Oct 30 2014

The Hospital Window

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 4 Comments

The Hospital Window

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man could sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room’s only window.

The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.

Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.

The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm among flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room

Oct 01 2014

Cowgirl Up!

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 2 Comments

Cowgirl Up!

When this California beach bunny met my Canadian Cowboy, it was like “John Wayne meets California Bling queen” two different worlds collided. My idea of a rancher’s wife was somewhere between “Dolly Parton” and the television show “Dallas.” In my world if you were dressed for the occasion you could do any the job.

My new husband sent me out to get some cowboy boots and jeans. I guess he didn’t think the go-go boots and hot pants would work! Lol

I was excited to go shopping, after all I liked the boots “Dolly” wore with beautiful design’s, colors and sparkles. Now to find the perfect boot, which in my mind I thought should be both fashionable and practical. I couldn’t wait to see Lyle’s face when I brought them home.

Modeling my new 3-inch-heeled cowgirl boots and seeing the look on Lyle’s face, I knew he wasn’t as appreciative of the boots as I was. I think it was somewhere between bursting out into gales of laughter and I can’t believe it!

Sep 24 2014

Mrs. Green Thumbs

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 4 Comments

Mrs. Green Thumbs

I was a California beach bunny who married a Canadian rancher—a real cowboy. I wanted surf, he wanted turf. I loved rock and roll, he loved country.

I came to Alberta in go-go boots and a beehive hairdo and stuck out like a wild turkey at a chicken convention. I knew nothing about farming and ranching, while the women of this rural community could put Laura Ingalls Wilder to shame.

They drove tractors and combined at harvest time, rode horses, irrigated crops, and cooked meals for their working crews. They kept well-manicured yards, exquisite flowerbeds, and vegetable gardens and still had time to can everything.

I soon realized my expertise in makeup application; wardrobe and image consulting were not going to be useful skills on a ranch. How I walked, sat, and got in and out of a car while holding my knees together would not help me ride a horse or drive a tractor in a more ladylike manner…

Efficient, no-nonsense women surrounded me and I longed to be accepted by them. I told myself I was a woman just like them, only wrapped in different packaging and definitely blonde.

In desperation, I asked a friend in a nearby town who was known for her “green thumb” to help me design dazzling flowerbeds would impress these local women. With my diagram in hand, I needed only to stop at the garden center and buy the exact plant to go in the exact spots coincided with the numbers on my friend’s plan.

However, while I was preparing the soil for my new flowerbeds, I noticed a large plant full of flowers looked healthy and robust. I thought it would add extra dimension to the other flowers in my new flowerbeds, so I placed the lovely plant next to the front door.

All the while, I felt quite satisfied with my own little touch of creativity. After planting, I waited a week to make sure all the plants lived before inviting the women over to admire my floral extravaganza. Surely, they would appreciate all the hard work I had put into this project.

When they walked through the gate, and began to laugh I was confused, and I wasn’t sure why they were laughing, so I laughed with them. As it turned out, my healthy, robust plant, which I had planted, front and center, was in reality a blooming “Stink Weed.”

Isn’t that how life is? I want to be loved and accepted for who I am, weeds, warts, and all, yet, I am afraid to let people see my flaws. I work so hard to be accepted, recognized, and loved by others. In Jeremiah 31:3b it says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” His love for me is unconditional, constant, and forever.

I am so glad God loves me; He knows all about me, and even calls me by name. I do not have to worry about fitting in; I am already accepted, recognized, and loved by Him.

In this busy world it is hard to find a place to fit in sometimes. Do you ever feel like that, what do you do? I would love to hear from you, just leave a comment.

Thank you for stopping by and sharing your time with me today.

Lovingly, Karan

Sep 10 2014

Through The Looking Glass

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: No Comments

Through the Looking Glass

Early one fall I took a day trip to Calgary, Alberta, to buy spring and summer fashions for my retail business. I brought my teenage daughters along and planned to do some afternoon shopping after my appointment. I wore my navy business suit to make a good impression and for added flair, I wore my three-inch heels. It was important to me to look pulled together so the sales representatives would assume I knew what I was doing.

My teenagers dressed for comfort in jeans and tennis shoes. However, I decided to keep the suit and heels on for shopping, because I did not want to bring an extra set of clothes. The day had been fun but exhausting, and by 5 pm I had burned-out. I had a headache, my feet hurt, and I was hobbling. I was ready to go home, take a hot bath, and go to bed.

I made one last stop at the drugstore on the way out of the mall, and my daughters decided to wait outside for me. I paid for my purchases, and hurried out to meet them. Suddenly and abruptly, I crashed into a sparkling clean glass wall with such force it caused people to stop in their tracks and check out all the commotion near the eighth aisle.

After my perfect face-plant into the glass, I slid to the floor in an ungraceful heap. My shopping bags were in complete disarray, one three-inch heel came off, a button flew off to the great unknown, and my skirt was a little higher than I felt comfortable with.

As I tried to gather my wits and composure, I noticed my two daughters bent over in laughter and I could tell they were pretending not to know me. When they began to walk away from me, I was sure they did not want anyone to know the dressed-up blonde in a heap on the floor was their mother.

Aug 27 2014

The Toothless Wonder

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: No Comments

The Toothless Wonder

Three hours past our departure time, my husband, Lyle, and I, and our two teenage daughters, were finally pulling away from our southern Alberta home. We were on our way to the State Fair in Great Falls, Montana, but the way our car was packed, it seemed like we were off on a world tour.

I was looking forward to six days of rest and relaxation. No cooking, no early mornings, and plenty of my favorite hobby—retail therapy. We had a poolside room and our girls were ready to find their swimsuits and head to the water. However, my husband (the practical one) decided we would have supper first, before the swimming suits came out of the suitcases and everyone headed for the pool.

After a delicious Mexican dinner, I hurried back to our room because I had something stuck under my upper partial plate. As I hurried into the powder room, I took out my “two front teeth” and laid them on a tissue next to the sink. After I brushed my teeth, I wiped off the counter, threw the paper and tissue into the toilet, and flushed. I turned around to get my teeth, but they were nowhere in sight. I ran around the hotel room crying, praying, and hoping that I would find those teeth, but I knew in my heart they were gone—flushed—adios—good-bye.

My family returned to find me flustered and crying. They were clearly concerned, but before I told them what happened to my poor teeth, I made each one promise not to laugh. It did not help one bit. By the end of my story, they were rolling with laughter and asking to see my toothless smile, which only brought more uncontrolled laughter.

I decided right there my vacation was over. I wanted to go home. I told my family I could not spend the rest of the week without my two front teeth.

“Oh yes you can,” my husband said. “All you have to do is keep your mouth shut and no one will know.” Now why didn’t I think of that?

Karan K. Gleddie

Offering Love and Laughter to Women who need Hope

Self-Image

The Hospital Window

Cowgirl Up!

Mrs. Green Thumbs

Through The Looking Glass