Smiles, surprises and daily blessings

Funny carrot person is one of the simple things in life that brings joy!

My gardener husband Stan pulled a surprise out of the ground yesterday. As he washed off the soil, he recognized the funny carrot person shown below! Later, I was putting away the groceries and was delighted to find her relaxing in a bowl of veggies. Comically entertained, I grabbed the camera to share this whimsical moment. I posed her on a zucchini bench by my vintage blender.

God is in the details. —Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

Funny carrotman relaxing on zucchini bench at Hamilton Beach

The electric mixer in the background of this picture reminds me of the day I wandered into a thrift shop during my lunch break. I found this vintage Hamilton Beach® blender which is exactly like the one Mom had! Memories rushed back to me of kitchen time spent with her and my sisters.

Stan and I keep and use some of the old items we find, others are available at Mud Creek Antique Mall in Abilene, Kansas; and I offer some worldwide at FreshRetroGallery.

Dad and Mom added a couple rooms and remodeled the house the year I was born. Dad built the kitchen cabinets. Their design included a special drawer dedicated to cake; and the mixer was on a spring-loaded retractable shelf that popped up out of a cupboard which hid it when it was’t in use.

Those were good times together in the farm home in Hegbert Township where I grew up in a family of eight.

Count 20 of God’s blessings

1. beauty in nature
2. humor in imagination
3. kindness in friendship
4. accomplishment in work
5. strength in trials
6. expertise in professionals
7. wisdom in elders
8. unity in family
9. inspiration in the arts: visual, performing, music
10. courage in creativity
11. enjoyment in entertainment
12. exploration in travel
13. talent and skill in practice
14. health in exercise
15. flavor and nutrition in foods
16. meditation in quiet times
17. knowledge in books
18. rest in sleep
19. harmony in love
20. humility to renounce sin; forgiveness and peace in Jesus

Focusing on positive things allows you to realize the blessing list goes on and on. Shake off sad. Get rid of mad. Be glad for life itself, today and everyday with thanksgiving!

This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

Thanks for reading this blog post. Have a great day!

What is your favorite season: spring summer, autumn (fall) or winter?

Blessed by the spring robin and faith in Jesus

Blessed Spring Robin by Elizabeth Knaus using Adobe Illustrator software.

The calendar is marked and the climate changes with seasons. God’s creation instinctively knows what to do in order to survive and thrive. 

He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows its time for setting. Psalm 104:19 ESV

In one year, four distinctive three-month seasons each bring something different: occasional snow in winter, pleasant temperatures in spring/fall, and intense heat during summer. This fluctuation occurs in Kansas where I live; yet, near the equator temperatures remain steady and seasons are marked by the amount of precipitation that is received.

We live during the season of grace on earth before Jesus Christ returns on the Last Day.

“Every generation should expect Christ’s return as they see the signs of the end times. … God wants all people to come to believe and trust in His Son for their salvation and to lead holy lives in service to Him, eagerly awaiting with patience and perseverance His return on the last day.” Excerpt from pdf “What About . . .The New Millennium” by Dr. A.L. Barry, past President of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod

We know there will be an end, yet in sin we often:

• slip up on good intentions
• procrastinate
• reject opportunities to receive His gifts of Word and Sacrament
• ignore chances to honor Him through caring and sharing with others
• worship and praise Him less or not at all
• become selfish with time, talent and money
• separate ourselves from Him
• apathetically, become complacent toward churches who support false teachers that twist His truth or flat-out reject it
• claim we don’t need Him/His forgiveness (are blind to our own sin)
• are lazy
• the list goes on as we think and act in ways that are against His commandments

There is no getting around it. We sin without even knowing it!

They do not say in their hearts, ‘Let us fear the Lord our God, who gives the rain in its season, the autumn rain and the spring rain, and keeps for us the weeks appointed for the harvest.’ Jeremiah 5:24 ESV

God loves us and hates sin. The Spirit provides faith, desire and ability to repent and turn away from sin. His command for us is to put Him above all our “small-g” gods and look to His Son whose virgin birth, perfect life, suffering, death and bodily resurrection took away the punishment we deserve. Only in Christ we receive forgiveness. Wisdom, courage and power is ours when we hear and read His Word. Out of thanksgiving, we strive to honor Him by making an effort to do great things and share His love.

Lovely sights in nature draw me to my Creator. 

I grew up in Minnesota where a robin sighting marks the beginning of spring. We enjoyed ice skating and building snowmen, but winters started early and were long-lasting. Whoever happened to see the first robin was somewhat of a hero who brought a little joy into the day! After I moved over 500 miles south, I learned that Kansans see robins two months before Minnesotans do and the warmer climate allows us to grow different plants. With the help of God we: confess/repent/recieve forgiveness of sin; watch our diet and exercise to improve our health; keep up property landscape aesthetics. We must clean the yard, prune pampas grass, physically and spiritually clean up our act. Spring is a season to start fresh growth.

Today I went for a walk and saw the largest flock of robins I’d ever seen; a rough estimate is over 50 of them! Repeatedly, they were taking-off and landing in the grass ditch near the Solomon River. I enjoy observing the mysterious lives of birds and imagining dreamy things like the ability to fly. I’m not alone—the birding hobby soars in popularity across North America. It is an art and science.

• John James Audubon, 1785–1851, US naturalist and artist, noted particularly for his paintings of birds in Birds of America 
• Learn more about ornithology here.

My parents enjoyed watching birds. They kept this pair of antique binoculars by the back door window. The vintage globe sat on the filing cabinet in the room we called den. Now they’re displayed on a stacking bookcase I inherited from my maternal grandmother. The cherished handiwork of my mother, Hardanger embroidery or “Hardangersøm”, was a Christmas gift which must have taken many hours to create. The green vase holds April plant clippings from my back yard including purple iris and viburnum alleghany.

Dad’s favorite bird species inspired him and Mom to study their patterns. 

Dad built fancy hotels for purple martins. To track migration patterns, Mom went online at the library to check sighting data which she reported back to Dad. Together, they anticipated the arrival of when their martins would check in. I imagine their bird watching hobby was sparked by their interest in the weather which had been an important aspect of their occupational livelihood as seed crop farmers before retirement.

In their lives I remember that in everything — the good and hard times — they studied the Word, gave thanks, and trusted His will to be done through Jesus Christ. They had peace.

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Matthew 6:25-26

In the seasons of a Christian’s life,

… we walk by faith, not by sight. … 2 Corinthians 5

No matter what we face, in God’s Word we can start each day fresh. His forgiveness is always there for us to receive when we pray and remember our baptism in Jesus Christ who suffered for us so by His pure grace we can live. He knows our challenges and pain. He comforts us and celebrates our joys — right here, right now — until the day we die and eternal life with Him is ours.

For everything there is a season,
and a time for every matter under heaven: 

a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 ESV

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV

If you have heard of the following terms…

• Ash Wednesday
• Season of Lent
• Holy Week
• Maundy Thursday
• Good Friday
• Easter

…but you don’t know what it’s all about and want more information, please call and ask a pastor at a church near you.

I have cancer?! How do I tell others? Help me, God. What’s next?

Life is short or long; nobody knows.

 

Physicians and Ministers are intersecting occupations which I honor and respect; they’re arts of science and spirit.

Dr. Merle Hodges, Sr. delivered my precious baby boy several years ago. Two years later, his son Dr. Merle (Boo) Hodges, Jr. delivered my beautiful baby girl. This very important man in my life, last month, diagnosed me with Grade 1 Endometrial Cancer. I am thankful, not that I wanted cancer—it was tough news for him to deliver, but for his knowledge of it and his advice which led to life-saving action.

It’s difficult to tell people you have cancer. Suddenly, there’s this sense of sadness as we realize how short life can be; how much we love and will miss each other someday. We connect on a new emotional level. We humbly wonder what the future holds. It’s out of our hands. We pray.

Within two days of my cancer diagnosis, I met my new gynecologic oncologist Dr. Jed Delmore and he performed a robotic hysterectomy that same week. To God be the glory for skilled physicians and medical teams as well as for modern technology of the healthcare industry in Salina and Wichita, Kansas!

Through the process I saw God’s hand in everything. 

My pastor came to Wesley Medical Center to pray with me and sit by my husband on the day of my surgery. I imagine that God wanted many other people to see a man wearing clerical collar in the hospital, too. My fellow church members prayed for me in a phone-prayer-chain and also in regular worship services. Awesome is the blessing of having family and friends near me who share the faith! I was encouraged with hugs, kind words, cards, Facebook messages, calls and personal visits.

Surgery removed all of the known cancer!

No cancer was found in the other “extra parts” and fluids removed during surgery to be tested. It had only been in the endometria which they’d already determined from the initial D&C/hysterscopy. I was happy to get a call from nurse Lindsay with news that pathology testing reported that it was stage 1A, an early diagnosis.

During my 3-week follow-up the doctor mentioned that Grade-1, Stage-1A was the best possible outcome and, statistically, my chances for this cancer to return somewhere else are 3 to 5% for the first two years after surgery. If I pass two years in good health, the prognosis is lowered; it becomes only one-half of a percent. Well, that allows for some optimism!

Thankfully, I am in recovery mode now and won’t need further treatment such as radiation or chemotherapy. I know how difficult this is by remembrance of my husband’s journey with esophageal cancer.

I pray, God-willing, frequent follow-up check-ups during the next couple years will have good results and I may live a long life. I thank the Lord for spiritual care my Minister offers each week in his sermons and worship services that include The Lord’s Supper; plus, the privilege to pray and be in His Word everyday.

Yet, even if long life is not to be, I have comfort for whenever the Last Day arrives.

I know God is always by my side and has gone before me. Our Father in Heaven loves us so much that He sent His Son Jesus to live as God-Man with us. In His birth, perfect life, suffering, death, burial, descent to hell, bodily resurrection, and ascension, Jesus claimed victory over death for everyone! He hears believers repentant prayers, forgives sins, crushes boastful pride, encourages/teaches humility/love; and, finally, He awards heaven as the prize for all who receive the one true faith which the Spirit freely offers (in baptism and the Word). Through Christ, believers trust the promise we will live forever in Paradise when death takes our earthly body.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. Mark 13:31-33 ESV

God provides food, drink, work skills and everything to enjoy life.

I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man. Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 ESV

A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed. Proverbs 15:13

Today in my quest for making good use of my time and finding enjoyment, I discovered a tutorial How to Prepare an Old Book for Altering or Art Journaling on Pinterest. Experimenting in creating art journals has been on my bucket list. God has blessed me with a creative spirit. I hope to use this gift more often for enjoyment to the glory of God.

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 ESV

My body was designed with the miraculous ability to become pregnant and give birth. I am Pro-Life; I do not support Pro-Choice-to-End-Life by abortion or human euthanasia.

I praise the Lord for creating me with a healthy uterus to protect and nurture my unborn children during those months of my youth. I thank Him for blessing me with a faithful daughter and a theologically-devoted son who takes time to read and talk with me and others about God’s Word. Just yesterday we discussed Colossians 3.

and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, “‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise’?” Matthew 21:16 ESV

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Psalm 127:3 ESV

Life is full of wonderful surprises and it also jolts us with shocking challenges we must be prepared to face. 

Like a cancer diagnosis which leads to death, ever since the fall of Adam and Eve, we’ve been diagnosed with sin which leads to death. Physical symptoms warn us to take medical actions; similarly, the Ten Commandments act like a mirror to help us see our sin. Symptoms of cancer don’t just fade away. Sin doesn’t go away in God’s eyes unless faith washes them away, whiter than snow, by Jesus blood (Psalm 51). This faith points us to want to follow God’s instructions for living and loving in this life He’s given us. Surgery may remove cancer, temporarily saving life on this earth; but, for sure, Jesus saves believers who inherit eternity in Heaven with Him. This is far better than to reject the gift of faith, leading to everlasting-punishment-without-God which is Hell!

I pray that you seek to read/hear His Word (the Bible) and receive the Spirit’s help so you, also, are confident that nothing will be able to separate you from His love. If you live near me and don’t go to church, please, will you join me at mine (Faith Lutheran Church)? If you live in another area, here’s a link to help you find one that shares my faith. I want you to be blessed by Christian fellowship and grow strong in the gift of faith in Christ which promises peace that passes human understanding.

Do you have questions? Comments? Please post them below. I review them and it may take up to a day for them to show publicly, so please check back. I will do my best to respond as soon as possible.

How to care for feet, prevent blisters and what to do with the extra, pairless half of lost socks

Do walking shoes and socks matter? How do blisters have anything to do with a book?

Good shoes are important to enjoy long walks in the countryside. 

My favorite walking route is a five-mile-round-trip south of Solomon, in Dickinson County, Kansas. I cross the bridge where tributary Solomon River joins Smoky Hill River.

As I walk, I try to let go of concerns I dream-up, like: aging may cause me to develop knee pain and what if I become unable to walk? I contemplate future events, like: I may move away from this area someday.

All this thinking spoke: I want to remember this beautiful farm/river landscape! So, I brought my camera along one day to shoot some photos. Inspiration comes naturally in God’s creation while I’m soaking-in my environment, imagining and praying.

As an artist in need of a creative outlet, I became curious about experimenting in publishing. I authored words to go with the images I shot and designed an inspirational/spiritual, art/photography book for adults, similar in format to children’s books. It’s a quick, easy-read about my stomping grounds and the Word of God.

Read more about 5 Miles Round Trip for Exercise and Inspiration pdf Ebook Edition at my gallery. I published my 6x9" trade-size paperback book via print-on-demand (POD) at Blurb, Inc. who handles the sale of it through online booksellers. You may find the Print Edition at Amazon or by searching ISBN 9781320458795. Consider giving the book as a gift. You may scroll over to the right column on this blog to find a preview of the entire book which can be viewed full-screen.

Why are two feet of the same person slightly different sizes? 

Our Creator designed humans with internal asymmetry. By paying careful attention, we notice that our external features are asymmetric as well. For example, the left side of our face is not an exact mirror reflection of the right side. The sizes of the left and right feet are often slightly different.

I don’t go to the trouble of ordering custom-made shoes; so I buy hiking/walking shoes to fit my bigger foot. The smaller foot heel slips and rubs against the inside, causing the heel area of the shoe to wear out. The rubbing forms a blister on my heel—ouch! If I buy to fit the smaller foot best, the larger feels squished, cramped and tires-out easily.

Listen to advice about what to do and what not to do on important matters of life; also the trivial matters such as when one foot is a little bigger than the other.

I visited a shoe store, looking for stick-in-back-of-heel-cushions. The manager knew what I was asking for, but he told me, “that’s not the best way to resolve the problem because it causes the foot to push forward and can actually cause more rubbing on the heel; depending on the type of shoe, a professional repair can be done; it works best on shoes that have a removable insole”. Well, I didn’t have my shoes along to discuss it any further. My impatience lead me to Target where I found the heel-pads. I bought them despite what he said. When I gave them a try, I didn’t like the way they felt. I should have listened to the shoe salesman.

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.
Proverbs 12:15 ESV

Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Proverbs 19:20 ESV

Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. James 5:7 ESV

I bought this pair of shoes while Stan was going through daily radiation treatments for six weeks. During that time, one day a week he was receiving chemotherapy for several hours. Upon completion, six weeks later, he spent 10 days in the hospital for his esophageal cancer surgery. There are times in life that things are new and go well, but the worn shoes represent that physical bodies wear out in this world. Memory foam insoles are a comfy feature of these Skechers®, but their lightweight foam outsoles didn’t hold up well over many miles of pavement and the cracks that offer flexibility catch pebbles and nature debris. Shoes in use won’t last forever and aren’t designed to perform on all terrains. After this pair, my mission became “find the perfect shoe and keep walking” or better yet: “The Perfect Christ has found me! I thank and praise Him that He keeps walking with me and He carries me when I am weak.”

There’s a tough carbon rubber outsole in these Eddie Bauer® shoes, but size issues caused friction and a big blister on my heel. What appears to be wonderful on the outside…

…may hurt on the inside. My foot rubbed the upper back lining until it wore a hole through the fabric. What do I do when people rub me the wrong way? …

…try to do everything that can be done to fix things (pray that God’s will be done) and with the help of the Holy Spirit, forgive others as I have been forgiven. I cut a piece of 2-inch bias tape and used Krylon® spray adhesive to apply it as a patch to smooth out the hole in the shoe heel lining.

Remember to hold spray adhesive upside down while spraying for 4 seconds to clean the nozzle after using it. Read number 18 [below] for the moral here :-)

My favorite shoes for hot weather and perfect fit—these Ecco® sandals have adjustable Velcro® straps across the ball, ankle and heel. Open toe and flexible heel strap eliminates pressure in those areas. They aren’t the sexiest footwear on the market, but, oh… my feet love them! I used these shoes for long walks while my bandaged blister was healing.

Trying again for tough-sole and perfect-fit sneakers, I found

ECCO Women's Biom Train Core Training Shoes.
 One of them is too big for one of my feet. I conclude…

The best solution for miss-matched feet size is to double-up on one foot by using pairless socks.

 

On top of a normal pair of socks, I use an extra sock on the small foot to prevent my heel from rubbing a hole in the shoe and a blister on my foot. This is an excellent use for extra miss-matched pairless socks. I look at the three socks in similarity to the Holy Trinity: Father/Son/Holy Spirit by Grace/Faith/Word—even though I don’t deserve it, they’ve got me covered.

Water blister on heel—to pop or not to pop? 

My unbroken blister was the diameter of a quarter coin puffed up about 1/8th inch. I Googled what to do for blisters and skimmed all kinds of advice including to leave them alone (don’t pop them) and also that it’s okay to do so if it’s a big blister. I didn’t weigh it out extensively. For lack of patience, I let my instincts trump. After washing well with soap and water, I sterilized a needle, poked a few holes on one edge, gently squeezed it and watched the fluid squirt into a Kleenex®. I smothered it in Neosporin®, left it open when barefoot around home, covered it when out-and-about in the elements, and the blister was completely healed in about a week. Later, when I got another blister, I used the same method the second time, it became infected and took longer to heal.

So, the moral of the story is:

1. Ask for help.
2. Listen to advice.
3. Accept instruction.
4. Wait patiently for the Lord.
5. Take proper action—persevere.
6. You screw up—just admit it.
7. When big pride puffs you up, clean up your act and pop your bubble.
8. Learn by experience.
9. Strive to avoid making the same mistake twice.
10. Use God’s gifts of creativity and wisdom to try to fix things.
11. Realize those in darkness hide from the Light and resist wisdom that can be found in the Word. 
12. Pray.
13. Remember baptism: Christ has already done it for you.
14. Look to Jesus when you’re rubbed the wrong way and experience friction.
15. Cover your pain in the comfort of prayer.
16. Reach for the healing balm of Holy Scripture.
17. Healing comes in God’s time, through hearing His Word (in church).
18. Bend over backwards, keep your head clear and nozzle clean in order to be prepared for and prevent sticky situations.
19. Trust God in the race of life—the prize He already has won is for all people.
20. Believe the mystery—the power of His promises/invitation/forgiveness—as you receive Him in the Lord’s Supper.
21. Live a thankful life.

Word from the Greatest Book Ever Inspired:

The Whole Armor of God  >  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. Ephesians 6:10–20 ESV

Final Greetings  >  Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible. Ephesians 6:23-24 ESV

Were you inspired by this story? Feel free to share by commenting.

How does your workspace inspire you?

Etsy shop workspaces: FreshRetroGallery interior design

Drawing room, photography studio, storage/shipping: places I work to design, create, list and send handmade, art supply, vintage items worldwide.

The search for inspiration on how to layout a creative workplace can be found in the spaces of Etsy sellers. Etsy Success blog asked a question, “Where do you go to design and make? Share your creative space—invite us in by posting a photo on your favorite social media channel with the hashtag #inspiringworkspaces.”

Artists have a way about seeing beauty in everything. 

My inspiration comes from exploring nature, exercise, reading, music, surfing the net, traveling, worship and other life experiences. My children Nathan and Laura inspire me. I collect sentimental things from my family as well as found objects for someday when I’ll make mixed media art. My creative mind works overtime and I often wake up dreaming about something to improve, do, draw or write about. My husband Stan is artistic, too, and also a vintage treasure hunter. He likes to clean up old things.

There’s a story behind almost everything in my home, so I’ll add a few to explain the pictures. In two of the photos, look for the beautiful Jesus with a flock of sheep picture by Giovanni titled Der Gute Hirte (German for The Good Shepherd). You might notice the cross in more than one photo because there’s one in almost every room in my home to remind me and everyone who comes here of Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection—God’s grace by this sacrifice to atone for my sin. By the Holy Spirit’s gift of faith through baptism and hearing the Word, He comforts, guides and protects me and all who believe and, ultimately, promises eternal life.

I didn’t spend time cleaning, rearranging or staging this series of images, so things aren’t picture perfect. I could have made an attempt, but time is precious. Enjoy the tour. Welcome to my Etsy shop space!

Here’s my drafting table and chair draped with a soft, fuzzy fur Nathan gave me—besides art, this is where I pay the bills and balance the books. We went out for lunch Mother’s Day to Panda Kitchen Chinese Restaurant and the waitress gave me the big pink paper flower. Notice the giant red pencil sticking out of a roto tray cabinet? I collect pencils. I designed and built the oak wall cabinet with sliding glass doors at an adult woodworking class to display my rubber stamps.

The drawing room iMac desk is an antique courtroom table found at an auction in Abilene, Kansas. My dad made the iron plant holder on the wall which I use to hold some of my good junk. You might notice the wire racks holding all kinds of keepsakes including an “Uff da!” napkin I’ve had for a long time. Far left, you can see a sliver of an oak chifforobe wardrobe closet. I keep my cross country ski boots in one of the drawers and a lot of paper and art supplies on the shelves in that cabinet.

I inherited my mom’s rubber stamps, displayed on shelves Nathan built below the covered fuse box. Stan refinished two antique wood file cabinets which work great to store and organize many things. Do you wonder what is in one of the drawers? Visit the post How to organize an artist file system, upcycle cards and reap benefits of a creative life. The bark cloth draped over the cabinet is a curtain from early days of childhood. I stack up the stuff… a Pepsi bottle full of sand collected from the Pacific Northwest, a funny Dilbert cartoon, a flexible lamp for extra light, framed quotes, gifts, photos and another miniature 2-drawer file cabinet on top of the legal 5-drawer.

A friend Scott built this wall and shelving under the stairway. Stan and I built the decorative shelf with iron hooks which hold my hand bags, totes and purses. We offer hook racks in the Gallery. On the table in the foreground, the little yellow crib toy saved from childhood, re-purposed as a container for gel pens. Wow, this image needs work—what a clutter mess!

Here’s my Etsy photo studio with an old mannequin. Stan did body work plastic surgery, gave her a spray tan and I painted her face. A friend Kathy had a wig for her. I hope to add more vintage clothing pieces and accessories to the shop soon. Stan made the hinged rod hardware which allows for the curtains I made to swivel open and shut. Our neighbor Ginger, a professional drapery designer/maker, gave me the idea. It works well for windows that open inward at the top and also like a door, for safety, to get out in case of fire. Sometimes I stand on the upside-down plastic crate to get a higher angle on the photography. To get a bird’s eye view, I climb the stool or stand on a chair.

On the left is my photography light box on top of an old kitchen table. I made this white container out of large sheets of tag board paper stock which originally was packaging to protect printing plates during transportation. The manikin lady is good company. She never questions my ideas of how to do things and doesn’t rush or demand too much of me.

In the upper right area of this photo, you see a decorative iron porch or carport post which holds one of three light strips. The yellow stand is from a halogen light Stan wasn’t using in the garage. Since halogen lights are hot, we replaced it with a daylight florescent bulb strip. The other light strip on the tripod in the foreground gets moved around quite often. The three fixtures hold a total of 10 bulbs. When timing is perfect, I can use natural daylight from the window.

The antique iron bed frame came out of storage in a barn from a farm nearby. I found the cotton crocheted rug at a garage sale. See the vintage mint green box fan tucked behind the stool? It’s handy to have in case of an AC malfunction. A few items waiting to be shot sit on the extra old chairs. Formerly Laura’s room, this now doubles as a second guest room. Big sheets of white tag board and thin packing material are tucked underneath the bed.

Some of Laura’s artwork and memorabilia decorates the walls. My 1980s boom box rests on the Victorian walnut dresser we bought at an auction. A vintage portable TV sits on an oak school desk chair. Beyond the door on the wall hangs a beautiful antique quilt I found at a flea market.

At left is shelving for boxes I recycle to send orders. The old treadmill never gets used because it’s covered with vintage items waiting to be photographed. There’s a map of the United States on the wall and Kansas is smack dab in the center. Stacks of old catalogs, books, hats, clocks and you name it will eventually make it to the store front. Stan refinished the antique apothecary cabinet with glass front drawers that came from friends Robert and Robin.

A sneak peek at vintage items to be photographed, described and added to the gallery, now rest on the old treadmill. Antique boots, typewriter, paper cutter, butter mold, framed lithograph art, and more.

Cameras, frames, pottery and other vintage items in storage on top of an old cherry wood dresser.

Stacks of old frames waiting to be filled with new art are stored in front and on top of the partially hidden coffee table Nathan built. You can’t see them well, but I use old wooden auditorium foldable seating for shelving which lines part of two walls in this room. Some of our wine bottle metal art pieces are shown here. A collection of vintage children’s picture books are in the shelving in the background.

Here’s a box of my 19" x 13" family tree charts waiting to find new homes.

My sewing machine served its first purpose years ago when I created many garments documented for 4-H projects. The wonderful creative tool taught me about design—choosing patterns/fabrics—and how to custom tailor my own garments. On the wall is a clock Laura made with her dad’s help, using markers, silver paint and the lid of a number 10 envelope box. My family tree chart is hung with miscellaneous keepsakes and a couple original paintings titled Resurrection and Peaceful Energy available in the shop.

Family tree charts are ready to be rolled with patch paper, tag; inserted into a tube, labeled and shipped. The workspace is an oak sewing machine cabinet that belonged to Stan’s grandma.

Here you can see my antique retail store glass counter case cabinet complete with Pictionary, two barrels full of monkeys, Jenga and many other games and puzzles. It’s the perfect surface for a large paper cutter I use to make the gift tags that go with each item I send out. It’s space for stereo equipment, a few of my dad’s horseshoe trophies and an antique fan to keep me cool. Against the wall is a cabinet for fabric and craft supplies with a globe, some cobalt blue glass pieces and a vintage goose-neck desk lamp. In front of the cabinet is my NordicTrack stepper where I workout, read, and listen to music. The rough looking furniture hasn’t been touched yet by Stan’s skillful refinishing capabilities.

We’ve lived in this home since 1987. We added-on in 1996 (the addition doesn’t show in this photo—it’s behind the original house you see here). All of the images in this post are taken in the basement where working in a chaotic atmosphere makes sense. We are careful to keep the main floor living space tastefully calm—decorated in eclectic style with an artistic flair. The young tree in the foreground is a cutleaf weeping birch. The shrubs are overgrown—time to do some major trimming!

Monday–Friday, FreshRetroGallery packages are picked up by our USPS mailman when he makes deliveries at our jumbo-large-huge mailbox. I sketched the design for Stan to build this structure out of a salvaged decorative porch post. After painting the faux vintage patina grunge texture, I hand lettered and embellished it with sign paint before he installed it.

Thank you for visiting my workspace.
I look forward to listing some wonderful new items soon.
Please click in to browse in my Etsy storefront!

Note: Many of these photos are obsolete as of 2017. I’ve updated, organized with new shelving, painted paneling, and trimmed the shrubbery! Improving efficiency and aesthetics of my work and living spaces is an enjoyable aspect of my job. Change is good!

40 Questions to study friendship, character and virtue

Friendly relationships are blessings. 

The Holy Spirit trains Christians to be friendly people. God’s Word provides discernment, guidance, comfort and strength in matters of every type of relationship.

• casual acquaintance
• professional acquaintance
• childhood friend
• college friend
• distant old friend
• new found friend
• church friend
• younger friend
• elderly friend
• intimate friend
• friend found in specific, temporary circumstances
• life-long bond of matrimony between a man and woman as husband and wife

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.
Proverbs 27:9 NIV

How to be a good friend and find a good friend.

Examine the kind of friend you are before you can understand the kind of friendship you seek.

Self improvement and ability to put myself in somebody else’s shoes begins with questions.

1. Am I a friend of everyone?
2. Do I test everything—hold on to good and abstain from evil?
3. Do I take time to listen, be reflective and encourage others?
4. Are people comfortable in my home?
5. Do I prioritize how to spend time with things that matter?
6. Do I work hard on priorities that are in order?
7. Am I willing to serve with a cheerful heart?
8. Do I value learning about others in order to show respect?
9. Do I seek and apply courage in uncomfortable situations?
10. Am I willing to take on leadership and responsibilities?
11. Do I trust God with every aspect of my life?
12. Is intelligence a virtue I strive for?
13. How do I rate with integrity?
14. Is my good reputation compromised by bad choices?
15. Where do I go to gain wisdom?
16. Whom do I look up to and why?
17. Do I understand my place in life?
18. Is everything clear, so I’m confident; or do I need more time to analyze things?
19. How do I discern—upon what do I base decisions? 
20. Am I seeing realistically; or blindly looking through rose-colored glasses?
21. Can others depend on me as a source of wisdom and reason?
22. Am I loyal, even in adversity?
23. Am I willing to put everything on the line to follow my heart?
24. Is my heart focused on Truth?
25. Am I fearless to declare what I believe?
26. Can I be looked on as the center, the rock, for many people in my life?
27. Am I an example of a humble and contrite person?
28. Do I understand that forgiving is essential to move forward regardless of how much success I have? 
29. Am I willing to give things up and make changes to begin a better life?
30. Do I exhibit faith and reverence that is rare in the world?
31. Have I gained tremendous wisdom with all that I’ve gone through?
32. Am I creative when it comes to enjoying entertainment with others?
33. Am I happy and positive so that I make others feel better? 
34. Do people feel safe and respected when they spend time with me?
35. Do I try to control others; or am I willing to listen with an open mind?
36. Am I disrespectfully critical; or gently honest and careful in making an effort to help others?
37. Am I patient?
38. Do I build others up?
39. Are my thoughts, words and deeds kind and thoughtful?
40. Do I pray always, with a thankful heart?

Bible verses about friendship

True friends are brothers and sisters in Christ, focusing on truth, hope and wisdom within Holy Scripture. Our Heavenly Father is the perfect picture of love, humility and grace.

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24 ESV

Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, Proverbs 22:24 ESV

Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy. …Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:5-6,17 ESV

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. Ecclesiastes 4:9 ESV

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. John 15:12-14 ESV

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17 ESV

One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. Proverbs 12:26 ESV

A prayer for relationships

Dear Lord,
Lead my children, as well as each person in my friends’ and relatives’ families, to safe relationships with faithful people. Help us to trust Your Word. Forgive selfishness and pride. Lead others to be gracious to me, forgiving all wrongs I have done. Guide me to value others and be a good friend with virtuous qualities.
Amen.