Category: Holidays

Animals, Emergency Preparedness, Faith, God/Jesus, Holidays, Homesteading, Prepping, Scripture

Happy 2026!

Lisa Burbank

“And He that sat upon the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new’. And He said unto me, ‘Write: for these words are true and faithful’.” (Revelation 21:5)

We started out the New Year with a bang…literally. About a minute before midnight last night, an 18-wheeler went off the road in front of the local garden center just three doors’ away. It took out 5 telephone poles and their respective power lines. We had no electricity, no oil heat, no running water, and no flushing power until 1:36 this afternoon. Thirteen-and-a-half hours without modern conveniences.

Mom and I were some of the lucky ones. We have a wood stove. What a blessing that investment was fifteen years’ ago! And, though we did not invest in cord wood this year, I had stopped on the way home from work last night at the local Walmart and picked up a case of Enviro-logs. With an extra sweater and a throw tossed over our laps, we stayed warm enough and the pipes didn’t freeze. We were even able to heat a pot of water on the wood stove and enjoy a hot cup of tea.

I’m not sure how well some of our neighbors fared though. And I haven’t been able to find out any information on the driver of that 18-wheeler. Is he/she okay?

Of course, despite having the wood stove, this event was also a painful reminder of something else: How quickly we’ve forgotten what it was like not to have running water in the house. We weren’t prepared for it at all. Only a gallon of water in the refrigerator and about half a 2-quart saucepan of leftover tea water on the stove. To say that I’ve been berating myself ever since is an understatement. Where did the homesteader and prepper go?? And how ‘lucky’ would we have been if the power hadn’t come back on when it did? We couldn’t even get out to go to the local Walmart again; our road was completely closed down except for emergency personnel while Eversource worked to restore power.

Again, how quickly we forget…and how totally unacceptable.

Just two years’ ago Christmas Day, we turned on the kitchen faucet to find no water coming out. This from a burst hot water tank, a flooded basement, and a well-pump that ran incessantly for weeks before we discovered the problem. We had only cold running water for about six months prior, and no running water at all for almost another eight months after Christmas. Thank God, and Robert, our system was replaced and updated a year ago in late-July/early-August.

Yes, there was a level of emotional and mental exhaustion from that experience. When the water finally came on again and we could take that first shower (sponge baths were our friend for eight months…), I never wanted to look at another gallon of water, or the refill of a gallon, again for as long as I live.

But that’s not realistic.

And today we received that rude awakening to step up our game again.

Stocking up on bottled water, easy-to-heat/fix meals when there’s no power, and re-committing to this homesteader/doomsday prepper lifestyle has just become my New Year’s resolution. It’s one that’s not hard to do, doesn’t take an enormous outlay if we do it in bits and bobs each month (a gallon or two each month of water; a few extra canned goods; an extra loaf of bread in the freezer; ditto for extra pet feed (though we were okay with that this time…)), and the next power outage won’t threaten us so badly the next time.

And there will be a next time: another accident where a utility pole is damaged; blizzard, hurricane, or tornado; rolling brownouts such as California sometimes has when their electrical grid gets overloaded. Being a prepper and a homesteader doesn’t necessarily equate to some conspiracy theorist lifestyle, just a goal of being as prepared as humanly possible for whatever life throws our way. Accidents and natural disasters happen; no conspiracy about it.

So, I’m sitting here indulging myself with my third cup of Stash’s Warming Spice Chai today, praising God for the power restoration, for modern conveniences…and for the reminder not to put so much stock in them lest they become idols of sorts.

May God bless you & keep you!

PS My usual New Year’s Eve post also got bumped back due to the power outage. Usually, I share an overview of the year just passed and mention any loved ones lost during the year. This year saw only one: our Indian runner duck, Raspberry, or Raspie, for short. Not really one of our “older” ducks; Dixie and Duncan will soon be 16. I want to say he was maybe 8 or 9 years old. Depending upon the source, an Indian runner’s lifespan can be anywhere from 6 – 12 years; I guess Raspie decided to split the difference. Other than a “runny” eye for a few days before he passed, such as he might have from a foreign object (sand, etc.) in it, he had no other symptoms of illness. Stoicism? Or simply his time? Either way, he did not show signs of suffering and passed away in his sleep. Can’t ask for kinder than that, but it breaks my heart just the same. He is greatly missed!

Animals, Bereavement, Brothers & Sisters, Exhaustion, Faith, Family, Gratitude, Grief, Holidays, Homesteading

New Year’s Eve 12/31/2024

Lisa Burbank

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes: and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)

A year ago today I was MESSED UP. I only acknowledge this now after reading last New Year’s belated post (I neglected to even create a New Year’s Eve post until January 2nd!). I mentioned the loss of Faith (no pun intended) the Plymouth Barred Rock chicken in that post, but not the loss of either rooster. Not a big deal when stacked up against the loss of my Aunt Sandy and Uncle George, but still worth noting.

This year, not only are we rooster-less at The Herbal Hare Tomestead, we’re also goat-less, having lost our beloved Felicity, the last of our Nigerian Dwarfs in early spring. As with Chester, whom we lost towards the end of 2023, age was a factor. But, I think without one of her own, loneliness may have also been a factor. Sure, chickens and ducks shared her world, and humans, too, but she and Chester were the last two for so long, I know she mourned the loss of him right alongside the rest of us.

In addition to Felicity, MIG and Radar (roosters), we lost the last of our Black Australorps, Phantom; the last of our Buff Orpington chickens, Diamond; Taffy, our Silkie chicken, Basa, one of our Polish crested hens, and Strawberry the Pekin duck, who I am sad to say, lost her life from one of our remaining chickens. It happens. It sucks. And it breaks my heart. But I will forever wonder if I could’ve done anything better/different. Was the new coop too small? It didn’t seem so with chickens and ducks having separate houses and only sharing the barnyard together, something they have done their whole lives. As for the others? We are a homestead of geriatric critters. The uncertainty of whether we would keep the farm, or lose it to foreclosure, meant I haven’t restocked for a number of years in case we were forced to rehome them. I’ve simply been caring for those that remain, helping them to live their best lives for whatever time they have left.

It may stay that way.

Despite the tab labeled, “The Dream”, I am also acknowledging my own aging process. No, I’m far from ancient, but my lower spine gave me a painful reminder that I’m no more a young, sprung chicken than my feathered friends when it came to burying Chester and Felicity’s remains. As their name suggests, Nigerian Dwarfs are a smaller breed of goat. Felicity wasn’t so bad. However, Chester was rather large for the breed. He was wethered by his previous owner because he was too large for the breed and any offspring might’ve been too large for a standard-sized Nigerian Dwarf doe to safely birth.

Felicity

He was also too large for someone 55+ to be lifting and then lowering into a grave.

All of that being said, I’m not giving up on my dreams. I’m simply being careful not to spread myself out too thin going forward, weighing options, and considering the future. Also, the recent threat of foreclosure, the loss of loved ones, and a thesis to complete for graduation last August, have all wreaked havoc on me (Can you say “burnout”?). It may be a while before I’m ready to take on a fully-fledged farm again…and when I do, I’m considering only bees and bunnies. Time will tell…

Of course, we’re not completely out of this season of loss. As we lost my father’s sister, Sandy, and her husband, George, last year, my mother lost one of her sisters, my Aunt Donna, this year.

It has been very hard trying to be strong for Mom, while also mourning the loss of another beloved aunt. I’ve mentioned often about having a stepfather who wanted “too much to do with me” as a child. When I first opened up about the abuse, Auntie Donna was with Mom when I told her. She was a well of support in the weeks and months that followed, even to going with me to therapy one afternoon.

More importantly, she was Mom’s closest sister. Mom is one of 11 children in what I can only describe as a very dysfunctional family (and, yes, I know that term has been bandied about far too much over the years…). Good people, all of them, but they don’t talk. They take offense too easily. Despite being sisters and brothers, they have the equivalent of high school “clicks” amongst them. And income, or the lack thereof, has often been a determining factor in who gets to be in which “click”. Mom has been widowed and living with me for over 10 years now. Only one other sister calls to check up on her from time to time. To say that she’s feeling this loss keenly is putting it mildly. I can only hope that 2025 will be a better year for our family…and yours!

Auntie Donna

To be honest, I don’t know if He is finished with this season of loss with us or not, but I think this year’s word will be “Hope”. I am hopeful about so many things, I don’t know where to begin listing them…despite the recent losses. On that score, I am also grateful to have been able to share my life with these loved ones for as long as I did. Maybe I took some of them for granted. Maybe I could’ve been there for them more than I was, but my love for them was always deep and never-ending…and it always will be.

So here’s to 2025…a year of Hope.

As for the usual song of the year? I’ve decided this year that I will be sharing a new video/song, as well as a line of Scripture, every day on my social media accounts, so there isn’t any one song this time around. And that’s okay.

Happy New Year, Everyone! May God bless you & keep you!

Brothers & Sisters, Christianity, Faith, God/Jesus, Holidays, Mother Mary, Religion, Scripture, Tradition

Merry Christmas!

Lisa Burbank

And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem (because he was of the house and lineage of David), to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling-clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling-clothes, lying in a manger’. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men’. (Luke 2:1-14)

Merry Christmas…and, in the immortal words of Tiny Tim: God bless us, every one!

AI generated…I’m a little leery of AI, and not sure how/if to cite it, but Merry Christmas!

19th century, Christianity, Culture, Faith, God/Jesus, History, Holidays, Religion, Scripture, Tradition, Yoga & Fitness

December 25th

Lisa Burbank

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign: behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)

My Puritan ancestors did not celebrate Christmas. The Puritans took much of Scripture, if not all of it, literally. And, as there’s no actual date for the birth of Christ in the Bible, December 25th was business as usual in New England until around 1850 when Prince Albert gifted Queen Victoria with a fully-decorated Christmas tree. That fashionable trend, along with the influx of immigrants from Italy, Ireland and various other countries that followed closely the Church of Rome (Catholicism), paved the way for the religious observance of December 25th that Chrisitians, and even non-Christians, celebrate as Jesus’ birthday each year in the U.S.

Yes, it’s true that Constantine “borrowed”, “hijacked”, or however you wish to term it, certain Yule-tide practices from what we now call pagan religions. Back then, “pagan” was simply a term for a country dweller (farmer), who followed the seasons, and paid homage to the god of his or her consciousness for successful crops, and good health through the long winter ahead for family, friends and even livestock. But it’s also true that early scholars have studied Scripture and other religious documents closely…enough that they have a fair approximation of when Christ was born.

Yule, from which many “yuletide” celebrations have stemmed, is celebrated on December 21st. Kwanzaa is celebrated December 26th through January 1st. And, this year, Hanukkah is celebrated December 25th through January 2nd. Hanukkah’s dates change each year though. The celebration of Christmas does not. It is always December 25th.

In short, He is the reason that Christians celebrate December 25th. So, I will say, “Merry Christmas!” to you in passing. Not in effort to be an insensitive clod, but because this is my faith. This is what I believe. Because I am celebrating this sacred time and I want to wish you well during this season…and throughout the whole year.

If you correct me with an admonition that I should say, “Happy Holidays!” so as not to offend somebody else, guess what? For many Christians, that is offensive. Should I start correcting you in your religious practices?

That being said, I often do say “Happy Holidays!”, especially if I don’t know what you believe. Context often plays a role here. If I know you’re Jewish, I will wish you a Happy Hanukkah! If Wiccan, or today’s Paganism, I will wish you a Happy Yule! But, if I do greet you with a “Merry Christmas!”, perhaps reconsider that I’m baiting you in some way, or lavishing an insult. “Merry Christmas” means I wish you peace, joy, and love. That should not be an insult to anyone…and no conversion necessary to accept my humble blessing of peace, joy and love with grace. A simple “Merry Christmas to you, too!” will do. (Sort of like intoning “Namaste” to each other after a yoga practice…)

May God bless you & keep you!

Holidays, Memories, Nature, Nostalgia, Scripture

Snow??!?

Lisa Burbank

“Come now, and let us reason together,” saith the Lord: “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18)

I’m one of those weirdos that actually likes snow. I think it’s the memory of an unexpected snow day as a child. They were always a special treat. If you lived in Rhode Island in the 60s and 70s, no doubt you hated anyone who lived in either Foster or Gloucester since these rural communities were always the first to receive the benediction of “No school, Foster/Gloucester!” from the infamous Salty Brine (a Rhode Island legend).

We received a few inches this morning here in Connecticut. Not exactly a white Christmas since it’s a couple of weeks’ away, but I’ll take it. The only drawbacks are the shoveling, as it’s heavy and wet this time, and my spine isn’t as young as it used to be, and having to drive in it because, even though the schools are closed today, the library will likely be open.

Still, I love the first snowfall. And the world really does look magical today. If you are driving somewhere in similar conditions, take it slow. Safe travels! If you’re lucky enough to have a coveted snow day, enjoy the rest and brew a cuppa for me!

May God bless you & keep you!

Animals, Bereavement, Christianity, Exhaustion, Faith, Family, Friendship, Gratitude, Grief, Healing, Holidays, Homesteading

Goodbye 2023

Lisa Burbank

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)

Another year winding down to a close. This is often, in my mind at least, a time to reflect upon the year that’s passing.

I’ve been shying away from that.

It’s been a tough year filled with uncertainty…and some losses that have cut me to the bone. Yet it’s also been a year that’s filled me with hope…even as my prayer life has hit one of those dead zones.

This time last year I was staring down the face of foreclosure, scared silly I’d lose my babies, the cat, goat, chicken and duck “babies” that share this homestead with Mom and I. I wasn’t even sure where Mom and I were going to go if we lost the home. I promised myself–and Him–that if He saved my home again, I would shout His praises from the rooftop. There’s been a praise and song in my heart, but I’ve retreated so far inward, well, I’m hoping the Bible studies I’m taking on Wednesday nights at church will help me navigate this spiritual desert. Right now everything is just numb…yet maybe a little raw, too.

This time last year we also had intermittent running water. Then from April until late-July we didn’t have any running water at all. Praise God–and Robert–for helping us get the water back on. And my heart was truly singing during and after that first hot shower in a very long time!

Of course, New Year’s Eve is always that time when I remember those I’ve lost throughout the year. Close to home, we lost Mountain Dew Duck, Jeep the Rooster, Faith, the last of our Plymouth Barred Rock chickens, and our sweet and lovable Nigerian Dwarf goat, Chester. Also, Herman the barn cat disappeared about a month ago. He’s been gone before, but usually not more than a few days, a week at best. Herman was incredibly shy. We tried capturing him, but he knew what a live trap was and avoided it like the plague.

On the human side, in April I also lost my Aunt Sandy, which if you’ve been following my blog, you probably saw the post about that. Her husband, my Uncle George, followed her in July. I might be able to find something metaphoric in the times of their passing vs. the water shutting completely off and then, praise the Lord, coming back on. However, it’s too great a mental exercise right now.

You see, this has been my time to weep, to mourn, to give up (or, in my case, give it up (to God!)), to be silent. It’s been the worry over the home; the stress of so many repairs and replacements; the grief…this last is the hardest. And now the feeling of being overwhelmed as I try to clean up, shape up, pick up the pieces and move on…while also in the midst of the first of three thesis classes. Go figure!

Then just before Christmas, a friend of a friend found mention on the probate court website of another friend’s estate. Duncan had not been heard from since August and we had been very worried about him. He lived alone and he wasn’t returning phone calls. A few visits to his home showed no one was there and no one had contacted my friend to let him know what happened. Whether Duncan passed away at home, or later in a hospital, we may never know. He was never a visitor to the homestead, but his best friend is, and his loss is still felt.

Despite all of this, all of the struggles and the losses of family and friends, both human and humane, I truly do feel blessed. Blessed to have shared at least part of my life with everyone mentioned here…and I praise God for those who are still here to share this life with me. Here’s to hoping 2024 will be a much happier year!

May God bless you & keep you!

Animals, Christianity, Emergency Preparedness, Exhaustion, Faith, gardening, Grief, Herbs, Holidays, Homesteading, Tradition

Wade in the Water

Lisa Burbank

“I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in My Name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.” (Mark 9:41)

First of all, I want to give a shout out to all of my Celtic, Wiccan, and Pagan friends reading this: Happy Beltane/Bealtaine! May 1st is the midpoint between the spring equinox and the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere and it mark’s the first day of summer in Gaelic Ireland. Throughout Ireland, as well as Scotland and the Isle of Man, celebrations may include bonfires, the decorating of homes with early spring flowers, and a visit to some holy wells. As with any celebration, there is usually a feast involved.

Here in the U.S., May 1st is May Day. Though I don’t know of any schools still doing this, my mother remembers dancing around the maypole as a child. I’m guessing the real meaning of the dance (to increase and celebrate fertility) may be the reason this celebration has fallen out of popularity in the mainstream. But Happy May Day, as well!

Now for my usual Monday meanderings…

On a positive note, I managed to make the last of the three trial mortgage payments last week. Now I wait and see if the mortgage company is still willing to reinstate it. The proverbial bear crept into my bearing (no pun intended). Snippy, impatient, irritated—and that’s just for starters. On top of that, our intermittent water source decided to act up. We had no running water for much of the week. Once again I wished for one of those hand-pumps like Laura Ingalls Wilder would’ve used. They’re costly to install but then, so is a new well-pump, water softener, and hot water tank—all of which we desperately need. Ditto for new electrical lines to replace the ones chewed by our latest resident rodent population. The bathroom ceiling hasn’t leaked in some time (crossing fingers) but, the basement door has rotted out; there’s a gaping hole in the bottom…hence, the rodent population’s easy access in and out (among others). We need a new roof, gutters, and the barn door needs replacing along with the basement door.

Rotted out basement door

            To top things off, as many of you know, I lost one of my favorite aunts recently. Two of my best friends lost their aunt yesterday; I knew Carol, loved her as almost a second aunt. They say this comes in threes; I sincerely hope not.  

            I came home from work on Thursday to find Felicity, one of my geriatric goats, had somehow managed to get her head stuck between the stanchion and the wall next to it. I have no idea how long she was there but, she must’ve bumped and bruised her throat a bit trying to get loose. She wouldn’t eat. Nothing appeared broken but, I had to make a run up to the local Walmart for some baby food so that I could at least get some nourishment into her body while her sore throat healed. She is now back to her usual feisty self eating solid foods again. She also polished off quite a lot of Japanese knotweed yesterday, which contains a mucilage that will help her heal even faster. Thank God! But she had me worrying for a few days. The gap between stanchion and wall has since been blocked.

            And now Luna, one of our cats, has something sticky all along her left side. No idea what it is but, Mom says she came flying out of the garage-turned-barn like a bat out of hell and has been a little neurotic ever since. We checked her over. She’s not injured in any way, just sticky and matted. We’ve only been allowed to clean her up in short spurts before she’s had enough but, in time, I’m sure we’ll sort it all out.

            When I say I am bodaciously tired out, I sincerely mean it. Here’s to hoping the coming week will be a little better, fewer upsets, and maybe, just maybe, I’ll get a few things done.

            On some positive notes, the rhubarb we planted a couple of years’ ago is growing beautifully; I can’t wait to make my first pie out of it. The broad-leaf chives have spread further and smell divine. The Egyptian onions are making a comeback. And the apple mint is threatening to take over the front yard. These are small victories that make some of the aforementioned hardships at least tolerable. And, thankfully, the heavy rains last night didn’t knock off all of the blossoms. Below is the magnolia tree in all of its glory! I planted it as a little 12” sapling over 10 years’ ago; I love seeing it in bloom.

Rhubarb
Magnolia in Bloom

            I sincerely hope everyone reading this had a better week last week…and will have an even better week going forward.

            May God bless you & keep you!

Abuse, Addiction, Brothers & Sisters, Christianity, Faith, God/Jesus, Gratitude, Healing, Herbs, Holidays, Plants, Religion, Tradition

Monday Meanderings

Lisa Burbank

“To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; in You I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.” (Psalm 25:1-2)

With Easter come and gone for another year, the self-imposed dietary restrictions given for Lent have also come and gone. I lamented in a recent post that I failed to keep my vows 100% by partaking of a fortune cookie when Mom and I went out for Chinese food one night. I wasn’t even thinking of it as a “sweet”; it’s just part of the meal in my mind. But, otherwise, I did fairly well with avoiding traditional “junk” food.

I still haven’t mastered the other half of my vows: to read a chapter of Scripture each day. It’s been spotty at best. However, He’s still working in my life, still working through me and in me.

I just polished off a small bowl of Maple Kettle Korn from Bureau’s Sugarhouse in Connecticut. On Good Friday, Mom, Robert and I drove up to The Book Barn in Niantic, CT. I called ahead of time to confirm that they would be open on the holiday but, I neglected to check the time that they open. We got there about an hour beforehand. After a brief discussion, we decided to do an early lunch…and found the restaurant also wasn’t opening for another hour. We drove down the road some more and came to a place called Smith’s Acres, LLC.

What an amazing place!

It’s relatively small but they carry all manner of landscaping plants, succulents in their greenhouse, and floral arrangements. There’s a farmers’ market inside featuring fresh produce, jams, jellies, honey and maple syrup, all manner of sauces, and a refrigerator full of ice cream. If we added some herbs for growing, and homemade yarns, it could almost be the store of my dreams.

Mom found the Kettle Korn up by the register. We’ve been enjoying it since Easter and remarking how incredibly delicious it is. I didn’t realize until I went to toss away the empty bag that it was Bureau’s product.

Bureau’s Sugarhouse used to have a booth at the Woodstock Fair every year (they may still…). I worked at the Fair for several seasons (2012-2016) and, for one of my co-workers, purchasing a bag of their Maple Kettle Korn was an annual treat. After hearing her rave about it, I bought a small bag one year and fell in love with it. I haven’t had it since I left the fair.

That’s probably a good thing for my teeth and my waistline!

Where He’s working on me, is the return to “desserts” now that Lent has ended. While I’ve enjoyed the Kettle Korn, the bag of black licorice jelly beans (is there any other kind??), and a few other “sweets”, I’ve really been paying attention to my body since the return to them.

I felt better without them. I slept better, too. It’s also renewed my commitment to take better care of myself. Who knew?

I wrote about my dream homestead in my “About” section. And I’ve certainly talked about it on the blog many times. I want to be here to enjoy it. Once I’m back on my feet financially–and we’re getting there slow but sure since taking the director’s seat at the library–I believe I can accomplish that end.

I’m also learning to leave it in His hands. His plans are greater than my own. I want to be here to see that, too.

For anyone else who celebrated Lent by sacrificing in some way, what are some of the ways He’s blessed you? I’d be delighted if you’d share in the Comments’ section below.

May God bless you & keep you!

Brothers & Sisters, Christianity, Creativity, Faith, Forgiveness, Gaia, gardening, God/Jesus, Gratitude, Holidays, Nature, Religion, Writing

He is Risen!

Lisa Burbank

“Then He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, ‘This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem’.” (Luke 24: 45-47)

I’m a day late with Easter greetings but, I decided a long time ago that I would avoid making any posts on Sunday, the Lord’s day. I may have broken it once or twice but, overall, I tend to rest on the seventh day. If it was good enough for God to rest after 6 days of creation, it’s good enough for me.

Anyway, I hope your Easter holiday was special and filled you and yours with joy this year. Mom and I spent the day at a friend’s house, enjoying good food and good conversation. Today I “O.D.ed” on black jelly beans (is there really any other kind???), having given up sweets for the Lenten season. However, after satisfying my deprived sweet tooth today, I hope to continue the good habit of avoiding sweets except on rare occasions.

And though I failed to read a chapter of the Bible each day as vowed, still, I spent more days with it than not, cognizant of those failures, and He allows for another recalibration.

He makes all things new. After Easter, I always feel a sense of new beginnings. Maybe it’s Mother Earth waking up to the warmer temperatures. Maybe it’s the anticipation of this year’s garden. Whatever it is, I am filled with hope and expectancy, looking forward to the growing season.

I also start a new class next week: Short Story Writing. I’m looking forward to this one. I’m hoping it will help improve my writing habit since I will have new stories to turn in each week…another area of life that needs recalibrating.

What are some areas of your life that need recalibrating? I’d be delighted if you’d share below.

May God bless you & keep you!

Brothers & Sisters, Christianity, Faith, God/Jesus, Gratitude, Holidays, Scripture

Happy Valentine’s Day to All of My Peeps!

Lisa Burbank

“Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my lover among the young men. I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste. He has taken me to the banquet hall, and his banner over me is love. Strengthen me with raisins, refresh me with apples, for I am faint with love. His left arm is under my head, and his right arm embraces me.” (Song of Songs 2:3-5)

The good Lord has given me the sweetest of gifts this morning. For those of you who have been following here a while, you know about my financial difficulties since January 2019. The good news is the mortgage company accepted my application for modification. They’ve put me on a trial run of three months. If I can make the payments each month, then I can be reinstated completely. Barring any unforeseen calamities, the new payment should be doable. Praise the Lord! For He truly is good.

I hope everyone else has as good of a day as I am having today and that He blesses your lives even more richly than He’s blessed mine.

May God bless you & keep you!