Motivational Monday - Dreams May Be Telling You Something

If you have followed along for long...you know, I'm a dreamer.  In more ways than one!  

You know, studies do show that we work out some of our "issues" in our dreams.  I also, believe that while in this semi-conscious state, we are receptive to supernatural interactions - read into this what you will - I'm a spiritual person and I've had comfort come to me from loved ones through my dreams.  I'm not going to get into a debate about it...but, as a Christian and being filled with His spirit, I have a "comforter." He is our "comforter" and what better way to comfort me than with wonderful dreams only He could give.  That's all I'll say on this.

So, last night, I woke from a dream thinking about this blog post.  In my dream, Al and I were on some kind of an adventure where we had to drive and ride bikes up windy, twisty and steep hills.  Al wanted to take a different way than everyone else, it was a much harder way to go, I didn't want to, but did.  As we drove up and over, around and through, we hit the top.  As we looked back, there were cars lined up for miles.  Al says to me "aren't you glad we took that way up?"  I was and we started out riding bikes the rest of the way to a very beautiful path.  I said, "what about Dolly and Minnie (she has passed on)?  How are they going to know where we are?  So, I called out to them...all different dogs from my past, not all mine, were running across the grassy hills....it was a nice dream.  I woke up thinking about it's meaning.  

As I always do, I asked Al first, "did you dream about anything last night?"  Mostly, he doesn't have many dreams (or that he shares...and then I can share mine, which I always have).  He said yes, "you were in a car ahead of me and hit a pylon on the embankment and slid off a road."  He said, I was thinking "what the world...how did she do that!" (or something similar).  "Then my car slid off the embankment and I hit your car."  I quickly said...."Al!! that is what is happening to us right now!"  "We are driving off the road (health, age, life in general)!  And then I shared my dream.  

I say all of this to let you know, stress in life is awful!  I've not stopped "working" for months!  For real!  You know, being self-employed, it's hard to get away from your job.  I tend to take on too much and then procrastinate and then, next thing you know, I'm sliding down an embankment and taking Al with me....LOL!

This really isn't funny, but I woke from a dream and he shared his and I'm putting the puzzle pieces together....kinda thing....for my own Motivation.   Al has a plan for our next steps, my next business steps...even though I'm not sure how or motivated to do it.  I think this dream is my sign to just follow what he thinks this time...(wink, wink).  

So, take note of your dreams.  Figure out the what or why behind them - there is one - I'm sure.  Look at that as a sign to motivate you to make some changes.  I've been thinking about my 2019 word of the year "reclaim" - was it a "nail or fail" kinda thing.  I still have a month or so to still work on it.  I already have an idea of my 2020 word and it's a good one.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

C.J. McAleavy Award

C.J. McAleavy

Marathon County 4-H Club Agent

In Memoriam

In 1927, C.J. McAleavy was hired in Marathon County as one of three who became Wisconsin’s first full-time permanent County Club Agents. He grew the Marathon County 4-H program from the seeds of youth development programming planted by Wakelin “Ranger Mac” McNeel, who started youth nature activities around 1921.

Numerous 4-H clubs were formed throughout Marathon County’s rural areas as McAleavy established an enthusiasm for service to youth in partnership with teachers, school administrators, and school officials. His enthusiasm continued when he became the County Agent in 1952. He promoted the accomplishments of young people through the Wisconsin Valley Fair.

His legacy lives on through the C.J. McAleavy award, which is annually presented to a leader who best exemplifies the ideals and traditions of dedication to the Marathon County 4-H program.

(C.J. McAleavy Award – Recognizes dedication to the Marathon County 4-H program on a club and county-wide level. The C.J. McAleavy Award is given to a 4-H leader who has contributed a great deal to the local and county program over a considerable period of time. They are selected through people who are nominated from people from the clubs.)

On November 10, 2019, I was humbled to be added to the list of wonderful 4H leaders whom also have won this award.  This is the highest award given to Marathon County 4H Leaders.  It is kept a secret until the previous year's winner reads the letter of nomination.  As this year's was read, it didn't hit me that it was me....until I heard "Collections in Dept. 18."  Truthfully, I was one of the emcees this year as I was sworn in as the 2019-2020 President of the Leader's Federation.  I was thinking of the next item on the program, which was to be me giving direction for the next year.  I was flabbergasted...I don't even know what I said...my mind wasn't even on winning an award.  Anyway, the person who nominated me, was last year's winner.  Thank you Sue for thinking of me!

I know when we began our 4H journey and attended this banquet, I always admired those who won this award.  They were the pillars of the program - the ones I aspired to emulate in 4H.  I can only hope, that what I've worked on during my 4H experience, will do the same for some younger leader.  4H is making the Best Better - it did for me - by the examples of so many others.  

Thank you for "noticing!"....  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Roasted Veggie Sauce or Soup

End of the year garden bounty and some other goodies all roasted together.  You can NOT beat roasted veggies for creating a soup, however, I've never made a sauce.  It is hearty, earthy and delicous!  No one will know how healthy it is....teehee...

Super EASY! 

Fill your baking pans with a variety of veggies, herbs, limes, mushrooms - whatever you can think of that will taste good.  Drizzle with olive oil, S&P, spices to your taste...oregeno, anise and cloves (pho ingredients)...whatever you like.

Roast till all is soft and a bit brown...brown is flavor!

Dump all of this into a kettle - make sure to add water to the chard goodness on the pans.  At this point you can leave it vegetarian/vegan cover veggies with water or you could add chicken stock to cook it all down.  I also added a jar of my canned tomatoes and 2 cans of tomato paste.  

Let all of that heat up and start to bubble.  I ran my immersion blender in the kettle.  You could take out by cups full in the blender as well.  Remember, it's hot...so the lid will pop off....

I enjoy a thick soup, however at this point if you wanted to make this into a soup, add some liquid.  The rest put in the freezer for a future sauce or soup.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin

Motivational Monday - Wear Your Scars

This is Tuesday...yesterday was Veteran's Day.  Thank you all who served, including my father-in-law, brother-in-law and husband.  

I have been listening for months to a radio station - "Voice of the Master" - Christian broadcasting.  What I enjoy is all the positive pod casts.  Yesterday, did not disappoint.  Al and I even looked up and listened to it again last night.   Dave Roever, Healing the Wounds of War:  
https://jimdaly.focusonthefamily.com/healing-the-wounds-of-war/

He has an amazing testimony.   I won't try to repeat it, I couldn't do it justice, his passion is moving.  I would encourage you to go back and listen. 

I have just been though an emotional battle.  The war is still going on, as we are still living and breathing.   Today, I will motivate us - yes, motivate us to wear our scars proudly.  Dave Roever, had his face almost blown off - yet, he somehow through all that - lives Romans 8:28   "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who have been called according to his purpose." 

"How in the world can 'this' be working for our good!"  "What's the lesson? How can I help?  Really, Lord...really?!"  I know, I've had some shameful and selfish thoughts.  Often times, we carry around these thoughts and they weight us down, dragging us to the bottom of an emotional pit.  I've visited that place and prefer not to go back.  

A few Sundays ago, the whole service, from songs, reading to lesson was for me, my healing.   One line, my nephew, Avery, said that I've repeated over and over since..."God doesn't owe me anything."  He doesn't!  Avery told a little story of how at his work they had the president of the company come in for a brainstorming session.  All the employees were gathered and each said something enlightening.  Until, they came to one employee who asked the president, "why did you take my foot heater away?"  She went right to the top...the president, I'm sure he had no idea why, other than it was a fire hazard.  She had the audience of the president of the company and she stated her complaint.  We have the audience of God almighty, he can handle our complaints - only He knows the whole picture!  He sees our beginning to end.   In a book I recently read the illustration of life was like this:  our life is like a parade, as it passes, we only see the float in front of us - we enjoy it, cheer and wait for the next.  God sees the whole parade - beginning and end.  When we look at our life or trials in this way, IF we put our faith in Him.   "IF," I know first hand how hard that is!  But, I have nothing else to put my faith in.  Another line from a lesson my brother taught was..."when life leaves you at the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."  

I tell you all this to say, yep even my healing was like a parade.  When I reflect on the past several weeks, my studies, books I've read, pod casts I've listened to and Sunday school lessons, it all has been preparing me to say "yes, all things work together for the good...."  Even if I don't know how it will....I know it will...I've tied my knot, I'm hanging on, God doesn't owe me anything and yes, "ALL" things work together for our good!

Dave Roever said some pretty enlightening things in the pod cast about his scars and how they opened doors to help others heal as well.  He had a line I can't stop thinking of, "there are thousands of things in life that hurts, but only One that can heal."  

Lots of things hurt in our life, some scars are physical, some emotional and some the result of both.  These scars reflect sometimes the most terrible things in our life.   How do we embrace them?  How did he embrace a face that no longer looked like him?  He did this, we can do this, with our faith.  "Each  man is given a measure of faith" exercise it, build up your faith muscles, wear your scars proudly so others may see them and what you've been through.   Understand that that a scar was given to you - for your good - IF you know God works it for your good.  He is the master of your parade, this float in front of you may not be what you wanted to see, it will too will pass along and if we hang on, tie a knot, HE will reveal to us...maybe not in this life....but, we will understand these scars and see the whole picture someday.  

I only hope that if you are still reading this...I know it's a long one...you will reflect on it, be blessed by it.  You too have scars, I encourage you to look at them in a new light..."it was for my good" did I want it to be different, sure!  Did we have other dreams and wishes, sure!  Do we know HE has us, you bet!  He has something wonderful in store for each of us, might not be what we wanted or maybe we are still waiting....tie your knot and hang on.  Jesus has this too!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Fulfilling our Parent's Wishes - Promise Kept

September 17, 2019 our parents would have been married 70 years.  We promised them that once the last one passed on, we would spread their ashes up on Sugar Bush Hill.  My dad grew up on the Potawatomi Reservation and this spot overlooked his childhood home.  It took a few years for us to "let go" - but, we did so this year, their 70th Anniversary and thinking on it now - it was perfect!  My dad use to say....(he had a funny sometimes nasty humor)...."mix us up all together 'one last time' (wink, wink) on our anniversary and spread us out together."   That is just what we did. 

Here are pictures of my mom, dad when they were young, their wedding photo and my favorite picture of them together.

Christal Delores Kincaid (1932-2013)

Henry Charles Ritchie (1926-2008)

Henry & Christal Ritchie, September 17, 1949 

My wonderful parents.  I have been so blessed!

My sisters, Bonnie & Lori, looked around in the woods for the perfect spot.  They found it!  It was a grouping of 6 rocks, all different sizes, one representing each of us.  The little rock was in the middle - that's me - I'm the youngest.  I was so happy they found this!  It also gives us a "marker" so we can return and visit.  The rest of the memorial I don't need to share, it is too personal.  

I took their cremation tag - now on my key chain.

I don't know when all 6 of us will be together again.  I'm so happy we took these pictures.  

It took some time for me to post this.  I wasn't sure I would, but then I thought it is my way of honoring them.  We grew up in a loving home, well cared for, parents who loved each other, taught us by example, poor times...and richer...., from fried chickens, frozen desserts to garden dirt....we were truly blessed!  

Blessings from Ringle Wisconsin.  

Opening Up our Hearts

I have an announcement, however, I've known for years and have been praying for a mother and my grandchild/ren from the moment I found out their plans.   Our daughter Justine (and Josh) prepared my heart by letting me in on their choice for adding children to their family.  I've known that their heart was for foster care and adoption.  That means too, that my heart must be open as well.

My mom (and dad) were foster parents.  We had many children in our home after I was the only child left.  My sister, Lori had foster children which resulted in the adoption of my niece Angie.  So fostering and adopting isn't new to me.  

I'm in tears even typing this....not because I'm sad...rather thinking on His plan.  How wonderful that "we" will be able to love a child no matter how long "we" have it.  You know, children are not "ours" they are HIS and we have no guarantee in how long we are able to love children, even those who are birthed to us.  I know me, well enough to know, that I will be whole hearted in love with and fully invested in each little one that comes our way.  If that child is placed back with their birth family, it will be a loss for me, but I will try my best to be happy for them.  Any time, no matter how long, should be spent loving, nurturing, guiding them.  I'm trusting that He knows who will be "mine."  

My grandmother path might not look like what I thought it would, however, I do have faith in Him and the process of how it will be achieved.  Pray for the little ones that come into our life and for my heart....I want to be able love no matter what the outcome.  I want to rejoice in a family being reunited if that is God's plan.  

My mom, had her heart broken....she carried it to her grave.  I know her well enough to know she was thinking about L in her last thoughts.  My mom was able to pick up a baby from the hospital.  It was her "change of life" or "empty nest" baby so to speak.  I now am able to understand this so much better.  She and we all loved her for just over a year and she was reunited with her family.  This girl when she was 18 knocked on my mom's door and introduced herself and thanked her for caring for her and loving her even though she didn't remember.  This may be "us" too.  

God has a plan, He has been preparing me for this for years even though I didn't know it.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.