My Appalachian Life

May. 31st, 2021

PLEASE READ (Dated so it will always be on top)

Many of my posts will be made public, but those that are more personal will be friends only. If you'd like to be a friend, just comment and tell me why you'd like to be friends and I'll friend you. This is dated so it will always be on top, but my current posts are below.I'm sad to have to go to "FRIENDS ONLY" but experience with trolls makes it necessary.

For those who don't have a Live Journal account, you will no longer be able to see my personal or private entries. It doesn't take very long to get an account and you never have to use it if you don't want to, but I can be your friend then (I'd mark you as a friend and then you can read the entries!). If you are a LJ member already, just mark me as a friend after you comment here.

Create your own visitor map!

Tags: counter, header, map

Dec. 18th, 2009

Happy Birthday, RavenGirl!

location: A Cottage in a snow blizzard!

mood:

cold

music: Saxophone music on the Weather Channel! LOL

I hope you got to spend LOTS of time with the kitties, and got lots of purrrrring love!

=^.^=

Tags: birthday

Posted at 04:28 pm | Link | Leave a comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend

Dec. 17th, 2009

I just LOVE this kitty!

location: A quiet cottage called The Anchorage

mood:

amused

music: BaritoneJeff's anthems

This is Maru, who lives in Japan. He is the funniest cat! I love these videos. He has a real thing for holes and boxes. He looks so cuddly to me!

Tags: maru, video

Dec. 15th, 2009

More on Olive and Roy Chaffee

location: chilly and damp Appalachian Mts

mood:

curious

music: sounds of Bear sighing

In a previous post, I mentioned (in my handwritten journal) I had a cousin couple (not sure which one was related to us, I think it was Roy) who were famous in St. Louis. Olive, which was the painter that I knew about, was known as the "Painter of Trees."

I've found quite a bit of information about them!
Here is a few websites that tell about them. I didn't know that Roy had quit his architect practice to go into painting and teaching full time! He was a famous artist, too!

http://www.aspireauctions.com/artist295-Olive+Holbert-Chaffee.html
http://www.aspireauctions.com/auction58/details/11636.html

This piece of artwork is FOR SALE right now in Ebay! And it is MY FAVORITE of Olive's. I think I remember it being on an easel when I visited their home in the early to mid-1960's. I absolutely LOVE this one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/OLIVE-H-CHAFFEE-MISSOURI-Rolling-Hills-in-Purple-Haze_W0QQitemZ150390676168QQcmdZViewItemQQptZArt_Paintings?hash=item2303fb9ac8

This is the one that hung in the Family Room of the White House, called Missouri Vetch Field" Sorry for the black and white. She had another that hung over his bed, but I can't find it. I don't know about the Oval Office.

And here is some info on Roy, though there should be more about his architectural contribution to downtown St. Louis. I didn't know he was an artist until I read this.
http://www.askart.com/askart/c/roy_chaffee/roy_chaffee.aspx

Tags: chaffee, family

TO My Wonderful Friends Here in LJ World

location: chilly Appalachian Mountains

mood:

grateful

glitter-graphics.com

I just want to let you all know how very much you mean to me. HOLIDAY HUGS to everyone, and love from ME to YOU!"

Tags: christmas

Dec. 14th, 2009

A Video to Share

location: The Anchorage in Appalachia

mood: busy

music: A variety of Christmas Songs we love

This is the author of The Artist's Way, Julia Cameron. I appreciate so much getting to see her face and hear her voice! this is only about 8 minutes but is really interesting. She has changed my life a great deal, so I thought I'd share this.

Tags: the artist's way, video

Posted at 06:18 pm | Link | Leave a comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend

Dec. 13th, 2009

PDS_LIT : I am Celebrating the Day You Were Born!

mood:

ecstatic

music: happy birthday to YOU...

With love from me and David!!

And many, many more!!

*hugs* I really am celebrating the day you were born! So glad you're in my life.

Tags: birthday

Dec. 10th, 2009

What a Wonderful Surprise!

location: a cottage on a Virginian mountainside

mood:

cheerful

music:

baritonejeff's anthem

I have a friend who is a fellow book lover and she is also a librarian. Her name is Debbie and she is just so thoughtful! Today I got a little surprise package in the mail. Anytime I get snail mail it is truly an event to celebrate as I so rarely get it. Anyway, she sent me a wonderful little cottage! Tiny thing, it measures about 2.5" tall, and the same wide, and 2" deep. But the detail is amazing!

Last year, she sent me one as well, which I am going to show you photos of in just a minute (behind a cut). She and I both like the British cozy, or traditional, mystery series by M.C. Beaton with Agatha Raisin as the main character. Last year, I read all of the books in the series, except the last one. I now have that one, and one more, to read. I was so gobsmacked when she sent me the first little cottage that I was over the moon -- and then when I received another one today, well, I had tears in my eyes. She remembered me!

These cottages both have a sticker on the bottom identifying them as Lilliput Lane "British made", and they are "handmade in England". They are called "The British Collection." I've never thought to google them until this instant, so I don't know anything more about them. The first one I got, which I will show you shortly, is called "Walnut Tree Cottage." The second one, which i got today but have since repackaged it and put it under the little Christmas tree for Christmas morning, is called "The Perfect Gift." It has a tiny little wrapped gift placed on the path to the door. My husband had suggested that I put it under the tree since I will only have one gift to open on Christmas, and I agree. I'll post photos of it after Christmas, as it looks different.

Here is the webpage (I googled it just now, so I haven't read it yet)
http://www.lilliputlane.co.uk/

ABOUT Lilliput Lane:
Founded in 1982, Lilliput Lane leads the world in the production of hand crafted hand painted miniature cottages used for creating villages, model train railroad displays, and collecting on their own. Most Lilliput Lane models are based on real cottages and begin as a series of sketches and photographs. A mould is made from a wax model and the actual figurine is made from Amorphite, a gypsum material which allows such great detail to be reproduced. The model is then past to the painting studio where trained artists bring the model to life. Once the model has been painted any special embellishments such as people or animals are added.

Anyway, when she sent the first one (huge surprise!), she said that it was Agatha's house (she has a cottage in the Cotswolds, England). I loved that idea so much! I put it under my computer monitor, on the stand, and have enjoyed it all year. This one, today, she said was James' cottage (Agatha's man friend, who lives next door) and look! She has left him her Christmas present!

It has brought me such joy that I just wanted to share it with you. It means SO much to me! ( Here are some pictures. )

Tags: friend, lilliput lane

Dec. 9th, 2009

Now THIS is Funny, and kinda COOL, too!

location: WINDY Appalachian Mts

mood:

chipper

Explains "Auto-Tune" using President Obama... Enjoy!

Tags: funny, obama, video

Posted at 12:10 pm | Link | Leave a comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend

Thanks to SilverFishes for this!

mood:

chipper

Tags: christmas, video

Dec. 2nd, 2009

Some Appalachian Photos

Nov. 29th, 2009

Last Chronic Pain/Illness Meditation (in this journal)

I am going to start posting these meditations in my

patientbear journal, since it applies, really. Only problem is, I can only post to "friends" and not to everyone. Oh well. If you want to read these, you'll have to be my friend there! (sorry)

"They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on." (Mark 12:44 NIV).

I've had one vision of this verse - a poor woman with her widow's mite, willingly dropping that fraction of a penny into a basket.

Now I recognize some of my attitudes, the ones glued to the bottom of my "all" basket that needs emptying. I can be downright selfish when it comes to "giving my all". Many days, as I am forced to rest on my couch, my pain is my all and little else seems possible.

Then, I view all that is around me and I observe abundant blessings. God has not stopped giving his all to me. I am provided for as I remain isolated from much of the world outside these walls. More importantly, his presence is here with me in the stillness.

I war with feelings of envy as others go about their busy lives during my season of more limitations. It truly is an arrogance, a questioning of God's plan for my life. He knows what he is doing. I am far from possessing the qualities displayed by the woman praised in this Scripture verse. Her qualities are worthy goals.

The "all" in my basket are some attitudes needing to be surrendered. Next to my basket, God has another one filled with his wealth. These are provisions he wants me to keep - trust, faith, grace, humility, and acceptance. It is from "my basket" that I am to pluck out and plunk into his hands all that is holding me back. With God's perspective, I will not be comparing my life to that of others. I will deeply recognize that he provides for one and all.

If there is to be any poverty, let it be from my heart draining in thanksgiving to God who loves me in spite of my attitudinal shortcomings. He remains with me to help me see with new eyes.

Prayer: Lord, help me to give my all so that there is room within me to receive your all. Help my heart to rise in thanksgiving for you and your basket full of generosity - ever and always near. Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lynn Severance is a retired elementary classroom teacher. She lives in Lynnwood, Washington. She writes to encourage others as God has encouraged her during 26 years of living with daily physical challenges.

Tags: chronic pain / illness, meditation

Posted at 07:49 pm | Link | Leave a comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend

Giggle

mood:

content

America's Most Trusted Quilterbear.

Generated by the Advertising Slogan Generator. Get more QuilterBear slogans.

snatched from maya and ravengirl

Tags: fun, meme

Posted at 04:15 pm | Link | Leave a comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend

Nov. 28th, 2009

Today's NACR Meditation

************************************************

NACR Daily Meditation for Saturday, Nov 28, 2009

************************************************

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.
Isaiah 9:2

We know what it is like to walk in darkness. We know what it is like to live in the shadow of death. But we also are beginning to experience what it is like to see. The darkness of denial is giving way to the light of honesty in our lives.

Of course, when you have lived in darkness as long as we have, the light can be painfully bright. We see the truth about ourselves and our self destructive behavior. We see the truth about our refusal of love. We see the truth of our brokenness. We see old pain. We see current behaviors that damage ourselves and others. The light dawns. It is not a pretty sight.

But God does not send light into our darkness to shame us. The exposure may trigger our deep shame, but this is not God's purpose. God's light is like the light of dawn. It is a light that signals that something new is happening. A new beginning is possible. The light that God brings into our dark world is a light of hope.

Recovery is God's light coming into our darkness. The light exposes. We begin to see clearly the ways we have sinned and the ways other people have sinned against us. And the light provides hope. In the light we see the possibility for new beginnings.

Lord, your light hurts my eyes.
It is too bright.
I see too clearly now.
It is too painful for me.
Help me to believe that your light is not to bring shame
but to bring hope into my dark world.
Light of Heaven, embrace me with your warmth.
Heal me with your bright rays.
Give me life.
And hope.
Amen.

Copyright Dale and Juanita Ryan

************************************************************
Help NACR to continue developing resources of this kind by supporting the National Association for Christian Recovery. You can make a tax-deductible contribution online at
http://www.nacronline.com/nacr-store/donations

************************************************************
If you find these meditations to be helpful you might want to get a copy of Juanita Ryan's book entitled "Keep Breathing: What To Do When You Don't Know What To Do". Copies are available at
http://www.nacronline.com/nacr-store/books

************************************************************

Tags: meditation, nacr

Posted at 08:45 pm | Link | Leave a comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend

Nov. 20th, 2009

Celebrity Collage by MyHeritage

http://www.myheritage.com/collage

MyHeritage: Celebrity Collage - Pedigree charts - Old pictures

Nov. 18th, 2009

"Why do you look so sad?" Meditation for chronic ill/pain

"...so the king asked me, "Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart." I was very much afraid, but I said to the king, "May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my fathers are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?" The king said to me, "What is it you want?" Then I prayed to the God of heaven" (Nehemiah 2:2-4 NIV)

Nehemiah was heartsick because he wanted to unite the Jews and remove the shame of Jerusalem's broken-down walls. In so doing this would bring honor and glory to God and restore the reality and power of God's presence among his people.

How many times have we been asked the same question by a friend or family member? "Why do you look so sad?" Out of fear of chastisement or even a nonchalant response we respond, "I'm not sad, there is nothing wrong, everything is just fine." Our heart cries out, "I am so distressed; I am in chronic pain; everything is going wrong. There is trouble all around me, there is….." But instead we say nothing.

Lately the Lord has been teaching me to share my heart with those who ask. The Word of God encourages us to bear one another's burdens. I realize there are those who ask how we are feeling or how things are going; in all reality they really do not want an honest answer. To them it's a figment of speech; they really do not want to hear our "woes". But there are others who are truly concerned and desire to know how they can pray for us or even assist us in our time of need.

These past few months have been extremely difficult for my family and me in numerous ways; at the same time we have been truly blessed as others have voiced their concern regarding my chronic illness and our needs. Some have even been able to supply our needs while others continue to storm the gates of heaven with our requests.

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, May we boldly share our needs with one another and storm Your glorious throne of grace with supplications in love. In Jesus name, Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michele Williams currently lives in a small farming community in Pennsylvania with her husband of 35 years along with one dog and two cats. She enjoys spending time their beautiful grown daughter, son-in-law and an awesome teenage grandson.

And to act on this immediately, I'll tell you that tomorrow I am being admitted to hospice. No, I'm not terminally ill, but I have serious, chronic illness. I'll explain more tomorrow, privately.
Love...
QB

Tags: chronic pain / illness, meditation

In the 7%-- 44 LIFE LESSONS... wise words

location: The Anchorage in Appalachia

mood: busy

music: blissful quiet

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio

She said,"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 44 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:"

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ''In five years, will this matter?".
26. Always choose life.
27 Forgive everyone everything.
28. What other people think of you is none of your business.
29. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.
30. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
31. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
32. Believe in miracles.
33. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
34. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
35. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
36. Your children get only one childhood.
37. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
38. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
39. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
40. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
41. The best is yet to come.
42. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.
43. Yield.
44. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

It's estimated 93% won't [post this in their journal]. If you are one of the 7% who will, [post] this with the title "7%."
(this was originally an email)

Tags: wise words

Nov. 16th, 2009

For Blogger Friends...

location: Appalachia

mood: busy

music: a variety of songs

Just wanted to let you know that I have started a blog, just for my quilting. I will (hopefully!) still put my quilting pictures here, but that will be my PRIMARY quilting blog.

http://appalachianquilter.blogspot.com/

If you are a "blogger" please follow me :)

Tags: quilt blog

It's Been Too Long... Appalachian Vocabulary #3

location: Why, Appalachia, of course!

mood: busy

music: Janis Ian's Billie's Bones

Time for another Appalachian Vocabulary Test!

(courtesy of my friend at Tipper at Blind Pig & The Acorn
http://www.blindpigandtheacorn.com.com )

1.Blackberry winter
2.Blow
3.Blue john
4.Boot
5.Brought on
6.Budget
7.Bumfuzzle
8.Buss
9.Bust a gut
10.Branch

Near Tazewell, Virginia...click to enlarge (and the one at the end, too)

( Click here to see the definitions. How many do you think you know? )

Tags: appalachian vocabulary

Meditation for today (for chronic pain/illness sufferers)

Stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you" Philippians 1:27 (NIV).

Everything I know about football I've learned from my husband, an avid fan. (A friend said recently, "Beth, you know more about football than any woman should!") But I've come to enjoy it, especially when our team is playing. And I'm not the first to see the game as an analogy to life. The bruising conflict, the grit and grapple of the gridiron, find an easy parallel in living with chronic illness.

We train under our heavenly Coach, by meditating on His Word. And we engage in the contest under His leadership. He assigns our responsibilities, and we soon learn we are facing a powerful opponent in the field. The game of life is not easy. We may muff a play, or miss an opportunity to move forward. But the Coach is gracious and continues to work with us in our limitations.

Sometimes it may seem that victory is out of reach, but it is a blessing to know we're not in this alone–even though it may feel so at times. A boost that brings new gains often comes through the support of team mates. And the cheers of those who watch our efforts and shout encouragement can energize us to keep going.

There will be times when we're stopped and stunned in our progress, and sidelined by pain. But being out of the fray can have a positive dimension. A refreshing drink from the Scriptures, perhaps a pause to reflect on our options, words of hope from friends, can be therapeutic treasures. And our determination to break through and make new gains can be restored. So, as Hebrews puts it, "Let us...go on!" (Hebrews 6:1).

Prayer: Lord, thank You for being such a wise and understanding Coach. As I face the struggle with stubborn ailments, I need You every moment of the day. I choose to keep on going until I hear Your, "Well done!" and share in the celebration of final victory.

________________________________________

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Beth Cottrill lives in a small town in rural Saskatchewan, Canada, with her retired pastor/teacher husband, Bob, an avid football fan. She finds living with Attention Deficit Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, depression, osteo-arthritis and a stroke of several years ago a challenge, but also training for a ministry to others. She loves animals, music, scrap booking, making cards and, last but not least, being a grandma.

.....................................................

This daily devotional is compliments of Rest Ministries,
http://www.restministries.org , serving people who live
with chronic illness or pain. Copyright 1998-2009

Tags: meditation

Posted at 03:06 pm | Link | Leave a comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend

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My Appalachian Life

Living and Loving at Home in the Mountains

May. 31st, 2021

Dec. 18th, 2009

Dec. 17th, 2009

Dec. 15th, 2009

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Dec. 13th, 2009

Dec. 10th, 2009

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Nov. 29th, 2009

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