From the Ranch

From the Ranch

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

OK, This One Just Begs to be Shared...

OK.... this one just begs to be shared... Seems the Curiosity Rover from NASA which is currently roving Mars, took pictures of a woman, with her vehicle, and dwelling.  That is what a FOX channel is reporting anyway.   One guy posted, "I knew women were from Mars..." I couldn't resist after that! Just had to run with is... There isn't much on TV in Germany, I have already finished the good book I was reading, and Randy is out of town... so inane comments on a woman on Mars is what I a doing for entertainment this evening.  Be sure and catch my comments, and no, I don't drink


http://fox6now.com/2015/08/07/mysterious-woman-shaped-figure-captured-on-mars-by-nasas-curiosity-rover/#comment-1033583.

One of Donald Trump's Earliest Campaign Speeches

As you may have noticed when Donald Trump makes a campaign speech, 
or participates in debates, he can get a little over excited and rant a bit.

Thing is, he really has made great strides since
 he first started long years ago...

One thing he says that is difficult to understand is
"I'm not so excited!"

Evidently he has heard his parents say on multiple occasions,
"You don't have to get so excited!"


Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Magic Jack Calls and a Dangerous Threat

My husband is in Iraq for short time, and as always happens any time that he is away, I miss him until my chest literally aches. As he served in the United States Army, and now serves with the State Department however, there are sacrifices that must be made.  Part of what has helped me so much has been the love and devotion of various pets, especially two dogs, Ginger and Chance.  They always miss Randy when he is gone as much as I do.  Ginger was part of this world for almost 18 years, and she faithfully loved us every day she was part of our family.  Thank goodness Randy had already bought Chance for me on Valentine's Day the summer before we had to put Ginger down, I need a loyal friend who shares the burden of Randy's absences with me each time he is away.

Each evening I can call and talk with Randy for mere pennies while he is away, as we invested in a Magic Jack telephone device before we moved to Germany.  By the way, I highly recommend Magic Jack, in fact I don't know what I would do without ours. I have to hear the voices of my children and grand-children often, and that little Magic Jack device makes it possible at a yearly fee that is less than I used to spend for a single month of land line service in the States.  The only draw back for me in living in Europe is my family being so far away.  I have to talk to them often, in fact every day I call at least one family member.  Of course the ability to speak with my husband daily while he is in far away places, all of them dangerous, is such a blessing, and I really need that little daily sweet time of communication, evidently our dog Chance does too!

On this current trip Randy is on, I had a bit of
computer trouble, and could not get through to Randy for about four days, and I had to rely on email communication.  Chance had been missing Randy for a few days already by the time I got the problem resolved and got through to him the first time.  To use Magic Jack, I have to use my computer and have it on speaker phone.  It is so clear, it sounds like Randy is in the room. It took Chance a few moments to realize , sure enough, that was Randy's voice coming from somewhere.  At first he ran to the front door barking, then back to me, he ran out the back door which was open, barking as he ran all the way to the back fence before circling back into the house.  He again came and stood in front of me barking loudly, and by then I was annoyed as I could not hear Randy for the racket.  Chance next bounded up the stairs to the bedroom barking the whole way.  Then it dawned on me that Chance thought Randy was home, and I laughed and told Randy about it.  Randy then called out, "Pig, Pig, Pig!"  There was joy in Mudville!
 

 We had pot bellied pigs in our little petting zoo at the ranch, and for some reason, those pigs held great animosity toward Chance, and he towards them. There is no love lost between Shelties and pigs.  Our little dog doesn't chase a ball, chew, dig, fetch, or play any dog games at all, except for Pig, Pig, Pig. Randy found this good sized rubber dog toy shaped like a pig which squeaks loudly on a shopping trip, and against my advice he bought it for Chance.  He thought maybe Chance would enjoy it.  The reaction from our sweet and overly friendly little dog was over the top!  He despises that pig, and feels it is the number one threat to world order, and his gentle and loving personality turns from Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde, at the mere sight of the toy pig.  Where ever he is in the house or yard, when Randy squeezes that pig, no matter how softly, Chance comes charging to bark, growl, jump, and attack like we are all going to die if he doesn't do something right now!  In an instant, he transforms from a little dainty Sheltie, to a rabid pit bull on steroids, and he loves it!  So does Randy!




This thing would scare anybody, don't you think?

Every night right before bed, Randy plays the version of the game Chance so loves when we go upstairs to bed.  It is hysterical to watch!  In fact, since we go to bed fairly early, at about 9:30, if we stay up a bit later, Chance starts begging.  First he goes to Randy, whines and bows.   By that I mean, he stretches his front paws forward, and bows the front of his body down.  According to the "dog language experts, this can be interpreted as, "I want to play with you."

If Randy won't listen, he comes to me, repeats the behavior, and needless to say, this begins to interrupt whatever activity we are finishing up.  When we ask him what he wants, his face zeros in on Randy, he freezes, stops barking, and listens as we ask, "Do you want a drink of water?"  He remains frozen.  One of us will then ask, "Are you hungry?"  He remains frozen.  "Do you want to go outside?"  Frozen.  "Are you ready for bed?"  The happy dance begins, accompanied by vocal rejoicing!

We go upstairs, get ready for bed, brushing teeth, etc... Then we take the nice bedspread and all our "extra bed pillows men hate" slowly off the bed, and turn back the covers...  By then, Chance's whole body is quivering... and he bounds onto the bed.  The pig is always kept under Randy's pillow, and Chance is well aware of this.  If Randy tries to just turn over and go to sleep, Chance isn't having it!  The game must be played!  Randy loves pretending he isn't going to play the game.  Chance lays his chin on Randy's shoulder, staring intently with his big, brown, lovely eyes, waiting.  If he has to wait too long, he comes to me, whining, and begging for me to make Randy play...




When Randy finally stops teasing, the game begins.  Randy hides the pig under the covers, and makes the pig move under the covers toward Chance...  Anyone observing would think Chance is capable of chewing a leg off,  as he chases the covered pig moving under the covers.

Randy has very quick reflexes, and he will suddenly pull the pig from under the covers and make it "bite" Chance in the rear.  Several other quick maneuvers bring delight to the game. This causes Chance to all but loose it!  And so the play and laughter goes for about ten minutes, until at last I am the one who must declare Chance the winner by throwing the pig off the bed, and declaring, "You got that pig again Chance, thank goodness we can now sleep safe and sound.  Then Chance is praised, petted, and hugged... his joy is complete!

Each night now when it gets about time for me to call Randy, Chance comet to me, and begins encouraging me to hurry up and call.  He now climbs in my lap, tries to "paw the computer," and when he hears Randy's voice, he is filled with joy and excitement!  As anyone who has a dog realizes, these wonderful creatures make such good life friends, and make life richer.  My husband's jobs always carry a great deal of responsibility, but he never seems to suffer from stress.  When he works, he works, and his focus is unbreakable.  On the other hand, when he plays, he plays, and a good game of Pig, Pig, Pig, well played, melts the stress of everyone's day.  Chance climbs from the bed, lays down on the floor, and falls to sleep immediately.  God brings blessings and comforts to those who take the time and love to form a relationship with whatever animals are brought their way in life. Think I'll go make Chance a scrambled egg.



Sunday, August 9, 2015

It is Sunday Morning in Germany, and I am a Woman of Prayer

It is almost 6am this beautiful Sunday morning in Germany, and I woke up knowing that the Living God loves me, and that in Him I live and move and have my being.  I love Sundays, we have a wonderful church in Weisbaden, and I will go there this morning for Sunday School, the morning worship service, and a working lunch on the direction of our Sunday School.  This is an exciting time of growth, and I thank God as I think of the blessings of today that are mine through the church God led us to in Germany.  I am anxious to be on my way to church, it is a two hour trip for me.  It won't be as enjoyable as it would be if Randy were here, and traveling with me as I make my way.  Randy is out of town with his job, and his laughter, always happy heart, and sense of adventure concerning every minute of life, won't be directly at my side, but in my heart and mind as I go through the day.

As is my habit, this time of day is a time of prayer for me.  Always my beloved husband, his life, his work, his health, his safety, and his growth in his relationship with the Lord God is among my first petitions.  My daughters this morning all have needs, my oldest injured her arm while working out last week, and she and my awesome son-in-law John have moved to a new place, and there are challenges when a family moves.  My daughter Meredith has a new endeavor in her life.  She has always been an artist, all my daughters have.  That is an inheritance from my father's side of the family.  I love all things creative, and encouraged my children as they were growing up to let the creativity of their minds find outlets of expression.  Art is a communication form, and Merrie,  as we have always called he,r has found a new form of expressing the uniqueness of who she is.  I love the whimsical beauty of what she is creating, the rick jewel tone colors, and the design of each piece. I have been asking God's blessing on this new work as she has set up a wonderful online shop to sell her work.  My fearless daughter Beth is expecting her third child, his name is Luke, and there is a difficulty in the pregnancy, so prayers rise from my heart for her family, especially Luke.  Micah and Misty, my daughter-in-laws are young mothers, and I ask the Lord God to bless them both, draw them always to a deeper relationship with him, and to meet the needs of their lives.





 My twin sons John and Jared are in the prime of their lives.  I am praying for strength, wisdom, courage, and a deepening of the relationship with God made possible in Christ Jesus.  Their roles as fathers and husbands, I know must be first grounded and rooted in their love of God, and in a walk with Him.  I pray for each of my sons-in-law as well, Andrew, Amie's John, and for Robert and Jamie too.  My son Brian, whom God has called to the ministry always is in my prayers as he continues his education in Dallas, and my beautiful daughter Rebecca, and her life in Alabama with Andrew.

My grand-children are as the Bible says, are glory to my soul.  Proverbs 17:6 comes to my mind, "Grandchildren are the crown of the elderly, and the pride of sons is their fathers."  I could never have imagined what my heart would feel about my grand-children... such love, such devotion, and today, as always, I have such a longing to see them all.  I miss them, and if I had my way, all of our children and their families would be required to live at the ranch with us, and I would see them all every day.  One day, Eternity will come, and my prayers turn to each of their relationships with the Lord God, and my role as mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother.  I ask the Lord God to make me all that I should be in each of those roles, that I know, stands as the greatest of my purpose in life.





















 
Of course my role of wife to Randy is the call that is strongest upon my life, but I am a daughter too, and my own sweet parents whom I love more every day cross my mind and I ask for the needs of their lives to be met.  The richest blessings of my life came to me through them.  I have never seen them wander even an inch from their walk with the Lord God, and I know what a rare blessing know what a rare blessing that is, and I thank God for that gift.

Then I pray for those God brings to my heart in our church, what sweet and wonderful friends God has given us there.  I ask for God's blessing on our pastor, Nick Howard, his wife Susan, and their son who is back in the States living and working.  As Brother Nick opens the word of God this morning before our congregation, I ask for God's the anointing of the Holy Spirit upon him as he is used to bring God message to our congregation today.  The names and faces of those who have requested prayer among our church family come to my mind, and I lift those requests again to the Father as I look forward to hearing the witness of how God has met their needs this week.

My life is full like a basket overflowing, with blessings running over, and those around the world who live in difficult and trying times flood my mind and heart with earnest desire for relief from their suffering, and I ask the Father to be with them, to strengthen them, to encourage them, and to fill their minds with the knowledge and assurance that no matter what, He is with them, and will see them through.

My beautiful little Sunday School class, and the excitement and joy with which I look forward to meeting with each of them this morning fills my heart and I thank God for this honor and privilege.  I look forward to teaching them all week long.  Each of their faces, which are always smiling comes to my mind, and anticipation fills me.  I have the small gift which I have for the birthday of one of the little girls is ready in my back pack.  I recall each request for prayer from their children's hearts, and lift those petitions too.


I ask God to search my heart, show me anything that is displeasing there, that I can overcome and discard anything which stands between my Lord and I.  The calling of my own life, the work that I need to do to complete God's purpose for my life stands before me today in different tasks, appointments, and gatherings.  I ask God's direction and help for each moment of this day, that at its end I may be found to have used every minute according to God's will and purpose.

Now I must get ready, and make the trip.  God is good, and His love endures forever.  Prayer is the sweetest time of the day early on Sunday morning in Germany.  This song has always been a favorite of mine.


Saturday, August 8, 2015

Donald Trump is No Ronald Reagan

The quotes from the presidential debates that Donald Trump will be remembered for are such a sad leagacy...  His quips should embarrass him, I don't think they do...

Now Ronald Reagan, he could make a quip...





Saturday, August 1, 2015

I Love Words...


You know, I can respect and admire the thoughts of those with whom I do not completely agree.



"Similarly, in an immoral society, the worst thing is to be immoral and commit atrocities. The second worst thing is to remain too moral (goody-two-shoes, blind-faith, status quo junkies) and simply allow atrocities to occur."  Julian Rose


I like what is said in the words above... to quote the author that is the ultimate authority:

"A word spoken at the right time is like gold apples on a silver tray."  Proverbs 25:11 Holman Standard Version