practice.

Disarm. Don't arm yourselves!

Overcome hatred and prejudice

with cooperation and tolerance!"

2018 Red Convertible Travel Series

Photos:Clipart

Jesus used a 6-yr. old to answer my prayer

Earlier this week I made our monthly grocery run to Walmart. My cart was so full, I had to use a second one. I felt like a mule tethered to a one-bottom plow trying to slice into virgin prairie. Where's another mule when you need one?
"Jesus, I need help."
A little boy ahead and to my left turned around and walked straight to me. "Do you need help?"
"Yes."
He looked to his mom. She and I exchanged smiles; she nodded to him it was okay.

Walking to my car, he said, "I'm six years old. I go to Friar's Point Elementary School. I'm graduating from Kindergarten soon."
"That's great! Do you like to read?"
He frowned. "Not so much in school." His eyes widened. "I just read 'Biscuit' by myself!"
"Good for you!"

He intended to unload his cart into my car, but he wasn't tall enough to reach anything. His mom drove up."Do you need some help?"
"That's ok. I 'll get it." Why is it so hard to accept help? "Yes, thank you, I do need help."

It took us ten minutes to empty both carts. We ended with a hug. I thanked her and told her she was doing a great job with her son, and I'd tipped him.

Never underestimate the "Power of Prayer." People helping people = Peace on Earth

©️2018 Red Convertible Travel Series

Random Acts of Blindness 😴😍

Is it missing a corner I meant to turn at 😦 

Or the opportunity to see something different 😖

Or a dead end 😬

Is it overlooking 

an unintentional offense 💓

a deliberate intent to offend 💘

We cannot live in someone else's mind

and discern what's behind their every thought

and feeling

Managing my thoughts and feelings

is a full-time job 💟

Self-control and self-correction

is where it's at 💗

To be at peace😍💕

I must live

sympathy, compassion and kindness 💖

and 

Random Acts of Blindness 💞

2017 Red Convertible Travel Series

💗 Living Sympathy, Compassion and Kindness = Divine Love in action 💗

As we were leaving the Memphis, VA yesterday, we met a woman standing and smiling. She said she is a volunteer who welcomes veterans, thanks them for their service and tells them something that might make them feel better. God Bless her! 💓

Not long ago, I met a woman at the end of a grocery aisle. I smiled. She projected hate. We met again at the corner of another aisle. I smiled. She maintained hate. The third time we met, I smiled and so did she. 💝

Coming from the Midwest, I had no background/understanding of racism. I can't do it. Hate is debilitating, a waste of God given energy. It can make the sender physically ill. We, the people, are not that different. We all want to be loved and accepted just the way we are. Living sympathy, compassion and kindness soothes, heals and connects us. Want to do something good?  💞 Love a hater. 💟 It just might open their heart, too.

©2017 Red Convertible Travel Series

A Light-Hearted Moment at The Memphis, TN VA

In spite of complaints about the VA, Johnny and I have none. For many years, VAs across the country have been there for him. Without them, he'd have died long ago. We appreciate the staff and tell them so. They're surprised, "Nobody tells us." Some are moved to tears and mile-wide smiles. Hugs are appreciated.

My heart goes out to all who've served our country. So many have experienced war's worst. The best gift I can give them is time and attention. For a simple "Thank you." some smile, some nod, and some frown, as if to say, "Is she for real?" I recently visited with three over 90 WWII Veterans. Their minds were sharp, and their skin was smooth. They loved sharing their stories.

The Memphis VA is undergoing renovation. At a recent appointment, we had a lot of walking to do. We copped a light-weight, red wheelchair with small wheels and no restraints on the passenger. Pressing the bar to the top back allows the chair to glide. To my amazement, navigating Johnny's 170 lbs. was effortless. Release the bar and the chair stops on the spot.

We were doing well, until I had to navigate down a slight incline. All of a sudden, a huge Veteran was walking in step with 5'5" me. I thanked him for his service, looked over my shoulder, thanked the taller one behind him and those further back. I was struggling a little holding back the chair. The big soldier spoke softly, "I could be first."
"Not if I let go."

Microsoft photo
©2017 Red Convertible Travel Series

Her Heart Was Aimed Towards Me

     There wasn't a time in my life when I didn't know the Miners family. Bill and I were Cradle Roll babies at the First Presbyterian Church. We graduated from high school the same year. Leonard plowed Nadine's garden and brought them fresh fall mushrooms. Over the decades, plates of cookies, garden produce and other goodies were delivered back and forth. Our support for one another is without end.
     Intelligent and well read, they knew Shakespeare as if he were their next door neighbor. They studied and conversed about everything and anything. 
     Nancy is the last of the living. The rest are as near as her next thought. She said, "We genuinely liked each other. We had different ideas. We debated, but we didn't fight. We were always there for each other.
     "When I was small and overly shy, I was invited to a neighbor girl's birthday party. Two other friends were there, but they wouldn't talk to me. I guess they already knew each other. I stood at a distance. The phone rang. The Birthday girl handed it to me.
     "Nancy, are you having a good time?" Mom asked.
     "No," I whispered into the phone.
     "My heart is aimed towards you, Honey. It will be okay."
     "I broke out in a smile. Mom, the foundation of everlasting arms took time to check on me. Her love is the kind that is there all the time, goes all the way, always, all ways. No conditions. No clock. No yardstick. No count-it-out. All loving you for you. Carried all the way 100%.
     "Thank you for thinking of me." I hung up confident I could fit in, and I did."

©2014 Red Convertible Travel Series  
   

   

   

Dear Robin Williams,

Thank you for your contribution to life. You touched many hearts with your wit and wisdom, and will continue to do so. You could be counted on to entertain and at the same time, inspire. I love your movies and interviews and you.

By now I suspect you know you have changed form, but your life has not skipped a beat. I do not judge you. I wish you Grace and Peace.

My family has first-hand experience with the thief Parkinsons. It was a minimal tremor in the beginning. Grandma reached for a glass of water and knocked it over. One accident was nothing. But they happened more often. Broken dishes. Dropped silverware and knives. She cut herself more often. When the head shaking started, she lost her spark. The thief held her hostage and tightened the noose on her independence. Depression moved in and overtook her from time to time. She went from a vibrant, hard working woman to being dependent. 

Grandma Mae, my namesake, could no longer live alone. Unable to coordinate a spoon or hold a glass, she lived with my parents and with us. We hand fed her. Applesauce was her favorite. She liked to go for a slow ride. We took her. Her food had to be chopped fine. A survivor of Quinsy, but it left pockets in her throat that caused choking.

She died with P more than ten years later. We lost her twice. Once when the disease advanced and when she died, but we were grateful she was out of P's grip. 

Robin you will always be a part of us. Love connects hearts 
forever. 
















Whole Wheat love,

MaeAnn

P.S.I didn't make this heart. It was in the loaf I bought.

2014 Red Convertible Travel Series

An Angel for Dogs

  
   We have a man in Clarksdale, MS who has a soft spot for stray dogs and does something about it. Locals have been behind the tanned, white-haired man buying a hamburger and a sackful. Our kind, big-hearted hero cruises the streets and backroads in his truck, or on his motorcycle, finds and  feeds stray dogs. You could say he's their Angel. God Bless him.

2012 Red Convertible Travel Series