"In The Beginning"

The Sight and Sound Theater in Ronks, Pennsylvania, is currently presenting its version of the story of Genesis. “In the Beginning” is a spiritual experience from beginning to “beginning again.”

A journey to this extraordinary theater finds one awestruck and overwhelmed with emotion at the scope and depth of the story of Adam and Eve. The production starts with a filmed version of the creation of the universe, which is truly awe-inspiring. The legions of winged angels that fill the stage are so believable that you cannot but believe there are such heavenly creatures. The fall of Lucifer is presented in an understandable format. His temptation of Eve and the spell in which she finds herself tasting the forbidden fruit cannot help but remind you of the frailties of human beings. I could see myself falling prey to Satan’s assurances that it is indeed safe to eat.

If you have never been to see one of the Bible stories reenacted on stage at this huge theater with its gigantic stage and wondrous stage props, it is past time that you had this experience. Entering the parking lot, the building itself begins to prepare you for what delights await you inside. As you enter the lobby, you begin to feel that you are slipping away into the past. The trip is complete when the stage unfolds around you, holding you captive during the performance.

No one can properly prepare another person for the totality of the experience that the Sight and Sound Theatre portrays with each of its productions. It is a "you-must-see-it-for-yourself-to-believe-it” foray into biblical times. Go posthaste and enjoy!

According to Judy

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia has always fascinated me since childhood. This was a time when elementary schools encouraged having pen pals from other countries. My pen pal was named Denise Greene, and she lived in Melbourne. For that reason, when I encountered www.letstraveleverywhere.com, I was fascinated to learn more about Melbourne, as well as Sidney, Australia and the islands of New Zealand. The descriptions of the cities, as well as outlying attractions, find me fantasizing about what it would be like to explore new horizons.

This website presents attractive well-written travelogues with enticing informative descriptions of many exotic sites to lure curious travelers. Try it! You might like it!

According to Judy

Calendars

Do you maintain a working calendar to keep your days in an orderly fashion? What does your calendar look like? I know mine is a hodgepodge of notes, cross-outs, and whiteouts. Some notations are in black ink, some in red, blue, green, and purple. Some are color coded for a purpose; others are that way just because that was the pen I grabbed.

When I am presented with a “virgin” calendar, I first go through each month of the year, making a notation of fixed events. We seem to attend a lot of meetings that occur at a set time and place. Once the monthly items are out of the way, it is time to note the weekly and daily items. Wow! How come we are always so busy? How are we going to fit in everything we have to do? When do we get to sleep?

Not only do we maintain a large calendar for home use, I carry a pocket calendar with the same information. This allows us to check dates for future appointments when we are in a doctor’s office. It is also helpful when trying to schedule visits with out-of-town friends, or setting up dates for social activities. It is extremely imperative that these two calendars are updated often, comparing the notes on both of them. This helps eliminate embarrassing mix-ups. Yes, we have had them happen.

I am curious as to how many of my readers use computers or other electronic devices for scheduling and maintaining calendars. I would enjoy your feedback. Thanks!

According to Judy

Online Financial Safety

We can all use valuable hints on preserving our financial safety online. A visit to yoursafetycomesfirst.com will guide you in this area. Once you visit this website, there are other articles that will also be of help to you in providing safety in many other areas of your life. Some articles include use of safety radios in emergency weather conditions, safety in the kitchen, and safety while driving.

Everyday common sense is featured in yoursafetycomesfirst.com. These articles are well written and will serve as reminders that caution should always be exercised within the home, as well as on the Internet. Do check out this website for beneficial advice.

According to Judy

The Human Equation

Certain events have occurred recently in our community that have left me wondering about we human beings and our response to other people’s reactions. I have noted that well meaning people tend to jump to conclusions without knowing all the facts of a situation. Instead of asking civil questions and waiting for civil responses, an adversarial relationship is instituted. Challenges are issued, rumors are circulated, and chaos results.

I am not so sure how well I would react if people would take a negative attitude toward me in a public forum. Could I be patient and understanding when nasty insults were thrown at me on a constant basis? Would I be open to discussing a heated topic with reason and calm on my side? I’m almost sure that the negative part of my being would want to retaliate. On, the other hand, I would wonder how happy God would be if I allowed myself to fall prey to that weakness.

Sure it is easy to say, “I quit!” when times are tough. It is difficult to believe that individuals, who drop out just because there is a setback in their agenda, really do have the best interests of their community at heart. However, I so admire those individuals who stick it out for a long period of time, despite constant criticism. I am also proud of those same individuals who can step down gracefully when the situation demands it.

So, the question comes down to, “what would I do?” I like to ask instead, “What would God do?” And, am I up to the challenge?

According to Judy

Some Favorite Authors

Reading is a favorite hobby of mine. Most people love to read. Books about every subject under the sun are available in libraries and bookstores. Almost every yard sale has at least one carton of paperbacks for a cheap price. Popular authors are always among the books featured prominently in bookstores.

Some of my favorite authors include Jonathan Kellerman and Faye Kellerman. Over the years, I have especially loved reading Jonathan Kellerman’s books as he writes terrific psychological mysteries. His novels are filled with excellent plots and terrific dialogue. His central characters, which are the same in most of his books, become friends that you want to follow up with in his next publication. Jonathan is a prolific writer, producing two to three books a year, which is wonderful for his fan base.

His wife, Faye Kellerman, also writes compelling mysteries. Together they are a dynamite writing team, who are now co-authoring some detective mysteries that combine the main characters of their books, who find themselves dealing with similar cases. Although, admittedly, I have not yet read one of these combined efforts, I am certain I will enjoy reading each and every one.

Do you have a favorite author? Let’s share!

According to Judy

Everyday Blessings

Recently I had occasion to be online to a spiritual message website. A 30-day challenge was offered to look at life, despite setbacks we tend to encounter every day, and consider one’s daily blessings. I sent for a bracelet to wear which has the inscription, “It’s Better to Bless.” Admittedly, due to my many daily setbacks, I have been unable to check each day’s “blessing” message. However, the bracelet has been a continual reminder to me to turn unpleasant situations around, and what a help it has been.

Believe me, when I say, friends are truly great daily blessings. Our community just sponsored a Big Band event for which Charlie and I had the brunt of responsibility. Two people cannot do all of the work involved in “events.” Had it not been for our friends in the community who jumped in and did much of the physical end of it, the concert would not have been carried off so well. Thank you, to each and every one of you who continue to be our “daily blessings.”

You may note that I say, “our friends in the community,” rather than neighbors. And, this is for a reason. It is another example of looking at life from a more positive attitude. God provides what one needs. And, what we all need are friends, who just happen to be neighbors. God bless you today, tomorrow, and forever.

According to Judy

Weather Conditions and Its Results

Do you sometimes wish that additional hours could be added to your day? Do you wonder how you are going to find time to get some much-needed rest?

Quite often when the stress becomes too great, the weather intervenes. For instance, the recent power outages in our area resulted in all activities being cancelled. In turn, we average people had some extra time; however, there was little anyone could do with no power. What can one do? One solution is to go to bed and sleep through it. One positive result: A good night’s sleep with no interruptions. Thus, hours were added to the day and much-needed rest was achieved.

Yes, there can be complications from this “forced” inactivity. If the power outage is too long, there may be food spoilage, the possibility of heat stroke during the summer or pipes freezing in the winter, etc. But beyond this, life does become less complicated. We return to the basics of life. People band together and help each other.

So, when uncertain weather puts a crimp in your life, look at the blessings God has provided you. This is an opportunity to take a brief break from your normal routine and sort out your priorities. Put your faith in the good Lord and maintain an upbeat view of the situation. May God bless and sustain you!

According to Judy

Teddy Bears

Is there anything so beguiling than a Teddy Bear? Just hold one in your hands and stare it in the face. It is usually enough to make you smile.

God must have inspired the making of the first Teddy Bear. Kids of all ages find comfort in their fluffy bodies. Adults find them irresistible, as well. They come in all sizes and colors. Any kind of fabric is useful in creating a lovable creature.

For a number of years now, I have had a collection of Teddy Bears. Due to downsizing awhile back, I gave away all of the bigger ones that took up a lot of space. And, I promised myself that I would resist all efforts to adopt any but the most adorable lovable looking bears–but they had to be small ones–the smaller, the better. And, for the most part, I have succeeded. My latest acquisition was a tattered looking Teddy Bear handmade from a blue, yellow and white print patchwork quilt, that gave him a worn-out appearance. He truly was beckoning me to bring him home and place him in our living room, where he is easily available for impromptu hugging.

No doubt about it, a Teddy Bear is great medicine. He can heal wounded hearts, comfort the afflicted, and provide nourishment to the soul. Perhaps, it is time for a Teddy Bear in your life!

According to Judy

No-Impact/Eco-Friendly Camping

So, you want to go camping? Today, it is important to be ecologically friendly when considering camping in the wilderness. In order to gain hints for taking your trash with you when you leave the campsite, check out www.campervoice.com for suggestions on how best to accomplish this. This website is also helpful with ideas on how to be a no-impact camper, i.e., cutting down no trees or bushes, leaving no debris, no disturbance of rocks, etc.

Once you access this website, you will find a great deal of information on other features of camping, as well. This website is well thought out and will be an invaluable aid in planning your next camping venture.

According to Judy

Look on the Bright Side

Every day we encounter setbacks in life that we have to deal with, whether or not we want to do so. Our very good friends Julia and David recently had a personal trauma dealing with their grandson Bradley.

Fourteen-year old Bradley is full of life and is eager to explore new challenges. He is an aspiring golfer and enjoys girls. He is a bright light in his grandparents’ eyes and they have great hope for his future. However, Bradley decided to explore a little higher in a tree than was wise and, therein, lies the tragedy. Bradley fell 35 feet and suffered a compressed fracture of his thoracic 8 vertebrae (or however, it is diagnosed), plus other side injuries. Anyway, this landed him for a time in shock trauma.

The result of this is that, instead of spending the summer with his Dad in Reno, he will be home in Maryland wearing a wieldy brace for a minimum of three months, with extremely restricted movement. Yes, this is not good news, at all. However, looking on the bright side, God was with him as he climbed that tree. He foresaw what could have been a bigger tragedy–loss of life, or immediate and unforgivable paralysis.

Bradley still has a chance to recover from his injuries. Because he is strong and challenged to rise above this setback in his life, Bradley can become anything he wants in life. However, this is a time when everyone, who knows Bradley or hears about his fall, is asked to respond with prayers that great good will follow. We do not enter this life alone. We are all dependent upon one another. Bradley’s family is depending on your prayers to guide this young man back to full health and a bright future.

Praise God for His blessings on Bradley and his family!

According to Judy

23rd Wedding Anniversary

Twenty-three years ago on June 8^th, Charlie and I took our vows to be husband and wife. We both had been married previously, and had teen-aged children who found it difficult to accept someone new in their parent’s life. Now, as grown adults, they are very caring and involved parents themselves, and we have a loving familial relationship with each of our children.

Soon after our wedding, we moved from a rental house to a four-bedroom home built especially for us in a new suburban community in Catonsville. Around that time, my widowed mother in California was looking to move closer to one of her children. Charlie invited her to join us–after all, we had bedrooms to spare. Then my son asked to move in. Then one of Charlie’s boys wanted to come with us. And, a dog was added. So, here we were–five people and one dog in a quickly crowded home. Charlie never said, “no.”

The bottom line is that I have been truly blessed with a loving caring husband. Charlie is the type of person who is thoughtful and generous to a fault. Even today, anyone who has met Charlie knows he can be counted on to go the extra distance for his friends. Just mention a need, and Charlie will try to help you out. He is a true friend to all! But, most of all, he is my best friend and I love him deeply. Happy Anniversary, Honey!

According to Judy

Boston Terriers

It is fun to learn about different breeds of dogs even if you have a personal preference for a particular breed yourself.

If you find yourself even slightly curious about Boston Terriers, do visit ilovemybostonterrier.com for information about the history of the breed, some of its peculiarities, and reasons why so many people find them adorable. You may also determine that this dog may fit your idea of a future pet in your home.

If you are currently a dog owner or considering getting a dog, there are many interesting and helpful hints on dog traits, dog obedience, and dog training on this site, as well. After all, dogs have qualities in common with most other dogs. Therefore, helpful hints for improving the human/pet relationship are always welcome

According to Judy

Gateway Club of Catonsville

Throughout history, people have been known to congregate in groups. Most often, it is a common interest that draws people together into a group. Thus, social organizations and clubs were formed and continue to flourish today.

In the 1960s, due to the mobilization of workers across the country, Welcome Wagon became a popular business. The Baltimore, Maryland area, including Catonsville, was a big user of Welcome Wagon courtesies for newcomers. In Catonsville, a Welcome Wagon Newcomers Club was formed and provided lasting friendships for many new female residents. So much so, that even when residents were fully entrenched in the area, they were reluctant to let go of these caring supportive relationships. Thereby, the Gateway Club of Catonsville was introduced. “Graduates” of the Newcomers Club were invited to continue into this offshoot organization, which offered many activities, i.e., bridge, book discussion, charitable fund-raising, etc. In time, the Newcomers Club disbanded. Due to the need to keep membership expanding, the Gateway Club opened its doors to include any woman who had a desire to be part of the loving embrace of its members.

Today, the Gateway Club is a more informal group, due to a gradual maturing of its members. And despite physical setbacks in the health of many of its members, this has not lessened the love and moral support each has for the other.

We all need and desire love and support from everyone around us. Gateway Club is extremely strong glue that continues to hold its members in a tight embrace. I am mighty proud to be a long-standing member of this illustrious group. God bless you all!

According to Judy

Aging Gracefully

Planning for the days when a person becomes older and may have some “bad” days due to health issues and/or loneliness is as important as planning financially for the future. With the aging process, bodies begin to show changes. Lack of, or graying hair, wrinkling dry skin, and a thickening of the waistline sometimes takes a toll on staying positive. There is a website, www.igohealthyseniors.com, to assist people in maintaining a positive attitude. This website includes handy hints for aging gracefully, as well as suggestions and tips to deal with other aspects of life the mature individual may encounter.

Do check out www.igohealthyseniors.com and see how this site will benefit you.

According to Judy

Wikipedia

For those of you who are not “in the know,” wikipedia is an online encyclopedia, which is helpful for everyone wishing to know something about anything at all. Sometimes it takes a lot of ingenuity to find the subject you are looking for. But, most often, all one has to do is go to the “Google” or other search engine, type in wikipedia, follow it with a comma, a space, and the subject matter you wish to research. And, Bingo! Whatever wikipedia has on the subject is available.

For anyone writing an article, researching a book, writing a book review, or just curious about someone or something, this is a great way to begin your investigation. To follow up for additional facts and/or details, quite often just typing in the name of the topic in the search engine will elicit a number of websites that may help you.

For some recent writing assignments, I have discovered invaluable information about purchasing yarn online. The prayer shawl ministry is another subject that intrigues me and hope to pursue in the coming months. I learned about John Force, who is a notable driver of “Funny Cars,” one category of several types of drag racing cars. Sewing machines, shopping in Tennessee, diamonds, as well as Madison Square Garden, were topics of interest, once I accepted the assignments.

So the next time you are curious about something—anything at all, do try your hand at “wikipedia” for satisfying that itch for more knowledge.

According to Judy

Day by Day...

Day by day, I struggle to keep a positive attitude. Even with all the love and support I receive from friends and neighbors, who see me most often, daily trials keep nagging at me. Outside demands for precious time eat away at me. I can do a lot of things when I am highly motivated, but find that outside demands are not highly motivating. The result is that I withdraw and waste time with non-productive activity. Certainly, I must not be alone in the desire to have “down time”—time when I can just retreat from the hassle of everyday chores, attending meetings, and whittling down my “lists of things to do.”

On the positive side of these “lists of things to do” are reading, crocheting, counted cross-stitch and writing. However, it has been longer than 16 months since I have done any handwork. My reading for pleasure has dwindled to about one book every month or two. Other top pleasures in my life include lunching (or breakfasting) with my lady friends, which I do as often as I can.

Our website is also good for me as it allows me to do some creative writing (demanding artistic use of my brain). Doing community or group newsletters keeps the creative juices flowing, as well. These are things I can do even at night when everyone else is asleep and my brain won’t settle down. Attending plays, watching movies, dining out, playing cards, and golfing with friends are additional highlights, but sometimes there are too many of these outside activities in one week.

Having listed some of my favorite activities has lightened my spirit today. It has often been suggested that making a list of pros and cons of a problem is a good idea. Today I will not concentrate on the negative side. I have determined that it is best to focus only on the positive aspects of life. With God by my side, I will persevere another day.

According to Judy

Word for the Day - Puddling

What is puddling? This is something butterflies do. Perhaps as a child, as I did, you noticed that occasionally butterflies settled on a patch of mud, their wings just barely moving. This did not seem normal–butterflies should be flitting around on flowers. Flowers and butterflies go together; mud and butterflies seem somehow incongruous. However, this week I learned that butterflies are extremely fragile creatures and require the minerals contained in mud to have a healthy system. Puddling is the method by which they retrieve these minerals.

We, too, are fragile creatures in this great universe. Many challenges come our way, and we need a spiritually strong system to meet them. Strange as it may seem, we need spiritual puddling in order to bring harmony back into our lives. Therefore, we need to be in harmony with God. To get our daily blessing from God, we need to communicate with him. Prayer is our spiritual way of puddling. Bring God into your life with daily prayer, and you will find the spiritual peace and harmony needed to combat any negativity you encounter during the day. God bless you!

According to Judy