Yesteday I was reminded of a great invention

I was working on my computer and wanted to print a document. When I examined the printed page only part of the letters showed. It was like it wasn’t spacing right and only printed part of the letters and some lines it didn’t print at all.

So I went to my printer and faxes screen page. I tried some things on the troubleshooter page but wasn’t finding what I needed.

Then I went to the maintenance page. I did a nozzle check. I tried a cleaning. I did a printer alignment. I did a bottom plate cleaning. I debated a deep cleaning. I changed a couple of print cartridges. I unplugged the printer. I turned the printer off and on.

I printed pages in between it all and still they did not print correctly.

I thought “Oh no, I hope I don’t need to buy a new printer”.

Then I flipped the lid open one more time on my printer. I peered inside. Hmm, looks kind of grubby in there I thought. I’m going to get my vacuum.

So I very carefully did a bit of vacuuming inside and outside the printer.

I put some paper in, printed out my document, and now finally, it looks just fine!

So thank you once again to whoever invented the vacuum cleaner! Your invention revived my printer.

Aren’t you glad for great inventions?

There is something about...

that first snowfall that stays.

I dread it. I wish with all my entire mind and heart that it will not come. I beg, I plead, I hope that it doesn't come till January. But it doesn't help. It comes when it wills. And it has come and it seems it is going to stay.

I don't think all this snow is going to go away soon.

So I got to thinking, why do I dread it so?

What is it about that first snowfall that really bugs me...besides the driving in it?

And I thought. When winter comes I have to let go of the hope that my favorite seasons are still here....spring, summer and fall. When winter comes there is no more planting, or growing or harvesting. It is over.

Winter is the end of all that.

Winter is the end of the warm days and evenings when you can just run outside with one layer of clothing and simple shoes.

Winter is the end of getting into the car, starting it and driving off quickly.

Winter needs more thought and preparation. Winter is cold and dark.

But God bless the chinooks He sends, for without them there would be no hope.

The days of bone chilling below zero temperatures would be long and endless without them. I am so very glad for those nice warm winds that unthaw us and give us hope.

Aren't you?

Just for Today

A couple of days ago, I was sitting on the deck enjoying the late afternoon sunshine. Contentedly purring in my lap was my kitty.

I could only feel a hint of warmth in the air. The weather was about to change and I mostly could only feel the cool crisp wisps of air breeze past my face.

As I sat there, I thought, one really needs to stop and enjoy a moment of peace and contentment for today. The days are so busy and we worry about all kinds of things and it seems tomorrow gets more attention than today.

I thought of the verse in Matthew 2:34

“Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

Do we worry too much about tomorrow that we forget to enjoy the precious moments of today?

Courage or fear?

About a week ago, I happened to turn on the TV, and found myself tuned into the program “Shameless Idealists” on CTV.

On this particular show the idealist was, Betty Williams.

Betty was the co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize for 1976 for her work in founding the Community of Peace People in Northern Ireland.

During the interview, Craig Kielburger, asks Betty how she handles the death threats on her life. Her answer was something like this, “I refuse to live in fear. Fear is contagious, so is courage.”

I thought, "How appropriate this is for Veterans Week (Nov 5-11)."

For this is the time we set aside and remember all the Veterans and brave soldiers who chose to stand up for our country.

They chose courage over fear!

We think of those who fought in the past and those who fight in the present. We think of families who have lost loved ones. We ponder the pain and the suffering that many have endured.

We appreciate all those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for freedom and peace.

May we be inspired to choose courage?