Eye Exam by Susan L.

  The laptop type is getting fuzzier and fuzzier. Objects in the distance aren't quite as sharp as they once were especially later in the day. Cheap dollar store reading glasses have been needed to read for a number of years. It's been well over a decade since my last eye exam. Not wanting to return to that optometrist because people skills were not his strong point, I cold called one of the others here in town. They had a cancellation so I was able to see him the same day. The young doctor was personable, the staff very friendly.
  The advance in technology is astounding. A couple pieces of equipment did everything from photograph my eyes to a glaucoma test to measuring the thickness of the eye wall. The picture was both creepy and amazing at the same time. My eye floated on the black screen like a close up of Mars.
  Needless to say, glasses are needed.
  I went out to find frames for the trifocal lenses. My distance vision is nearly perfect. It only needs some tweaking for when I am tired. The mid range should fix the fuzzy laptop and the third part is for reading. They will probably take some getting used to.
  After trying on several styles of frames, the choice was between two that suited the shape of my face the best. One was a bit funky and fun, the other was rather sedate and responsible looking. Back and forth, off and on, look in the mirror again (when did I get so old?!)...did I dare? Yup. Funky won the battle.
  They should be ready early next week.
  Thank You, Lord, for Your provision in all things.
  "But seek the kingdom of God, and all these thins shall be added to you. Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." Lk 12:31-32 

How to Paint by Susan L.

  It's my painting group today at the centre. I decided to do a session on painting portraits. It's not an area I am too familiar with. Going on line to watch some video teachings lead to a bit of practicing on my part. Portraits are definitely not my strong point. The human face is incredibly challenging. The first one ended up like a pasty corpse, the second was rather lopsided although the colour of the face was a bit healthier which was all I was after.
  One of the methods was done using acrylic washes where the diluted paint is applied layer after layer. Which makes sense if you think about the physical structure of the face: bones, muscles, blood vessels, skin layers. It did generate the translucent radiance of flesh.
  I figure I'll teach the group how to mix colours to create skin tones, at least Caucasian ones, and sort of let them get on with it. Most of them have been painting for a while but this is the first time we'll really get into mixing specific and difficult colours. Previously we've relied heavily on pre-mixed colours.
  I wonder if watercolours would be easier than acrylics?
  Not.
  Or maybe...the softer colours, the blending ability...perhaps another time we'll try. For now, acrylics.
  We aren't going to worry about drawing the outline. We'll trace images from magazines and transfer them to canvas. It'll speed up the process a bit although finding faces with light and shadow contrast is a bit hard in this day of airbrushed beauty.
  And there's no need to stress about this. Perhaps my role today is helping the budding artists simply see the various hues, to help them give life to the eyes. They truly are a window to the soul.
  "I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, "It is more blessed to give than receive."" Acts 20:35
 
 
 
 

Random Stuff by Susan L.

  I always wondered what birds do or where they go at night. Since the storm, it's been comfortably cool but I am sure the little beasties outside would find it downright cold in the wee hours of the morning. My clothesline is attached to an old hydro pole that still has the cross pieces. One of them is fairly rotted out, creating a little tunnel. I was blessed to see a chick-a-dee tuck himself in there as the night closed in. Safely hidden and insulated by the wood I am sure he had a comfortable night. 

  These rather blurry images are a hummingbird moth at my bee balm. It's different from the other one I saw which was more pale. This one has been back a couple of times to eat so I'll keep trying to get a better photo but insects can be challenging! This particular one moves very fast and I am pleased to have gotten even these pictures!



  The shoe rack is now installed at the centre. It really makes the front entrance much tidier. It's funny though, in true carpenter fashion, I measured and measured and measured again the space where it was going to go. The same when I was cutting the wood. "Measure twice, cut once" is the carpenter's motto. I'll believe it was a Divine hand who stopped it from being any taller. It just rolled in under the coat rail which now holds it securely without the unit having to be attached to the wall for safety reasons.
  We had to remove a piece of the quarter round along the baseboard to get the bottom section to fit between the trim and the baseboard heater. Again, any wider, it wouldn't have worked! There obviously a few mistakes somewhere in my calculations but then, math has never been my strong point.
  It all helps to keep me humble and in awe of the Creator of creators whose Divine countenance watches over the birds, the insects and every single one of us no matter what we do.
  "By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible." Heb 11:3

 
 


 
 
 

For Those Who Struggle by Susan L.

   I've been there when the day looms long and empty, when getting out of bed takes a monumental effort, when simply getting dressed is a task greater than climbing Everest. I've been there when sleeping in my clothes was easier because there was nothing left after brushing my teeth (if they got brushed). I've been there when all I could be thankful for was that the day was over. I've been there when sorrow and utter hopelessness swallowed my heart and soul. I've been there when my mind broke from reality and the days vanished into the mists of the forgotten, wrapped in nothing but pain.
  The shame that I couldn't do more...the anger that I should be able to do more...the defeat because I simply can't do more still rears its ugly face. It's a work in progress.
  Many breakthroughs took place in quiet conversations between my heavenly Father and myself. We had many chats through my journals which is basically written prayer. Cognitive thought was beyond me. Pen and paper, a line at a time, helped me put what was on my heart into something that made sense. It is where I learned I am worth loving. An idea that has waned and strengthened and sometimes waned again throughout the years.
  Recovery, or as I prefer, discovery is not a straight line journey.
  At the time, armed with a tiny, brilliant fragment of hope, "Value", I began to see a therapist. Little did I know it was to be a journey that spanned several years. Those appointments kept me going. Even if I did nothing else, those meetings were kept, sometimes twice a week if needed. Which it was following those couple of trips to the hospital.
  I began a frantic knocking at doors. Whatever help was available in my community got tried. Some were for me, others not so much. Some helped. Some damaged. All these experiences enabled me to find answers and little pieces of hope. Finding the Krasman Centre drop-in was a life saver. It gave me a reason to get out of the house every day and continues to fulfill that purpose. It's where I go even if I am not working.
  Along the way I began to get a sense of the person I am in God's eyes. He is the only one that really matters. As I worked through the traumatic events of the past, lies about my identity and worth were cast aside. God's truth began to solidify and continues to do so. Self-esteem (vs ego) is an area I still struggle with.
  I also found wellness tools like the right medications and a compassionate psychiatrist.
  I am far from finished. This journey won't end until the day the Lord takes me home. Some hurts may never be healed this side of Paradise although I pray they will.
  Peter Jackson, in his sermon "Unashamed" made a statement that changed my life forever, that has helped squash the performance ghoul. "We are human beings, not human doings!"
  I  believe in the power of hope held in trust. For those who struggle, I'll hold onto hope for you just as others held onto hope for me. I'll believe for you that there will be better tomorrows. I'll believe that the Lord will lead you on the path designed especially for you. I believe He will give you the strength and courage to go the distance, to go through the open doors He has for you. I believe He will catch you if you stumble. I believe He will send angels to guide you, guard you and comfort you in those moments of despair when it all seems too hard. Don't give up, reach up and out.
  God bless you.
  "Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all day." Ps 25:4-5
 
 
 
 

Thunderstorm by Susan L.

  In true Southern Ontario fashion, the excessive heat of the last week or so was wiped away in a matter of moments. One of the most violent thunderstorms I have ever seen whipped through the area last night around supper time.
  The sky to the north west became a dangerous and ominous green. I could hear the storm long before it raced over head. A few tentative gusts of wind blew chilly through the windows before the full force of the storm hit hard. The temperature plummeted fourteen degrees as the wind bent the trees and I quickly shut my windows. Even in my protected valley, the taller ones lashed back and forth. My first anxious thought was "Tornado!" and at the same time I was wondering if the big tree in my front yard would come crashing down.
  Then the rain started. Whipped into a gazillion drops, it swirled and lashed the ground. It blew off the roof like snow then fell in a brief but steady torrent before tapering off. The rain didn't last as long as the noise or light show.
  The lightning was as intense as a fireworks' finale. The thunder rumbled like a freight train. The longest time between crackles and growls was three seconds. I only made it to three once.
  It took about forty minutes from when I first heard it gathering on the horizon until it passed out of earshot.
  There may have been a tornado touch down about forty kilometers from here. Environment Canada will be sending a team to investigate today. Still, the hundred kilometer an hour winds did a lot of damage to trees and power lines. I guess the valley did help protect those of us who live here.
  I pray for those who were impacted by this incredibly violent storm.
  On a different note, I'd like to take a moment to thank my readers. Today is a milestone day. My blog has reached thirty thousand hits! It is so encouraging and affirming. Bless you all.
  "And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind." 1 Kings 19:12
 
 
 

Shoe Shelf by Susan L.

  The centre needed a better way of storing slippers for visitors. We ask that people remove their shoes and boots if the weather is messy. My co-worker bought a bunch of plastic crocs for general use and to replace the rather worn footwear we have provided. They are easy to keep clean and can be disinfected. The existing shoe rack is rather uncooperative. Slippers leap off of it all the time so I decided to build a shelf.
  It's like a mail sorting box with individual slots for pairs of crocs. There's enough room for twenty-four pairs of various sizes. Needless to say, I enjoyed building it. Being in the cool basement was a nice break from the heat.
  I used my new router for the first time to cut grooves in the sides so the thinner shelving material would be supported better. I took a couple of moments to practice with it on a piece of scrap and to find out where the blade cuts in regard to the base. This was important because I attached guide boards so the grooves were straight. Routering out a straight line without them is near impossible. Even so, there were a couple of lines that wandered a bit when the guide board popped off. Those little mistakes are hidden near the back and don't affect the overall appearance. It's just part of the learning curve. And it's good practice.
  I'd like to build a small drawer/display unit to replace the rather rustic one that currently sits atop an old treadle sewing machine base. Doubling as a hall table, it displays my shell collection, a few fossils found here in Ontario and various other small souvenirs from other trips. It would be nice to have interchangeable drawers to change things up now and again. I'd still keep the glass top only instead of using fragile picture frame glass I'd have a thicker piece cut to fit. It's more of a winter project though so it can wait.
  Yup, one of my great joys is being downstairs making sawdust.
  "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Prov 9:10
 
 

Dry Spell by Susan L.

  When I got back from my son's my poor gardens were drooping and parched. Once unpacked I got out there with the hose and gave everything a good drink. How things work always fascinates me. Within twenty minutes of the soaking, the Bee Balm released its lovely fragrance. A crowd of bumble bees and a hummingbird moth spent several moments sipping away at the flower's sweet nectar. I was surprised how quickly the water was utilized. They are a tall flower but it didn't take long for the water to travel up the stem.
  I was close enough to the moth to see its tongue curl in and out of the flowers. They've been blogged about before but because they are a rare sight, I am simply delighted to see one again. They look like miniature humming birds being only a couple of inches in length. Tufts of hair create the illusion of a tail. Their colouring is similar to the birds: jewel greens and soft creams with a darker back. The moth has clear wings that beat in a rapid blur mimicking the way the birds fly. Amazing!
  The next time I see one I'll try and take a picture.
  God's handiwork is awe inspiring: from the tiniest treasure to the mountains, the prairies, the great lakes and seas. Cathedral forests and ancient, natural bonsais that cling to the sides of cliffs, twisted by the wind. Clouds whose appearance is never the same, like a fingerprint on a blue horizon. This list is without end.
  Thank You Lord for Your wonders.
  "Say to God, "How awesome are Your works!"" Ps 66:3