Cold

Oct 04 2018

Happy Thanksgiving, Canada

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 2 Comments

 

 

 

Thanksgiving in Canada

As an American living in Canada, I enjoy two Thanksgivings each year.  Our Canadian one is this Monday, October 8th. The American one is November 22nd.  Thanksgiving is my favorite time of the year and having two is special.  

Now that maturity has found me, I can help with the preparations by adding a few of my favorite dishes to the family feast. I love that each person gets to bring their dish and share in the festivities.

I can almost imagine the first Thanksgiving in a new country with new friends.  Each giving the best of what they could share. A true Thanksgiving of open hearts and open hands. I wish I could have been there.

I have been thinking about my own thankfulness at this wonderful time of year. As I ponder the current struggles in the world today, I think it would be great if we could overlook our differences and look at others the way that God sees them. Loved and cherished regardless of the flaws we all have.

 It seems God’s love through us is needed more than ever today. To be able to see people and the world through God’s eyes instead of our own. What would our world look like then?

As each new day comes, I try to find joy and thankfulness in the small moments each day.

What are you most thankful for?©

Thank you for sharing your time with me, dear friend.

Hugs to all, Lovingly Karan

Sep 14 2018

Money Saving Tips???

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 2 Comments

 

 

 

 

Money Saving Tips???

I have been watching our utility bill go up and down for this last year. In August, a young gentleman came to town advertising for a new utility company. They wanted to merge our gas and electric bills into one instead of two separate bills.

We could save money and lock in a new rate much lower than before if we signed up for them. Lyle and I looked over the contract and felt it looked better than the variable rates we had been experiencing.

However, in the fall and over the winter, we kept seeing the bill increasing, instead of going down as promised. I phoned the utility company to inquire about my bill, and the consultant was polite and understanding. Saying she was sorry, and next month’s bill would be better, she promised. She even gave me a 10.00 credit. LOL

Well, the next month arrived, and it was much worse than the previous month, so I found the contract and realized the company headquarters was in Texas. I started thinking maybe they were charging us in American dollars instead of Canadian. Right now in Canada, our dollar is worth seventy cents to an American dollar.

I called the company again to see if the exchange rate was the problem, they assured it was not. As I visited with the representative, she inquired if I received their company’s brochure on how to get budget saving tips for our home. I hadn’t received the brochure, so she gave me a few tips on how I might conserve energy.

First, she said I need to unplug my refrigerator, stove, and oven every night. She did every night, and it helped her conserve energy.

At that point, I had visions of my husband and myself dragging all our appliances out and unplugging then each night. Then plug them in every morning and pushing them back in place. I don’t know about you but, I had never learned about this tip before, sounds like a high-energy project for sure. She then suggested I put everything on an extension cord so it would be easy.

I told her I had never heard of that money saving tip before. She said she does it every night; it is what we do in the Philippines. What??

At this point I was so relieved that it wasn’t Canada she was talking about, I thanked her tips and said good-bye.©

Don’t worry about tomorrow, God is already there!

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me.
 I love you all and am praying. 
 
HUGS,
Lovingly, Karan

Aug 31 2018

Seasons Come and Go

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 8 Comments

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seasons Come and Go

Today in Southern Alberta it is damp and chilly, merely a few weeks ago we were enduring 100 degrees and a parched summer.  I am astonished at how fast the weather turns. Many years ago, when I left San Diego and moved to the ranch in southern Alberta, people told me, “if you don’t like the weather, just wait a minute”. And I can attest to that fact here in Alberta. I am certain that is true wherever you live, there’re always changes. When I lived in California we had one season, Perfect!

But how I treasure the transformation of our seasons in Alberta. I love the hues of Fall when the harvest is finishing and the bountiful crops are being sold or stored in bins. I embrace the joy of the Thanksgiving season, pumpkin pie, funny pictures, and family.  Yes, Fall is one of my two favorites.

Then Christmas is close behind bringing the chilly winds and snow. I must admit I am not a snow bunny, no matter how many clothes I put on I can never stay warm enough. My notion for a perfect winter season is; falling snow on Christmas eve and it melts two days later. But, alas, everybody I know loves winter sports, and I am normally met with, “Suck it Up Buttercup”.  

People love winter sports here, the skiing, ice-skating, snowmobiling, and ice fishing.  And we can’t forget curling.  I had never heard of this sport when I moved to Canada, I assumed it had something to do with your hair. Hockey was a mystery too, watching my first game I couldn’t understand why everyone was hitting each other with their boards. And immediately was informed that they were hockey sticks, not boards. Who knew? 

Spring is another favorite season of mine.  I love seeing the new growth bringing with it the promise of life.  Everything is exciting and new including baby calves, lambs, and chicks. and after a long winter of hibernation, I too can come out and enjoy the warmth of the sun.

I am certain you have your favorite times too. Although every year has four seasons with the same number of holidays and days, each year differs from the last one. As we look back we can remember the years that were hard and the ones that make us smile.

As I read my Bible, it reminded me that my life, the weather, and the universe are not a surprise to God, He knows every detail. Even if we don’t understand His weather report or the things He allows in our lives, He is always there.  He is always faithful to walk with us as we travel through each season of our years.©   

For the Lord is the one who shaped the mountains, stirs up the winds, and shows His thoughts to mankind. He turns the light of dawn into darkness and treads on the heights of the earth. The Lord God of All is His name. Amos 4:13 NLT 

It is a comfort to know God is always with us as he has always been.© 

 “Don’t worry about tomorrow, God is already there.”

What is your favorite season?

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me.
 I love you all and am praying. 
 
HUGS,
Lovingly, Karan

May 03 2018

The Traveling Tourist ~ Vacation

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 6 Comments

The Traveling Tourist

A man was driving along the highway, and saw a rabbit hopping across the middle of the road. He swerved to avoid hitting the rabbit, but unfortunately the rabbit jumped in front of the car and was hit.

The driver, being a sensitive man as well as an animal lover, pulled over to the side of the road and got out to see what had become of the rabbit. Much to his dismay, the rabbit was dead. The driver felt so awful he began to cry.

 A woman driving down the highway saw the man crying on the side of the road and pulled over. She stepped out of her car and asked the man what was wrong. “I accidentally hit this rabbit and killed it.”

 The woman told the man not to worry. She knew what to do. She went to her car trunk and pulled out a spray can. She walked over to the limp, dead rabbit, and sprayed the contents of the can onto the rabbit. Miraculously, the rabbit came to life, jumped up, waved its paw at the two humans and hopped down the road.

50 feet away the rabbit stopped, turned around, waved at the two again, hopped down the road another 50 feet, turned, waved, and hopped another 50 feet.

The man was astonished. He couldn’t figure out what substance could be in the woman’s spray can! He ran over to the woman and demanded,” What was in your spray can? What did you spray onto that rabbit?”

The woman turned the can around so that the man could read the label. It said:” Hair Spray Restores Life to Dead Hair. 

Author unknown

 

 

Reflections: Vacation

The middle of April, my sister, Joanna and her husband invited me to enjoy some time with them in the San Juan Islands, Washington. What a beautiful and restful time. We spent time together exploring new restaurants, second hand stores and even found some real bargains

I enjoyed a ride on a float plane from the island to Seattle (my first time) and then on to San Diego, California where my sister lives most of the year.

Although I was born in San Francisco, most of my early years were spent in San Diego.

Going back to the San Diego area and seeing family and remembering the places that I loved as a youth was fun. It was like a blast from the past. It’s funny, things don’t stay the same. Neighborhoods change, people move away, stores close and new ones open. Time truly does march on.

I am now with my youngest daughter and her husband in northern California, enjoying their beautiful home, warm weather and contemplating life. I will be here for a few weeks and then back home to Alberta, Canada.

There are many times in life where I have been blessed beyond words from the generosity of others. Many of you know these last few years have been a difficult time and I know it has been the same for many of you too.

Sometimes it is easy to slide into discouragement, fear and loneliness at our situations. I’ve often said, “It can be a long way from my head to my heart.”  When my head reminds me of all the verses of God’s love and compassion, and my heart still says, “Why?”

Have you ever had those days when you wonder about God’s plan for you?  I love Bible verses that I can hold on to tightly and rely on their promises.

Psalm 73: 23-25

Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand.

You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny.

Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth.

 

It has been and continues to be a special time away for me.

I know that God blessed me through the kindness of others, Thank you Lord.

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me.
 I love you all and am praying. 

HUGS,
Lovingly, Karan

Jan 22 2018

The Fast Lane ~ Flu Season? Not Me I Got My Shot!

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 2 Comments

 

 

The Fast Lane 

The Sunday teacher described how Lot’s wife looked Sodom and was turned into a pillar of salt.

Suddenly Jimmy interrupted.

“My mom looked back once while she was driving,” he announced triumphantly,

and she turned into a telephone pole!” Author unknown

 

 

 

 

Reflections:  Flu Season? Not Me I Got My Shot!

Every year about September, we start hearing about getting the flu shot which always includes a promise to keep us safe from that particular year’s seasonal virus. I am faithful each year to get my shot because of an Auto-immune disease that I struggle with.  Now Lyle, who never gets the flu shot, thinks it’s a waste of time, besides he never gets sick.

However, after receiving the shot something went wrong.   You guessed it, two days after Christmas I got the flu which lasted about three weeks.  My family decided I would get well sooner if I would try their flu and cold zapping home remedy.  At that point, I was willing to try anything, well almost. 

A cup of hot water, one teaspoon of chopped garlic, one teaspoon of honey and one-quarter cup of lemon juice.  Two cups a day, morning and evening weren’t too awful, and it did seem to help some.  After a few weeks of feeling incarcerated in my home, I was so excited to go to the grocery store and see people. Yeah!  Of course, I was hoping no one would detect the cloud of garlic following me up and down the aisles.

Today I still smell like a garlic bulb, but I think I’m going to make it. Lol

I am still amazed how fast my joy flew out the window.  I moped around the house sniffling and sneezing with my hair uncombed and it even hurt to blink my eyes. My Joy went from 85 to zero in no time at all.  I am embarrassed to even think about it!  Instead of resting on God’s promises I became self-absorbed.                 

Can I choose to be joyful in all circumstances even if I don’t feel like it? Life is a matter of choices and God’s compassion never fails. I  know I will never walk alone.

It helps me remember when I look back and see the journey God has taken me on.  All I see are His promises of faithfulness, love, and grace, what more could I ask for?

 

 Always be joyful.~ 1 Thess. 5:16

Has the flu come your way yet? How is your joy today? 

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me.
 I love you all and am praying. 
HUGS,
Lovingly, Karan