I know I wrote a blog last week, on Tuesday in fact, announcing the then-current contest winners, but Super-Jen has pointed out that it was never posted. YIKES. Once again, cyberspace has eaten my words. (Or, and this is more likely, I simply thought I’d hit that ‘publish’ button. I occasionally mistake good intentions for completed tasks, which is one of the reasons I’m back to making daily to-do lists. Besides, I love the feeling of accomplishment I get when I can check something off.)
In any case, the week before last week’s winners are Michele J and Cathy Yonkers–sincerest congratulations, ladies, and thanks for your comments. Quite possibly, you’ve already received your books. This week’s winners will be announced later today. (No, really. I swear they will.) AND the new round begins right now, at this very moment, so if you don’t see your name here, try again. All you need to do, as ever, is comment.
There’s a lot to be said for trying again. I don’t know how many times I’ve started over in my life, but I guess as long as I’m willing to do that, I’ll be okay in the long run. I firmly believe that we’re only defeated if we quit, and, being Skip and Hazel’s baby girl, I don’t really know how to give up.
Still, I am for some reason reluctant to do those things I know for a fact are good for me–such as exercise, devotional time, and reading-with-a-purpose. I’m proud to say I’ve been riding my stationary bike faithfully for a month now, and not just because I want to be thinner. I am prone to depression, and regular exercise is a proven cure. Also, spending 30 minutes pedalling away increases my physical energy. It’s doing my heart and lungs some good, too, and dovetails nicely with my plan to remain healthy as I age, not to mention independent. Of course I realize there are no guarantees, but it never hurts to hedge one’s bets a little, now does it? 
As for devotions, I never seem to get too far from that–I miss God if I don’t spend some time with Him every day.
And what, you may be wondering, do I mean by ‘reading-with-a-purpose’? For me, and I suspect for most of you as well, ALL reading has a purpose. A day rarely goes by when I don’t read or listen to a book–in fact, I usually do both. What I mean here is the kind of reading that stretches the mind and feeds the spirit, the kind that makes me reach for a highlighter and/or copy down things I want to remember. (I’m well into the Course in Miracles, as I’ve mentioned, and I take lots of notes, mostly entering them into a journal designated for the purpose. I also write quotes on index cards and tape them to the refrigerator door. The current one reads: Do I want the problem, or do I want the answer? Good question, methinks. It seems so obvious, and yet….)
What I’m reading now: a biography of Clementine Churchill. This is going to take a while, since that lady did a lot. And don’t even get me started on all the things her husband did. Winston Churchill is one of my heroes, actually, right up there with Abraham Lincoln. What I’m listening to: mostly podcasts, I must admit. A guilty pleasure, for sure. Current favorites are Real Ghost Stories Online and Dave Schrader’s UNaptly (is that a word?) named Darkness Radio. www.darknessradio.com (Dave is such a good guy, and he makes me laugh.) The Daily Audio Bible is a staple, too–I’m in my third year with that one, though I did skip a number of broadcasts this time around, when I hit Old Testament Overload a couple of months back. Up until then, I had an unbroken streak, but I’ve decided to chalk this up as an exercise in overcoming perfectionism. (Honestly, it was hard not to backtrack in a compulsive frenzy.)
Well, that’s the state of things in this neck of the woods, for the moment at least.
Make a difference in somebody’s life today, my friends, and by ‘somebody’, I mean critters as well as people. It doesn’t have to be earthshaking. Remember, it’s often the smallest kindnesses that turn things around.
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congrats to the winners! I took will never give-up my parents always told me to work hard and to never qive-up on your dreams even when things get you down and you want to quit, that’s just not possible! Anyways, I’m busy with school and working at this store bakery and tutoring kids that need help in reading. Have a great week!
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Thanks for your motivating blog! You help me stay on track with my scripture
Reading and reading more about people who have made a difference . In this world. Please keep up the good work!
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Love reading your blog! It really helps my week/day.
I need to get more motivated, but man, it’s hard!
have a great week!
Lynn
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I love the Bible so much, but sometimes I will skip over who begat whom because I can’t remember them all!!! I also love real ghost stories! I only like the believable ones though, some get farfetched. Have a great week!
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Hi Linda
Good job. I have never tried a podcast but I probably should. I think I am doing well to use the ipod my kids gave me for Christmas a few years ago for music.
I get tired of the Ol Testament too. It seems that supposedly great people were liars and thieves (such as the man who had his wife pose as his sister)
Have a great week.
Judy
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Good morning. Well the morning is about shot. I have 3 loads of cloths on the line. In a few more weeks I am back to the dryer.
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Love your books. Have most of them and have read most of them several time!!
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I can identify with a lot of your blog today, mainly the to do list, I really need them to keep me on track, I have been known
( actually often), if I haven’t written something on the list, I will put it on the list just so I can cross it off….if I don’t give myself gold stars, I may not get any. Anyway it makes me feel better. I am trying to be more appreciative, and not get stuck in petty annoyances, but to look at the big picture.
We can move forward as long as we keep trying.
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You are a funny lady Linda! I have to do lists now or I’ll forget.
Feels like fall has arrived here early in Vermont; it was 37 degrees here this morning and frost in the low lying areas. Apple picking, corn maze and pumpkin patch time-so much fun! Cats snuggled up by our feet all night long! Got to love that. Happy day everyone!
Grocery list, Costco list, library list and etc.
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Love to read your books. Also I am learning about crystals which, thanks to you, have peaked my interest.
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Just back from the Kansas State Fair where we went to be our grand daughter s support team…had a great and fun time…they grow up so fast
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Don’t worry about not posting last week Linda. I’m forgetful w the best of them. I’ve thought I’ve done something just to find out later I didn’t. Oops! Lol. Congrats to the winners.
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Thank you for being an inspiration.. Hope you have a blessed day..
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I’m right there with you when it comes to reluctance to exercise. I know it’s good for me and that I will feel good after I do it, but it’s just so much easier to veg out with a book or the Kindle.
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Congrats to the winners. My motto is if you first don’t succeed try try again. Last night on pbs I watch about the Roosevelt families. It included Teddy and Franklin. Makes want to read about them. I think my dad this book. I have to check. Have a great week everyone.
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Congrats ladies on your win. I enjoyed your blog today Linda, It gave me that little get and go that I needed. I’m like you on my exercising, I do that 30 minutes everyday.
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LOVE your books and love this post!
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Hope you had a good weekend!
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I like to ride my exercise bike and read at the same time. I hate to exercise but I love the way I feel.
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Hi Linda, nice blog you just submitted, keep up the good work !
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It sounds like you are very busy but organized and ready to take on each day.
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Adding the Churchill book to my list. I know very little about her. Am curious to know if she and Eleanor were good buddies too.
I struggle with depression at times too. And, anxiety and insomnia which always come together. Since I’m not able to exercise like I once did, I started looking at foods that contain natural hormones, the stuff my Endocrine system might be under-producing. Almonds are my personal Super Food because they contain melatonin, seratonin, and dopamine. This could be a problem for WW though because there are no fat-free nuts. There are other food sources, like some berries, though.
Just starting a paper on this topic for my psych class and am finding little academic research on use of nutrition in the treatment of depression. Mostly coming out of countries with socialized medicine. My professor thinks its only working for me as a placebo effect. Told him I didn’t care as long as it keeps working. Besides all of the indicated foods have other benefits to help improve overall health so it’s not hurting.
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Linda, I love your blogs and your quotes they’re very inspiring. I have a question for you i love your Stone Creek stories, can you tell me if their is one about Brad and Meg, I would love their story. Thank you so much.
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I, too, ride a stationary bike. The treadmill was too hard on my legs/knees. I always take a book – I’m rereading all the McKettricks now – and the time flies by while I get my exercise. There is no purpose other than enjoyment!
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Linda, i am so glad that you are back on here. Skip and Hazel sure raised a really fine girl.
I am glad that you are in devotion to God everyday. Without Him we are nothing. We need to have Him on our mind and in our heart.
God blessing to all.
As always your friend,
Norma
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Your positive attitude is very inspiring! Thank you.
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Thanks Linda for being an inspiration! I did do something nice for someone today!
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Inspiring blog again today, Linda. Thank you. Congratulations to last weeks winners. Blessings to all.
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Hi all. Just rereading the Creed books. They are all so good. I get them out an reread atleast once or twice a year. The McKettricks are good too. Just finished rereading them. Waiting for new book to come out. Thanks for all the good reading.
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Congratulations to the winner. Linda you are one busy busy lady. Have a great week everyone !
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Linda, thanks for the inspiring update. I have been spending many days and nights in the Children’s Hospital with my 5 year old grandson Tucker who has Cystic Fibrosis… I don’t remember if I told the story of him breaking his arm on the trampoline at my house 3 weeks ago… it ended up not too good… when they gave him hydrocodone to set and cast his arm we discovered that he was allergic to it and ended up having his digestive system shut down and by the time the surgeon opened him up over Labor Day weekend he had a 9 inch blockage that he had to clean out and ended up removing part of his intestine as well. We have ran into many setbacks, but we are praying that he is able to get home this week.. I have been trying to help out and give his parents a break as often as I can, which is what I am doing tonight… I sure wish I had more of your books to read… lol I have been reading through my stash a second time around!
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I am so happy for you that you can ride your stationary bike, I have one but I hate to ride it. It is so boring. I would rather spend my thirty min. outside taking a walk. Which I have been trying to do that every day since the hip replacement. I love being outside in the sun shine this time of the year. We have had some beautiful days lately but have has some bad ones also. I am not sure I should be riding the bike right now because I am still not suppose to bend over or cross my legs. I go back to the doctor on the 30 and then maybe they will lift some of those restrictions.
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I really look forward to reading every message you send out to all of us. I enjoy all the news of things you are doing. Thanks for sharing your life with us
Dixie J. Hadley
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It never ceases to amaze me that someone as talented as you can be so down to earth and ‘normal’. I love hearing about your daily struggles, as we all have them. I who could not love an animal lover? May your days be blessed. Roz
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Congratulations to the winners! You are a busy person! Do you only need a few hours sleep? You are a go go go type of person. How do you have enough hours in your day to do all you do? As for quitting. Sometimes it’s very wise to walk away, take a break, rethink the situation before going back. I enjoy your posts, Makes you very real. God bless & have a great day Tinna
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My niece puts index cards of bible verses all over her house, but in unexpected places. Open a random cabinet door and you will see one, or on the mirror in her bathroom, or on the window overlooking her backyard where she watches her boys play. It was truly inspirational when I visited her over the summer. So much so that I am going to do the same thing!
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You sure are a motivated lady! I know what you mean about starting over many times in life and keep on going. It is hard sometimes, I lost my daughter at ten to a brain tumor and she would be 26 this year. Every day is still a struggle but I do manage to find things to smile about every day. I know that God’s strength has helped me. I have slacked off on the exercise though and I know that helps in all ways but I find it hard to get the motivation to start again I have even bought a gazelle and only used it twice so far. lol Thank you for writing such wonderful books that take me to good and happy places!!