Such a small word
Three letters only
So much value
There to see
One earth
One life
One
I’ve been given one body
And one spirit within
I have been created
With one purpose
Only One God
Only One Son
One Spirit
One choice which is mine
I get to freely choose
To believe or deny
I will simply say
I choose the One
Because He first chose me…
As we all know, I don’t do well with short answers… in honesty, they are no fun!
My memory pulls me back to my childhood, to a time when my Nana was alive. Nana was the only one to ever call me Antonia, most likely in protest over my parents laziness when I was born a girl. They expected a boy when they chose Toni Rae, but got me instead, and just stuck with the same name. But alas, this memory is too far back, nor was that name technically a nickname, so I will move ahead in time…
My children were sleeping, as well as my ex husband, so what does an overworked and underpaid mom do for fun, I took it upon myself to have a couple glasses of wine. The house was quiet, and I had the office to myself, so off I went to the World Wide Web. Alcohol does funny things to a person…
There I was, at two in the morning, heavily under the influence… don’t judge… Alcohol gives confidence and courage, but not always wise choices, so consider us all lucky that this is the only thing I got up to in the middle of the night!
So anyway, as I was perusing the internet, I came up with this hairbrained idea, to find a really cool game handle. I loved video games, especially the mmorpg ones, and everyone had awesome names for their in-game characters, or toons. I was in search of The One, if you will, game name wise…
Stumbling upon those name generating search engines, I began to look for a Native American word or name, that I could assign myself since nobody else ever wanted to do. Yes I think I am maybe Native American, and no, I did not make any valid name choice for this girl from the wilderness. Remember, wine was involved, so I make no valid claim to the name I settled on. I finally found a site that was pretty cool, in that it gave really decent explanations for the meaning and spelling/pronunciation. I came to this…
WIWOHKA – roaring, raging water…
In honesty, I cannot remember the rest of the definition, and highly doubt that it would do me any good now. For whatever the reason, the name stuck, and I have used it now for over 20 years…
Funny thing, my husband and I looked the name up once, and aside from the definition not being there anymore, we did discover a long lost Indian Tribe located somewhere near the great lakes, and they were called the Wiwohka Tribe… I can aspire!
Don’t pop my bubble by saying I am full of it… I know that I am, but where is the fun in having a really cool nickname, if there was not an amazing story behind it… I am proud of my name, even it only means that I talk a lot, and am such a cry baby that everybody gets wet when I am around! At least, maybe, you will remember me from either laughing or crying…
Here is your cookie…
P.S. Please share…
I was going back through some of the things I first wrote when beginning this blog back in 2016… It is such a strange feeling when you read something you yourself have written, and recognize some but not all of it. So much has changed in and around my life since that time…
Thought I would share and see what your take is…
2016
“Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies.” Psalms 103:2-4
It is so easy to feel sorry for myself and look at how crappy and miserable my situation is. Thinking on all the things I do not have fills my heart and mind with a desire to just quit trying, quit praying, and wait for the next punch in the face that life seems to keep offering.
After sitting a good while in my puddle of self-pity and loathing, I hear a soft whisper… just a whisper, and it causes me to look up and see what’s interrupting my childish fit…
I look back down at myself to get back to my wallowing, and I hear it again…a gentle breeze floats across my face, cool and fragrant. How can I feel sorry for myself with these constant interruptions…
It’s not my fault that my life is so miserable, I deserve so much better, how come everyone else has so much more than I do…”My Child”…there it is again, that whisper…
“Am I not enough for you”?
There it is, that one thing that makes sense to me…
When my time on earth is over, am I gonna pack up all my things to drag them up to heaven with me? I realize that all the things I thought were so important will simply fall to dust when I am called home. What will remain are the choices I made with what was given to me. I was given six beautiful children, and to date 3 grandbabies with a fourth almost here, and a loving husband and his family. I realize that when I am so busy looking at myself and what I don’t have, I am missing all of the good things right in front of me. God is right there before me, holding out His hand to lift me up and carry me through troubled waters.
He loves me, comforts me, laughs with me, and cries with me. When I look to the Father, who pursues me always, I remember His truths, and His promises to me, His child, and I can see clearly all of the times He has worked mightily in my life. Now I can answer back to Him…yes Lord, You are enough for me…
I am fairly certain that I can use Farm Fresh both for my health maintenance, and my well-being. I am a country girl, born and bred, so I started my life in a garden… my mothers garden, to be exact. Though I have few good memories of my parents, I do fondly remember her love for gardening and canning. Long hours were spent in orchards and fields in the nearby valley, gathering flats of seasonal produce, sold by the pound.
I can actually remember pulling up raw onions and carrots from the ground, while I was still toddling around in diapers. I fondly recall a time where I was standing by the kitchen sink, ladling out cream from a giant glass jar, delicately replacing the foil cover and rubber band that held it in place. I know, it is a strange memory to be bringing me good vibes, but well, there it is…
It’s funny how we start out in life, with a set of basic habits that set the path for our future, and we find out years later, we are back in the car again. Never fear though… As the guy says to the kid in Jurassic Park, at least we are not in the tree anymore!
What I mean is, I was born and raised on a farm, eating raw fresh and frozen, for the most part… I also spent my days out riding horses and bikes, camping, hunting, hiking, fishing, and the like… nature if you will. Years later, I am back in relatively the same place.
Obviously, time changes and moves forward, pushing us out into the world. That is where things can go way off keel for most of society… overworked, underpaid, grocery stores filled with ridiculously high prices for basic needs, and cheap prices for preserved garbage… You can do the math on what we choose to do with a dollar, when we know there may not be another one forthcoming. For most of us, we simply choose to eat the crappy stuff, cause it is cheap, and let’s admit it… it is easier to microwave a burrito, than to get the pan and ingredients out, and prepare it from scratch.
I am hoping that you are beginning to see, not only the nutritional changes occurring over time, but also the mental well-being part. I am in my 50’s with at least 2 major health conditions, and it was not until my world fell apart and I had to cold turkey my own prescription detox program, and learn how to do survival Old School.
All I can say, is that I went back to the farm… no, not a crazy farm… ha ha… very funny. I know you were thinking it, I just thought I would call it out!
What I mean is, I literally went back to doing what I did as a child. Raw, Fresh, Frozen… for the most part. I also walk nearly every day, either in my favorite local park, or along the nearby river. While I do believe in science and medicine, for me, it has not worked. Point in fact, all the medications I was given left me completely incapable of taking pills without great side effects. That means ALL pills, even things like supplements and Ibuprofen.
Never fear, however, because I take gummies for all my vitamin and supplement needs. I love the fact that I can eat candy at 6 am in the morning, and there is nothing you can do about it, HA!
So, I am not sure if you want to call this a strategy, or simply self-preservation… I leave it to you. And, in honor of todays prompt, I will select a healthy treat from the country, enjoy…
Just A Bag part 4
Welcome, fellow adventurers, I cannot express enough how pleased I am at seeing each and every one of your eager faces… though I do note a bit of apprehension in some of your expressions, as to what lies ahead. So, at the gentle encouragement of the One sending us forth, I will briefly share with you the underlying truth of our journey. Gather around the fire and enjoy the refreshments left there for you, while I share what was given to me…
Underneath the adventure we are about to embark on, the quest will be a biblical journey of discovering who we are in Christ, and the truth of this adventure is to let go of our fear of the unknown. Peace! Peace that passeth all understanding! The journey is not about the destination, but rather about all those seeking to rally around, accept and protect the Gift!
Have we not all, at one time or another, been runners…running away from that which we know is truly good, simple and right…but are so afraid to step out and accept a gift. What if it really isn’t free after all? What if it might be taken away. Perhaps we will want to put the gift back, fearing painful rejection or judgement, or possibly abandonment. In the spirit of love, I am going to make this so-called adventurous journey with you, using my own truths without fear nor worry, for I have been in the shoes of many and am choosing to discover the truth of actually, really truly, accepting the gift of peace, having survived thus far…
I want you to remember a very important truth and that is me… I am no different from those who join me… I have not figured it all out… I find myself just now emerging into a beautiful place of peace, in a world that may not ever find it! I am discovering, perhaps as you are, that I have been looking in all the wrong places. When I heard His call for aid, I rose in FAITH and will now venture forth on this quest, if you will, and for all we know, this is all about teaching Me not you, but we will see…
While I waited for all of you to arrive, I sat for a time in the darkness, considering the unknowns of the journey ahead of us all… quite honestly, I have been here waiting for several days with no word, as to which path to take once we reach the forest ahead. I finally discovered, if I simply wait for the correct timing, clarity always wins out.
I was sitting here by the fire, planning to tell you all that I had no clue yet what to do, when I had kind of a waking dream, don’t judge… I have been sitting here all night, so it is very likely that I dozed off and actually dreamt this, so there is that…
We were walking along that path over there, the one you arrived on just now. Anyways, we headed off down that path and were heading towards the forest, just beyond that distant meadow. As we drew near to a junction in the path, we noticed that one way led off to the right and down the hill to a coastal village (the very place we are destined); the second path headed in the opposite direction and into the mountains.
In the dream, I asked you all to follow me to the mountain path… I explained to you the importance of the journey and that we would, indeed, see the village in the end, but there was still much to be done. I am happy to report that in the dream, everyone wholeheartedly followed along, and we disappeared into the forest. As we walked down the path, I could hear the gentle murmurs from within the group, as everyone began getting to know one another.
Suddenly, the path came to an abrupt end, before a great oak tree. The path seemed to split in multiple directions, each leading to a different part of the woods ahead. Resting underneath the tree lies an old broken down wagon missing a wheel. At the back of the cart is an enormous crate, balancing precariously near the edge. I also remember seeing a note resting upon the crate, illuminated by a nearby Lamppost! I believe we are meant to find that wagon and read the note… other than that, I do not remember anything else.
So, if everyone feels up to the task, please join me as we begin…
What does a girl do for travel and adventure… when her coffers are filled with moths?
Why she drums up adventures on the pages of her books, whether she makes it up as she goes along, or possibly even reads someone else’s wonderful adventure.
I have never come from money, nor do I think I would enjoy it! Don’t get me wrong, I like nice things just as much as the next girl. It is simply the age old problem we all face, at one time or another… if we have it, we spend it… if we don’t have it, we need it… vicious cycle.
If I think about it, my RV is sort of like a pirate ship… and the roads are our seas, to travel from port to port. Ok, so that is a stretch. I still wanna feel like a pirate, though. Since I was a small child, I have gone on so many adventures, in books anyhow. I have spent my entire life on the run, so the books always had happy endings, in place of my real story… that was never so neat!
Let’s see, I think our governments broken… so did the pirates… I want to sail the seas… so did the pirates… and I want to wear an eye patch, yes folks, I definitely want an eye patch… can’t see too good out of one of my peepers, anyway. So why not look really cool, right? I must confess that I have a pirate outfit that I wear when I am writing my more creative stuff…
I swear that if you judge me for wearing a pirate outfit, I will never take a picture for any of you, and you will be forever sad. You will think about it every time you take a cookie off the plate… we could have seen her in a crazy lady get up, and we had to go and make fun of her…
Besides, what does it say about you… you come with me on all of our adventures, so I’m not sure what you thought I was wearing. But I know that we would all be lost at sea, if I fell asleep in my jammies while transporting everyone to the next island.
Anyways, I apologize for getting us all side tracked, I am a broke girl, and am also tired of the real world traveling bit, as my husband is a retired Truck Driver… we have seen all the states. I have traveled internationally and while I did enjoy it, I find so much diversity right here, in my very own home state. And this is why I go on mental vacations now… I am tired!
Firstly, these are 2 differing angles of the same flower, unedited…
I have expanded from the first selection of flowers being edited by my handy dandy free photo app that came with my computer. Not only do you get to pick which edit was better, but now you can also decide what angle you prefer to see…
A.
B.
Here are the different auto selections from the default computer editing program I am using.
2. This was called Rouge
3. This was called Denim
4. This was called Sahara
5. This was called Burlesque
6. This was called Vanilla
Simply choose A or B, as your favorite angle, and then select 1 thru 6, as your favorite style…
Oh, and for our last flower, the number one choice was picture B followed closely by C, so here they are in that order…
Now you know why I expanded my selections for todays flower… I can tell by your answers, that you like differing things about the same flower. I am here to please, so I gave you more things to choose from, cause I love ya’ll…
Don’t forget to take a treat…
I have figured out our world crisis problem, I am sure of it this time! I know that this may seem impossible, but hear me out before you scoff…
I know we all cringe at the idea of having everything you think pop up above you in a thought bubble, right? I also know that I have loved Willy Wonka since I was tiny, and my favorite part was when they drank the fizzy juice and got all floaty. Here is my version of a beautiful futuristic modern society…
I think that we are advanced enough with Big Pharma, that they have for sure got the skills to create a fizzy juice, like Willy. Then they can put it in our water, because no one has thought of doing that before.
Now, this is where it benefits Us, finally!
Imagine if you will, a society that has been drinking Pharma Fizzy Water. Whenever you feel angry, or unhappy, you begin to float like a bubble… no time to slap or shoot anyone when you are pinging along your ceiling, or stuck in the vent in the office bathroom. As long as you are not happy, you continually produce bubbles that keep you in the air. Oh yeah, and if you think you can just bob around up there spouting how you feel, all that will come out are bubbles until you can use your big words.
If I think about it, Disney figured this out sort of, back when Mary Poppins arrived in theatres. It was backwards, however, as coming down off the ceiling was brought about only after being sad. Well, I say, let’s turn that frown upside down…
I will add in a caviot that allows for all toddlers to have natural immunity to this, as all parents need to go through the trenches of toddlers, it builds great character! Besides, I do not want to imagine dirty diapers and soggy teething biscuits dropping out of the sky, willy nilly.
My new bubble idea has many great advantages, though I will admit that there are some challenges, possibly even some flaws that I have not foreseen. But as our world has taught us, so fully, this planet is filled with many souls who rise to challenges, and are also the inventors of the future, and nothing beautiful that we have ever dreamt of comes without a rough draft…
I left some drinks for you to take, and I tried to make sure there would be a flavor for everyone’s liking… Trust me, it won’t hurt, and it will be over before you know it…
This always works… here, have a sucker!
My girlfriend and I took a drive up the pass of Snoqualmie the other day and it was absolutely spectacular! The great state of Washington, for me, is the only place where I can do absolutely any outdoor activity or sport, by simply hopping in a car and toodling less than 2 to 3 hours in any direction. Speaking of activities, our beautiful drive gave me pause to reflect on several really good memories that I had forgotten were there.
I was born in the country, raised all over the place, and gained a passion for camping and the outdoors from very early on. I was sitting on the back of my own pony, Candy, from the time I was 2; growing into an accomplished rider, I might add.
So, what do you think was going to happen when I had kids? I was camping with my baby in a front pack, and by the time my first daughter was 15 months old, I had her in a makeshift harness that I strapped to my chest, and we did a full on Poker Run (she only rode for tiny bits). With the addition of each baby, I gained at least one dog, bunny or cat to build up our menagerie.
My children became the most proficient campers, fishermaids, horseback riders, and pet owners known to man… Mamma is PROUD!!! Of all our adventures, I have to say that fishing was foremost their favorite activity; they never even flinched at worms on hooks, or descaling, or even gutting, and let me tell you they would desolate a foil packet filled with garlic butter covered Rainbow Trout!
And so, without further ado, I will relate one such memory that came to mind as we drove through the mountains the other morning…
It was the North Cascades that drew us on that particular weekend. There was a group of about 5 families, connected through the girls dad, that always gathered and planned for at least 4 or 5 trips a year. I was so excited for this trip, as I had heard about the Rainbow trout in the area, so off we went in our Suburban, loaded down with kids, dogs, gear, food, and the like. It so happened that our family drew the straw of arriving early and claiming space for the small village to arrive later in the day.
Arrive early we did, and set about the campground to make ready the central cooking pit area where all the food would be served. I was so excited about fishing, I was simply milling around the campfire spilling orders out to my minions, waving a rolled up magazine, ridiculously, as if I were the conductor of a symphony. This isn’t the reason for my funny story, but I am telling it anyway since it makes me die laughing at myself.
As I was standing there barking orders, I saw the biggest, furriest, and loudest Black Bumble Bee I have ever seen… In my life! I saw this thing from all the way across the fire pit, as well as everybody else, due to the fact that it buzzed so loud… it was like slow motion. Keeping this in mind, I have written it out play by play… sorry … it only works this way…
I saw the bee slowly move toward me from across the pit
It just slowly advanced
I thought… it’s not gonna keep coming, nah…
Kept a comin … steadily advancing… like it knew me, or something…
All I had in my defense was a stupid rolled up magazine…
Don’t do it… I will swing mister…
It came for me… So I swung with all my might… smacking said bee right down my shirt… where the bugger stung me right in the chest… knocked me to my knees…
Did anyone come to my rescue, you might ask, nope… they were all rolling on the ground, laughing hysterically at what must have looked comical, to say the least. Yes, I lived… duh… country born! This funny event set the tone for a hilarious camping weekend with friends, but I will take you to the favorite bit that I cherish.
My middle daughter, is the most like me in both character and nature, so she was our most skilled at this sport as she got older. On this trip she was sporting a brand spanking new Barbie pole, that she was so so proud to use. There she was that Saturday morning, out on the dock, with us big dogs and all our poles in the water; sitting in a tiny chair, holding on to her Barbie pole while patiently watching the little bobber out on the water.
In the blink of an eye, she snagged a fish, and it yanked the pole straight out of her hands and out into the middle of the lake. There it just floated around in a small circle, breaking my poor baby’s heart. She just stood there quietly, with little tears falling down her cheeks, but trying so hard to be a big girl and not make a fuss.
Forget her, we all lost our ju ju’s! Absolutely outrageous!! As we were looking around for a boat or something, our friend (an avid fisherman) simply took his pole out, and with practiced ease he cast out and full on hooked her pole, I kid you not! He just slowly and methodically began to reel it in, with all of us cheering and laughing, totally forgetting our little Fisher maid momentarily, in all the fuss.
As God is my witness, when he pulled the pole out of the water and handed it back to my princess, she reeled in a Rainbow Trout bigger than any we had already caught, or ever did catch that weekend.
If I ever find the picture we took of her with her fish, I will replace it for the one I used that was my haul…
Listen to? While I appreciate the innocence of the above question, one might seriously begin to worry about the profiling going on around these here parts…
What kind of shenanigans can we get into if we simply change a single word in the prompt question, for example:
Who do you listen to while you work? That asks for a name, but it offers the choice of what comes out of their mouth… music, literature… the list goes on and on.
Why do you listen while you work?
or
How do you listen while you work? Are you wearing a headset, listening to a radio, or maybe you work outside or even in a library… that would change things up.
I will bend your brain a bit more by switching to the end of the question. One can come up with even more rabbit holes in this prompt by changing the last word a few times.
What do you listen to while you play, sleep, eat or work?
Let us not forget to change the middle while we are at it…
It might not just be for while I work, but also where or even if I work?
The point is, I have no intention of sharing personal information about what I am doing and I am stalling long enough to put out this plate of cookies for anyone who was actually curious, in any fashion, as to what I listen to while I work… maybe I just whistle!
Ok, so they are more like a gooey pudding brownie, but I still think they will put a smile on your face…
Journey With Me! 