Articles

Sep 18 2015

“These are a few of my favorite things”

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 6 Comments

“These are a few of my favorite things”

Maalox and nose drops and needles for knittin‘, Walkers and handrails and new dental fittin’s, Bundles of magazines tied up with string, These are a few of my favorite things.

Cadillac’s, cataracts, hearing aids, glasses, Polident, Fixodent, false teeth in glasses, Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings, These are a few of my favorite things. When the pipes leak, When the bones creak, When the knees go bad, Then I remember my favorite things. And then I don’t feel so sad.

Hot tea and crumpets, and corn pads for bunions, No spicy hot food nor food cook’d with onions, Bathrobes and heat pads and hot meals they bring, These are a few of my favorite things.

Back pains, confused brains, and no fear of sinnin’, Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinnin’. And we won’t mention our short shrunken frames When we remember our favorite things.

When the joints ache, when the hips break, When the eyes grow dim, Then I remember the great life I’ve had, And then I don’t feel so sad. THEN I REMEMBER THE GREAT LIFE I’VE HAD AND THEN I DON’T FEEL SOOO BAD! Author unknown

Quilting Reflections from a Novice:

I have often admired the beautiful quilts that people make and all the intricate patterns and colors they use. When I sewed my first quilt it was many years ago, it was called a rag quilt. It was so easy I never made another one. Lol.

But as time passed, I decided to help my granddaughter make a T-shirt quilt. She is a T-shirt expert and loves each T-shirt she buys and wears. So for her, having her favorite T-shirts near was comforting. We cut, spliced, pieced and sewed blocks all the while trying to keep everything squared. It was difficult because I didn’t know what I was doing and was trying to learn how to quilt from the internet.

Working on this quilting project, I talked to some wonderful quilters in our area who were encouraging and helpful. And seeing some of their beautiful quilts and pictures I started to become a little wobbly in my abilities. I wondered if my quilt would look alright and be acceptable. In my heart I knew it would not win any prizes, all I could see was the flaws. I worried about everything on that quilt. Could I do the binding right, would my hand stitches be even, would anyone even notice?

Do you ever doubt your abilities when you look at others and admire their talents and perfection? Only to find yourself grumbling how your talent doesn’t measure up to their perfection. Instead of thanking God for the privilege that he gave you to serve him in your special way, and enjoying the process.

When my son-in-law came for a visit and helping me to square the quilt preparing it for the binding. He helped me to see a new quilt perspective. Pointing out all the flaws and mistakes I had made, he said,” it adds character, everyone will know it is an original homemade quilt made with love.”

Thank you, Lord, for those words of wisdom to remind me that love can transcend time and eternity because of you. My son-in-law was right, every stitch began with the love for a special granddaughter. And it was fun to see the process unfolded. I wonder if God loves to see the process of our lives unfold too. ©

Lovingly, Karan

How do you deal with doubting your abilities and comparisons to others? Let me know if you do that too.

Thank you, dear friends for sharing your time with me today, Wishing you a wonderful weekend with your friends and family. Hugs to all!

Sep 10 2015

The Mysterious Purse Caper!

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 4 Comments

The Mysterious Purse Caper

Sometimes during both stressful and exciting times life can go a little sideways or way out of kilter. As I experienced a few months ago. Now I don’t know about you but, realizing I would be going into surgery soon gave me the motivation to do some extra cleaning. I determined the week before to give it the ole gusto and clean out the closets and nooks that had long forgotten items in them.

I have always loved purses and shoes so decided to weed out my stash. It took me four days to go through the closets and decide, putting selected items in the giveaway box. Only to take them out again the next day in indecision. Giving myself a proper talking to and again putting them back in the box. Whew, decisions are hard work!

However, one black purse I finally decided to hold onto for another year. Setting the purse next to the table I inserted my wallet in the pocket, thinking I would use it later in the day.

When, my grandson stopped by to see if I needed anything from the city. I asked if he could take my box to the thrift store for me. As he was carrying the box out the door, I spied the black purse sitting next to the table and in a split second decision I decided to throw it in the box too.
Feeling satisfied that I had been able to stand firm on all my decisions.

It wasn’t until a week later that I needed my Medicare number for the hospital that I couldn’t find my wallet, where did I put it? I remember I put it in that black purse I kept. Where is it? O no could I have thrown it into the giveaway box at the last minute?

I called the thrift store and even stopped by, but the wallet had disappeared. So I started the long procedure of canceling all my bank cards, health cards, driver’s license, and other relevant items. If you have ever gone through this changeover, it takes a while to replace everything. I hope I don’t have ever to do this again because of a careless mistake. I’m not sure I could even classify this one as a “Blonde Days”. Lol

I am so glad that I am not a number to God, he never loses me, always knows where I am and loves me. What a relief to know he cares and understand me and is my strength when I am weak, my shelter when I am afraid and my friend when I need someone to talk too. Even in those stressful and exciting times he walks beside me.

Psalm 18: 32, 33, 35, 36 (ERV)

32 God is the one who gives me strength.
He clears the path I need to take.
³³He makes my feet as steady as those of a deer.
Even on steep mountains he keeps me from falling.

³⁵Lord, you have given me your shield to protect me.
You support me with your right hand.
It is your help that has made me great.
³⁶You cleared a path for my feet
so that I could walk without stumbling.

God grants with each burden the strength to bear it… seldom more, never less.

God’s power is unstoppable. He is Enough for me!

Dear friends, have you ever lost something important and had it returned?

Thank you for stopping by and sharing your time with me. Have a wonderful week, Hugs

Lovingly, Karan

Aug 20 2015

Is Laughter The Best Medicine?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 2 Comments

Is Laughter The Best Medicine?

I have often said, “laughter is the best medicine for a hurting heart”. I believe it. As a child when life happened I could always see the funny side of any circumstance. Maybe it was a way to hide my anxiety and hesitation. Growing up I was unsure how to respond to difficult situations, so I just laughed. And sometimes I would get in trouble for the inappropriate times I did laugh! Can you relate? But I learned early if I could find humor and laughter, it would relieve stresses and give me joy in a crises driven world.

Many years ago I was guest speaking for a group of women, in northern Canada. The weather was warm enough to wear a skirt that day. It was a little big around, but the button on the skirt seemed secure. Besides it was a cute skirt and matched my suit jacket. What can I say?

As I was in the middle of my presentation, the button fell off and I caught my skirt as it was sliding down. Trying to act as normal as I could I kept talking, grabbed my skirt and tucked it into my slip elastic. Whew! I am so glad I decided to wear a slip that day, it could have been just a pantyhose day. I am also thankful for the women at the head table beside me, who remained stoic during my presentation, they can truly say they have seen everything!

I believe God has a great sense of humor. He must laugh when he sees us scurrying around trying to fix all our problems. Only too soon we reach the befuddling, confused and worn out state of crises. I often do that myself. Many times I think I don’t want to bother God with the little stuff he is too busy. I can be his deputy shepherd, and help him by taking care of them myself. Only to make a bigger mess. Then running back to God so he can fix it quick. Do you do that too? I love that He never refuses and always has plenty of grace, forgiveness and love to fix that which is broken. That is his speciality. The Bible says;

You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. ~ Nehemiah 9:17

God is our refuge and strength, and ever-present help in trouble. ~ Psalm 46:1

Thank you for sharing your time with me today, dear friend. If you find and inspiration, love or laughter here please share with the ones who might enjoy a giggle.

Have a Great week, HUGS

Lovingly, Karan

Jul 27 2015

Sleeping with strangers!

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 4 Comments

Hospital required regulations

Hospital regulations require a wheelchair for most patients when they’re being discharged. However, this girl working as a student nurse found one elderly gentleman — already dressed and sitting on the bed with a suitcase as his feet — who insisted he didn’t need her help to leave the hospital.

After a chat about rules being rules, he reluctantly let the nurse wheel him to the elevator. On the way down, she asked if his wife was meeting him.

“I don’t know,” he said. “I think she’s still upstairs in the bathroom changing out of her hospital gown.”

The hospital was an eye opening experience! LOl.

Sleeping with Strangers

Arriving back in my hospital room after surgery, I was enjoying the benefits of morphine, and anti-nausea medications. And nothing could keep me awake for the first two days. However on the third day I was awaken by a miss happy pants at 6:30 am and told the Urology floor of the hospital was overflowing. And because of the crowding problem my room become coed. My next two roommates would be gentlemen!

I felt a little uneasy about the crooked curtain which hung wide open. When I mentioned it to the nurse, she whipped out of her pocket surgical tape to hold it together. I now have a whole new respect for surgical tape, it kept the curtains together my whole hospital stay. They call it is the nurses duct tape, it can fix anything, including broken fingernails. Who knew? I was so thrilled to get a roll when I went home.

In the next few days I learned more about the urinary track of both the female and male anatomy. I’m positive it was more then I needed to know. It was way to enlightening. Lol. And I have never seen nurses get so excited for their patients when they pass gas or used the restroom. Honestly, the high-fiving and happy dancing around the room was hysterically infectious. What a delight and blessing to have two caring and encouraging young nurses who brought both laughter and joy to my room every day.

Lying in the hospital and recovering at home I have had time to do some reflecting. When life slows down for me I have better focus and clarity of what is important to me. I am constantly in awe of God’s caring love in the little love lessons he teaches me daily. I am humbled by the caring hearts of friends, family and others who have faithfully prayed for me, even when I felt down and didn’t know how much I needed them. God has a wonderful way of letting us know He cares and loves us more than we can even imagine. The Bible says in,

Ephesians 3:20

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we ask or imagine, according to the power that works in us.

God always sees the Big Picture of our lives, and knows just what we need and where I am. I am not a stranger to Him. Thank you for letting me share this journey with you, I love you!

Thank you for spending your time with me, I am honored by your friendship and compassion, Hugs

Lovingly, Karan

Jul 13 2015

Interviewing God

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: No Comments

Interviewing God

“So you would like to interview me?” God asked. “If you have the time” I said.

God smiled. “My time is eternity and it is enough for me.” “What questions do you have in mind for me?”

“What surprises you most about human kind?”

God answered…
“That they get bored with childhood, they rush to grow up, and then long to be children again.”

“That they lose their health to make money… and then lose their money to restore their health.”

“That by thinking anxiously about the future, they forget the present, and they live in neither
the present nor the future.”

“That they live as if they will never die, and die as though they had never lived.”

God’s hand took mine and we were silent for a while.

And then I asked…

“As a parent, what are some of life’s lessons you want your children to learn?”

“To learn that true happiness is not to achieve their goals but to learn to be satisfied with what they already have achieved.

“To learn they cannot make anyone love them. All they can do is let themselves be loved.”

“To learn that it is not good to compare themselves to others.”

“To learn to forgive by practicing forgiveness.”

“To learn that it only takes a few seconds to open deep wounds in those they love,
and it can take many years to heal them.”

“To learn that a rich person is not one who has the most,
but is one who needs the least.”

“To learn there are people who love them dearly,
but simply have not yet learned how to express or show their feelings.”

“To learn that two people can look at the same thing and see it differently.”

“To learn that it is not enough that they forgive each other, but they must also forgive themselves.”

“To learn that they can never do something extraordinary for me to love them; I simply do.

“Thank you for your time,” I said humbly.

“Is there anything else you would like your children to know?”

God smiled and said,
“Just know that I am here… always.”
-author unknown

*** Karan’s Update: Thank you for your love, prayers, wonderful notes and cards. I have been trying to do some walking everyday to regain my strength.
F unny how fast I fizzle out. Lol

Thank you dear friends for sharing your time with me, I love connecting with you each week. Have a great week!

Lovingly, Karan

Discussion Question: If you could ask God one question, what would it be?

Karan K. Gleddie

Offering Love and Laughter to Women who need Hope

Articles

The Mysterious Purse Caper!

Is Laughter The Best Medicine?

Interviewing God