Articles

Nov 04 2017

My Old Memories ~ I fell and can’t get up!

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 2 Comments

My Old Memories

Two elderly people are living in a retirement home near Fareham, he was a widower and she a widow, had known each other for a number of years. One evening there was a community supper in the big arena in the Clubhouse. The two were at the same table, across from one another. As the meal went on, he took a few admiring glances at her and finally gathered the courage to ask her, ‘Will you marry me?’

After about six seconds of ‘careful consideration,’ she answered ‘Yes. Yes, I will!’
The meal ended and, with a few more pleasant exchanges, they went to their respective places. Next morning, he was troubled. ‘Did she say ‘yes’ or did she say ‘no’?’ He couldn’t remember.

Try as he might, he just could not recall. Not even a faint memory. With trepidation, he went to the telephone and called her. First, he explained that he didn’t remember as well as he used to.

Then he reviewed the lovely evening past. As he gained a little more courage, he inquired, ‘When I asked if you would marry me, did you say ‘ Yes’ or did you say ‘No’?’

He was delighted to hear her say, ‘Why, I said, ‘Yes, yes I will.’ and I meant it with all my heart.’

Then she continued, ‘And I am so glad that you called because I couldn’t remember who had asked me.’ Unknown author

 

 

 

 

 

I fell and can’t get up!

Late spring, my teenage grandson rode with me to town, we were in our truck. Although it had rained all night I decided to wear white pants to our family function. I needed to stop at Costco and get some prepared food items for our event.

Hurrying back to the truck and placing our food in the back seat, I grabbed the overhead handle to lift myself into the seat and lifting my 3-inch high heel foot into the cab I slipped.

Not wanting to let go of the overhead handles and getting my white pants muddy, I tried to get my other foot on the floor of the cab. I thought  It would give me a more firm foundation to lift myself up. 

I did get my other foot in the truck, but couldn’t pull myself out of my predicament. At this point, my white pant bottom was the only thing dangling out the door 2 feet off the ground. As I hung on for dear life I was yelling at my grandson who was listening to his iPod with his earbuds in. He was in enjoying his music he didn’t even notice my state of affairs.

As I was trying to get my grandsons attention,  I was surprised by two firm hands on my bottom, and a man was shoving me up into the seat. I didn’t get a chance to thank him because he ran away. And my Grandson caught the action just as I was being shoved into the truck. How embarrassing, but the best part my pants were still white. Come to think of it I haven’t worn white pants since!

I think God has a sense of humor too; after all, He made us.  Have you ever stood naked in front of a mirror and quoted, Psalm 139: 14a I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Personally, I have not been able to get past the fearful!

I have always been blonde, quirky and uncoordinated, so I have a lot of material to write about. God has blessed me with a sense of humor, laughter, and to see the funny side of situations.  I love that about God and his love, I believe he has a wonderful sense of humor too, after all, he made us!

Our confidence comes from knowing that God made us in his image, he knew what we would look like before we were ever born and loved us anyway. ©

Psalm 126:2 We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy.

And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.”

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me.
Have a wonderful weekend. 
HUGS,
Lovingly, Karan

Do you think God has a sense of humor?

Oct 29 2017

Am I Doing It Right?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 1 Comment

Am I Doing It Right?

A praying child one evening said; Dear God, I hope you’ll also take care of yourself if anything happens to you; we’d be in an awful fix…

** I’m sure we all feel like that these days when the world is in so much turmoil and distress.        

** I have struggled for years trying to have a consistent prayer life that seems so often to be more hit and miss, than anything else.

** I have felt guilty, that I did not pray enough, or long enough.

** I have felt not good enough, why would God listen to me, I have failed him so often.

** I don’t have enough time; I know and have been told that you have to spend hours in a quiet place, (I have family, work, I don’t have time to hardly sit down, and when I do I fall asleep.)

We all know that the only time to pray is early in the morning, an author told me. (I’m not an early bird, I just stare at my open Bible, then fall asleep) then for sure, I will feel guiltier.

Then discouraged I give up, God why did you make me like this? I can’t even stay awake in the morning for prayer, I must be your worst child, one who doesn’t deserve your constant, eternal, forgiving love and graciousness.

I spent money on seminars and books that would help me to try and get it right, so many formulas and how it should be done. But it never was personal to me until I heard a story about the mother of John & Charles Wesley, Susanna who raised 19 children and still had time to pray.

With a busy family, Susanna found it difficult to find quiet time to pray. Her life was hard, but she realized the importance of praying for her family.  The children soon learned that any time of the day when their mother had her apron flipped up over her head that she was praying. So they quietly left the room leaving her disturbed.

I love this story about Susanna Wesley, it has taught me that it doesn’t matter where you pray or when.  I just need to talk to God like a dear friend, anytime or anyplace, he is only a prayer away.  Have you struggled with finding the right time or place to pray? ©

” We are put on this earth, not to see through one another, but to see one another through.”

What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and griefs to bear
And what a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer

Song was written by Charles Crozat Converse, Joseph Scriven 

Have you ever been frustrated in your Christian walk? Trying to do it like everyone else does?

Thank you, dear friends for spending your time with me, Have a wonderful weekend.

Hugs to all.

Lovingly, Karan

Attention: ***** If you would like to receive our entire letter please subscribe and have it delivered to your mailbox each week, and don’t miss out on the fun stories, blonde jokes, and encouragement with a dash of warmth. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sep 25 2017

Good Afternoon Officer, Anything Wrong?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 2 Comments

Good Afternoon Officer, Anything Wrong?

I have struggled with time management over the years and usually, thinking I have more time than I do. And yes my heavy foot has caused the highway patrol and I have our discussions over several tickets. Sometimes as I hurry down the highway occasionally my California roots bust out and I envision myself at a Nascar race. Lol.

I always try to be respectful but sometimes I grumbled about the tickets I didn’t think I deserve. Although in my heart I know I deserved far more tickets than I actually received. How about you? I remembered a time when I was on my way to a speaking engagement and a police officer pulled me over.

For once I knew I had not been speeding (thank goodness for the speed control) and surprised to learn my taillight was not working.

The officer walked back to his patrol car and check my registration and data. As I watch him walk back a thought occurred to me, how thankless his job must be. I couldn’t imagine many people are grateful for their tickets. I sure wasn’t!

When the officer came back to my car he handed me my license, insurance card, and a new ticket. I thanked him for his service, for my ticket and for the good job he does to make our highways safe. He was speechless for a moment and then, thank me and said no one had ever said that to him before. How sad. As I drove away I giggled and wished I had taken a picture of his face. 

Makes me want to do it again. LOL. Isn’t it fun to honor someone else and you get the joy in the deepest part of your soul?

The Bible says:        “Lord, we show our trust in you by obeying your laws; our heart’s desire is to glorify your name.”

Isaiah 26:8 NLT

I am so glad that I didn’t react like I felt I wanted to. After all, I was in a hurry to do God’s work. But while I am here on earth, I am to trust the Lord, obey his laws and the laws of the land. And to bring honor and glorify His name. That is my true purpose as I walk daily close to him. ©

If you don’t learn to laugh at trouble, you won’t have anything to laugh at when you’re old.’
Edgar Watson Howe 
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Attention: ***** If you would like to receive our entire letter please subscribe and have it delivered to your mailbox each week, and don’t miss out on the fun stories, blonde jokes, and encouragement with a dash of warmth. 

Lovingly, Karan

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me.
Have a wonderful weekend. 
HUGS

Sep 16 2017

How does that relation go ~ Finding the Clues

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: No Comments

How does that relation go? 

Many, many years ago when I was twenty-three, I was married to a widow who was pretty as could be.

This widow had a grown-up daughter who had hair of red, My father fell in love with her and soon they too were wed.

This made my dad my son-in-law and really changed my life, for now, my daughter was my mother because she was my father’s wife

And to complicate the matter, even though it brought me joy, I soon became the father of a bouncing baby boy.

My little baby then became a brother-in-law to dad, And so became my uncle, though it made me very sad.

For if he were my uncle, then that also made him brother, Of the widow’s grownup daughter, who was, of course, my step-mother?

Father’s wife then had a son who kept them on the run, And he became my grandchild, for he was my daughter’s son.

My wife is now my mother’s mother and it makes me blue, Because although she is my wife, she’s my grandmother too.

Now if my wife is my grandmother, then I’m her grandchild, And every time I think of it, it nearly drives me wild.

Cause now I have become the strangest ‘case you ever saw, As the husband of my grandmother, I am my own grandpa.

Written by Dwight Latham and Moe Jaffe

 

 

 

Reflections: Finding the Clues

I am a History Nerd! I love History, whether it’s my ancestors or the world’s history. Books, movies, research, Museum’s, I like to study and get the facts.  Usually, more facts lend to more questions, and then my obsessiveness kicks in.  I love research and like to think there’s a little Sherlock Holmes in my genes, as I continually search for the next big clue.

Fifteen years ago I started working on my Ancestral tree. I got so engrossed with the research that I couldn’t put it away.  I couldn’t sleep without getting up at night just to find the next hint of evidence to prove I was on the right track. Soon I realized that I was putting all my time and effort in the search.  I finally packed everything in a box and put in the Garage.  Out of sight and out of mind.

Fifteen years later, guess who found the box and pulled out the old dusty files for just a quick peek to confirm information I needed. As I pulled each file out, it was like seeing old friends again. It wasn’t long before I was back obsessing over new data and looking for the pieces of history I needed to complete the puzzle.

Yesterday, while I was reading my morning devotions in my “Daily Walk Bible” I pondered 3 Questions:

  • Where does your mind wander during the moments before you fall asleep?
  • What is the first thing that crosses your mind when you wake up in the morning?
  • Answer these questions honestly, and you will discover the greatest passion in your life!

 

These issues were a scary thought for me, you see like genealogy but I am obsessed with the news too.  As soon as I wake up, I lay in bed and read all the news each morning, and at night I do the same before I fall asleep. I like to think I’m just staying up on world events but in reality, I had come face-to-face with my own failings. The hard fact is the news, and my ancestors had become my idol. What a shocker, I guess God thought I needed to face the facts about my excesses.

The Bible says: Philippians 4:8

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

I have now placed all my genealogy away in a file cabinet and am trying to go cold turkey on the news. Lol, I’ll let you know how it is progressing.  It is not that these are bad, but for me, if they are first in my life then I need to put them in check. My desire is put God first and keep my eyes on Him.

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me. Have a wonderful weekend.

Hugs to all, 

Lovingly, Karan

Sep 11 2017

Grandparents, Can We Live Without Them?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 4 Comments

Grandparents, Can We Live Without Them?

One child wrote the following school paper:

We always used to spend the holidays with grandma and grandpa. They used to live here in a big, brick house, but Grandpa got retarded, and they moved to Florida. Now they live in a place with a lot of other retarded people.

They live in a tin box and have rocks painted green to look like grass. They ride around on big tricycles and wear name tags because they don’t know who they are anymore.

They go to a building called a wrecked center, but they must have got it fixed because it is all right now. They play games and do exercises there, but they don’t do them very well.

There is a swimming pool too, but they all jump up and down in it with their hats on. I guess they don’t know how to swim.
At their gate, there is a dollhouse with a little old man sitting in it. He watches all day so nobody can escape. Sometimes they sneak out. Then they go cruising in their golf carts.

My grandma used to bake cookies and stuff, but I guess she forgot how. Nobody there cooks, they just eat out. And they eat the same thing every night: Early Birds.

Some of the people can’t get past the man in the dollhouse to go out, so the ones who get out bring food back to the wrecked center and call it pot luck.

My Grandma says Grandpa worked all his life to earn his retardment and says I should work hard so I can be retarded one day, too. When I earn my retardment, I want to be the man in the doll house. Then I will let people out so they can visit their grandchildren. Author unknown 

 

 

 

 

 

Reflections: Can’t Live Without Them!

My daughters loved their grandmothers and learned many incredible life lessons from them.

Grandma Frances was from California, who was funny, curious and as they said in ‘Star Wars” “To Boldly Go Where No One Has Gone Before.” Grandma always brought fun adventures!

She was eccentrically independent with a generous heart and loved a good deal, so thrift stores, Salvation Army, garage sales and flea markets were thrilling when she found the perfect bargain.

She always saw beauty in everything and especially loved the times she spent with her granddaughters in San Diego when they were visiting. Sandy beaches, seashells, sea world and Mexican food.

Even now, I miss her laughter, her friendly smile, and beautiful green eyes. I admired her strength and accomplishments against insurmountable odds. Mother often said, “With God nothing is impossible.”

We knew mother, and grandma loved us and loved God too. She trusted Him, leaned on Him, and believed His promises would keep her through the ups and downs of life. She taught us every day about God’s grace, forgiveness, and love. Through her life, we could see how God faithfully protected and cared for each of us.

Grandma Gleddie lived close by, in fact, she lived in the same yard. Every day after school My daughters would stop at Grandma’s for cookies and tea, play a game of Sorry or Trouble, and then come home. She always had a listening ear and encouraging word and many hugs. It was as though it was their private time to have Grandma all to themselves.

I remember the joy on their faces as they came home telling me they had beat their Grandmother in their chosen game today. Such confidence and happiness, although I am sure that she allowed them to win much more, then they lost.

I always admired her gentle ways, her willingness to love and teach her granddaughters how to bake and enjoy recipes as they hunted for something new to try and sample.

She was a beautiful pianist, organist, and singer. And her gift passed on to her granddaughters. They would go over to her house and quietly enjoy their private concerts and singing.

She endured great physical pain and showed grace throughout the illness. She always knew God loved her and her faith knew he had a perfect plan for her.

The cherished gifts these two different grandmothers gave their grandchildren gave them a lifetime of wonderful memories that are worth more than silver and gold. My daughters are blessed. ©

Proverbs 17:6 The Message

Old people are distinguished by grandchildren;
    children take pride in their parents.

Thank you for sharing your time with me dear reader, I pray that you have gotten a giggle and a blessing at the same time. Hugs
Lovingly, Karan