for the LOVE of a DOG

My sweet friend, Bramble, is snoozing all cozy and warm in her "necklace" made for her by our friend, Sharon. (It really is loose, even though it looks like it's not . . her hair is doing funny stuff!)   If you read older posts you know Bramble has recently had surgery on her leg and she is all healed up, back to her normal "cow chores" and power walks with me. She is such a pal and companion. I just appreciate her personality and companionship so much!!!

We have always had dogs and cats as pets and they just add so much to our lives. The dog we had before Bramble was a male American Pointer. His name was Rocky and he was 14 years old when someone driving up our road just stopped and dog-napped him from the side of the road. He had been my pal and power walk companion and was a great dog. He grew old here and we believed he would probably not make it through the rest of the winter. But on my birthday someone took him and I never saw him again. We did everything we could to find him and put the word out in two counties. It just broke my heart and took me several months to process and be able to "let him go" and start looking for another doggie friend.

We have had several dogs just disappear and that is so hard to deal with. We have had some hit by passing cars and while the loss is hard, at least we know what happened to them.

Our canine friends are such a gift and a blessing in our lives and I'm so thankful for the gifts the Lord give us in them. And, our sweet Bramble is our current "gift and blessing" . . . and very spoiled. Thank you Lord for our Bramble!

Teeny, Tiny FARMGIRL

Now, isn't this just the cutest little farmgirl!   This is an ATC made special for me by a gal in an ATC swap group through Yahoo.   She looked at my "likes" and incorporated so many of them into the same tiny, little piece of art.  She told me that she got the "farmgirl", "flowers", "country" and suggests "apron" in the apple strip for an example of fabric one would make an apron out of . . . all in the same interpretation.  I was just tickled all shades of pink when I got this in the mail!  Not only is it cute but it DOES fit me so well and I was just so impressed with Jeri's attention to doing something that incorporated so many of my choices.

I am reminded of the unique characteristics that our Creator has given us to make us who we are, to create our personalities.  And how He has gifted us so lovingly and carefully with talents, skills and gifts . . . unique to us as His individual children.  What a Heavenly Father we have!!!

LOVE SPOKEN HERE

The embroidered "bird" pillow is made from a cover made by Farmgirl Miss Wilma and gifted to me as a RAOK gift by Laurie.  I finished making it into a pillow.  The little pillow is a hooked piece I found at a thrift store for a few pennies, finished it with piping and garnet red corduroy backing, polyfill and have a cute little pillow for my living room  . . and to take "glamping".

Yes, love IS spoken here!  First of all, is the love we have for our God and Savior and for the Gift HE has given us in LIFE!!!   HE is our Provider, Shepherd, Comforter, Healer, Encourager, Redeemer and Loving Father!  
We love our family!  Another gift we have been given by the Heavenly Father is our earthly family.  And, we are blessed with a bunch of folks that are funny, quirky, annoying, unique and altogether lovely!  FAMILY!!!  The most important relationships we have on this earth.

We love our neighbors!  God has gifted us with neighbors, in our rural farming area, that are the BEST neighbors.  I can't think of any that are really annoying or irritating either.  We take turns taking care of animals and propery for each other, we share in needs, heartaches, fun times and laughter!

We love our friends!  Another heavenly gift are those we count as those who have similiar interests, kindred spirits on some level and are those who generally take us as we come!

Love comes in many "colors" and "flavors" but love is still that which we give without strings attached, without expecting anything in return.  It is the language of the HEART!  Our physical hearts are what keep us alive!  Our "love" hearts are what keep us going in the matters that matter, what keep us sane and moving through life, giving us everything we need to weather the storms, manage the obstacles and come out with our spirits, attitudes and our "love" hearts still ticking!

YOU CAN COUNT ON IT!!!
LOVE IS SPOKEN HERE!!!

"RANDOM ACTS of KINDNESS"

A "RAOK" gift to me by my special friend, Debbie

What a different world we would live in if we all, or certainly more of us, regularly practiced this business of "Random Acts of Kindness".   I think the most important part of this is KINDNESS.   Just giving and sharing in a manner that makes someone feel cared for, loved and appreciated.  No strings attached.  No questions asked.  No motives questioned.


The second most important aspect is RANDOM . . . whenever, whatever, and to whomever.  No particular rhyme or reason, no schedule, no assignments . . . just because that "is what I want to do now" and that "is the person I want to share this with".


I am finding such joy and pleasure in practicing random acts of kindness more and more.  I sometimes call it "surprised by joy".  And that just makes my day!!  Recently, while on one of my  many thrift store forays I found a partially embroidered piece that would make a great framed wall hanging or pillow top or something similiar.   Because of the nature of the piece and what I know about a certain friend, my immediate "joy" was twofold; 1) the piece was GORGEOUS, and 2) I knew just who to give it to.  She told me she was delighted to receive it and rarin' to go on finishing the embroidery on it.


I've read, heard and been told many times and many years ago that the best way to get yourself out of the doldrums or a depressed state is to focus on someone else.  It could be just being there for someone who is struggling or it could be an active pursuit of  a "Random Act of Kindness".  I am always humbled, touched and ministered to when I am the recipient!  The thought of someone thinking of me . . . of sharing with me . . . of sending me something that will just make me smile!


I have MaryJane Butters' 2012 calendar on my wall and I have seen that February 17th is noted to be "Random Act of Kindness" Day.   I'm encouraging my farmgirl friends to look around and see who needs to be remembered on this day.  I certainly have plans for sharing with some friends that I hope  are just "surprised by joy".  Who will join me??

"Mr. Teddy" and his big heart just remind me of  the beauty of "Random Acts of Kindness"