tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23036193300609543422024-03-18T22:05:52.782-05:00Suzietk's SnippetsI love technology. Suzietk's Snippets will give you tidbits of information on anything from tips on makeup to music tips and everything in between. I have a wealth of information in my brain!! If I can just access the hard drive, I will blog it!!Suzietkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860700113362634326noreply@blogger.comBlogger192125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303619330060954342.post-17444074614538951672023-06-09T03:54:00.002-05:002023-06-09T03:54:33.241-05:00She's My Texarkana Baby <p style="text-align: center;"> <b><span style="font-size: large;">Are you a Texarkana Baby?</span></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>The song Texarkana Baby was recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1949. It was one of the first 45 RPM records issued by RCA. We don’t hear it as often now as we did in the fifties.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I can’t say I’m a ‘genuine’ Texarkana Baby because “My pappy came from Arkansas and my maw from Louisiana.” But, I am a real “Texarkana Arkansas” native! Born and bred here!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>When Odis and I dated in 1958, he teased me that I was his ‘Texarkana Baby.’ He said I was his precious thing that had him “twisted round his finger like a little piece of string.” But I gave him “lots of sugar!”</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I don't know about the next line in the song: “If she hauled off and slapped me, I would never feel the sting cause she’s my Texarkana baby.” I never tried it. Lol! I never asked him if the diamond ring he was going to offer me was “with one installment pay.”</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>In the 50s, our little world comprised the four-state area, Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Today, we are such a mobile society. It’s easy to go to the Texarkana Regional Airport and hop a plane to Dallas. Then the world is within our reach.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Texarkana is unique in so many ways. We are a city with two city governments in two different states, but share a water department and a post office. We are the only city with a border city exemption from state income tax for Arkansas residents.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>You can stand in one place and have one foot in Texas and one in Arkansas. It’s the only small town that was featured in the new Elvis movie. It has been the subject of Smokey and the Bandit, and The Town That Dreaded Sundown. Texarkana has been mentioned on numerous television shows.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Jet airplanes and the internet have opened up new horizons and some Texarkana natives cannot wait to leave and find their dreams elsewhere.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>For those of us who stay or moved here and love it, Texarkana really is “Twice As Nice.”</b></span></p><p><b>***Check out my books on Amazon. </b></p><p><b>On Loan From God For Twenty-Four Hours, </b></p><p><b>My Love Story In A Nutshell (Revised) and </b></p><p><b>Growing Up In The Fifties.</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>P.S. On October 15th, 2023 my 1960 Arkansas High School Class held our 60th class reunion. If you are a class member and didn't attend, please message me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.</b></p>Suzietkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860700113362634326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303619330060954342.post-71178232124352180582023-06-08T13:24:00.000-05:002023-06-08T13:24:06.571-05:00The Thirteen Folds of the American Flag.<p><b><span style="font-size: large;">What is the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day?</span></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: times;">Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, began in 1868. It is a day of solemn remembrance for everyone who has died serving in the American armed forces from the Civil War until now.</span></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: times;">Armistice Day, now known as Veterans Day, marked the end of World War I.. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is regarded as the end of the "war to end all wars." </span></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: times;">November 11 continues to be observed regardless of the day it falls and is a celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.</span></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: times;">The flag covering the casket of a veteran is folded at the graveside, and has a special meaning with each fold. I love that it has 13 folds.</span></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: times;">The 1st fold of the flag is a symbol of life.</span></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: times;">The 2nd fold is a symbol of the belief in eternal life.</span></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: times;">The 3rd fold honors and remembers veterans departing the ranks who gave a portion of their lives </span></b><b><span style="font-family: times;">to defend their country to attain peace throughout the world.</span></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: times;">The 4th fold represents the weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we </span></b><b><span style="font-family: times;">turn to in times of peace and war for His divine guidance.</span></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: times;">The 5th fold is a tribute to the country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, ‘Our Country, in dealing </span></b><b><span style="font-family: times;">with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong.’</span></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: times;">The 6th fold is for where people’s hearts lie. They pledge allegiance to the USA, one Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all..</span></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: times;">The 7th fold is a tribute to its Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that they protect their </span></b><b><span style="font-family: times;">country and flag against all her enemies, whether foreign or domestic. </span></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: times;">The 8th fold is a tribute to the ones who entered the valley of the shadow of death that we might see the </span></b><b><span style="font-family: times;">light of day.</span></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: times;">The 9th fold is a tribute to womanhood and Mothers. For it has been through their faith, love, loyalty, and devotion that molded the character of the men and women who made this country great.</span></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: times;">The 10th fold is a tribute to the father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for our country’s </span></b><b><span style="font-family: times;">defense.</span></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: times;">The 11th fold represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies in the Hebrews’ eyes the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.</span></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: times;">The 12th fold represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies God the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit in </span></b><b><span style="font-family: times;">the Christian’s eyes.</span></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: times;">With the completion of the 13th fold, the stars are uppermost, reminding the soldier of the Nations’ </span></b><b><span style="font-family: times;">motto, ‘In God We Trust.’</span></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: times;">After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever </span></b><b><span style="font-family: times;">reminding us of the soldiers who served in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving the rights, </span></b><b><span style="font-family: times;">privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today. It is a symbol of ‘Liberty and Freedom.’</span></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: times;">Remember our Veterans</span></b></p>Suzietkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860700113362634326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303619330060954342.post-81794097614895452402023-06-07T08:50:00.002-05:002023-06-07T08:50:56.340-05:00Brothers<p> <b><span style="font-size: x-large;">O Brother, Wherefore Art Thou?</span></b></p><div><p><b><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Last month I wrote about sisters. Now I’m giving the </b><b>brothers equal time, but I must add a little</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>disclaimer! This blog is my version and may be </b><b>slanted to make me look good!</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Brothers are special too, and I was blessed with five, </b><b>three older and two younger. There were almost ten </b><b>years between my older sister and me. My mom was</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>determined to make me a girly girl and wouldn’t let </b><b>me learn certain things, like wringing a chicken's </b><b>head off and milking a cow. Those skills, I didn’t </b><b>learn.</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>With so many females in the kitchen; there was no </b><b>room for me, and I never learned the true art of </b><b>cooking. I loved to play outside with my younger </b><b>brothers.</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>When I started first grade, I had a rude awakening:</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>The world did not revolve around me. However, when </b><b>I lost my pretty brown barrette on the school ground, </b><b>the principal discovered how determined I was when </b><b>I would not get on the bus without my barrette. He </b><b>bribed me by giving me a box of lost and found ones. </b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>My brothers loved having a little sister they could </b><b>dote on and aggravate but gave in to anything I </b><b>wanted. After being away in the Army, my dad did </b><b>the same. Between the three of them and Santa, I got </b><b>a tricycle, a blue pedal car, and a doll buggy with a </b><b>doll on my fourth birthday and Christmas.</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>My brother Orace came home from his Western </b><b>Union Telegram job and saw my best friend Gayle </b><b>playing on my pedal car! Behaving like a teenage </b><b>brother and loving to get me riled up, he said, “Sue, </b><b>Gayle is on your pedal car, make her get off.”</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>According to the story related to me, I flew into her </b><b>like a cyclone and made her get off, and she went </b><b>home crying. </b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>They nicknamed me the little girl with the curl in the </b><b>middle of her forehead. When she was good, she was </b><b>very, very good, but when she was bad, she was </b><b>horrid! I’m sure the narrative was exaggerated!</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>In researching my autobiography, I found two letters </b><b>written to Mom by my brothers who had joined the </b><b>military. One said, “I’m sending you an allotment </b><b>check. Buy Sue a bicycle for her birthday.” The other </b><b>brother wrote, “I’m sending you an allotment check. </b><b>Buy Sue what she wants for Christmas.” </b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>When Odis and I reconnected, I wrote him that my </b><b>friend JoAnn and I didn’t smoke, drink or curse, but </b><b>we were a little mean sometimes! He probably should </b><b>have taken note, but he loved me.</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Now you know why I’m so spoiled and have so many </b><b>pairs of shoes. My dad started it, the brothers added </b><b>to it, and Odis brought it full circle!</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Some clips are from <span style="font-family: times;">Growing Up In The Fifties,</span> </b><b>available on Amazon.</b></p></div>Suzietkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860700113362634326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303619330060954342.post-71144117782814885272023-06-07T08:49:00.000-05:002023-06-07T08:49:01.891-05:00Sisters<p><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>SISTERS ARE SPECIAL</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>My mom and dad were both only children and </b><b>said they were so lonely growing up. The closest </b><b>neighbors were several miles away, and they had no </b><b>one to play with. I think that’s one reason they had </b><b>nine children!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I was a dreamer and lived in my own little </b><b>imaginary world. My two sisters were a few years </b><b>older than me. I’m sure as the little sister, I was a </b><b>“nuisance”!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>My dad was drafted into the Army when I was </b><b>just a few months old, and the family felt sorry for </b><b>me not having my dad around and gave in to my </b><b>every whim. When he came home from Germany, he </b><b>did the same. (I'm sure I milked it. lol)</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I remember moving a block away from Grim </b><b>Street to Jackson Street on College Hill. Walking </b><b>across the vacant lot with my two sisters, I took my </b><b>life’s possessions ... a doll and a china tea set! I was </b><b>only five years old, but my memory etched it vividly </b><b>in my mind, and I treasure those childhood memories </b><b>with them!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>My older sister, Nona, played the clarinet for the </b><b>Arkansas High School Band. In 1950, she and several </b><b>other girlfriends in the band practiced their routine </b><b>in front of our house for majorette tryouts.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I marched with them to an imaginary drummer </b><b>up and down Jackson Street, and pretended to be a </b><b>drum major. I used a long stick for my baton and a </b><b>green cap my mother knitted for my headpiece. I </b><b>took a flower from a crepe myrtle tree in the front </b><b>yard for my plume. </b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Those were the “good ole days” when we played </b><b>outside and were creative.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>When my brother-in-law was in Greenland </b><b>serving with the Air Force, my sister and nephew </b><b>moved to Texarkana. She had a 1949 standard shift </b><b>Buick and taught me how to drive when I was 13. She </b><b>would let me use her car to pick up an item she </b><b>needed.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>My sisters and mom were excellent seamstresses </b><b>and taught me how to sew. I entered a 4-H </b><b>competition in 5th grade and won first place. They </b><b>showed me how to put several patterns together and </b><b>create a unique design. In my next life, I want to be a </b><b>fashion designer.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>My sister Racine’s husband, James, worked at </b><b>the Texarkana Gazette after they married and loved </b><b>to tease me. I’m sure he would have many stories to </b><b>tell, but I’m glad he brought Odis home for supper </b><b>and introduced us.</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>My five brothers were special too, but that is for </b><b>another blog!</b></span></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">*Clips are from Growing Up In The Fifties, a </span></b><b><span style="font-size: medium;">short story by Suzie Tyler, available on Amazon.</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.</span></b></p>Suzietkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860700113362634326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303619330060954342.post-46591061029049782892023-06-07T08:33:00.000-05:002023-06-07T08:33:10.855-05:00Perspective in Life<p><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> Life Is Fleeting</span></b></p><p><b>It’s funny how our perspective changes with age!</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>When I was young, the world stood still, and I thought my birthday and Christmas</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>would never come. At eighteen, I thought I was indestructible and would live</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>forever. In my thirties I thought the world was so bad, it could not possibly last</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>another year. By fifty, life was going by so fast, that when Christmas rolled around</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>it felt like we had just celebrated a few months ago.</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>This November, I added another birthday, but the world still stands! Turning the</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>big double forty was not as bad as I thought. Some friends think I will live forever</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>while others are surprised that I’m still here, but most thought age would have</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>given me wisdom and wondering “what happened.”</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>I do have a family legacy of longevity. Both my grandmothers lived to be ninety-</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>eight and never went to the doctor or took supplements or prescriptions. They did</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>have a family member who cooked up some moonshine in the backwoods of</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Arkansas that they used as a hot toddy, and it cured everything!</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>One of my grandmothers was Cajun and had some strange home remedies! One</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>ritual was drinking four ounces of Morgan David wine (she pronounced it MO-</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>gan David) every day at 4 pm! We kids did not have this knowledge until we</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>became adults because alcohol was taboo in our family.</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Synthetic chemicals have been added to some home remedies, and we purchase</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>them as prescriptions for millions of dollars. I am ready to find an old-fashioned</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>physician who prescribes natural cures for my ailments!</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Oh my, did I just ask for a witch doctor or a wine doctor??</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>In the 1970s, we thought we would never reach the year 2000, certainly not 2023,</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>but here we are again about to watch the ball drop in New York City bringing in</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>another year!</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>I hope you will make new goals and dreams for 2023 and achieve all of them and</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>when we return in twelve months, you will be healthy, wealthy, and wise.</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Amazon Author's Page.</b></p>Suzietkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860700113362634326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303619330060954342.post-9011827416841021982023-06-07T08:28:00.000-05:002023-06-07T08:28:31.716-05:00New Year 2023<p><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> New Year’s Resolutions</span></b></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>In the glow of the ball drop in the Big Apple, people lift their wine</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>glasses to toast a new year and resolve to adopt better habits in the area</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>of health, wealth, and discipline.</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Surprisingly, statistic show that most people really do change their</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>behavior. It's a chance to clear the slate with a new beginning. </b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>How difficult is it to keep those resolutions? It has been said that if</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>you repeat something for 30 days, it becomes a habit. Not sure how</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>true to form that statement is but most health clubs will attest to that</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>not being true. The first 30 days of January, you cannot find a</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>machine that is idle but by February 15th, gyms are empty.</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>So how do you keep your resolutions for the whole year? </b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>I’m not the one to answer that query! I think I am the most</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>undisciplined human on the planet. My husband on the other hand was</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>the most disciplined person on earth! If a doctor told him to take a pill</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>at 10, 2, and 4, he did it! He was a great advertisement for Dr Pepper!</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b> Sometimes I think you are born with discipline.</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>When we re-connected in 1973, I left a message for him to call me at 2</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>o’clock on a Sunday afternoon. At precisely 2:00 pm, not a minute</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>before nor a minute after but straight up 2 o’clock, he called. </b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>It’s a miracle he stayed with me because I am always late. I think it’s</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>called L O V E!</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>My prayer is that I will use every opportunity to make a difference this</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>year. I have written down my list of resolutions and checked it twice. I</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>hope you have compiled your personal list. I’m planning to begin early</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>and practice them to the letter, so I’ll be ready for the new year.</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>I’ll check back with you on December 31st, 2023, and I hope we both</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>get an A plus!</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Have a great New Year and stay focused!</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Follow me on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.</b></p>Suzietkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860700113362634326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303619330060954342.post-76726829044163155872023-06-07T08:09:00.000-05:002023-06-07T08:09:55.304-05:00Cupid and Love<p><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> Cupid and Valentine's Day</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Who does not want to be showered with romance at least one day a year on Valentine's Day?</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>My husband was a romantic. He carefully and thoughtfully selected each of the hundreds of</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>cards he sent me when we dated that carried over into our marriage.</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>When did the celebration of Valentine's Day begin, and why is it a holiday? Pope Gelasius</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>declared February 14th St. Valentine's Day at the end of the fifth century, and King Henry VIII of</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>England declared it a holiday in 1537.</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Red roses are associated with the Greek goddess Aphrodite, considered a sign of love and</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>romance and the most often sent. It is estimated that 250 million roses will be used to express</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>love on this special day, and in 2021 consumers in the U.S. spent an estimated 2 billion dollars</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>on flowers and paid $165.00 per person on gifts for that special love.</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Valentine cards were first used in the mid-1800s, and Hallmark estimates that 145 million cards</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>will be exchanged this year, plus the ones in the classroom.</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>So how did Cupid get in this picture with his bow and arrow? </b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>He is the Roman counterpart to the Greek goddess, Eros, the God of love, and his arrows have</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>tips made of Gold and lead. Legend says that if Cupid strikes someone with a gold arrow, they</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>will be filled with a desire and love for their lover, but if he strikes them with a lead arrow, they</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>fall out of love.</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>You think of February as love, and one would assume this month has the most marriage</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>proposals. Wrong! </b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>According to data, December is the most popular month to get engaged, while most weddings</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>occur in October (22%), followed by June and August, 13% each. </b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>All in all, it seems like all the hoopla about expressing love via flowers, cards, or chocolates, is</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>making several companies a lot of money. I would just as soon have a new pair of shoes, but</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>doesn't have to break the bank to send love. Be creative! Show love in a personal way, not just</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>because you are expected. An original hand-crafted card would be very special. So that you</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>know, the letters xoxo mean hugs and kisses and are free in a text message!</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>However you choose to show love, do it creatively, committedly, and with great devotion. </b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>While you are observing love on this day, don't forget our first love, Jesus, who gave his life</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>unconditionally so we could live eternally. </b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Kindle.</b></p>Suzietkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860700113362634326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303619330060954342.post-11739253313919725052023-06-07T08:03:00.003-05:002023-06-07T08:03:57.138-05:00Struggles and Victory<p> <span style="font-size: x-large;">The Victory is in the Struggle</span></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>No one likes difficulties. We all would prefer a realm of Eutopia, but we live in a fallen</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>world and life happens!</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b> </b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>We have all asked, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” Many books have been</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>written on the subject, but no definitive answer is ever given. Yes, they say things like, “It’s</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>an opportunity to test or teach, or we grow in adversity,” but it's still difficult to grasp</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>when you are the one living in a moment of controversy.</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b> </b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>I can say with confidence that after living for 80 years, my faith in God has brought me</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>through many bad times. Did I question Him? Yes, absolutely. During one conflict in my</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>life, I said, “God, this is not what I wanted. Do I need to come up there and tell you how to</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>do this because you are not getting it right!” </b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b> </b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Aren't you glad God loves us and has a sense of humor? All the time He had a plan in place</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>that was better than the one I had conjured up in my brain! </b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b> </b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Those times of controversy have built my faith and I’ve learned to say “God, I don’t</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>understand, but I’m going to trust you.” I’m sure glad I have good friends that love me and</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>encourage me and don’t judge me like Job’s friends did in the Old Testament!</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>In the New Testament, I’m sure the disciples wondered about God’s plan after Jesus died</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>on the cross. What looked like an utter defeat turned out to be the plan needed to save the</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>world. </b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b> </b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>This Easter season let’s remember that we all have times of struggles. Many people walk</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>around and look normal while performing their daily activities, behave normally, and say</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>normal things but their heart is breaking inside. Your smile or kind word may be the glue</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>that keeps them from breaking apart!</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b> </b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Don’t judge others! People need encouragement, not discouragement. Spread cheer daily,</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>not doom, gloom, and despair! </b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b> </b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Enjoy this time of celebrating the season of resurrection because we are blessed with</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>eternal hope.</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b> </b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Happy Easter.</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Amazon Kindle.</b></p>Suzietkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860700113362634326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303619330060954342.post-83925961988930287952023-06-07T07:59:00.002-05:002023-06-07T07:59:54.053-05:00Time and Changes<p><b><span style="font-size: large;"> Changes</span></b></p><p> </p><p style="text-align: justify;">We can get overwhelmed in a world where everything changes, and nothing</p><p style="text-align: justify;">stays the same. The whirl of time is so fast you want to say: “Stop the world</p><p style="text-align: justify;">and let me off.”</p><p style="text-align: justify;">As we get older, the things in life lose their fascination! Your purchase pattern</p><p style="text-align: justify;">changes! You don’t buy green bananas; you purchase items in the light of</p><p style="text-align: justify;">need in days, not years.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">If you did not grow up in a world of technology, you could feel lost, but I have</p><p style="text-align: justify;">a little of Captain Kirk inside me. My curiosity and adventurousness get the</p><p style="text-align: justify;">best of me, and I become bold and explore new horizons! </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I recently watched a TikTok video of a young Hindu man on the approach</p><p style="text-align: justify;">needed to lead a person of Indian heritage to the Lord. Then I read this</p><p style="text-align: justify;">question in a blog:</p><p style="text-align: justify;">“Why don’t you try reading God’s Word through the lens of another</p><p style="text-align: justify;">culture?”</p><p style="text-align: justify;">This question/statement made me stop and ponder! It is something I’ve missed</p><p style="text-align: justify;">for sure.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I grew up in a spiritual culture of single-mindedness; this is the only way</p><p style="text-align: justify;">mentality. I had to relocate to a different area to open my eyes and see what</p><p style="text-align: justify;">was important - the love of Jesus with a relationship, not a mechanical religion</p><p style="text-align: justify;">of rules. Yes, we are to conduct ourselves to be reverent and dress modestly</p><p style="text-align: justify;">but the styles of acceptability change from one generation to the next. For</p><p style="text-align: justify;">instance, the culture of the 30s would not have accepted a one-piece swimsuit</p><p style="text-align: justify;">with boy legs worn in the 60s!</p><p style="text-align: justify;">We can’t lose patience with the next generation and ignore them. We are left</p><p style="text-align: justify;">on earth for a purpose, as outlined in the biblical book of Titus.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">As older men and women, we are to live reverently and teach the younger</p><p style="text-align: justify;">generation what is good and not to bring shame to God. You know, set an</p><p style="text-align: justify;">example and be a good role model.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">From looking at some of the current Tic Tok videos, we have a real mission</p><p style="text-align: justify;">ahead of us!</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Happy Mother’s Day!</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Amazon Kindle</p>Suzietkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860700113362634326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303619330060954342.post-29024549997191894992023-06-04T21:13:00.000-05:002023-06-04T21:13:01.084-05:00God's Definition<p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 24px;"><b> How Do You Define God?</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> More importantly, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">how does God define you?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">God looks at each of us differently. Oh, but you say, "God is no respecter of persons," God will do for all, but God looks at us individually.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Passion Of The Christ movie by Mel Gibson gives us a small glimpse of what Jesus went through to purchase our salvation. There were many sufferings He endured, and even one of them would have sent me running to my Father, telling Him to vindicate me and to wipe them out, but Jesus’ love for me and you kept him on the Cross. It wasn't the Roman soldiers, Pilate or anyone involved in the crucifixion. His love for us held Him there.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">It was unfair, unjust, undeserved, and humiliating beyond our thinking, but most of all, He had the power to stop it but chose NOT to for you and me.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I don't know about you, but it is hard for me to fathom in my little brain loving someone that much!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Thank you, Jesus, for loving me that much and more.</span></p>Suzietkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860700113362634326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303619330060954342.post-17198235748022544682022-06-20T14:44:00.004-05:002022-06-20T14:44:46.805-05:00SISTERS ARE SPECIAL June ALT Magazine Blog<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>My mom and dad were only children </b></span></span><b style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: small; text-indent: 28.8px;">growing up </b><b style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: small; text-indent: 0.3in;">and said they were lonely. The closest
neighbors were several miles away, and they had no one to play with. I think
that’s one reason they had nine children!</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>I was a dreamer and
lived in my own little imaginary world. My two sisters were a few years older
than me. I’m sure as the little sister, I was a “nuisance”!<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>My dad was drafted into
the Army when I was just a few months old, and the family felt sorry for me not
having my dad around and gave into my every whim. When he came home from Germany,
he did the same.<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="color: #222222;"></span></b></span></p><gwofw><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>I remember moving a
block away from Grim Street to Jackson Street on College Hill. Walking across
the vacant lot with my two sisters, I took my life’s possessions ... a doll and
a china tea set! I was only five years old, but my memory etched it vividly in
my mind, and I treasure those childhood memories with them!<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>My older sister, Nona,
played the clarinet for the Arkansas High School Band. In 1950, she and several
other girlfriends in the band practiced their routine in front of our house for
majorette tryouts.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>I <span style="color: #222222;">marched with them </span>to an imaginary drummer<span style="color: #222222;"> up and down Jackson Street and pretended to
be a drum major</span>. I used a long stick
for my baton and a green cap my mother knitted for my headpiece. I took a
flower from a crepe myrtle tree in the front yard for my plume. <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b><span> </span>Those were the “good ole days” when we played
outside and were creative.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>My sister and nephew lived in Texarkana when my brother-in-law
was in Greenland, serving with the Air Force. She had a 1949 standard shift Buick and taught me how to drive when
I was 13. She would let me use her car to pick up her needed item.<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="color: #222222;">My sisters and mom
were excellent seamstresses and taught me how to sew. I entered a 4-H
competition in 5<sup>th</sup> grade and won first place. They showed me how to combine several patterns and create a unique design. In my next life, I
want to be a fashion designer. </span><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="color: #222222;">My sister Racine’s
husband, James, worked at the Texarkana Gazette after they married and loved to
tease me. I’m sure he would have many stories to tell, but I’m glad he brought
Odis home for supper and introduced us.</span><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>My five brothers were
special too, but that is for another blog! <o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b> </b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>*Clips are from
Growing Up In The Fifties, a short story by Suzie Tyler, available on Amazon.<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Follow me on Twitter,
Instagram, and Facebook.</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></b></p></gwofw><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b><o:p></o:p></p>Suzietkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860700113362634326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303619330060954342.post-36470400676822306732022-05-29T23:02:00.001-05:002022-05-29T23:02:35.218-05:00The Writing of Beau Max<p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> As a thirty-year-old, I married my husband and inherited his three boys. The court had awarded him full custody, and I loved him enough to accept raising his three sons with my daughter! I had little knowledge of a boy's behavior and did not know what I was letting myself in for, but I was willing to take on that responsibility to have him in my life! </span></b></p><div dir="auto" style="border-color: rgb(0,0,0);"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">While researching information for my autobiography, AGAINST ALL ODDS, We Found A Perfect Love, I interviewed several older residents in the area who knew Odis as a lad growing up in the small community
of Lonsdale! </span></b></div><div dir="auto" style="border-color: rgb(0,0,0);"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div dir="auto" style="border-color: rgb(0,0,0);"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">I combined their stories with
the ones I heard from his parents and created Beau Max! I based this fictional character on
how I perceived Odis as a young boy growing up in a small town in the 50s, learning about life in a family that taught Christian values, and added my personal adventures of raising boys!</span></b></div><div dir="auto" style="border-color: rgb(0,0,0);"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div dir="auto" style="border-color: rgb(0,0,0);"><div dir="auto"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">If you want a wholesome read with a positive message about a young lad's character, integrity, and mischievousness, consider the book collection series Beau Max,
available on Amazon as an ebook and print!
</span></b></div><div dir="auto"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div></div><div dir="auto" style="border-color: rgb(0,0,0);"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">There are stories of happiness, fear, and fun times that will inspire and intrigue you.</span></b></div><div dir="auto" style="border-color: rgb(0,0,0);"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div dir="auto" style="border-color: rgb(0,0,0);"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">The series is a collection of fiction short stories and gives a good positive message with clean language! </span></b></div>Suzietkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860700113362634326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303619330060954342.post-81702257037684540872022-05-29T22:55:00.004-05:002022-05-29T22:55:42.856-05:00Memorial Day (ALT Blog for May)<p> <b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What is
Memorial Day?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">Memorial Day, originally known
as Decoration Day, began in 1868. It is a day of solemn remembrance for
everyone who has died serving in the American armed forces from the Civil War
until now.<span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText2">The flag covering the casket of a veteran is folded at
the graveside and has a special meaning with each fold. I love that it has 13
folds.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><strong><u><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt;">The 1st fold</span></u></strong><strong><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt;"> of the flag is a
symbol of life.</span></strong><b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
<strong><u>The 2nd fold</u> is a symbol of the belief in eternal life.</strong><br />
<strong><u>The 3rd fold</u> honors and remembers veterans departing the ranks
who gave a portion of their lives to defend their country to attain peace
throughout the world.</strong><br />
<strong><u>The 4th fold</u> represents the weaker nature, for as American
citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn to in times of peace and war for
His divine guidance.</strong><br />
<strong><u>The 5th fold</u> is a tribute to the country, for in the words of
Stephen Decatur, ‘Our Country, in dealing with other countries, may she always
be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong.’</strong><br />
<strong><u>The 6th fold</u> is for where people’s hearts lie. It is with their
heart that they pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,
and the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with
Liberty and Justice for all.</strong><br />
<strong><u>The 7th fold</u> is a tribute to its Armed Forces, for it is through
the Armed Forces that they protect their country and flag against all her
enemies, whether foreign or domestic.</strong><br />
<strong><u>The 8th fold</u> is a tribute to the ones who entered the valley of
the shadow of death that we might see the light of day.</strong><br />
<strong><u>The 9th fold</u> is a tribute to womanhood and Mothers. For it has
been through their faith, love, loyalty, and devotion that molded the character
of the men and women who made this country great.</strong><br />
<strong><u>The 10th fold</u> is a tribute to the father, for he, too, has given
his sons and daughters for our country’s defense.</strong><br />
<strong><u>The 11th</u> fold represents the lower portion of the seal of King
David and King Solomon and glorifies in the Hebrews’ eyes the God of Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob.</strong><br />
<strong><u>The 12th</u> fold represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies God
the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit in the Christian’s eyes.</strong><br />
<strong>With the completion of <u>the 13th fold</u>, the stars are uppermost,
reminding the soldier of the Nations’ motto, ‘In God We Trust.’<o:p></o:p></strong></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
<strong>After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the
appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served in the
Armed Forces of the United States, preserving the rights, privileges, and
freedoms we enjoy today. It is a symbol of ‘Liberty and Freedom.’<o:p></o:p></strong></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Honor our Veterans</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Suzietkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860700113362634326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303619330060954342.post-89520883820651724902022-05-05T08:35:00.000-05:002022-05-05T08:35:00.713-05:00An Electronic Generation (ALT Blog for April)<p><b style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">My age group became the first to be "entertained"
by electronics. We became mesmerized by the development of the black-and-white TV, but were not yet addicted! We still used natural means for fun activities, played
outside, and created ways to have a good time!</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><b>Today, that is unheard of! </b><b>Cell phones
dominate our family life, our</b> <b>conversations, and</b> our <b>entertainment!
Even our bill paying and banking can be accomplished on a phone app</b>.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">When you walk into a restaurant, you think… Oh, good. People
are praying before their meal.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">No! They are looking at text messages, playing games, or
searching google.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">I recently wrote a book on growing up in the fifties. It
made me reflect on the life I left behind. Neighbors trusted each other, and no
one locked their doors at night. Mothers in the community looked out for the neighborhood
children. I knew if I acted up away from my mom, someone would report it to her
before arriving home, and I did not want to <u>feel</u> her wrath!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">In our 60s and beyond, we older folks have
entered a social media world unknown during our growing-up years. Some of us have
adapted to some extent, while others have refused to learn. I am just now getting
technically savvy about Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram but lost with TikTok. Now
I'm being introduced to words like Metaverse, Artificial Intelligence,
Holograms, and Crypto Coins.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">When
I was young, I tended to think, 'ignore it, and it will go away.' Sadly, that
does not work. At some point, you must face facts and deal with reality. Unfortunately,
some of these changes are not for the betterment of our children.</span></b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">A
Metaverse World, simply put, is a 3D virtual reality world focused on the social
connection where users can interact and experience things they would in the
real world but with no accountability.</span></b><b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><b>I
really can't blame them. The world as we know it gets more complicated and
unstable every day, and I'm ready to be transported to a place where I can experience
peace and tranquility.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><b>No
matter how you slice it, a make-believe virtual world with Artificial
Intelligence and no consequences will not be authentic life.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText2" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><b>There is a spirit of selfishness in the real world today, and people no longer have a compassionate
heart! We don't love others or God more than we love ourselves.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><b>Guilty! I'm the first to raise my hand! There's an old
saying: charity begins at home, and so changes! If we don't like
our current society's behavior, we only need to look at numero uno! I can't change you, but I can change myself. We need a life
values overhaul.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText2"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><b>When was the last time you did a good deed anonymously?… Well,
that's too long!</b> </span><o:p></o:p></p>Suzietkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860700113362634326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303619330060954342.post-30010127622957116072022-04-16T23:39:00.002-05:002022-04-16T23:52:09.478-05:00Message of Love<p><span face="-apple-system, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 32px;">If you love somebody, what you long for more than anything else is being near them, holding each other, and spending time together as you express your love and adoration in person. </span></span></p><p><span face="-apple-system, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 32px;">After losing contact for fifteen years, Odis and I reestablished our relationship but had to spend the next four months 450 miles apart. </span></span></p><p><span face="-apple-system, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 32px;">His letters were a joy, and having photos of each other was heartwarming and a comfort, but nothing compared to the few hours we spent in each other’s presence.</span></span></p><p><span face="-apple-system, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 32px;"></span></span></p><gwofw><p><span face="-apple-system, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 32px;">In 1973, there were no emails, text messages, FaceTime, or Zoom calls, so letters or long-distance phone calls were our only way to communicate. </span></span></p><p><span face="-apple-system, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 32px;">While they were nice, they were expensive, and we made our conversation quality time! </span></span></p><p><span face="-apple-system, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 32px;">Still, nothing compared to actually being together, holding and loving each other in person, and we treasured those moments. </span></span></p><p><span face="-apple-system, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 32px;">Genuine love is not boastful, self-seeking, does not think too highly of themselves, but loves with an attitude of being a servant. </span></span></p><p><span face="-apple-system, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 32px;">That’s how God loves us. </span></span></p><p><span face="-apple-system, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 32px;">As we celebrate the resurrection day of our Savior Jesus Christ, cultivate a Jesus Love your mate, family, and friends!</span></span></p><p><span face="-apple-system, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 32px;">Spend time in the Presence of God.</span></span></p><p><span face="-apple-system, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 32px;">Happy Resurrection Day! </span></span></p><p><span face="-apple-system, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 32px;">God is Love!</span></span></p></gwofw><p><span face="-apple-system, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 32px;"></span></span></p><div dir="auto"><div dir="auto"></div></div>Suzietkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860700113362634326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303619330060954342.post-84557808635708504462022-03-31T23:01:00.000-05:002022-03-31T23:01:46.538-05:00Blog on Grief<p> <b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What is Grief? (ALT Magazine Blog for March)</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Grief has no map.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It is a journey of love, searching
for a place to go.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There is no table of contents or path
to follow. Only you can walk it, but you’re not alone, and </span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">God’s Love gives Grace</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Each person reacts differently, and
your response follows your personality. It’s personalized, and no one can
direct you. You walk it with your faith in a God who loves you. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tears may come at the most
inopportune time, but they are healing, so I coined the phrase, “<b><i>Liquid
Love</i></b>.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Whether you have time to say goodbye
or your loved one’s departure from this life was without warning, you are never
prepared to handle life without your spouse, child, or loved one.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Knowing they are now with God is
comforting, but it doesn’t fill your empty arms or the pain of a broken earthly
heart while living a life without them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Even though they try, your friends
have no words that bring comfort because nothing makes sense of the situation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText">No words can describe the emptiness, but the love that
remains is the sustaining force to deal with the pain of the absence.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I often say a loss thru death and
divorce are similar. One departure has wonderful memories, and the other has
bad ones, but the important thing is to keep moving forward with God and trust
His plan.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I encourage those who experience
grief to write down their thoughts. Even for your eyes only, recalling your
feelings helps ease the pain and allows the memories to begin.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Go at your own pace, and no matter
how weird it may seem, do it your way.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>Suzietkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860700113362634326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303619330060954342.post-16101461152308985682022-03-31T22:36:00.000-05:002022-03-31T22:36:39.551-05:00 What Is Love?<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18pt;">What Is Love? (February ALT Magazine Blog)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 11.65pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When I was twelve
years old, my grandmother and I visited her sisters, Georgia and Susie, in
Louisiana. As my cousin Mildred and I discussed boys, they gave us their dating
advice. Aunt Susie said they never would let a guy court them unless he had a
good-looking horse and buggy. We tried not to laugh because she was serious.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 11.65pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I had never heard the word <i>courting</i>
before, and being the curious one, I asked what that meant. Aunt Susie said it
was being involved with someone romantically for the purpose of marriage. She
further explained, “A boy doesn’t treat a girl he wants to court for marriage
like he does someone he only wants to date. He makes her feel special with
worshipful, devoted Love and a desire to protect her!”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 11.65pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Since then, I’ve
learned there are two kinds of Love, Surface Love and Unconditional Love!</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 11.65pt; text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Surface Love</span></i></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> is a relationship without commitment, with no
strings attached. This person is self-seeking, will only love as long as things
go their way, and will leave at the drop of a hat.</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 11.65pt; text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">Unconditional Love</span></i></b><b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;"> is a relationship of devotion and compassion,
with a yearning to protect someone you love. It is a lifetime commitment with a
person who loves you more than they love themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 11.75pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">Everyone wants to feel unique and adored. True
Love allows that to happen. This type of Love is the same for each individual,
but they experience it differently.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 11.65pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">If you have found someone who
loves you with that passion, hug them a little tighter, and kiss them a little
longer.</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 11.65pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">February 14 is Valentine’s day
and a time to show Love to your sweetheart, which is an endearing term to call
someone you care for deeply.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 11.75pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">If you are still single, look for a godly
person and pray about your choice! Recognize the real thing and when you find
true Love, make sure it is reciprocated. This Valentine’s Day, I want to encourage
you to trust God to bring that special sweetheart into your life. You don’t
have to settle for second best, or those dreams of Love may become a nightmare!
If you have not found them yet, use this day to love <u>YOU.</u><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 11.75pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">Have a happy day of Love!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>Suzietkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860700113362634326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303619330060954342.post-70823873585977150582022-03-31T22:31:00.000-05:002022-03-31T22:31:22.389-05:00Heart Blog<p style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">A few days ago, I had a new experience, and at first, it was
a little overwhelming. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There is a backstory to this blog. Several years ago, after
Odis had a carotid sonogram, I began thinking about it and asked my doctor
if I should have one. She said it was covered by my insurance and scheduled an
appointment at the imaging center. It was a crazy experience. After completing
the test, the technician asked me if I had any problems and why I wanted to have
the test done. I explained it to her, and she kept going outside the room and coming back. She finally told me she
could not give me much information, but I had a blockage, and I could not be released until she talked with my doctor. It was 5:00 pm on a Friday afternoon, and my doctor had left for the
weekend. After reaching the doctor on call,
he told her to have me go home and take 320 MG of chewable aspirin and contact
my doctor first thing on Monday morning. The bottom line was I had 95% blockage in
my left carotid that required immediate bypass surgery. I realized
testing was important, so when my regular cardiologist decided to semi-retire and
was no longer doing procedures, I checked out Arkansas Heart Hospital Clinic in
Little Rock. I decided on Dr. Ribeiro, one of their cardiologists. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I had no swelling or pain except in the muscle of my
right and left upper arm. I take high blood pressure and high cholesterol medication, but I had a gut feeling that I needed to get my heart checked out if
they could find one.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My first visit was at their clinic in Hope. His tests showed an abnormality in my EKG, PET scans, and echogram, and he scheduled an angiogram in the Little Rock Clinic. That test showed a major
blockage in the major artery to the back of my heart, the one they call a widow
maker, and immediately scheduled me for surgery to put in a stent! They are
done all the time successfully, just not on me!! It took some time to process
the news, and it was a little overwhelming. No, a lot!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">They did find a heart, and it is strong and pumping at 68%, which is good. However, the heart cannot pump blood through the primary artery that
is severely blocked. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I knew it was serious when the nurse told me to take off my
jewelry, contacts, and false eyelashes! I tried to back out, but Diane wouldn't
let me! Since she is my legal, decision-making, medical person, she was not
ready to pull my plug, so I've got to stay around a little longer to drive
her and Karmyn crazy. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I knew I was in good hands when Dr. Riberio came in and said,
"I will do my best and let God do the rest." I remind God every day that my
doctor did his best, and now it is up to Him.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I was awake and watched all of it on the monitor, and it was
very educational! </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Afterward the procedure, the doctor told Diane that it was severely blocked, and it was good
he got to it when he did.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Ark Heart Hospital staff is outstanding! I told them I was a
VIP, and they believed me and gave me excellent care!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The blockage occurred because of all my bad eating habits
through the years, so I am being a good girl now and following a heart-healthy
diet. That means no sweet tea or Dr. Peppers, my go-to drink. I'm changing it to a glass of red wine every night before bedtime.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">PS I already lost 8 pounds. Maybe I can again model a swimsuit. lol<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>Suzietkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860700113362634326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303619330060954342.post-69174198706716278932022-01-02T01:10:00.000-06:002022-01-02T01:10:28.629-06:00What is True Holiness<p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">When I was growing up, I thought holiness was a woman who wore long dresses and had her hair put in a ball on the top of her head. While this is not a criticism of that type of attire, it is not salvation and certainly not holiness. I just read a good definition of what true holiness is:</span></b></span></p><p><b style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">True 'holiness' is when you leave every person more alive than when you found them.</span></b></p><div style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="direction: ltr;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">We are beginning a new year and turning over a new leaf. Your slate is clean, so write positive, uplifting things and make God proud.</span></b></div></div><div style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="direction: ltr;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div></div><div style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="direction: ltr;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">I pray that everything I do is pleasing to God. It's time to separate ourselves from sin and get in right fellowship with God. We need to catch the vision Jacob saw at Bethel and return there.</span></b></div><div style="direction: ltr;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="direction: ltr;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Have a wonderful year!!</span></b></div></div>Suzietkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860700113362634326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303619330060954342.post-72490567321776409462021-12-26T21:21:00.002-06:002021-12-26T23:33:19.423-06:00Happy New Year 2022<p> <strong>What can we expect in the new year of 2022?</strong></p><!--wp:paragraph-->
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<p>Will a cure be found for Covid and the variants or will we have more of the same during this new year? Will mandates, vaccine requirements, and masks continue to be the rule of the day?</p>
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<p>Only God knows the answer to that!!</p>
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<p>If, as some have believed, this is political, then it will end in mid-April or May and by July or August, just before the mid-term elections, we will have another stimulus, probably $600.00.</p>
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<p>If it is purely a process of life and the virus just appeared, it will probably continue. It sure is making the Pharmaceutical companies, mainly Pfizer and Moderna, wealthier.</p>
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<p>Now, it seems more and more people who have been vaccinated are coming down with the virus and some have died, so it makes you wonder?? What's up with that?? Both sides have their own opinion, but that is for another day of discussion.</p>
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<p>Regardless, I will probably always wear a mask to Wal-Mart from now until eternity. It just seems like a safer way to exist if I want to shop there. I will continue to take Vitamins D3, C, Zinc, and Quercetin or some good immunity enhancer since I don't eat correctly and even if I did, the vitamins and minerals aren't in food like it was when my parents raised their own.</p>
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<p>Stay safe and enjoy the new year of 2022!</p>
<!--/wp:paragraph-->Suzietkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860700113362634326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303619330060954342.post-29962940105109293142021-12-18T11:52:00.000-06:002021-12-18T11:52:47.980-06:00 Who Am I<p> <b style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ALT Magazine Blog for December</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 5.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If you were to ask
someone, “Who is Suzie Tyler?” Their first thought would be bling and shoes! But…
There is another side of me… the music side!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I learned to play a
musical instrument when I was ten and played an accordion or piano in a church
service at age 12. I heard tones in my head and matched them to the sounds
coming from the keyboard. I had no idea where B flat was on a piece of music or
the keyboard, but I knew the three chords used to play a hymn in the key of B
flat. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If you hummed it, I would
play it! My parents didn’t realize the importance of lessons because I could
play anything I heard!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I also was a curious
child. It was not enough to hear and play it. I wanted to know the structure of
what I was playing! I didn’t realize it was the theory of music!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’m sure I made a
nuisance of myself asking questions of every good pianist I heard! I watched
and asked why and how they knew what to play!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Probably the turning
point was when our choir director in Conroe wanted the choir to do a cantata
for Easter! But, I couldn’t read music, so I went to my daughter’s piano
teacher and thought she could teach me in a few weeks!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Wrong!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">After telling me she
didn’t teach adults, especially those who played by ear, she reluctantly agreed
to teach me the basics, and I would have to apply myself to learn the rest!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I was determined and
literally said <i>Every Good Boy Does</i> <i>Fine</i> and wrote out above the notes
for each vocal part and memorized the music.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The accompaniment was
written in chords, so I figured out the name of each one and wrote it above the
cluster of notes then memorized them!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I had an LP recording
of the cantata and played it repeatedly and matched the sounds with the notes
and chords, and I was home free!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At the end of the presentation
night, I felt accomplished, but the knowledge I gained was priceless! Sometimes
I still hear John Peterson’s <b><i>No Greater Love</i></b> playing in my head!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">With determination and
perseverance, you can conquer anything!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Check out my blog post
online. I will give you an inside look at my travels in the Houston area and my
experiences playing for various groups and soloists in Texarkana!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No snake stories, but
some were pretty amazing!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">suzietksnippets.blogspot.com<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></p>Suzietkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860700113362634326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303619330060954342.post-38413264317419239592021-12-06T09:32:00.003-06:002021-12-18T11:52:25.139-06:00Are Musicians Temperamental?<p><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I hear this all the time: “Musicians are moody and hard to
get along with!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No, we are creative, and that makes us special!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My music experience started as a nine-year-old when I would
crawl through the window of my church to play my heart out on the piano! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In my fantasy world, I imagined angels taking my amplified
sounds and piping the music to nearby hobo jungle to make their hearts happy!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I was tiny. Some would say skinny, so my dad bought me a
small 12 base accordion. I was limited to the keys I could play.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He purchased a 72 base white accordion as a surprise. It was
not too big and fit my small body frame, but allowed me to play in almost any key.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When I moved to Conroe, I played for a boys trio, and we
traveled to churches in the Houston area to sing for special events and
revivals. It required many hours of personal practice time to play the music and
time with them to learn their parts!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There was a period in the ’60s when the snake-handling
movement was popular in some churches! You remember the scripture in Mark
16:18, <span style="color: #001320;">They shall take up serpents; and if they
drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; (KJV)</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well, I informed the guys they best not book us
to sing at one of those religious establishments, or they would be singing Church
of Christ style!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Their pianist would be finding the nearest
exit!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> When
Coleman McDuff of the McDuff Trio in Houston, Texas, asked me to play for a
revival Wednesday through Sunday in Huntsville, Texas, I said yes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He talked with me on Friday night and said Connie
Smith appeared at the Huntsville rodeo on Sunday and was a friend of his. She
had agreed to come on the final night, to sing and give her testimony. He then handed
me a probable list of her songs!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I had no idea who she was! When I found out
she was a big country music star, I about flipped out, but she was down-to-earth
and a sweet Christian lady!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Fast forward to Texarkana! I was playing for a
friend who led praise and worship for ladies’ groups, and many of the meetings
were in hotels that did not take proper care of their pianos!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">During one meeting she scheduled, I walked
into the room to check out the instrument. I said, “Marejohn, several black
keys are missing on the piano!” We muddled thru, but after that night, we got
an electric keyboard to take to the meetings!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Odis knew I loved playing the piano when we
married and had previously played for gospel groups.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We had just come in from picking blueberries
and were preparing them for the freezer when I got a phone call. The stranger
on the other end of the line said they had a gospel men’s group with an
engagement for Sunday night, and their pianist had to work. My name had been given
to them as a possibility to fill in for
them. I looked at Odis, and he said, “Go! I’ll finish these!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">After I accepted, my suspicious mind kicked in,
and I said, “What if they attack me and kill me?” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He said, “You’ll be fine! I’ll pray for you!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’m so glad I had a praying husband. They
liked my style and asked me to play for them permanently.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’ve had a great time playing and ministering
in music! It was never hard work, and I’ve often felt it was a small part
compared to the Gideon’s giving out bibles, a teacher of a Sunday School class,
or preaching, but Odis reminded me how important the musicians of the Old
Testament were!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I pray my music has been a blessing of
ministry to the people I’ve played for in revivals, women’s retreats, and
meetings!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It has been a great
ride for me!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Suzietkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860700113362634326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303619330060954342.post-84775549276571879412021-12-06T09:27:00.000-06:002021-12-06T09:27:07.456-06:00Are you a “Procrastinator?”<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">ALT Magazine Blog for November<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Historic",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In
a few short weeks, we will celebrate important events like my birthday,
Thanksgiving and Christmas.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">THEN
the ball will drop in the big apple, and 2022 will come bursting on the scene.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My
rule for the new year: ... No discussion of 2021. I, for one, am ready to put this
year in the history books, never to be remembered again!!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But,
what comes next? Taxes! I don’t think we have had the sweeping tax changes the
politicians promised, but then there’s an entire new year to “git it done!”… Maybe<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For
those procrastinators who just filed their taxes in October, it will be a new
opportunity to do it early for a change.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Of
course, I’m so old that I remember preparing taxes without an automatic
extension giving you an extra six months to complete your 1040.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Back in the “dark
ages,” before the internet, TurboTax, and E-file, you prepared your taxes by
hand. We then typed the completed numbers on the IRS forms with an IBM
Selectric typewriter, but we did have self-correcting tape! There were only
requested extensions with a darn good reason, and you worked around the clock
for several weeks before April 15th and just got it done or else!!! Oh, how I
remember those late rushing trips to the post office to meet the deadline!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In those rare
instances when you couldn’t complete it, you requested an extension, and even
if IRS turned it down, it gave you a few weeks to fudge!!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How things have changed!
Now, with an automatic extension, procrastinators can wait til October 15<sup>th,</sup>
but, Who does that??!!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Follow my blog,
SuzieTK Snippets, on Facebook and Word Press, OR, google it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Happy Birthday to me
and Happy Turkey Day to you!<o:p></o:p></span></p>Suzietkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860700113362634326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303619330060954342.post-60195889209315805752021-11-02T09:59:00.001-05:002021-11-02T11:34:38.315-05:00Forgivness<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">A friend was having a difficult time forgiving people in her past
who had wronged her. Boy, could I identify. I could write a book! Wait, I
am ... lol. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">After recalling the history of my life for the
last several years while writing my book, I know how painful the past can be. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">I told her the best thing was to ask God to help her, and she may
have to forgive them over and over, but eventually, she would get there!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Forgiving is a lot like
grief. There is no map or special formula. It takes time to work thru it, but faith
in God will help.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Perhaps the most
difficult to achieve is forgiving yourself that you allowed someone to hurt you.
Odis used to tell me a lot, “Suzie, while you are forgiving others, don’t
forget to forgive yourself.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">
Even after the forgiveness is determined in your heart, you may resent what was done to you.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Understanding
forgiveness is important. You are not saying you weren’t hurt. It happened. Even
when you still remember, accept that you cannot change the past and, in time,
the hurt will fade.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Remember, not forgiving hurts
<u>you</u>, not them.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></p><pwa-container-wrapper style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: serif;"></pwa-container-wrapper><pwa-container-wrapper style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: serif;"></pwa-container-wrapper><pwa-container-wrapper style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: serif;"></pwa-container-wrapper><pwa-container-wrapper style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: serif;"></pwa-container-wrapper>Suzietkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860700113362634326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303619330060954342.post-75643232610895145242021-10-30T23:50:00.000-05:002021-10-30T23:50:41.588-05:00Why Read??<p> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">Reading opens up a world of travel, knowledge, and entertainment.</span></p><pwa-container-wrapper style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: serif;"></pwa-container-wrapper><pwa-container-wrapper style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: serif;"></pwa-container-wrapper><p aria-label="Paragraph block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block is-multi-selected wp-block-paragraph rich-text" data-block="7efff1b3-dba8-4128-b2d2-73bd8630792d" data-empty="false" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-7efff1b3-dba8-4128-b2d2-73bd8630792d" role="document" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: serif; line-height: revert; margin-bottom: revert; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: revert; max-width: 770px; min-width: 1px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0">I never liked to read, but was determined to encourage my children to read. I gave both my daughters cloth books when they were barely old enough to sit alone! It worked! One is in her 40s and the other in her 50s and they read two or three books a week! I encourage new mothers to use this tool!</p><p aria-label="Paragraph block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block is-multi-selected wp-block-paragraph rich-text" data-block="7efff1b3-dba8-4128-b2d2-73bd8630792d" data-empty="false" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-7efff1b3-dba8-4128-b2d2-73bd8630792d" role="document" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: serif; line-height: revert; margin-bottom: revert; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: revert; max-width: 770px; min-width: 1px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0">Everyone has a book inside them! Whether or not it is ever published, just do it! It’s easy to self-publish! The hard part is research! It has taken me 6 years and I’m still working on my autobiography, but it has given me a new respect for writers! Now when I walk into a bookstore, I don’t see books; I see the hours of research, writing, and editing that the authors spent on those books!!</p><div><br /></div><pwa-container-wrapper style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: serif;"></pwa-container-wrapper>Suzietkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860700113362634326noreply@blogger.com0