In Flew Enza!

I had a little bird,
It's name was Enza.
I opened the window,
And in-flu-enza.

A children's playground song in 1918.

Back in the 80's, I watched a movie on VHS titled "1918". Matthew Broderick was one of the cast. This was back before he was thrust to fame in Ferris Bueller's Day Off. 1918 was pretty much a sleeper. I'm not even sure if it was released in the theaters. It wasn't a blockbuster sort of movie by any means, but it was good, especially if you like period films. It gives the viewer a sense of what life was like for our ancestors in the year 1918. WWI, also known as "the Great War", was coming to a close. It was declared by a character in the movie to be "the war to end all wars".

More people were killed by the influenza pandemic of 1918-1919 than in all of WWI. It was known as "Spanish Flu" or "La Grippe", and infected one-fifth of the world's population. Unlike most flu strains, it was young people who were predominantly infected, the average age being 20-40 year olds. Death would sometimes happen within hours of the onslaught of symptoms. As you can imagine, the consequences to society were devastating!

Aunt Leona & Toby

This is my husband's Aunt Leona. She turned 90 this year. She's a pretty good looking broad for a 90 year old, wouldn't you say? She's been visiting for the past couple of weeks, taking turns staying at the homes of Mr.Studley's two sisters. We've had ample opportunities to spend time with her. She's amazing. Not only is her mind sharp and clear, but she loves the Lord, and loves to talk about Him. Her depth of knowledge and understanding of spiritual things, and God's Word, is astounding.

Aunt Leona, or as some of the relatives here in Texas pronounce it, Ain't Leona, was born in the year of 1918. My late mother-in-law was three years old, and her baby sister, Leona, was six months old, when their mother's life was snuffed out by the horrid influenza. Word was sent to the dead young mother's sister and mother that she had perished, and that the baby would be buried with her in the casket. They were told there was no milk to feed the baby who'd not eaten since midnight; and besides, they were certain it was only a matter of time before the babe fell ill as well. My understanding of this story is that this word was sent by the local midwife, who I assume had tended to the sick mother. I'm not sure where the father was in this picture. This little motherless baby, with no one to nurse it, and no one to tend to it (there were several other children in the home), was going to be buried alive!

Aunt Leona's aunt and grandmother immediately sent back word that they were not to bury the baby, but to hold off until they could arrive, that they'd take the baby home with them. Word was returned that it would be foolish to come there and expose themselves. They went anyway, and the baby was handed to them through a window, to keep them from having to enter the house. The baby had already been dressed in burial clothes.

It's hard in our modern day thinking to imagine such a horrific thought as buring a baby alive (though thousands are killed each day in the wombs), but we haven't a clue what life must have been like in that time period, and in those circumstances. People were dying right and left. Doctors and nurses were dying along with the patients. Entire families were wiped out from the influenza. It's such a testimony of the power of God that Leona's life was spared. The aunt and grandmother raised her on their farm in Kentucky. She shared some wonderful memories with us of her childhood there.

I'm not sure at what age, but Aunt Leona was later introduced to Jesus as her Savior by her older sister, Mr.S' mom. She shared with Mr.S and I last night how she and her sister (his mom) loved to sit and talk about the Lord together. She remembers one night while visiting her sister when they were adults, that they spent the entire night lying in bed, sharing with each other the goodness of God.

My late mother-in-law died a few years ago, at the age of 90. Numerous people approached us at the family visitation night in the funeral home and told us how it was Miz T---that first introduced them to the Lord. I can only hope to leave behind the legacy such as these two sisters have, one now with Jesus, and one still living here for Him; to be known as someone who was passionate in my love for Christ, and always bold to share it with others.

*I gathered my smattering of facts about the influenza pandemic of 1918 at this site.
If you'd like to learn more, click on the link. I only scratched the surface of the shared facts.

For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.

~Jeremiah 29:11 Amplified Bible

Pie~Birds

Sing a song of sixpence
a pocket full of rye
Four-and-twenty Blackbirds baked in a pie
And when the pie was opened
The birds began to sing
Wasn't this a dainty dish to set before the King

I bet you thought my title today was about pie birds. It isn't, though while we're on the subject, I think I'd like to have a pie bird or two. Why, if I had a pie bird, I might even bake more pies. Lest you're unfamiliar with pie birds, they're the whimsical little ceramic figurines you place in the center of a pie when you bake it. They vent out steam from within the pie to keep it from boiling over and making a dastardly mess. Hmm...I know a few humans who could benefit from a Pie Bird. Moving on, some people collect pie birds, which aren't all in the shape of birds, by the way. I wouldn't mind collecting them. I imagine they'd look quite charming on a shelf in my kitchen.

I photographed these birds while visiting my sis-in-law who has a beautiful home and acreage out in the country. I try not to covet. She and her husband have put in a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to enhance the landscaping. There's a large family room on the backside of the house with windows on three sides which overlook luscious landscaping, an abundance of colorful flowers of all kinds, scads of tall trees, and a small lake. I told her the next time Mr.Studley and I go camping, we'll skip the campgrounds and haul our RV out to their backyard. It's as pretty as a picture out there. My Kodak Easy Share has a 10x optical zoom on it, but it wasn't enough to get a good close-up shot of the woodpecker in the picture above. It's the first woodpecker I've ever captured in a picture. I do occasionally see them in the trees in my own yard, but I've never been able to get their picture. They just won't stay in one place long enough. They're constantly on the move. A lot like Mr.Studley.
Click on pictures to enlarge the viewOoh, aren't you a pretty bird.


Why, thank you for posing for me.


Oops! There goes Woody Woodpecker. Click on the picture for an enlarged view to see him flying off to the left.

Oh, I almost forgot why PIE was in my title today. Remember when I posted a picture of my Bisquick Impossible Buttermilk Pie, along with the recipe? Natalie, my bloggy friend over at Tins & Treasures, left me a comment on that post that she had a recipe for a Bisquick Impossible Pumpkin Pie. She obligingly posted the recipe on her blog, along with pictures of the pies which her students baked yesterday. I am anxious to try it out myself. Thank you, Natalie!


Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
~Psalm 106:1 KJV

Give Me Your Eyes

I'm rather busy today, so I'm skipping my Simple Woman's Daybook entry this week. My women's group meets tonight and I haven't even shopped yet for something good to cook and take to it. I had to take Putty Tat to the vet this morning. I am thankful that her ailment was treatable. She has a bladder infection. The doctor said she's not really in pain, she just feels the sensation of needing to "go", if you get my drift. The nice vet gave her a shot, gave me a bottle of Amoxicillin, and a bill for $81. Ouch! Now, who's in pain?

I first heard the song in the video below at Kay's, at The Rustic Cottage. She has it playing in her Playlist. The words gripped me. I immediately set about to see if there was a video which accompanies the song. Before you view the video, if you don't know Kay, or read her blog, I'd encourage you to do so. She's had a very rough past year, losing her job, and struggling to make ends meet as a single mom. Yet she always brings glory to God in her posts. In her post today, titled Thanksgiving Blessings, she shares the special way the Lord met her need this week. It demonstrates her faith, and His faithfulness. If you read it, you will be blessed.

The song in this video is my daily prayer. I'm sorry for the years I wasted, not being about my Father's business. We are all here for a purpose greater than ourselves.

Lord, let me not see the external of those I meet, but rather let me see with Your eyes into their hearts, and let me look with Your love and compassion, offering Your hand extended to those who are hurting and in need.

Brandon Heath -Give Me Your Eyes

Do you not say, It is still four months until harvest time comes? Look! I tell you, raise your eyes and observe the fields and see how they are already white for harvesting.
~John 4:35 Amplified Bible

A Big Bite of Comfort

It's been all about the comfort foods around here lately. This yellow cake was made from a box mix, and the frosting was storebought as well. I generally prefer to make my cakes from scratch, but I'm not above accepting a little help from Betty Crocker now and then.

I find chicken and dumplings to be the epitome of comfort food. I know I found great comfort from the steaming bowl of them I ate for dinner this evening. I had some pre-cooked chicken breasts in the freezer. I boiled some canned chicken broth, water and Minor's, and quickly made dumpling dough from a storebought baking mix. It was a quick fix, but very satisfying.

Here are a few links to some holiday projects and recipes I thought you might enjoy.

• Embroidered Felt Advent Calender at the Purl Bee
• Luminaries made from recycled Christmas cards at Zakka Life
• Votives made using scales of pine cones, also at Zakka Life
• A Turkey applique for a child's shirt (or adult!) at One More Moore
• Felt Peppermint Star ornaments at ALLSORTS
• Chenille Baby Bibs at happythings (use holiday fabric to make them festive)
• Pumpkin Bars at Farmhouse Blessings (I've made these twice, in a word, delicious!)
• Pumpkin Cheesecake at Your Homebased Mom

But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you.

~John 14:26 Amplified Bible

Fun at Petit Jean State Park, Arkansas

This was our view as we hiked along beside Cedar Creek, near Davies Bridge, at Petit Jean State Park in Arkansas. It's near the spot where we went Letterboxing and found a snake egg. Not quite what we were hunting, but still fun, nonetheless.

That's Mr. Studley standing next to the marker, probably contemplating how he'd like to live in a cave, and wondering how to convince me. Dream on Stud!

The cave is known as Rock House Cave. You can go inside and walk around with no ropes or barriers preventing you from getting up close to the paintings on the wall, which some archeologists suspect to be more than a thousand years old. Technically, it isn't a cave, at least not the likes of Carlsbad or other caverns which go deep into the underground. This is more of a shelter under a huge rock bluff. It's quite large inside, and goes back plenty deep enough that it's inhabitants would be completely sheltered from the weather.

The hike down to it from the nearby parking lot and road is easy enough for a healthy person, though I think it might be too much for an elderly person, or anyone who has trouble with their balance, as you have to climb over a fairly rocky area before getting to the trail leading down to the cave. I like to add little details like that for anyone who may Google about the park when considering a trip there. I do lots and lots of Googling before we travel. I don't like surprises....unless it's flowers..or chocolate...or a diamond ring...or....well, you get the picture.

Our view from atop Davies Bridge. I'm not sure if this little waterfall had a name or not. Cedar Falls was farther on down the creek. We didn't hike to it, though we did hike to the overlook above it. I took a picture of the falls from there, and will show it in a subsequent post. Picasa only lets me send four pictures to a blog post at one time. Drat.

This is one of my stepgrandsons posing in the cave. Is he a cutie, or what? I only add the 'step' in there so no one will think I'm old enough to have a grandson that age. Vain, aren't I?

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and a thank offering and into His courts with praise! Be thankful and say so to Him, bless and affectionately praise His name!
For the Lord is good; His mercy and loving-kindness are everlasting, His faithfulness and truth endure to all generations.

~Psalm 100:4-5 Amplified Bible

Letterboxing

My eldest stepdaughter and her sixteen year old daughter are avid Letterboxers. They've been doing it for a few years now and have an impressive number of stamps in their logbooks. We met up with my stepdaughter's family (her, her husband, and their two youngest kids) on our recent camping trip to Petit Jean Sate Park in Arkansas. They live in nearby Little Rock, and drove up to join us for two days and a night. Melissa, my stepdaughter, had decided it was high time that her dad and I take up the hobby of Letterboxing, since we travel around a bit with our RV. She'd brought us each our own stamps to use. Mine was a flower, and her dad's was a set of footprints, since "he's always on the go". I thought his was quite fitting, for it's quite true about Mr.Studley. The man can't sit still. We all set out on that Sunday afternoon for a day of hiking, sightseeing, and Letterboxing. After visiting the Davies Rock Bridge, we hiked along Cedar Creek. Melissa had printed off clues for a Letterbox that was supposed to be hidden beside the creek, not far from the bridge. This was my first Letterbox hunt, and I was pumped. Melissa's enthusiasm for the hobby was contageous. One of the clues, the paint mark on the above tree, left of the hiking trail. Oh, boy, we're getting warm. An iron grate by some large rocks, to the right of the trail. Bingo! The Letterbox should be beneath the grate. The fam raising the grate. That's Mr.Studley on the right, wearing his Army National Guard Wind Suit. It reads "ARNG" across the back. I harass him when he wears it by calling him "Arng", spoken with a hard G (as in, goat), so it comes out sounding like Arn-guh. He loves when I do that-NOT. After much digging around in the earth, mostly by Melissa (at left in picture up above), this was the result of our search. As you can see, it is not a Letterbox. It is a snake egg. Gasp! My first Letterboxing expedition was not fruitful, at least not in the sense that we located a Letterbox. Melissa was concerned I'd be let down, but I really wasn't disheartened. I know there will be other opportunities to find more Letterboxes that will be in place. Though we didn't find a prize at th end, the hunt was a reward in itself. It was a fun time spent with family members we see far too infrequently, soaking in the beauty of God's creation. And thankfully, no one was snakebitten!So, how about you? Do you, or does anyone you know, go Letterboxing? I'd love to hear your comments on the subject! edit to add:Letterboxing, not to be confused with Geocaching, doesn't require the use of a new-fangled, high-tech gps, of which I are too poor to own. ;-Þ

And I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, Who calls you by your name. ~Isaiah 45:3 Amplified Bible

Simple Woman's Daybook

For today...

Outside my Window... are piles and piles of leaves, despite the fact that Mr. Studley mowed with the mulcher mower this week, as well as raked bags and bags of them. It will be an ongoing job until all the large trees around our house have finished shedding for the season. I do love the feeling of stomping into a big pile of leaves. It brings out the kid in me.

I am thinking... about how we'll handle the holidays this year. I hate that this is so, but the holidays always prove stressful for me. With blended families, sooo many people, and a house not big enough to house them all, it can be a bit tough to decide how best to handle it.

I am thankful for.... the fact that my mom had the first pain-free day yesterday that she's had in a long time. She was taking pain pills, but they seemed to actually work yesterday. I pray this continues.

From the kitchen... I read the various Simple Woman daybooks, and most have delicious sounding dishes mentioned as coming from their kitchens. I'm always a little envious, and a little ashamed. I guess I'm not that simple. It's a good thing Peggy doesn't require some sort of test to prove one's simpleness (simplicity?) before letting one participate in the weekly Daybook, 'cause trust me, I am very simple. I don't have any scrumptious dishes baking in the oven, filling my house with mouthwatering aromas. Some days I do, but it seems I never do on Mondays when I write my Daybook. Don't you worry, though, the fam will get fed!

I am wearing... my favorite, most comfy, winter knock-around-the-house pants. They're made of sweatshirt fabric, but don't have elastic around the ankles (which I hate) like most sweatpants do. Best of all, I found them one year on a clearance rack in Big Lots for $1.98. I'd say that certainly qualifies me as simple! My lovely (not) teal sweatpants are accompanied by a short-sleeved tee, and my slip on Obakashis.

I am creating...for charity, a Special Olympic scarf.

I am going...to my weekly ladies group night at church tonight. They're going to start having a weekly men's group at the same time. Pastor announced yesterday that the men will share the meal with the ladies, then go to a separate room for their meeting. That means, of course, that the ladies will need to bring a lot more food!

I am reading... a Chronological Study Bible I'm reviewing for Thomas Nelson Publishers.

I am hoping... some doors will open for increased income soon. I realize Christmas isn't about gift-giving, but I do enjoy giving gifts (nothing extravagant) to our children and grandchildren this time of year. Unless something changes soon, I don't see it happening. I am not sitting around stressing and worrying, though.

I am hearing...nothing but the jingle of the tags on Leyna's collar. No air-conditioner humming, no heater humming, no fan humming. I love this time of year when the temperature is perfect, which translates to a lower electric bill, and that makes me happy.

Around the house... Ish. You don't want to know. It's messy. I seriously need to do some housework. Everytime the front door opens, new leaves blow in, then get scattered and crushed underfoot. It doesn't help to sweep off the porch, as the wind scoots them right back up the walkway just as soon as I turn my back!

One of my favorite things... is gazing up at the inky sky each night as I'm out dogwalking. I am a stargazer. A star lover. I seriously love looking up at stars. I don't know anyone (personally, I mean) who delights in it to the degree I do. We don't get the best view of them here in town due to street lights, but lately, they seem to be showing up better. One fall, a few years ago, I got Mr.Studley to drive me out to a nearby lake to view a predicted meteor shower in the wee hours of the morning. We took blankets and lay on the hood of the car and watched the stars shooting across the sky. It was almost romantic, except that we had also taken along a neighbor friend who'd very recently lost her lovely husband to cancer. She professed to loving star gazing, too. I'm not sure if it was the star gazing she craved so much as merely human companionship, escaping a house that had suddenly become far too quiet and too lonely to bear. The three of us and our coffee-filled thermos did have a good time that night.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... is to get serious about my knitting gifts. I have too many UFO's (unfinished obects, for my non-knitterly friends), and not enough FO's (finished objects).

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... This picture I took on a hike in Arkansas last week isn't a particularly pretty picture, but I was struck by the seeming tenacity of this little plant growing right out of a wall of rock. Sure, I imagine there was some hidden dirt beneath the rock's surface, but it wasn't at all visible. I believe it's a Beauty Berry (isn't it, Tracy?). It's as if the plant grit it's teeth, pushed it's way through the wall of rock, and announced to the world "I am here, I am a survivor, and I will let my light shine! ". Okay, that may be a bit much of a declaration for a plant, but it's what went through my head at the time. We could all learn from the little Beauty Berry.

~Visit The Simple Woman's blog to see how you can participate in the weekly Daybook on your own blog. Click on The Simple Woman's Daybook icon in her sidebar for instructions.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. ~Matthew 5:16 NKJV

Gone Campin'

Taken at our campsite at Spirit Mountain, Duluth, MN. Fall 2007

Mr. Studley, Leyna, and I are off this morning for our week long camping trip in Arkansas. Yessiree, Bob, we'll be enjoying the good life. Arkansas is a state packed full of natural beauty. In the fall, it's as if God dipped His paintbrush in a dozen colors to paint the trees. My little corner of blogland will lie silent for a week, but I'll be back with plenty to say, and lots of pretty pictures to show you. Who knows? I might even be in one of them if I can teach Leyna how to use the camera. Y'all be good, now!

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse...

~Romans 1:20

I Voted!

And I got this great button Here.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

~James 1:5 NKJV

New Jewelry Etsy Store & Giveaway!

My friend, Marilyn, at A Mixed Bouquet, is a woman of many talents. I think I sometimes embarrass her by singing her praises, but she really is an amazing person. She can do so many things, and do them well. She's always encouraging me that I can, too; so you can add exhorter to her long list of good qualities.

Marilyn creates beautiful jewelry, and has opened her own Etsy store to enable others to purchase it. I've looked at a lot of sites online that sell jewelry, and in comparison, I think her prices are really good! She always puts God first in her life, second only to her family. I'm praying He'll now bless her with many customers, who will in turn be blessed by obtaining her lovely creations!

To kick-off the grand opening of her Etsy store, Marilyn is having a giveaway contest. The prize is a beautiful birthstone bracelet. The winner gets to choose their own choice of birthstone color. You can see a picture of the bracelet, as well as get the details for entering her contest, at this blog post.


Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up.
~Ecclesiastes 4:9-10