Star-Spangled Honor Bliss 2024 Summer Yard Art by (sexy! & topps!) aka: robert & sandra #bliss
we didn't necessarily plan it out this way; but great timing for memorial day and 4th of july.. then we have a couple more layers to add. our summer fun project. and, my husband can shape-shift like no other.. he converted the cross into a rectangle shape, and to be honest, i just marvel at how quickly and instinctively he decides/arranges/secures the materials.. and we both enjoyed the new abstract & groovy, very colorful and mix-matched rectangle that resulted from the shift.. like, it seem to work as its own unique art design.. and i'm missing the picture when the groovy rectangle was primed and entirely white, which was also its own kind of cool look.. but, from all white, on then to measurements for the 13 stripes and blue area with 50 stars.. and, honey.. there was some math involved! figuring out what size the stars needed to be and for their placement.. it's all a "Thank You!" prayer
hallelujah! selah! amen! #bliss
#vellumdays may 2024
Sebastian & Valerie, "Thank You!" again for another 5 star camping experience
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and "Thank You!" -extra blessed this year with a custom spotify music playlist, next level advanced pan, handmade gifts, cards, texts, flowers, pictures from all the kids and grandkids -plus an extra special afternoon with my best mom, and best daughter ever
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speaking of extra special and grandkids.. love every game we get to attend.. and i can't be shy.. we do have a future super star.. first time pitching, he went 3 rounds.. 9 pitches; 3 outs.. a no hitter..
and another fav moment.. watching him seek out/get advice from pops
"now with this pitcher, you need to swing the bat under a little [like this/example] not an even swing.. [example]
and then he went up to bat, and got a triple!
fun, fun, fun.. plus dad coaches.. the family and friend visits.. watching all these young athletes develop their skills, learn and master the instincts... everything i loved when i was a parent of little leaguers; i now enjoy as a grandparent of...
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and speaking of extra special and grandparents.. most grateful for a fun and happy birthday for my best dad ever.. sporting his fav T... love a family gathering and celebration that includes bbq steak, cake & ice cream.. xoxo and wild isn't it, how
the past year went by in just a couple weeks..
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and "Thank You!" Wilsons for such a beautiful nature hike! and fantastic lunch!
We had never been to Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve for a hike, or Ladera Grill in morgan hill for lunch.. what a win/win! -and we just cherish your friendship and look forward to more activities
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and we dont have pix for each and every blessing; every special occasion.. but sure are grateful for our afternoons/evenings.. the exchange of spontaneous invitations to share some time, drinks, meals with the georges..
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and thank here too... our neighbor eric for helping with a car repair that allowed us to get to and from petaluma safely.
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the in between times we've been steadily working on our summer yard art...
hallelujah! amen! "cheers!"
Surviving the Unsurvivable; Reigning the most Remarkable (ginkgos!) to (me!) ~sandra
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i've already written -and so, just add on here: as 'the oldest tree on earth' -tree w/longest history on earth based on fossil finds
well, it goes without saying really, that any living thing on earth which lives a long time;
you can already know, it has endured a variety of obstacles; avoiding and/or impervious to certain life-threatening dangers, coupled with containing, attracting life affirming/sustaining attributes
the ginkgos history alone suggests unusual, rare and remarkable survivor powers
but as yet another testament to that truth -prior to our recent visit to the 5 star petaluma KOA campgrounds, i learned about a ginkgo planted at the petaluma community center, which was born from seeds that are descendants from ginkgos which survived the atomic bomb in hiroshima
i'm sure it's just one of many examples of this tree surviving the unsurvivable because, as its fossils pre-date dinosaurs, there is so much more we'll never know -what extent/intensity/duration of environmental elements..
and so worth repeating for me.. 'the more i learn about this tree.. the more i want to learn more about this tree!'
and grateful to have had the opportunity to visit this extra special ginkgo in petaluma -took some pictures; gave it a hug.. communicated telepathically, if you will.. i love you, you are awesome! we have a tree from your family at our house.. i was inspired to write all about the first time i met you..
and when we returned home, i shared with our ginkgo.. met another member of your family..
what a family tree you have!
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all that, and it's so pretty to look at: beauty for ashes; made me think of the scripture:
Isaiah 61:3 To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion -- to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened and failing spirit -- that they may be called oaks of righteousness [*lofty, strong and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice and right standing with God] the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.
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close here w/a thank you to the two gentleman working at the petaluma community center when we stopped by -appreciated your guidance
and one of them shared about an anne frank tree at sonoma state, which we did not get a chance to visit..
but wow! and thank you! to anyone/everyone who is collecting/saving/nurturing/protecting and re-distributing seeds like this -vitally important and noble! contribution
selah! amen & hallelujah #ginkgo #guise
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off topic: *daughter has made a wordle fan out of me.. i can no longer not notice cool 5 letter words..
i.e., we were just at home "depot!" two vowels and great consonants...
it would prevent me from posting more vellum days pics, or i would write a few pages here about the distinctions between online/digital and printed/book forms of wordle
Return to the scene of great times! (los gatos, vasona, oak meadow, lexington reservoir!)
that was all 'encore' from previous rides..
but NEW to us this year, and a fantastic finale to an already awesome day:
luna, mexican kitchen, pruneyard, campbell, ca
and it certainly lived up to, perhaps exceeded, every raving review
"thank you!" for this recommendation, the wonderful meals/drinks
and to Juan C, for your excellent, friendly service
"cheers! hallelujah & amen"
patience & perseverance by (me!) ~topps ~writeousmom
i'll never forget the first time i walked into the left handers store at the wharf in san francisco. i did not even know such a store existed.. and how playful and fun to see so many items, from scissors, to notepads; kitchen tools to garden tools.. which had been etched in my mind as i saw them my whole life
suddenly -flipped. re-oriented. -everything was backwards, so to speak
and i do remember the notepads with the metal swirl binding on the opposite side from every school pad i'd ever seen.. and awkwardly adjusted to using
but in truth, it is the paper pads with the binding at the top; not the sides, that are most conducive to writing
i still regard myself as write handed though; write handed lefty
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new topic: part of the writeousmom wisdom i repeated often to my now grown children was this: always pay attention to what money can, and cannot do
i've learned and now teach this: you can pay someone to take care of your yard; you can pay someone to clean your house; you can pay someone to shop for you, cook for you, -even do your homework
you can pay for haircuts, braces, new shoes -vacations..
but you cannot pay anyone to cultivate a relationship with Jesus for you. -there is no amount of money that accomplishes this goal
the only way you can cultivate a relationship with Jesus is by actually doing it yourself via prayer and Bible Teachers and the Bible -and i recommend it in that order
true, people can 'pray for you' [but you should never pay anyone to pray for you!] but the relationship you will cultivate with Jesus; God; love; truth; spirit; its yours to do on your own, at your own pace; for free
entirely up to you. when you are ready.. when you so desire.. Jesus is eternally, so patiently, waiting with love, hope & faith.. in YOU
selah! xoxo hallelujah & amen
/which reminds me.. we are the only species that can and does pray.. the only species which can and does document its existence, thoughts, hopes & dreams.. the only species which can and does invite God to examine their heart, mind, thoughts... i could go on and on..
-like, have you been taught, things that are free have less value than expensive things? laughing to myself here because i wrote about -somewhere in my archives..
playfully being God's publicist/marketing director/CEO 'the problem, you see Jesus.. is that churches are giving the Bible away FOR FREE... -tends to get taken for granted.. but what we can learn here from hostess' business closing, and having twinkies disappear from the shelves.. no longer available after all these years... well, those twinkies are selling for THOU$AND$!"
but! about to post pictures from our awesome bike ride in los gatos; filled with gratitude! and JOY from this experience
National Day of Prayer... oh! it's today
i did not have it memorized on my own, (it is not pre-programmed in my phone calendar as several other days of recognition are; it is not pre-printed on my paper wall calendar, as several other days of recognition are; but rather, just (re)learned via Joyce Meyer's Enjoying Everyday Life program, that today, being the 1st Thursday of may, is
National Day of Prayer
this inspired me to share here, again, an abbreviated version of our morning prayer, which we pray, 7 days a week; 365:
First Robert prays in a very thorough, very detailed way, for every member of our family and extended family; for our friends and neighbors; for leaders, military, first responders.. and more
I always close our prayers with these words: "Jesus, in your praiseworthy, trustworthy, chain-breaking, pain-taking, way-making; all merciful, all grace-filled, all healing, all loving name; this is the day that you have made; we rejoice! are creative and productive, blessed to be a blessing, enormously grateful! we take care of our responsibilities, but cast our cares, Jesus your yoke is light, and we glorify your name by enjoying this day.. amen
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i'd be unable to count the number of scriptures that share about Jesus sacrifice so that we can experience joy; the number of scriptures that include the word JOY
and i could go on and on on this topic today, but we are about to go thoroughly enJOY this gorgeous day
but close here with how we spiritually process our lives: everything is a gratitude prayer; all our spending is tithing
i.e., a bike ride in nature IS OUR WAY OF SAYING THANK YOU for the gorgeous landscape, all the plants and flowers, the fresh air, the mobility of our bodies.. our love and relationship to each other; on and on
any spending we do to keep the bikes operating, (local bike business) on food for our picnic, etc. -we regard it all tithing
when we shop/provide for our driveway happy hours 'tithing to our neighborhood & community!'
any shopping at local stores; eating at local restaurants 'tithing to our community!'
money we spend on the paint we use to cover vandalism/destruction of property via graffiti.. 'tithing'
all shopping, spending, investing is tithing in one form or another; helping keep our favorite businesses, eateries open, hire/maintain employees,
it's all support -and here also acknowledge tithing can take the form of spending time & energy; not just money
SELAH!
Season Opener -driveway happy hour 2024 #vellumdays
one of our favorite ways to fellowship.. and say "Thank You Jesus!" -because we really do have some pretty awesome neighbor friends -these driveway happy hours always yield a great opportunity to relax and visit, catch up.. and such a wonderful variety of homemade dishes, desserts.. -this is the first of several we will host throughout the spring/summer. -five months of extra long days ahead
hallelujah & amen
Return to the scene of great times! 1st bike ride of 2024
one of our local favorites. it's the coyote creek trail segment of the longer bay area ridge trail. gorgeous for its wildflowers; delightful for it's blend of wide open & tree canopied stretches; grateful to God for the landscape; and the abundance of water in the creek this year
we start at coyote creek visitor center/anderson lake county park in morgan hill; 1/2 picnic...
ride to hellyer park, san jose, 2nd 1/2 of our picnic, rest, enjoy the lake, fresh air, trees.. wildlife..
and then ride back to morgan hill -approx 30 mile total.
1st of many bike rides this year; that's the prayer.. hallelujah & amen
"ENCORE! ENCORE!" nate bargatze @ SAP in San Jose
favorite experiences 2024.. and it is wonderful to laugh out loud! but to laugh at loud with friends, after a wonderful visit over a meal -san pedro square
thank my daughter for introducing us to this giant talent of a comedian
and thank our friends for extending the invite to his be funny tour
so HIGHLY RECOMMEND him to absolutely everybody -non-stop laughter, this live event
and i've watched every available special/show available on TV.. LOVE! his material and the master level comedic craft he employs to deliver it
-once again, feel so blessed to be audience to... "Thank You!" hallelujah & amen
#vellumdays in progress
what's growing on around here. spring 2024 -photo collage by (me!) ~topps
and i love it all! to be sure; but especially pleased to watch
our prayer plant grow and thrive
and this is the first time ever! i've kept an orchid after the initial blooms died and..
waited...
and waited...
and waited...
and re-potted.. and fertilized... (thank you here nice person with time lapse 2 min how-to video);
and waited...
and accidentally scorched a couple leaves in sun trying to force expedite the blooms..
relocated and waited...
back to original location of initial blooms..
and tell everyone, 'i think it is perfectly okay to toss an orchid and just buy a new one...'
and at looooong last!
this orchid was gifted to me by my dad/chris feb 2023; nurtured via advice from friends/neighbors karl/erika; a youtube video or two.. adjustments.. observations.. prayer... tlc.. time itself...
so, a high gratification factor here to watch it re-bloom; but..
i still think it is perfectly okay to toss or give away an orchid post blooms, and buy an already blooming orchid to enjoy each season
call it tithing. selah! & amen.
the more things change -thought files writeousmom.com
again, -nothing original in essence of content; just more validation
made me think of the french writer, jean-baptise alphonse karr
and a quote my dad repeated often in english
"plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose"
but mostly, i think of today's younger population; so savvy with social media; technology..
A.I. assistance at their fingertips; our ivy league graduates
what might you learn from the wisdom of your elders -about life itself; with or without technology
what might anyone learn from the Bible -whether of another faith; or agnostic or atheist'?
how wonderful if there was an appetite for wisdom; and not just knowledge; for truth and not just facts
Proverbs 2: 1-8
Proverbs 9:10-11
Introduced now to the astonishing John Lone by (me!) ~topps
utterly astonishing. the lion dance share of my attention went to charlie.. mesmerized by every scene; scene after scene after scene -the body language; lack of language; facial expression; vocal expression.. interaction with others; interaction with what his character would find novel.. the way charlie processed contact with unfamiliar objects; places; environments... people..
how did he do that? hope he won best actor oscar! every acting school should be using this performance as the example of a masterpiece.. can't get better.. could not be improved upon; perfect!
and the entire cast was quality; the story itself; quality; the cinematography/direction/editing/soundtrack; everything was quality for its time; seen in context.
and when you watch a movie which was released in April of 1984, from the vantage point of April 2024
well, you can see all the time stamps; how much more movie-makers have at their fingertips today, that was unimaginable in 1984 and anytime before
but its a truth about humans that remains true no matter what era: this instinct/need/desire to share a story and humans continue to use whatever is available to them at the given time to make manifest..
so, to see what was available to these movie makers at the time.. the graphics; the attire/costumes/uniforms/clothes -hairstyles.. settings.. special effects.. whatever cameras/technology..
what might this movie look like if it was made today?!? but, i cant imagine, in my wildest imagination, and i do have a pretty solidly wild imagination
that any actor; from any generation; back or forth
could even come close to the astonishing performance of john lone as charlie. if we isolate just his performance -there is no time stamp- when it comes to the level of acting
his master level craft!
he is absolutely... convincing and
mesmerizing as a neanderthal discovered by scientists after being cryogenically suspended for 40,000 years
the opportunities for 'charlie' to be a caricature of... million to one
and so, in my humble opinion, john lone is one in a million and i'm giving him my imaginary oscar for best actor in iceman, 1984 movie
then of course, i had to research and learn more..
and, next rainy day, we will be watching the last emperor
"selah!" what a blessing to be audience to the greats in any field..
Philippians 4:8
Thank You Jesus, amen
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