Etiquette

Is Etiquette out of date? Is it a Biblical Word? Is it a cultural word? What is it other than what the dictionary tells us? Where do we gather our Etiquette from in our personal and professional lives? Let’s grass-root our behavior in real life situations. Starting with some ID’s we can all identify with?

When we enter a home where we have been invited as guest, do we obey the rules of the home or do we give them our guidelines before arriving? Does the inviter give the ground rules or do they change to meet the happiness of the guest?

Does family, ie, grown children, laws, or in-laws, friend or guest of any ink make a difference in Etiquette?

Do we reciprocate after being invited to a gathering, home, wedding, party, lunch, coffee, etc. If so, how do we determine the way and means to reciprocate?

I would really like to hear your story, failure or success. What you did, how it worked? How you have adjusted? How you just chopped Etiquette up to firewood? Or, do you have a chair without a guest?

Right from the Garden

North Carolina Summer Tomatoes right from the vine will forever be fruit for the mind, scent of summer joy invigorating the nostrils while the taste buds juice before the first bite.

Chris Holton and his garden, Edenton, NC has provided me with a reason to pack my car and head south. How did he keep the birds and other insects as well as knots from this red juicy harvest? I must ask him.

Jesus told stories of the farmer. Let us tell our summer garden stories!

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The Real Me Stand UP!

My son, Chris, sent me this article recently and I have posted it on my journals, books and desktop. Why? I’m trying to identify the real me.  Yes, I said it identify. I remember watching a TV show years ago; “Will the real____ stand up? After hearing the Q&A I thought I always knew the real one out of the three only to find all too often, I was wrong.

Many times in my real you story I find I am living on a “Wish/Dream Story.” Are you able to identify the real you from this article? Should be easier than the old TV show since there are only two kinds of people to choose from and one of them may be YOU!  Enjoy your show!Image

Do you have a BEAR Neighbor?

Do you have a BEAR Neighbor?

Do you have a BEAR for a neighbor? Do you have a BEAR Story? Let’s also talk about survival techniques when a BEAR might attack? Or, starts to come near. I thought until a few days ago that seeing a Black Bear I should drop to ground! OH, my, I was just told NO, make noise and fight. Really, me fight a BLACK Bear? Climb a tree! WHOA, now I’m told they can climb a tree! Not sure how I feel about my BEAR neighbor?  Should I let my neighbor give me a BEAR HUG?

Worm vs. Butterfly

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

(Romans 12:2, NIV)

The word “transform” being “metamorphosis  when a caterpillar changes from a lowly worm into a flying butterfly, it is called a metamorphosis. If we use this illustration with our scripture from Romans can we identify ourselves? Tell your story!

July has arrived

July brings the ring of freedom! Tears at times! Laughs, food, drink, and heat makes the ruts in Memory Lane for The USA! July 4 is significant in flag waving and fireworks celebrating what we call Independence Day.

Vacations, pool parties, ice cream making, first tomatoes fall from their vine while sunflowers and Zinnias show their faces for weddings and other celebrations. Let’s share our July with one another!

ImageArt by Dawn Collins for Gary

A Path…

“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:6, NKJV)
 ImageI have spend the last year or so trying to build a walking meditative path on an acre of land that was purely neglected farm land for years in eastern NC. It has a small pond that is worked into my maze. We have now planted 20 plus Crepe Myrtle Trees along my charted design.  Hopefully, with the downpours of rain and sun sprinting in between we will see blooms to delight the eye in a week or two. It’s still rough terrain with much work to do. As I contemplated my second part of this oversized plan I felt the pang of discouragement tucking at me. When out of the clear I hear the words from the man of wisdom; stop and acknowledge God and then He will direct your path! Looks like I have work to do inside myself so my walking meditative path can take on it’s intended character and use.

I hope each of you have a well “lit path” as you do your work today! May enlightenment be your greatest reward!