It has been absolutely stunning outside. The greens are brilliant. The birds are singing. The flowers are blooming. It's been just what I've needed during this. I'm so thankful I can get out on the trail and soak in a little bit of sunshine. I got out after a little storm last night and slushed through the muddy part of the trail. I got some of the most beautiful pictures. I'm trying to take pictures everyday, and then couple them with my posts.
I'm trying to smile and speak to everyone I see. I don't want people to think that kindness has gone away with the spreading of this illness.
I live next to a police officer. I want to catch her sometime and tell her thank you. There's a little girl on the other side. I'd like to bake her cookies. There are so many things I'd like to do for people around me. Right now, it's all I can think about. I'm not running from people, I seem to be drawn to them, to just try to show them that I'm thankful for them. I'm going to try to do something. I encourage you to, as well. You don't have to go anywhere, and honestly, I don't want you to. But, at the very least, look at the contacts in your phone, send out a text, call, photo, anything. We are all a bit nervous. And, we can all feel a little isolated. It's time to come together even more in the midst of isolation.
Oddly, the last time I lived in an apartment was in the early fall of 2001, in Baltimore, Maryland. I remember doing the exact same thing when the airlines shut down - I was a flight attendant. I'd go out on my balcony and just look around at everyone else just looking around, wondering what was going to happen next. Now, I'm looking at people, sunning on their balconies. Walking around the apartment complex. Looking out, wondering what's going to happen next. It's so weird and creepy. The air is electric with uncertainty, even more than it was during 9/11. This is an enemy that lives amongst us. That we can't see. And, it has not unified us like that did.
Listen NBCDFW.COM, please, PLEASE, change your online commercials. I have no way to watch you except online. I've memorized every single one of your ads. And, so help me, if Rick Mitchell-child tells me to be winter-ready one more time....
Galatians
I was thinking, while reading Galatians, about calling my little sections "Galatial Tidbits," but it just seemed a bit too medical... Anyway, here's your tidbit for today.
We have been talking about the freedom that Christ has given us. And we truly are free from so many things. But, we are also not to use that freedom to just do whatever comes to us. We are called to live a life that shows that we belong to Christ. Galatians 5:16-25. In this section, Paul talks about the difference between the life we are called to live, and the life we put away when we decided to follow God. He likens us to trees, fruit trees. When you buy a fruit tree, you expect fruit from that tree. And, you expect that fruit to be exactly what you've planted.
God's trees have these fruits:
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. This morning, take a good look at your life. Don't just assume you've got this all under control. Don't just check this off the list and move on. Those who were raised reading the Bible, skim over this and say, "Whew! Glad I'm like this, and not like that other list!" That is NOT what is supposed to happen. These fruits are never-ending. You don't get to pick and choose who you will use these fruits on, and who doesn't deserve them. I've been on the receiving end of this list, and I've been on the receiving end of another list. I want, more than anything, to live my life as Christ did. To produce the fruits that God expects of me. What a wonderful life it is.
Now to the important section - FOOD.
I ordered food a couple of days ago, from Walmart, online, to be picked up in two days. And, I need to just go ahead and express what thousands of non-panicked people are expressing - WHAT IS WRONG WITH Y'ALL?? Why are we hoarding?? If Americans would calm down, I might get to wipe my rear - eat some chicken - Shoot! Even have some dang ruby red grapefruit juice! UGH! At least they're not hoarding the Starbucks French Roast coffee. That stuff is stout enough to live on for a week or two. I was parked outside of Walmart, waiting on the groceries, and the parking lot is packed. Dude! Did y'all not see that you could get sick? I realize you just want to go on with your lives, but... I kind of feel like, since everyone is being so ridiculous, that they should just bring groceries to everyone's house. And, you don't get to choose - except for the kind of coffee you want. I can't subsist on that weak crap. I'm sorry. Every person in your home gets this - and you get a few choices as to extras. That's what y'all are bringing. Calm down! Sorry - I needed to rant a little. I ended up saying okay to subsitutions. I'm used to that. However, I didn't realize to what extent I was agreeing to. I ended up with about a 10 lb bag of frozen peas and carrots! I'll be eating on those for about a month. I don't even have room in my freezer for that! But, I rearranged. I'm about to go ask anyone in the apartment complex if they'd like to partake! I'll just make little care packages in little ziplock bags. Frozen peas and carrots!
Bonnie's Apple Slice Pie
Time for a dessert. This is an incredibly easy recipe. I've taken this to so many gatherings - not lately, of course, but. Everyone always thinks you're AMAZING when you make this. I've made it tons of times, and it always turns out well. Make it. Enjoy. Close your eyes and enjoy that hardened crust on top.
3 large Granny Smith or Jonathan apples (peel and slice thin)
3/4 cup butter (melted)
1 cup flour
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 pinch salt (literally, a pinch)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (I never put this in, but have at it if you want!)
Mix 1 TBS sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon and sprinkle over apples after they are spread on the bottom of a 9" pie pan.
Mix butter, flour, sugar, egg, salt in medium bowl - mix until well blended. (I do this by hand, and it always ends up feeling really cool and not sticking to the bowl at all.) Stir in nuts. Pour this mixture over the apples in the pan.
Bake at 350 for 45 minutes. Bake until golden brown.
Glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla, and 2 or 3 TBS of milk (2 for a thick glaze, 3 for thin). Dribble glaze on the hot pie when it comes out of the oven.
Your house will smell amazing, and you'll be the hit of the.... Well, whoever you give it to will LOVE it. Enjoy.
Take care. Show kindness. Reach out. Love.
Comentarios