God's Voice Mail

Our pastor read the following item during his sermon today. His comments on it were how thankful we should be that this isn't true and that we have immediate access to God any time any where.

http://forum.letssingit.com/topic/250645/gods-voice-mail/1

Christmas 2007

Debra and baby Dennis

Bud and wife Ellie, Al's sister, playing mystery gift guessing game.
Donna guessed it and got it--a rooster- crowing timer.

Cousin Marc opening magic waste basket

Wendy's cousin Michael

Brent, Wendy's cousin, with Marc's dog Chester.

This is Dennis Michael Heffner, born October 6 to Marc and Debra. Marc is a nephew of Al's.

Recent Photo

In case you've forgotten what we look like, this was taken over Thanksgiving weekend at a castle near here. Mt. St. Helena is "looming" in the background. I wanted to replace my photo on the profile with this one but couldn't figure out how. So Wendy, it's in your hands now. It needs cropping too.

Christmas Eve

We played a game of Scrabble tonight and I got the highest score ever in a real game. It was 409 points with no bingos. I just got lucky I guess. Tomorrow we're going to Al's sister's for the day here in St. Helena. Wed. we'll be at my brother's near Sacramento.

Merry Christmas to all who read my blog.

Quote

"FORBIDDEN FRUIT CREATES MANY JAMS."
--Church sign

Money to Vets?

The American Institute of Philanthropy has graded veterans organizations who solicit money for vets. Check out the list before sending money. The organization I committed to on the phone last week got an F. I won't be sending a contribution! Check out the report at
http://abcnews.go.com/images/Blotter/charity_reportcard_v3_071109.pdf

Wendy made the news

Wendy and her friend Annie took their dogs sledding and a photographer from the Lincoln newspaper was out looking for a winter shot. It was in today's paper. See more photos on Wendy's blog.

The Last Rose of Summer

I took this photo in Michigan--not Calilfornia!

A Birthday

Today we invited Al's sister's family for lunch. It was also Ellie's birthday. Here she's with her husband Bud and his great granddaughter Cassandra. I made vegetarian stroganoff and it was yummy. Today was full. After lunch and visiting, we went to church to hear Kelly Mowrer perform at the piano this afternoon. Her 2 sisters were with her and they sang some of the songs. From there we went on a progressive Christmas social at 6 homes here in Angwin through the evening.

Unique Christmas Decoration

I bet no one else has ever had a ring of persimmons around the bottom of their Christmas tree! Al picked a big box of them free from a neighbor of his sister's and they are here to ripen. We'll be eating them and freezing what we can't eat. Come join us.

'Tis the season

I thought this rather unique. This bike sits out near the street a couple blocks away and it's always decorated for the season. I wonder if kids think Santa comes on a bike in California. Do take note of all the green foliage that will last all winter :-).


Actually we're doing quite well with our poison oak this time. Mine is past its peak and blisters are drying. The itching is practically gone. Al has further to go because he's got such a bigger area affected. We have found it is true that if you take a very hot, long shower it releases the histamine that causes the itching giving relief for hours. I also think it helps dry it up. Remember that if you're ever exposed.

Here We Go AGAIN

Al has been digging up poison oak roots this week and true to form, he got poison oak again. Not only that, he has transferred it to me too. So, since Wed. it has been spreading to other areas and enlarging its borders. I'm not a happy camper!

Lucky shot

I was out for a walk and just happened upon this cat posing for me. I tried to get closer for another one but he took off like a scared rabbit.

Ready for Christmas

I put up our tree last Sunday in the place where our wood burner used to be. We said good bye and good riddance to it! The bottom we'll use for a fire pit outdoors and the top we'll turn upside down and make a planter.

Thanksgiving

Larry and Ruth with Mt. St. Helena in distance.

Castello de Amorosa near Calistogo that we visited with Larry and Ruth.

New friends L-R: Judith, Sylvia, Audra and Bruno after Thanksgiving dinner.

Out in the Cold

The last couple nights I've been star gazing. Last night I was supposed to see the Holmes Comet. No luck! Tonight it was meteorite shower. No luck again. It was too cold not to be dressed for it and my neck got sore. I think I'll try again in the summer. . .

Fall Grapes

I think 99% of the grapes are harvested now but I couldn't resist one more photo of the fall colors here.

Puzzle

Yesterday I bought a couple puzzles at the thrift store in anticipation for a different thing to do during the holidays. Pictured is a mosaic tiger. Most of the the puzzle was together. I only had to put in about 50 pieces. Each tiny half inch square is a scene of African animals. The puzzles pieces themselves are 1 inch. I thought it was going to be a nightmare to solve but had it done in short order. Come on over and put it together again yourself.

Trivia Item

Ronald Reagan was the oldest president elected, at age 69, and the oldest person to serve as president, at age 77 when his term ended.

You can use this information however you choose. Everyone seems to think Reagan did a good job. Maybe lots of experience is the best qualification for being president. It certainly doesn't hurt!

More presidential trivia:

Since George Washington's death in the 1790s, presidents or former presidents have died in every decade except four: the 1800s, 1810s, 1950s, and 1980s. No president or former president has died in the month of May.

Another odd coincidence occurred among the second and third Presidents, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. Bitter rivals throughout much of their lives, they both died on the same day, exactly fifty years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It has been rumored that Adams' last words were "Jefferson lives," not knowing that the former president had died just hours before.

Starting in 1840, every president who was elected in a year ending with a 0 (zero) died in office: Harrison (1840), Lincoln (1860), Garfield (1880), McKinley (1900), Harding (1920), Roosevelt (1940), and Kennedy (1960). The streak was broken with Reagan (1980).

The three presidents who presided over the bulk of the Vietnam War all died on the 22nd: Kennedy (November 22, 1963), Johnson (January 22, 1973), and Nixon (April 22, 1994).

I heard a girl sing this song at church and was very impressed by the lyrics.

"Feel the Nails" by Ray Boltz

1st verse
They tell me Jesus died
For my transgressions
That he paid that price a long, long time ago
When he gave his life for me
On a hill called Calvary
But there's something else I want to know

Chorus
Does he still feel the nails
Every time I fail
Can he hear the crowd cry "Crucify" again
Am I causing him pain
Then I know I've got to change
I just can't bear the thought of hurting him.

2nd verse
It seems that I'm so good at breaking promises
And I treat his precious grace so carelessly
But each time he forgives
What if he re-lives
The agony He felt on that tree

Chorus 1x

Holy, holy
Holy is the Lord
Holy Holy
Holy is the Lord

Do you still feel the nails
Every time I fail
Have I crucified you Jesus with my sins
Oh I'm tired of playing games
I really want to change
I never want to hurt you again

Holy, Holy
Holy is the Lord
Holy, Holy
Holy is the Lord

Shopping

Today I went shopping in Santa Rosa with my friend Norma who lives over there. She's helping me find my way around town. It's quite a big city and is very sprawled out. I actually found some items I've been looking for so it wasn't a wasted trip. I bought a flat screen computer monitor among other things and have hopes of getting connected to Skype. I'm hoping some of you out there have it too so we can talk free.

Camping

Fishermen near boat ramp.

We went camping with the El Dorado Nature Club this weekend at Pine Acres Resort on Blue Lake about 1 1/2 hrs. north of us and just west of Clearlake. While the sun was shining, it was beautiful and the best place we've gone so far with the club. It did rain all day Saturday but otherwise we couldn't complain.

This is the campground from across the end of the lake.

This was taken from the beach area.

One of the men said he saw an otter on the lake but the rest of us missed it. There were lots of waterfowl though.

Vitamin D deficiency

While it's on my mind, I want to let you know that it's easier to get a vitamin D deficiency than you think. I don't know of anyone talking about being tested for it either. Those of us who live in California certainly shouldn't ever be deficient since the sun helps make it. However, my doctor just tested it for me because I also have some bone loss and found mine to be low--there is a connection between the two. Not everyone makes enough or absorbs enough to be in the normal range.

I found the link below to explain how it works and the connection with D deficiency and other diseases besides the usual Ricketts disease from extremely low amounts. I hope you'll read it and be educated.

http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitamind.asp

When I took this photo a couple weeks ago the camelias were just starting to bloom. Now it is covered with blossoms and buds. There is also a layer of pink petals on the ground underneath.

We have one more of the same bush at the corner of the house.

Tomorrow, Friday, we are going camping for the weekend with the El Dorado Nature Club. It will be at a campground on Blue Lake about 1 1/2 hr. north of us. It's supposed to rain some time over the weekend so I don't know if we'll be able to go boating but I'm hoping we can get in a ride in a double Kayak.

Valley

I take photos of the valley frequently because it always changing. This one shows a layer of fog hanging over it. Underneath it just looks like a heavy cloud cover. From our house we can see when there's fog down there but this photo was taken more than half way down to it.

I took this photo of a plane coming in for a landing at the PUC airport Sabbath while on a walk up that way.

Beautiful Day

After a beautiful day in the upper 70's we had a great sunset too.

Brent's birthday

Brent opening gifts.

Quilts

My friend Linda in MI had 26 quilts in her house made by her mother, grandmother, strangers and herself.

Family gathering

A group photo of Illinois relatives and Larry, Mom and I.

Another building

Al put together an 8x10 vinyl shed this week. Now we can get stuff moved out of the garage.

Home Again

I came back from visiting in IL and MI yesterday afternoon as tired as possible. It was a very busy 10 days seeing everyone I wanted to so I had to come home for a vacation. Actually, I've worked here all day--4 loads of laundry, cleaned the whole house including mopping floors, went through mail, made bread and soymilk,and shadowed my blind friend for an hour. I still plan to get in a good walk soon.

I'm tired but it's a different kind. I appreciate my own bed after having slept in 5 different places. Tomorrow I'll tackle some outdoor work.

Leaving Town

Since I'll be in Illinois and Michigan for 10 days, I decided to leave you with the following thoughts:

"My dear friends,this is the second letter I've written to you. In both of them I've tried to remind you of what I taught you before. I don't want you to forget what the ancient prophets predicted and what we, as apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ, told you we saw with our own eyes.

"Understand that not only now, but especially in the last days, people will ridicule anything, including the word of God. They will consider only their own selfish desires. They'll make fun of Christ's return, saying, 'We've heard about His coming for years, and now our parents have died and He still hasn't come. Things will always continue to go on, as they always have.

"But what these critics ignore is that God created the heavens very long ago. Then He created the earth with its water and dry land and did so by the power of His word. During the days of Noah, He used water to destroy the earth and everything on it. This shows that God can do with this planet whatever He wants. He preserves the heavens and the earth as they are now, but He has reserved the earth to be purged by fire on the day of His judgment, when all who are ungodly will be destroyed.

"Because time has lasted this long is no indication that God has changed His mind. With God, time is not a factor--one day or a thousand years--it makes no difference in His purposes. This doesn't mean that the Lord is slow in keeping His promises, or that He does things only when He gets around to it. TIME HAS GONE ON ONLY BECAUSE OF GOD'S PATIENCE AND KINDNESS. He loves everyone, even the wicked, and He doesn't want anyone to lose out on heaven but to turn from their sins and be saved."
2 Peter 3:1-9

Verses 12-15
"As we look forward to the day of Christ, let's do everything we can to speed its coming. And when that day comes, the heavens themselves will be on fire and the surface of the earth will melt because of the intense heat. But in harmony with God's promise, we look beyond all this to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of the righteous.

"My dear friends, as you look forward to that day, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Christ. CONSIDER HIS DELAY AS EVIDENCE OF HIS GREAT PATIENCE AND LOVE AND AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR OTHERS TO REPENT OF THEIR SINS AND BE SAVED."

Unique experience

This morning I was a "shadow" for a lady who lives here in Angwin. She is going blind and is learning the skills needed to negotiate through life. I followed behind her as she used a cane from her house to a building on the PUC campus where she goes for various help and materials. It's amazing what blind people can learn to do. I really appreciate her attitude toward her blindness and acceptance of it.

I took this picture on my walk yesterday. The fields are slowly turning red.

Camping

Sabbath was a beautiful day for our camping trip. One of the members showed wildlife photos from their trip to Alaska. And we heard a mission story from Thailand. It was about a man who helped people withdraw from opium cold turkey. His success rate was 80% compared to the government program of 30%. I learned a new card game called baseball which uses Skip-Bo cards.

Here's a photo of our woodburner which we lit last Fri. morning. The fire blew out 2 glass panes. Some glass is on the bricks but most was pulled in by the airflow. It was a little scary.

Going camping

We joined a nature club that goes group RV camping about 8 mo. out of the year. This weekend we're going to an RV resort in Dunnigan, CA. It's supposed to be one of the nicest grounds the club goes to. A report will follow Sun. night.

Hum or roar

The fans have started running in the vineyards when the temp gets too low. The big round one is old. The more streamline ones are the new design.

Answer to "What is it?"

It's an owl house. They keep the population of gophers down. We frequently hear them at night during the summer. Last night Al heard the coyotes. I slept.

What is it?

Why is this box in the vineyard? What is it for?

New project

Al is going to put together a 10X8 vinyl shed.

Fall grapes

I took these photos today in the valley. Some vineyards are still green, some have yellow leaves and others red. It's really getting pretty!

Ladies' Group

I've missed my ladies' Bible study group in Michigan. In the St. Helena bulletin I've seen a ladies' prayer group listed on Tues. and Thurs. so this afternoon I decided to go to the leader's house and check it out. There were 6 of them and we were there for 2 1/2 hrs. We socialized, sang a few songs, prayed longer than I think I ever have, talked and had a light supper in honor of one lady's birthday. I've seen most of these women at church but didn't know names. They are a very nice bunch so I plan to join the group. I also can learn more about what goes on at church behind the scenes. A CHIP (coronary heart improvement program)is scheduled for Feb. and they were talking about plans for that. Al and I were also invited to a campfire supper and vespers tomorrow night at the same house. Looks like we're fitting in here.

Hospital work

Today I got a chance to do something different in Human Resources. I filed a zillion pages of employee records in current files. I have dozens of outdated records left over to put in former employee files. The office is way behind in filing because they haven't had a volunteer for awhile. It was a good day.

Here goes again

We saw an alligator lizard in our backyard a while ago. It's about 10 inches long.

A Walk

Last Sabbath Al and I walked on trails up above PUC starting near the airport. It was a beautiful day and beauty all around. Notice how pretty poison oak is in the fall. I'm trying to send photos but Blogger keeps sending an error report.

Shopping

I went to Santa Rosa today and picked up a lady I've met who lives there. She navigated me around that city so I could learn where stores are and what's available over there. Our shopping choices in Napa are somewhat limited. She took me to two malls and I actually found a nice suit on sale at Penny's. It was a somewhat tiring day.

Tonight I am very allergic to something. My nose is running nonstop and my sinuses are full. I've been sneezing repeatedly too. I can't imagine what's in the air to cause it but my nose is getting sore. I'm going to bed in hopes it quits.

I've had to update my email addresses because for some reason they all didn't transfer over to our new server. It is advoth@att.net in case you don't know.

New Score

Al and I played Scrabble tonight and I got the highest score ever playing with a person--not on computer where I can get hints. It was 377 pts. I'm ready to challenge Wendy again.

Something new

Al's sister and husband have just gotten guardianship of his 14-yr-old grandaughter. Today we had lunch with her and the social worker at their house. She'll be attending Rio Lindo Academy not too far from here. Al's sister and hubby left tonight for a Panama cruise. When they are gone in the future we'll eventually be second in command to parent the girl. We've been there and done that.

Connected with speed

After 3 hours of arduous work, we are now connected to AT&T Yahoo high speed internet. Al and I got everything plugged in correctly and the installation process started. After about an hour of it running I discovered it was doing the same thing repeatedly and there was an error message. So, I called for technical support and a very nice lady spent 1 hour on the phone with me to get the problem solved and connected. Now I keep getting messages about setting up instant messenger, etc. that I certainly don't want to deal with tonight.

Our new email address is advoth@att.net from now on. I have to download something else to have all my email address and favorites on Juno transferred to yahoo. That will happen hopefully in the morning. I feel like I've really worked tonight and we missed our evening walk. I'm tired!

Volunteering

Today I put together about 35 new employee folders with about 20 items in each. It was boring and not set up to be done efficiently. Besides that it had to be close to 90 degrees today and I was in a back room where it was stuffy. Hopefully I'll get a little variety in my job and after I'm there awhile I'll make suggestions on how today's job could be done more efficiently. I'm going to try to stick to Wed. afternoons. The office closes at 4:30 but someone is usually there till 5.

It's Stuck

We've all had the experience of a song being stuck in our heads and I'm no exception. It was the theme song at Camp AuSable at least 1 1/2 years ago and we sang it every evening at the camp fire program. I've never heard it before or since but I did get a copy because I liked it. I found it in my file and will now share it with you. Wish I could include the music.

CHOOSE YOU TODAY
By Buddy Hotaling

Choose you today, who will it be
Who gets your love and your first loyalty?
There's only One who can set your heart free,
Give your life over to Jesus.

Sometimes it's easy to sit on the fence
Wondering why life just doesn't make sense,
Hoping and praying that we never fall
But fence sitting's no life at all.

God's Spirit is calling with His gentle voice
Pleading each day that we make the right choice.
It's Jesus that takes away all of our sin
Falling's okay if you're falling for Him.

Choose you today, who will it be
Who gets your love and your first loyalty.
There's only One who can set your heart free
Turn your life over to Jesus.

Choose you today, who will it be
Who gets your love and your first loyalty.
There's only One who can set your heart free.
I am giving my life to Jesus
I am giving my life to Jesus.

I'm In

This morning I got my hospital ID tag and instructions for my job in Human Resources. My first job is putting together folders for employee orientation and filling notebooks also for employees. It looks a little boring but at some point I will also be filing papers so hopefully there will be a little variety. Thankfully, I can pick my own days/hours to work. I like flexibility.

One of the ladies in that dept. is a watercolorist and I've seen her paintings in hospital offices. She's pretty good so I'm hoping to get better acquainted with her and who knows--maybe paint together too. I think she's also taught classes.

I took a photo from the scenic turnout coming up Howell Mtn. which is how we get from the valley up to our house. It's always a head-turner.

I brought a supply of gourds with us from MI and have been working on them in between other things. I'd like to get some birdhouses made and ready for next spring. Some are good for vases and bowls.

Doings

Today we finally bought a laundry tub and Al is currently putting the faucets and legs on. He still has to put in the plumbing to and from it but this is progress. Tonight I made homemade crackers for the first time is many years. I wanted some for supper with my soup and we're out. I just hope they taste good because I've 2 pans of them.

While at Home Depot I scoured the garden dept. looking at bushes and plants. To my dismay so many aren't labeled to tell if they can take frost, how big they get, how much water they need, etc. And there's no one around to ask any questions--not that they'd have the answers. What's a person to do! Growing conditions here are very different than in MI so I need extra help so as to not waste money on what won't grow.

Tomorrow I have my second TB test reading. I don't have TB. I'll get my photo taken and an ID card to volunteer at the hospital. I may meet the folks in Human Resources where I'll be working and be scheduled for an afternoon each week. I'm looking forward to being involved there.

Showers of Blessing

It's raining here today and we are happy for it. Tomorrow the sun will shine and we'll be happy for it too. The walnuts are falling fast and we're trying to keep up with them before the crows and squirrels get their share. The rain or any other change in the weather seems to make them fall faster. After removing the outer green husk they have to dry awhile before ready to eat. We're going to have a plentiful supply to crack and eat this winter.

More Grapes

Today I took more grape photos. They are just beautiful. Now I'm anxious for the leaves to turn colors. Some have but most are still green. I've never seen such lush bunches of grapes in my life. Our neighbor has invited us to help ourselves to all of his. He has many kinds and some are seedless. Today we marked the ones we are going to get cuttings from so we can plant our own.

Another first. I just signed up for Yahoo high speed internet service. I'll be sure to let everyone know when it's installed. It may take time since I have to do it myself. That means we'll be changing our email address and dropping Juno. It's about time is what you are all thinking.

Baby

I just got back from Sacramento and had to share this photo of my niece's 2 week old baby. What a little doll! Isabelle is such a good baby--eats and sleeps--not fuss.

Nut Harvest

We have been picking up walnuts from our many English walnut trees in the yard as well as along the sides of the streets lined with walnut trees. We don't mess with the black walnuts which are also plentiful. We don't live on walnut lane for nothing.
Al is in the process of removing the outer green hulls so the nuts can dry out.

Tomorrow I'm taking off for my brother's house in Carmichael near Sacramento. His wife and I are going to do girl things when she comes home from work. In the meantime my niece will be there with her new baby who I haven't seen yet. We'll have time to get acquainted. I plan to stay overnight and come back Thurs. morning.

Al has become the official volunteer maintenance man at the local elementary school. He rather seems to be enjoying it.

Grapes

The harvesting of early grapes has begun and truck loads are carrying them away. We can now start smelling grapes as we walk past vineyards. This process will go on for at least the next month until all are harvested. They tell us that the whole valley will eventually smell like fermented grapes and it stinks. That's what alcohols does--it stinks!

Chiquita

My birdie loves to be outside where she can see and hear other birds.

Today's Events

We decided to transfer our membership to the St. Helena SDA Church and started the process today. Last night and tonight we attended a power point presentation at the Calistoga Church by Tony Moore on how archeological evidence supports the history of Bible events. It's been very interesting but all the info is also mindboggling. The series will continue another 2 nights. I talked to Tony about tours of the Holy Land and he said he was planning one for next Sept. or Oct. Boy, would I ever like to go to that!!!

Ellie and Bud came over for lunch today so we spent the afternoon with them and they also went with us to the meeting tonight. In another week and a half they're leaving on a cruise and other stops so will be gone for a full month. We're debating over whether we want to take care of their bedlington terrier while they're gone. We'll see.

View from St. Helena Hospital

Fall in the Air

It's been cool around here lately and somewhat windy. Today we even had clouds. It seems a little early to have fall weather here but what's normal anymore.

Today I applied to volunteer at the St. Helena Hospital a few minutes down the hill from here. They were very happy to have me since there are several openings for help. Tomorrow I go for a TB skin test which must be repeated in 2 weeks. Monday I'll find out when and where I'll be working and probably start next week too. I'm looking forward to being more productive and meeting more people.

I think we made our first friends at the campground last weekend. We felt attracted to one couple in particular and today we got a call from them so the feelings must be mutual. It's unfortunate they live on the other side of the hills in Santa Rosa about 45 min. away though. That means our contact will be somewhat limited.

Something New

We woke up this morning to dense fog and temp in the low 50's. It's 10 a.m. and still foggy with upper 50's temp. I wonder if this is what fall is going to be like here. It would be nice to get some rain out of it and one of these days it will rain since it only comes during the winter months.

The Pacific

Camping

We spent the weekend camping at Lodi Lake which is also on the Mokelumne River. It was a very pretty area for being in the middle of a rather large city. There were lots of wild geese and ducks. We met a lot of people some of whom I'm sure will become good friends.

Joyce left for Idaho this morning and I'm playing catch up with laundry, etc. The weather here seems to be changing. We've had a lot of wind and cooler temps. I guess fall is in the air. Also apples and pears are ripening fast. Another neighbor invited us to pick from his trees so we have plenty of fruit. We've even gotten a few tomatoes off our own plants.

I've made plans to fly to Illinois Oct. 18 with my brother. Relatives from FL and IN will join us because they haven't seen Uncle Larry in a long time. Then I'll go on to Michigan the following week to spend some time with friends too.

Housekeeping Day

We had to rest today from any major running around. All were tired. I cleaned house and started getting ready to leave for a weekend of camping at Lodi Lake with the El Dorado Nature Club we joined. Joyce is going with us. There's still lots to do in the morning before pulling out.

Ocean view