A Net in Time

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Keeping It Real

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So here I was today continuing to work through room changes.  Wanting to make my former office into a place of refuge for not only doing my lego, but for puzzling as well!  🙂  At one point I was trapped in the office and I mentioned to my sweetheart that I think I bit off more than I could chew.  He LAUGHED!  “Hun, he says you always do that!!  And I am not going to enable you!!”.    Nothing like a hubby for keeping it real eh?

keeping it real is the text, picture of man laughing

Keeping It Real

Keeping it real,
it’s what he does.
Laughing with me
over the years,
23 years, it’s all the buzz!

Farts, and burps,
the sounds of life
Some get annoyed, and
others laugh, a snicker or two.
No need for strife.

Scrapes, itches, bug bites
and more, scratches and bumps,
heralding the way to
work done well, or at least
well attempted!

Watching shows on the tube,
supposed to show life.
But it seems that keeping it real
is skewed in favour of
the changes in society.

Hugs and kisses, wanted
or no, human connection
it’s what makes us go.
Even when a bad mood hits
a friendly hello works!

Bad dreams, nightmares even
“I don’t think I can people today”.
An understanding word,
a corrective challenge,
A service attended, God heals.

faceless girl watching tv on wicker stool at home
Photo by Ksenia Chernaya on Pexels.com

Final Thoughts

I am so grateful that I have a hubby who knows how to offer direction and encouragement, as well as having times when he REFUSES to help (for my own good).  Nightmares would have stopped me from going to church this morning as I felt too rung-out to “people well”.  And God put just the right people in my path to be a balm to my spirit.   A good thing yes? 

Let Me Explain

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It’s been a while since I’ve joined in with Five Minute Friday.  Today’s post of Let me Explain gives you a glimpse into why.   Boy am I tired!  So much in life to keep a body busy!!!  I still have things to keep me “entertained” but overall, I can see a finish line. 

It was fun the other day, putting on spotify and listening to Fernando Ortega most of the day, and other days listening to books.  I listened to Greenteeth by Molly O’Neill.  This is a fantasy novel with an interesting quest and a weird twist at the end.  But it turned out well (I was quite concerned for a while that the ending would be bad), but that twist made it all work out. 

Text Let Me Explain, image of paper being shredded

Let Me Explain

Let me Explain,
give me a moment or two
to give you the reason
absent I’ve been.

You see first it was
the rabbitry, needing a roof,
and the rebuilding of shelves
and sanctions for cages to rest upon.

Then it was the yard,
massive yard waste to
clear up and take to the
local dump.

And then the lad’s girlfriend,
living with us is,
needing a room to call her own,
instead residing the library in.

Noting as things moved,
two much stuff this house has,
so removing furniture and
accumulated life.

The end is in sight,
the “to be shredded” pile in half,
two file cabinets, one writing desk,
and a shelf to be taken away.

Just some pictures to hang,
an office to tidy,
and hubby to sort through
his stuff and

Just in time for bible
study to start, when
I’m feeling like I might
actually have time!

Unexplainable Jesus by Erica Wiggenhorn

What is the bible study I’m joining in on?   Unexplainable Jesus by Erica Wiggenhorn.  I won’t be actually going to the study but will be doing it at home. I find that going out at night, I start to fall asleep and I don’t like feeling dangerous on the road. So I am doing it at home, and that will be good.   

Anyways, the study.  We’ll looking at Jesus through the book of Luke. Five lessons per week over an 8-week period.  So just a bit to study over five nights in a week (so highly doable).  Videos to watch. And just learning more.  It’s a good thing no?   Perhaps you’ll want to join iU

The Opposite Has Happened

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The Opposite Has Happened took more than one attempt to write.  The idea was there, but the execution took some fine tuning.  Be glad I suppose I’m not sharing the failures with you.  I wrote this off and on as I cooked up our three cats food for the week.  MUCH later at night than what I had planned.  Timers set are a great thing when tired and kinda falling asleep.  🙂 

The opposite has happened

The Opposite has Happened

The opposite has happened from what was planned,
a growing relationship suddenly,
and it seems irrevocably, destroyed by a series
of unfortunately decisions.

Could it have been prevented with
more time, energy, or shared passions?
Poor decisions regarding language, disagreements over
politics and religion, or just general lack of commitment?

Some relationships are just, it seems,
not meant to be. Wouldn’t it be nice
to know ahead of time which ones to pursue
and which to just let go?

There is one relationship that if even
mildly pursued will reap the expected reward.
and that’s one of faith in the only one
truly triune God.

God tells us, if we seek him, we will indeed find him.
Seeking him entails opening up his word (the bible),
learning about him in fellowship with others, and
living out what we learn, and taking the time to talk and listen.

Prayer, bible study, fellowship meals,
Church services, serving within the body,
serving others with purpose to showcase
who God is, and thusly further building relationship.

This is one relationship where you don’t have
to fear the opposite happening. Where you work
hard to build relationship only to have it fall
apart while trying hard.

So fear not, rest assured,
God minds us full well, and once we are his,
we are his, and what we must needs do is
but try, and try, and try again.

Spending time reading, praying, talking,
taking the time to act on what we know, and
showcasing who God is to us, stopping the
fear of the opposite with distance happening.

The Teachings of Mutton: A Coast Salish Woolly Dog

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product The Teachings of Mutton: A Coast Salish Woolly Dog through Harbour Publishing. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and it is so much appreciated. 🙂

Are you interested in the First Nations people of Canada?  Want to take in a unique perspective?  Enter in The Teachings of Mutton: A Coast Salish Woolly Dog.  I never knew that woolly dogs were a thing for our First Nations people… DID YOU?  Well, if you are like so many of us (I asked my colleagues at work and they too were surprised), come along for the adventure eh? 

The Teachings of Mutton

Basic Details for The Teachings of Mutton

Title: The Teachings of Mutton: A Coast Salish Woolly Dog
Author: Liz Hammond-Kaarremaa with Coast Salish Contributors
Publisher: Harbour Publishing Co
Pages: 264
Intended Audience: high-school, young adult, adult, 
Genre: indigenous stewardship, weaving and textile arts, native american biographies, history, northwestern North America,  
Available formats: Kindle, Paperback, 
Received: Paperback
Reviewed for: Harbour Publishing

About the Book

Did you know that there used to be a woolly dog?  It was an integral part of the Salish Community.  In this read by Liz Hammond-Kaarremaa we are privileged to learn more about this dog and the people it was part of.  The woolly dog was bred for thousands of years for its woolly fibres.  These fibres were woven into traditional blankets, robes and regalia. Despite careful efforts to protect this breed by the by Coast Salish peoples, by the 1900s, the Woolly Dog had become so rare it is now considered extinct.

About the Author

Formerly the Director of Research Services, Liz Hammand-Kaarremaa is now retired and spends her time researching the Coast Salish peoples. She holds a Master Spinners Certificate and the textiles of the Coast Salish peoples are naturally a focus for her. Liz was instrumental in identifying a rare blanket in the Burke Museum to be made of Woolly Dog hair.

The Teachings of Mutton

Looking Deeper

Eleven chapters round out this educational read that is filled pictures, illustrations, and maps. As we progress through the chapters we get to see how the wooly dog came to be.

  1. Finding Mutton : The ancient story of Swuq’us
  2. Mutton’s journey to the Smithsonians: The Dog Children and the Original Occupations
  3. The Woolly Dog: The teachings of Fibre
  4. The Wool: The Cultural Importance of Blankets
  5. Where are all the Blankets: Misunderstanding our relationships with the Woolly Dog
  6. Mutton’s Ancient Origins: Connecting to our Ancestors
  7. Other Dogs: The care and Feeding of Dogs
  8. The Diet of Woolly Dogs: The care and Feeding of Dogs
  9. Processing Wool: The impact of Colonialism
  10. What did Woolly Dogs Look like? : Fur Beings and Woven Visions, Connecting with Musquem History
  11. An Ending and a Beginning

I appreciated how as part of the forward she mentioned how she wanted to respect the Coast Salish people.  Recognizing that she has her own preconceptions so hopes to let the Coast Salish people speak with their own words as much as possible.  Recognizing the Mutton may have been the name of this particular Woolly Dog, but wasn’t a name respected by the Coast Salish people. 

A scholarly read

This is a scholarly read, filled with illustrations, pictures, and maps to bring the text to life.  For instance, without this map I wouldn’t have clearly understood the range of the Woolly dog (the yellow area).  For such a niche breed, I didn’t expect that.

Native art featuring the Woolly Dog has a prominent place.  I just loved this inclusion.  Made everything so much better you know? Makes me regret that the Woolly Dog is no more.  It looked like a fun little dog to have around.  Not too big, not to small, and very useful besides! 

These dogs were such an integral part of their community, rather cool to learn about. 

My recommendation

If you want to take an unique look at indigenous peoples of Canada, check out The Teachings of Mutton.  You will find loads of information about the textiles, the geography, and the history of this helpful little dog.   It’s kinda too bad that their usefulness waned.  Technology and imports isn’t always a good thing when it comes to a niche population. 

Seeing the quality of the blankets they made with their wool, makes me wonder if they can use DNA from the blankets to somehow bring them back.  What do you think?

A useful book if studying the First Nations people of British Columbia.  A fascinating book if you love textiles and their history. A wonderful look into a type of dog I’d never heard of before.  Give it a look see,  you won’t regret it! 

What Can I Accumulate?

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I know I’m late to the party, but my brain is running around in circles and I’m trying to get it to chill out so I can get to sleep.  Writing poetry often helps me to chill so we’ll see if it works better than a cooler tonight.  This word accumulate hit me today.  I’ve been sorting through some things in the house this week.  I shredded tax documents from 1996-2013 for hubby and I. I’ve arranged for craft supplies to get to one of the local churches. And I’ve a pile of stuff on the floor to find a spot for before I go on vacation for  week… NO MESS in the house is the goal before I head out.  (nothing worse then coming home to more work to do after a relaxing time away eh?))  Well, okay, yes, there could be worse things but those things I can’t predict… messiness I can work against!!!  🙂   What can I accumulate?  I’m hoping over the next week to accumulate connection with my fellow!  Won’t that be grand?

what can I accumulate

What Can I Accumulate?

What can I accumulate?
Health?
I dunno, I could fuss on it a lot
and watch what I eat, and take
the supplements, and fuss some more.
I could have the perfect body you know?
But what will that get me?
More worry? Does it guarantee a
longer life? Or a happier one?

Wealth?
Possibly, wealth can make
some things SO MUCH easier.
House repairs, vacationing abroad,
Top quality bunnies, maybe even a
a 20 acre property just outside town.
But can also bring issues with
contentment, arguing over spending,
and more.

What can I accumulate?
Stuff? Oh please, I have reams and
reams of stuff… so much so I want
to toss it out the window some days.
Less stuff would make many things
much easier to handle. But also means
buying that thing you just got rid of,
right when you needed it! Creating
angst and feelings of brief wealth lost.

Bunnies?
YES!! One always needs more bunnies!
At least until one feels overwhelmed, and
then the sadness of having to terminate
said bunnies, even it if makes the
cats rejoice at MORE FOOD!!!! But in the
meantime, happy bunny hips and hops,
makes for plenty of smiles.

What can I accumulate?
A deepened faith.
More knowledge and understanding
into the very heart of God,
helping me to become more like
the one who created me.
More like the one who gave up everything
so that I can live a life abundant.

So faith, hope, love,
wonderful things that one can accumulate,
seeking after the gifts of the spirit,
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faith, gentleness and self-control.


What We Perceive

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Okay, that was weird.  I went to Kate’s blog as I always do and the word Path seemed to be the latest word prompt, but that seemed off.  Her email to me that this word perception, but the latest blog post was on the word path.  So I considered The Path Ahead, but apparently I should have been focused on what we perceive…

what we perceive

What we Perceive

The word is perception or
so I’ve been told, finding
the post not as easy or bold.

It makes me remember that perception
is not always as easy as one makes out.
What we perceive is influenced
by more than sight.

I’m reading a book in which
magical items can strengthen the
senses and physical well-being
of the one bearing it. But as the
wearer learns, the item (usually a blade)
has their own agendas and pushes them
constantly and one must be on-guard.

The world we live in has an agenda
all it’s own. And truth be told, not
always the agenda we want. It seems
so often that strife is what the
world wants. Division and discord
the name of the game.

So in our perceptions of the
world around
us, are we challenging
what we perceive? Are we looking
for the good or only seeing that
which divides? That which causes
us to think negatively?

It’s a battle we all face you know?
To fight against the pressures
of the world and seek after
the good. To seek after
the things eternally right.
It’s part of our path that lies ahead. 🙂

an artist s illustration of artificial intelligence ai this illustration depicts language models which generate text it was created by wes cockx as part of the visualising ai project l
Photo by Google DeepMind on Pexels.com

God’s word on perception

1 Corinthians 2:14-16  14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:6-8 6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

The Path Ahead

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Miss Kate has provided the word path for us to work on this weekend. Seems apt for the week I’ve had, a week filled with questions and perpetual busyness.  Somethings have seemed a bit much and hard to work through than anticipated.  Good has been seen which is a saving grace.  Choices in the path ahead seem very relevant I am finding.  

The Path Ahead

The path ahead
is lightly marked,
the forest green,
the rocks large, brambles thick.
Can one find their way through?

The path ahead
is filled with
frustrations and worry,
a cat peeing on towels,
and vexation runs high.
Can one find their way through?

Distractions and worry,
troubles and heartache,
doom and gloom every
where one looks.
Can one find their way through?

Doom scrolling, tv shows,
critters to walk,
work to do, so many
things that need doing,
that distract from eternal thoughts.
Can one find their way through?

The path is narrow,
the road is wide,
so many choices and
patterns of living.
Can one see their way clear?

What guidance will one seek?
What roadmaps to follow?
Does the company kept matter?
Are internal promptings feelings
or something more godly?
What conversations should one have?

The way through matters!
Choices made have consequences
even if we can’t see them immediately.
Sometimes a race started doesn’t have
to be finished. BUT if the race you are
in, is the ultimate, important one, this
would be the one to complete.

photo of pathway surrounded by fir trees
Photo by James Wheeler on Pexels.com

What God has to say about the path ahead

Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” This verse emphasizes the importance of relying on God rather than our own limited understanding when making decisions.
 
James 1:5: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him.” This scripture reassures us that we can seek God’s wisdom in our decision-making process, and He will provide it generously.
 
Proverbs 16:9: “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” This verse reminds us that while we may have our own plans, it is ultimately God who directs our paths.
 
Isaiah 30:21: “And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.” This passage encourages us to listen for God’s guidance as we navigate our choices.

Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” This scripture highlights the importance of prayer in decision-making and the peace that comes from trusting God.