Trivia Tuesday

Do you enjoy reading trivia or playing trivia-related games? I do! For some reason, I've always enjoyed learning little tidbits of knowledge (well...some trivia might not actually be considered knowledge, LOL). But trivia has been interesting to me, and sometimes downright fascinating! I decided that I'll try posting some trivia on my little blog one Tuesday each month---just for fun. I hope any readers who stop by will enjoy these little bits of information! *Also, I obtained these from various sites on the internet, and am assuming them to be true.* TRIVIA FROM CATMOM:

Goldfish have a memory span of 3 seconds.

It's impossible to sneeze with your eyes open!

Almonds are a member of the peach family.

A cat's ears can pivot 180 degrees.

Maine is the only state whose name is just one

syllable.

Over 20,000 books have been written on the

game of chess.

There are more chickens than people in the

world. * Hmmmm....I was a little skeptical

about this one!*

Author Sandra Orchard's First Book!

Christian author (and a dear friend of mine) Sandra Orchard has her debut novel out this month, and I'm so thrilled for her! Deep Cover is a romantic suspense published by Love Inspired and is available at many chain stores and bookstores (my local Walmart had several copies). I'm reading the book now and loving it! ~ Sandra is a wife, mother, and grandmother who lives in Ontario, and in addition to being an awesome author she's a sweetheart. She's also been (and continues to be) a wonderful encouragement to me in my own writing journey. ~ Look for Deep Cover now - - and also look for future Sandra Orchard suspense novels. CONGRATULATIONS Sandra!!

A Whisper of Peace

Christian author Kim Vogel Sawyer continues to be one of my VERY favorite authors, so I wanted to share a book I've just finished reading. A Whisper of Peace is an excellent read---especially if you enjoy historical romance. ~ This story is set in Alaska in the late 1800s, and was never dull. I don't want to give any "spoilers" but I'll say it follows a missionary and a native young woman and the trials they experience. The characters, action, and the message of sweet redemption made this a wonderful story, which I highly recommend!

Fragrant Reminders

Isn't it amazing how a certain smell or scent can evoke memories for us? Of course, the happy memories are the ones we like (and the pleasant scents too!). Yesterday I was grocery-shopping and spied a loaf of cinnamon bread. I didn't purchase it, but had to pick it up and sniff it through the plastic--it looked sooo yummy. Sure enough, it smelled as yummy as it looked, and suddenly in my mind I was transported back to when my three children were little, and thoughts of the cozy house we lived in then. For some reason, that particular cinnamon-bread smell made me think of our kitchen and those happy times when my children were very young (I was blessed to be a "stay-at-home" Mom for a while). Maybe it's because I baked a good bit when the children and I were at home (which we were most of the time), but whatever the reason that's where my thoughts traveled as I stood in the middle of the bakery section of the store. When I realized I had tears in my eyes (*sigh* I'm such an emotional Mom) I hastily set the cinnamon bread back on the shelf and forced myself to focus on finishing my shopping. Thankfully no one I knew was in the store then, because they might've wondered why I had tears while shopping in the bakery! ~ Later yesterday I thought back to that very small incident in the store, and it made me realize just how powerful our senses can be. Is there a particular fragrance that makes you think of a sweet memory?

Surprise Seeds

Oh my! This summer has been zipping by way too quickly, and I cannot believe it's been over a month since I've posted a blog*sigh*. But I wanted to share about my "surprise seeds"---an old packet of seeds I found in May and decided to plant. Since they were old, I almost tossed the packet into the trash, but am SO glad I didn't! I planted them in an extra flower pot I had, watered them, and set them on my front steps so they'd receive lots of afternoon sun. A couple weeks later, I was thrilled to see tiny green plants peeking through the dirt. I continued to water them, and now--in late July--I'm very happy to say I have a lovely pot of bright yellow flowers! The picture above (a zinnia) is very similar to my flowers, so I'm thinking they must be in the zinnia family (I didn't save the packet they came in, but I remember the words "mixture" on the packet!). I've decided that these particular flowers have flourished in the bright sun on my front porch steps. As I thought about those words earlier today, it occurred to me that Christians can also flourish, but we "flourish in the SON"! If we strive to live the kind of life we should, and do what the Lord would have us to do, then we will surely flourish as we serve Him. So as I continue enjoying the lovely yellow flowers on my porch, I'll remember that I need to stay in the light of the Son, if I'm to truly flourish and live a fruitful life. ...as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. Psalm 103:15

One Year Ago....

It's hard to believe it has been exactly one year ago that I entered a major Atlanta hospital for what was supposed to be three spinal surgeries. Due to some serious complications, my neurosurgeon had to bring me out of anesthesia during the 3rd procedure, let me rest for five days, and then finish correcting my spine (resulting in a total of 4 surgeries in an 8-day period!). Yes, it was truly the roughest time I've ever been through. BUT....I wasn't alone. The Lord was with me the entire time, and I felt His presence beside me even during long, agonizing nights. I also knew there were countless people praying for me---not only precious family and friends, but folks I didn't even know! I am convinced those prayers helped me through that ordeal and through the long healing process after I returned home. God is sooo GOOD! ~ As rough as that time was, I look back now and see so many blessings that came during (and after) that time in my life. The care and kindness of not only family and friends, but also the hospital staff helped to ease the pain and fear during my hospital stay and recuperation. ~ As I prepared myself for that experience, I clung to a verse from the book of Isaiah. That verse will always be special to me, and I praise the Lord for His protection and comfort in all the trials of life. ~ Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10

National Doughnut Day

YAY! At last, I have a legitimate excuse to eat my favorite: a creme-filled doughnut! Mmmmm.... ~ It's true that I've never met a doughnut I didn't like. Several years ago my husband made that comment about me, and although I laughed at the time, later I realized how very true his words were. ~ So if you're a doughnut-lover like me, go ahead and indulge today, and ENJOY every yummy bite!