Danger at Zuckerberg's Island

Not all vacations bring as much risk or adventure as this one.  Rita related the danger to the Thursday Friendship Group. This is what she said:  

“After enduring a month of higher-than-normal scorching temperatures in Phoenix my husband, Dan, and I were off in search of cooler climates. Our brand new brown and white Ford pickup was only three weeks old, but everything was going well so far.  

We believe in starting off each day with a prayer that God will keep us safe and show us His hand at work in our lives.  And on the trip we'd conclude,  “We're yours and this truck is yours, and Your Word says in all things You work for the good of those who love You.” 

My main goal was to get to Seattle and hug Nick and Jill, my two grandchildren.  And that we did.  With our son Patrick and daughter-in-law Chrissy we saw the tourist attractions for several days. But Dan had always wanted to cross the border to say he'd been there. 

Our little jaunt  to Canada would be a scenic drive along the shores of Kootenay Lake,  taking in the grandeur of the lofty snow-topped mountains.  Armed with helpful brochures from the border crossing guard we were eager to sample this little corner of a “foreign nation.”

But before the day was over we'd be stalked by a sandy-haired stranger,   our lives and property in danger.

Good ? Better ? Best ?

“Good!  Better!  Best!  Never let it rest; till my GOOD is BETTER,  and my BETTER,  BEST.”  The slogan seemed a logical thing to teach my class.  I demonstrated the look on my face for “good,” followed by a little smile, then a big grin.  It was a daily thing for the first week, then it was a once-a-week repetition.

Later, that summer in my spare time I made up this slogan for the kids.  “I will be happy today, no matter what comes my way.”  I concocted the idea of making up a planet of my own, inhabited by interesting animals and creatures. Turned out fun, and I boldly sent off a chapter with a letter to a local publisher.  Voila` a book was born.  

Well, that was some years ago! Sometimes I see Stories From Beyond the Double Rainbow for sale on Amazon, as “used.” 

Each of us face a challenge every day. Maybe some small irritation or maybe it’s a huge aggravation.  We make decisions small and large.  Other people might be affected sooner or later.

What kind of example are we showing others?  “It’s my decision, it’s my choice.  Today I’ll do my best.”  

Starting each day with an honest prayer, “I need help, dear LORD” can bring the day’s planning to a good start.

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by Elaine Hardt ©2018

A Special Gift for YOUR Kids for 2018

     Which Christmas do you remember, growing up?  Which family vacation do you remember when you were just a kid? 
     Here's a special gift you can give YOUR kids this year . . . on some special day . . . or just any ordinary day.

     Jot down some memories of the early Christmas things you remember.  (This is not a Master’s thesis for ASU.)   Just get started on some of it today.  Later, in your “spare” time . . . if you have any empty time before bedtime . . . your clever, busy brain will think of some other things to add to it.  

     Then take some other spare minutes to jot down some other memories you have.  When they're written down that's a big help.  

     See how good you're doing so far?  Go back and add other interesting details that come to mind. 

     Keep in mind what a nice surprise this will be for your kids someday in 2018.  Maybe at a family meal for a holiday, or any other day when you've made your memories into a booklet you have a unique gift . . . one of a kind!

     Keep a copy for yourself in case you live to be 99 and are slightly forgetful by then!

     ( Don't you wish computers and printers were invented back in Grandma's and Grandpa's day?  What a wonderful blessing that would be for you, as well as the coming generation, to know more about living in those olden times !) 

by Elaine Hardt ©2018