Caring for the Earth

Genesis 1:27-31

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; till the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."

Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food." And it was so.

And God saw everything that he had made, and it was very good.

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It's a beautiful spring day! Please don't wait for some political mandate or evironmental crisis or new age cult order to do what God has given us to do every day. Care for the earth God made - it is wonder-full!



I scored as Acacia. Means: Beauty in retirement; Friendship; Concealed love: Chaste love (Acacia on Wikipedia)

I scored as Iris. meaning: Faith; Wisdom; Valor; Promise; My compliments; Hope; Message (Iris on Wikipedia)

What Kind Of Flower Are You???

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Commitment to Loveliness

I have long been a lurking fan of "Charming the Birds from the Trees" blog (see link in the "Ladies' Blogs" list, left) - well, for a couple of months anyway. Her occasional "Commitment to Loveliness" entries and links to other ladies who are committing to doing lovely things, makes me think of things that I can do as well to be a blessing to my husband and my family, and my friends as well. I have made up mental lists in the past of my own, but today, I will write them down, and post the link to her page. Perhaps if more ladies would not be afraid to strive for loveliness, then it would be more acceptable to be lovely - and not scorned upon by so many as trivial or childish or ignorant. Even Paul the Apostle encouraged all of of to think on lovely things, in Philippians 4:8. It must be something to take seriously.

1. I will listen to more lovely music, that which is calming and encouraging, healthful if possible, including some old hymns tapes that I have and can sing along to. I haven't sung along with my work for so long, and I used to all the time. (See my Pandora radio station, left, for my present choices)

2. I will use lotion more and work on these fingernails.

3. I will use the law of kindness on my tongue, and try to answer softly. So I must work on patience and not answering right away too.

4. I will continue to choose the pretty skirts and tops that I bought (and the salwar kameez suit I was given, see entry below), and not slack off and go back to those uncomfortable old blue jeans. Maybe I will pack those away to save for painting the house times.

5. I will end the day with my evening stretches, breathing exercises and, of course, prayers, to ease my mind and create a more lovely home to rest and to awake in. I must begin thinking of some appropriate lovely pajamas or gown to get now.

I hope these encourage you as well.

I like Salwar Kameez, and I don't care who knows it!

Copied straight off of the Seasons India page:

Why should you wear Salwar Kameez? Designer Vandanna Roy explains..

Advantage # 1:
It's comfortable Never mind that the last thing that a 16-year-old considers while spending precious pocket money is the comfort factor, the fact remains that the salwar kameez is one of the most comfortable all weather outfits we have. Salwar Kameez helps keep cool on those hot sweltering days (364 days a year in this country!) as it doesn't cling to the body. The salwar kameez spares you the mental agony you may experience while on a date that your panty line is showing - usually the case with hip-hugging low-waisters. Nor do you have to face the humiliation of a 'free show' when the wind runs away with your skirt. Let's face it, it's never what Monroe made it out to be.

Advantage # 2:
It's graceful I know, I know, whatever happened to hot (!) and hip (!) is what you're asking. But there's no denying the fact that the salwar kameez is very graceful and lends the wearer an aura of feminine charm. Don't believe me? Ask the men. Contrary to our perception of them being flesh-ogling-voyeurs, a surprisingly large number would agree.

Advantage # 3:
You can have variety Available in countless designs, materials, sizes and to suit all pockets, the salwar kameez is certainly an exciting outfit. All it needs is a little imagination and viola! You'll have one that's just right for you. Something simple to wear to college or a dressy one for a wedding or a night do. You can never go wrong with it since salwar kameez suits all occasions. Add to this the fact that salwar kameez easily available, unlike those elusive shoes you spotted in some 'firang' magazine and are praying fervently that the cousins remember to bring from some 'phoren' land. The best part is that even your friendly neighborhood darzi will do a great job of stitching a salwar kameez.

Advantage # 4:
Size no bar The salwar kameez is one outfit which will bring out the best in you no matter what your vital statistics. A loose kameez is the perfect camouflage for those extra layers and vertical prints produce a slimming effect. A small bust can be enhanced by embroidery at the neck or other embellishments such as wooden buttons, beads or bright yokes. Then again, if you consider yourself a little too 'well-endowed' then round simple necks, Chinese collars and work done at the bottom of the kameez is the best bet.

Advantage # 5:
Doubles as a safety device Lastly, in case your aircraft is about to crash the salwar can double up as a parachute!! You can tie the ends together and hold on to the 'nada' for dear life. Instead of plummeting to the ground at a 100 miles/hr, you'll find yourself gliding to safety as the wind fills up this contraption.

After putting before you the many merits of this very versatile outfit, in true democratic spirit, I declare that finally it's up to you guys to decide which article of clothing will occupy maximum space on your cupboard shelf (sincerely hoping that the 'shelf life' of you salwar kameez will reduce somewhat and it will see the light of day more than just once a year, that being the school or college farewell or the odd wedding). As for me, I sleep soundly when I'm on a flight.

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If you would like to check out some of the great variety of salwar kameez suits, and other similar Indian outfits, you may want to check out these fine online stores:
Trade Destin
Salwar Kameez India
Designer Salwar Kameez
Pardesi Fashions
(Also see ebay and amazon)

first photo above is from the movie "Bride and Prejudice"; others from the "Trade Destin" website, linked above; the blue scarf (dupatta) photo is from a tutorial page from Pardesi Fashions, on how to wear the clothes for Western ladies; and these last two (left and right) are from the "Salwar Kameez India" website, linked above.

the "Southern Ladies" email, edited

I was born and reared up in Florida, and though some of the truisms about "Southern Ladies" don't apply to us Floridians, we sure do appreciate the ladies of the Old South, and all of this "southern-ness".

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SOUTHERN WOMEN and "SOUTHERNESS"

Southern women appreciate their natural assets:
Clean skin.
A winning smile.
That unforgettable Southern drawl.

Southern women know their manners:
"Yes, ma'am."
"Yes, sir."
"Why, no, Billy!"

Southern women have a distinct way with fond expressions :
"Y'all come back!"
"Well, bless your heart."
"Drop by when you can."
"How's your Momma?"

Southern women know the joys of June, July, and August:
Colorful hi-heel sandals
Strapless sun dresses
Iced sweet tea with mint

Southern women know everybody's first name:
Honey
Darlin'
Shugah

Southern women know the movies that speak to their hearts:
Fried Green Tomatoes
Driving Miss Daisy
Steel Magnolias
Gone With The Wind

Southern women know their religions:
Baptist
Methodist
Football

Southern women know their country breakfasts:
Red-eye gravy
Grits
Eggs
Country ham
Mouth-watering homemade biscuits with momma's homemade jelly

Southern women know their elegant gentlemen:
Men in uniform.
Men in tuxedos
Rhett Butler

Southern girls know the 3 deadly sins:
Having bad hair and nails
Having bad manners
Cooking bad food


More Suthen-ism's:

Only a Southerner knows the difference between a hissie fit and a conniption fit, and that you don't "HAVE" them, you "PITCH" them.
_____

Only a Southerner knows how many fish, collard greens, turnip greens, peas, beans, etc., make up "a mess."
_____

Only a Southerner can show or point out to you the general direction of "yonder."
_____

Only a Southerner knows exactly how long "directly" is, as in: "Going to town, be back directly."
_____

Even Southern babies know that "Gimme some sugar" is not a request for the white, granular sweet substance that sits in a pretty little bowl in the middle of the table.
_____

All Southerners know exactly when "by and by" is. They might not use the term, but they know the concept well.
_____

Only a Southerner knows instinctively that the best gesture of solace for a neighbor who's got trouble is a plate of hot fried chicken and a big bowl of cold potato salad. If the neighbor's trouble is a real crisis, they also know to add a large banana puddin!
_____

Only Southerners grow up knowing the difference between "right near" and "a right far piece." They also know that "just down the road" can be 1 mile or 20.
_____

Only a Southerner, both knows and understands, the difference between a redneck, a good ol' boy, and po' white trash.
_____

A Southerner knows that "fixin" can be used as a noun, a verb, or an adverb.
_____

Only Southerners make friends while standing in lines, ... and when we're "in line," we talk to everybody!
_____

In the South, y'all is singular, all y'all is plural. (Not in Florida, as far as I know, but I suppose some people think it's cute when they hear the Old Southern drawl refer to one person as "y'all".)
_____

Southerners know grits come from corn and how to eat them.
_____

Every Southerner knows tomatoes with eggs, bacon, grits, and coffee are perfectly wonderful; that red eye gravy is also a breakfast food; and that fried green tomatoes are not a breakfast food.
_____

Only true Southerners say "sweet tea" and "sweet milk." Sweet tea indicates the need for sugar and lots of it -- we do not like our tea unsweetened. "Sweet milk" means you don't want buttermilk.
_____

And a true Southerner knows you don't scream obscenities at little old ladies who drive 30 MPH on the freeway. You just say,"Bless her heart" .... and go your own way.
_____

To those of you who are still a little embarrassed by your Southerness:
Take two tent revivals and a dose of sausage gravy and call me in the morning. Bless your heart!
_____

And to those of you who are still having a hard time understanding all this Southern stuff, ... bless your hearts, I hear they are fixin' to have classes on Southernness as a second language!
_____

And for those that are not from the South but have lived here for a long time, all y'all need a sign to hang on y'alls front porch that reads "I ain't from the South, but I got here as fast as I could."

A Prayer for Nobility in the Daily Round

"O Lord God, we pray that we may be inspired to nobleness of life in the least of things. May we dignify all our daily life. May we set such a sacredness upon every part of our life that nothing shall be trivial, nothing unimportant, and nothing dull, in the daily round"

- Henry Ward Beecher