It's cold here in the north, really cold. Not Winnipeg cold, but brrr.
Snow is beautiful. When it's so cold it crackles, and when it muffles sound, it's magical.
So here is my random list of things that are true:
1. I cannot taste my coffee. I brushed my teeth this morning, and could sense the minty coolness of the toothpaste, but could not taste it at all. I sprayed perfume on my wrist, took a big sniff, nothing. This is not fun.
2. I am the one who bought Paul's Let's Go Brandon sweatshirt for him. For the record, to me it isn't so much that it means ___Joe Biden, it means, more like, we're not gonna take it...we're not gonna take it. We're not gonna take it, anymore! (Twisted Sister). When the Southwest Airlines pilot gave his weather update when they landed, then said, Let's Go Brandon, I loved it. There is a movement now, a censorship, a taking-of-freedoms that is unbelievable, and so many people just don't care. It's like: tell me what to do, and I'll do it, because the gov't knows what's best. Why on earth do so many people believe this? (or this: "Moderna says another booster is needed." of course they say that! Ca-CHING!!!! If you don't think this is about the money, I rather envy your naivety!)
3. Love covers a multitude of sins. Even when my feelings get hurt about something, I can make a choice whether to give in and feel sorry for myself. I can't help that it happens, I mean, I have eleven daughters, and I have a husband, of course my feelings are going to get hurt! I am misunderstood! Whatever it is, I can roll it over in my mind and get bitter, or I can let it go, and move on. Even on the good old blog, I can feel so hurt, I mean: accused of not being a good mom, causing harm to the grandchildren because of vaccine status...ouch, no Christian values...wow. But I can't WALLOW in those things, because THAT would be lack of Christian values. I need to let it go, and be good.
4. When you're thankful, even sufferings are worthwhile. There is so much to learn in all that we go through in life, we mustn't lose heart. The most important thing is to not lose that hope, as a joyful heart is like good medicine, but a broken spirit, who can bear? (proverbs17)
5. Being with someone who cannot bear their own burdens in life is heavy. Complaining and being dissatisfied by everything is just looking at life the wrong way, and has no life giving spirit in it. We can be such a light where ever we are planted if we take this seriously. I feel a huge responsibility, with the kids, to make sure I take my trials in a good way, because walking the walk is where it's at, not just talking the talk ha.
6. As dark as the world seems at times, God is still bigger than the boogie man, as the Veggie Tales say, and He has allowed things to be how they are. We might be tempted to fear, but need to say NO. He has this!
7. Grandchildren are the biggest gift. Wulf and Tennyson are coming over today! It's amazing to share Covid with some of the family, at least we can be together while we are sick, although they are actually better now. (Yes, I know this is a terrible and serious disease, and Pat mentioned a 13 year old passed away. This is extremely awful. But, we mean no disrespect to anyone if we are able to eke out what comfort we can, in simply being together!)
8. Dogs are absolute gifts from God. Our two bad girls have been so sensitive, I swear they know I've been sick. They are such buffoons, make me laugh, and are so cuddly.
9. The ones here in the house who have been sick are the exact ones who didn't get sick last March. It'll be interesting to see if they do get this, and how sick they will be.
10. One thing we hear about at church is cold hands. We're encouraged not to handle kids with those, to make sure we're warm and good. Buckets of grace, and drops of truth, and so much goodness! We should never handle each other with those cold hands, either.
Anyway...I started meandering there at the end, Evelyn is here and we are chatting....bye for now!
27 comments:
Ok, then. Here's my take - I think it's a little disingenuous to claim you attribute a different meaning to the "Let's Go Brandon" phrase than the generally agreed and understood meaning. If I yelled, "F YOU!" to you, would you believe I really meant something like, "Fun You!" Probably not.
I've read your blog for years and been supportive of you even though we disagree on so many things. I think it's important, particularly now in this country, to work at understanding each other than increasing the divisions between us. But you've become aggresively political and polarizing lately and I'm not sure why you're doing this. The result is that you're increasingly only talking to people who think pretty much the way you do. I think that is sad.
I find your political commentary disrespectful of people who may feel differently than you do. I also think it's very un-Christian.
So I won't be reading anymore. I think you should consider what I've said to you to see whether you can understand, even a little, how you come across.
Babbalou, if you yelled "F YOU!" to me, I would totally believe you meant it. And I'm sorry I come across in a way that doesn't please you. Since you won't be reading anymore, you won't be seeing this reply. I can apologize all day and all night, but I can't change who I am. Am I not allowed to be me?
Oh, Della, I can't taste my coffee either. I had some lemon cookies I suddenly couldn't smell, and then I could again, but coffee isn't coming back as fast! It was about Dec 29 I lost it, which isn't very long, but I'm missing my coffee. Drinking some, but certainly not as much, pretending I can taste A LITTLE MORE every day :) (I wouldn't eat the lemon cookies if you paid me, they were just my test!)
I have not been able to embrace Let's go Brandon 100%. I think it is terribly amusing the way the newswoman made it up, but it's just a little too crass for me to get behind. I think I would be horrified if it was "my president"... and offended and feel like I would never stoop so low - ha.
susie
Della, This is my second comment....I love your blog. Be who you are. I think you're terrific!! I appreciate & respect your comments. We're very like-minded. Praying for you to feel better soon. God bless you & take care. From another Central New Yorker, ~Melany
Melany, thank you. I'm feeling a bit raw and vulnerable today, not sure if it's being sick or what, but some of these ladies are a bit rough. :). How do you like our beautiful winter day though? Sunny and cold and so lovely!
Susie, you are right about the crass factor...he is not a very good president, but as a person, he's a train wreck, he seems genuinely confused, not sure how he manages. I feel sorry for him though.
I live under a rock (or apparently in a cave, now that I've read up on it) and knew nothing about Brandon. Sometimes I prefer life that way, even though I know being informed is probably best. "F you" is something we all understand, I don't live that far under a rock... And I don't live so far under a rock or inside a cave to have not seen the F Trump signs. Whether or not I agree with them is not something up for discussion at the moment. I'm only saying I've seen them. What goes around comes around and both sides are permeated with angst toward the other, although one side likes to keep the language G rated.
Della, I love your perspective. None of us here at home has hidden ourselves away in a corner the entire illness. We've all had something that looks like or tests like Covid in the past two months. Here's hoping it runs its course (finally) and we can relax again when spring arrives in a couple of months. I'm tired of burying my face in fabric and forgetting (or never knowing at all) what my friends and coworkers look like.
And it's really, really weird losing one's sense of taste and/or smell. Poop without foul odor? So, so weird. What an amazing body we have that is so finely tuned as to have taste and smell at all! Thankfully, mine was missing for only a couple of days, just long enough for me to understand what everyone else is experiencing. And to tell me I might need to take a few days off work no matter what the tests were saying.
One day soon, Della, we should catch up and catch some lunch or an ice cream together.
:0)
PS. You're my favorite.
Martha, a cave might just be the place to reside. There is so much angst, and I actually don't like to partake of that. Loosing the taste and smell is disturbing to me, we ARE fearfully and wonderfully made, and I truly hope my trial in this area is extremely short and light! I enjoy my morning coffee more than anyone I know, ha, and it just ain't the same today! I ate a Hershey's kiss, blahhhhh. I'm glad your senses are back in order...it's hopeful. And yes, lunch or ice cream!!!! And thank you for the kind words! You're my favorite too!
Della, I don't have your email...so feel free to delete this, ok?
Well...I am not sure if I commented or not, I did read this earlier...ANYWAYS...I am so sick of this pitting against one another. The government, friends, family etc. Why can't you (in general) folks stop this nonsense? But you know, I think the current administration is really evil by pitting folks against one another and forcing whatever---there is something really up/wrong with this/that.
I am sorry you're not tasting etc. AND let me tell you, IF you have to go back to the dr. or hospital, DO NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER. The problem is, here at least in the Southern Tier, they are sending folks home with nothing-no therapeutics, NOTHIHNG. It's horrible. Also, that brings me, Della to ask, why in hades would the government do this/virus to folks? WHY? Oh, I have my thoughts, and they aren't good. AND NO, it's not the grief talking. It's pure research on my part. Our governor here is pure evil. Horrible human being.
I pray that you get to feeling better. I'm Sorry for taking up so much of this space.
Hi Della 👋 We all have differences of opinions, but there is no reason to be rude in my opinion. This is your blog and not everyone will agree I guess, but should at least be respectful. I have no idea what the Brandon thing is about 🙄 Must be an American thing 😉
I’m sorry your taste has gone as I know from reading your blog for many years you DO love your coffee…….. I do too!! Especially the first one in the morning! Cold here too BUT starting to warm up at last. This deep freeze for this long has been insufferable 😩 Looks pretty though as you say.
Get better quick!
Marilyn from Canada 🇨🇦
Hello, Sweet Lady. You do you. And by the way, you do you very well. Snuggle in, enjoy that family, and feel better soon! Hugs!!!
I HAVE READ YOUR BLOG POSTS FOR QUITE AWHILE…SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE I GREATLY ENJOYED HEARING ABOUT ALL THE HAPPENINGS OF A VERY LARGE LOVING FAMILY AND A WONDERFULLY INVOLVED MOM…BUT MORE AND MORE LATELY I END UP FEELING DEPRESSED WHEN I FINISH READING YOUR LATEST ENTRY. I TOO TAKE MY CHRISTIANITY VERY SERIOUSLY AND I WONDER WHAT JESUS WOULD THINK ABOUT SOME OF THE THINGS YOU WRITE MORE AND MORE ABOUT…I FIND IT DISHEARTENING AND HARD TO BELIEVE THAT HE WOULD AGREE WITH YOUR APPROACH. I AM JUST ONE READER WHOSE OPINION DOESNT REALLY MATTER MUCH BUT I can no longer abide the INCREASINGLY negative direction your writing has taken. MARY IN COLORADO
I was really depressed until I started feeling better...I now wonder if and how much that is a factor/symptom of COVID. I kept thinking, what if I never get better, and losing my taste and smell made it even more dramatic. I knew I was being overdramatic, somehow, but couldn't shake it, if that makes sense. Today I feel worlds better, and the depressing thoughts are gone. My dad is still sick, though, and sharing the depressing thoughts, too. Please pray for him. His name is Peter. Hugs!
Valerie
I love how you "come across", Della! Your blog is a favorite of mine, and your perspectives on motherhood, Christianity, and life, in general, are honest and refreshing. I read your blog daily and truly look forward to your next comments! Keep writing, Della, and sharing your life with us. You are so encouraging and have a delightful sense of humor!
-A loyal reader in Texas
Linda, you can always write whatever you like on here, I love love love hearing from you! (if you ever actually DON'T want me to print it though, let me know).
Marilyn, I think it might just be easy for people to be rude hiding behind the screen, you know, keyboard rude. I can't even imagine the kind of cold you guys are getting! Yes, the coffee thing is HARD! Thank you for your kind words.
Billie Jo, thank you!!! It warms my heart to read such nice things.
Mary, I'm sorry you cannot abide the increasingly negative direction my writing has taken, but if it will bring you joy and peace to stop reading, then by all means, go with what makes you happy. We aren't all cut from the same cutter, so if you find my writing disheartening, please, don't read anymore! I, for instance, cannot abide watching The View, couldn't do it. Some of the major network news too, no thank you. So we needn't torture ourselves, just stop clicking on me.
Valerie, I know exactly what you are saying, I was just wondering today if there are any stories out there about people feeling depressed with Covid, I feel like a hormonal wreck! I cried a few times today, just feel so vulnerable. I am really battling not to just feel sorry for myself, and the taste/smell thing is so awful! I will definitely pray for your dad! Keep me posted, is he home? Breathing okay? That's so harsh, your poor dad.
And, Sharie, thank you. I so appreciate your kind words!!!! Thank you. And if all of you can also pray for Valerie's dad, Peter, I would appreciate that.
I am sorry that you aren't feeling well and hope that you recover quickly. Its your blog and you have the right to your opinion and I respect that. However, some of the things that you have written lately have really bothered me. One most specifically was when you wrote that you were sitting in the airport or on a plane and joked about taking a long time to drink your drink because it allowed you to keep your mask down longer. Covid and covid transmission is not a joke and shouldn't be. You are Christian and I believe that God would want us to do our best to limit transmission rates even if it makes us a little uncomfortable. I work at a Children's hospital and see the devastation on a daily basis the impact Covid has on Children. Have you ever seen a weeks old Covid + baby with ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome) transmitted to him from his unvaccinated parents (who themselves sailed through their own sickness)? It is heartbreaking.
I think you gave a great example when you mentioned The View.(can you say MISERABLE? YES, capital letters are GREAT!) It reinforces my latest theory.. an observation, that many on the left seem to be very angry with the right, insults, etc. Many on the right seem to be happier, and when faced with an opposing view, they just turn their other cheek! (can you say FREEDOM?) And I've personally observed that they see the humor in things quicker and more often! I apologize if this sounds like judging, it's only an observation from my point of view!
In any event, fighting and being rude, although tempting, is never a good idea. Ever. Also, you make me spit out my delicious coffee sometimes, and if you think I am offensive, you can definitely delete me. My comment. Not me.
Hi Della... I've read your blog on and off for a while. Something brought me here this evening. I guess the Lord wanted me to know there ARE other people out here in cyberland who are able to stand on their own two feet and say what they want regardless the outcome. Really sorry to see those folks who don't understand that this is YOUR blog and you can write what you want. As I say on my own About Me page of my blog, "If you don't like what I say, you don't have to be here." I'll be praying for all of you to heal and recover quickly. How blessed you are with your family! I'll be back to visit! Hugs and blessings to you!
Sadly, I agree with the person above about how annoyingly political this content has gotten. It’s your blog to do as you wish, of course. I’ve read this blog for 10+ years and it just recently feels like aggressive political nonsense masking as Christianity (which can be seen in many other online platforms). Miss the old days of hearing about other things and relating to other things. I will no longer be reading this blog either. Not that you care lol
I get it too. I feel like some people are only repeating what they hear and believe it to be true because it's the government who says so. I'm a person who questions things. Everything going on right now is awful and exhausting. Your number 3 is what I needed to hear because I'm experiencing the critism too. Not on the blog but everywhere else. Whatever happened to a thing called freedom?
I hope you feel better soon
Anonymous, wow. I don't even have words. Since you didn't leave a name, or maybe I missed it, you will be Ms. Eree.
Cheryl, The View, now those ladies have some sharp tongues. It was on in the auto repair waiting room, and oh dear, I didn't realize people were actually that cruel to each other! And shush about your delicious coffee!
Diana, thank you. Your prayers are appreciated, and your kind words refreshing.
Dana, since you no longer read, you won't catch this comment, but I'm sorry you don't like my aggressive political nonsense masking as Christianity (ouch?), sometimes I even annoy myself. I wish wish wish I could just be a normal person, but I can't seem to be. I'm glad you won't be reading anymore, because I honestly don't like the idea that I'm bothering you by being my annoying self. It takes all kinds of people to make the world go round, and who knew that when I would be sick as a dog, ladies would come out of the woodwork to let me know how little they actually think of me? It's like middle school....
I am keeping you and your dear family in my prayers that you all feel better and are free of the virus soon. I don't disagree with anything you have written here! xo
Greetings from Down Under Della. I live in Perth Western Australia, we have had it really good here compared to most of the world. Our borders are locked down and it has meant that we have been almost COVID free these last 2 years. Hopefully when it opens up our country will have seen the last of the delta strain and only have omicron to deal with. I have read your blog for years and I think the fact is that COVID has changed our lives and depending on how close it is to home then it will be more or less a part of our thoughts and conversation. As is the consequences of the politics that rule over our lands. Both affect our lives. This is your blog, you are free to write what you choose and folks are just as free to read or not as they choose. As long as we keep a good conscience and a soft heart before our Lord then we should be free to express our thoughts. Thank you for your post today, I found it encouraging. I do pray that you and your family get better speedily. Nicole.
Terri, thank you. I think we're doing all right, relatively speaking, but it's still a little scary.
Nicole, I think you really nailed it with:"as long as we keep a good conscience and a soft heart before our Lord....."...Thank you for your kind words, I hope we get better quickly too.
Cassandra, I hope your daughter is doing well and getting better!
And Valerie, still praying for your dad!
Dawn Marie: freedom is my favorite word!
My son and I had it back in September, and may possibly have had Omicron recently since they claim a raw throat is now a key symptom. He had a loss of taste/small, but I escaped that. As far as the Let's Go Brandon, we have those sweatshirts too. My son, Brandon, is loving it! :)
I'm so sorry you had the C going around again! We got it too- from Christmas until this week my last daughter (of 7 children) seems to be almost better. It takes so long for this junk to go through a big family! We all had low fevers, lethargy, stuffiness, and sore throats.....not too bad- I'll take it. Could have been so much worse.
I enjoy your blog. I can't really see why so many people are so upset that it's so "political". I guess they don't really follow much in politics- because your writing is so tame. And I do agree with you- so much hatred and anger out there. Must be rotten to feel so awful and mad all the time. Thank you for sharing your life. It's a joy to read about.
Hi Della - I have been reading your blog for many years. I come across people daily (work, friends, family) that have different opinions on a variety of subjects and guess what - we don't all have to think the same. I will continue to read your blog as I find it very enjoyable.I don't have all of the same beliefs and opinions as you (and I have 13 less kids) and that's fine and dandy! Please keep being yourself, no need to sensor. and yes, sugar/chocolate are my downfall, so you are in good company!
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