GOD

Pay it Forward

/ Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 1 Comment

 

I’m surprised and  honored. My blog has been nominated  for the  Very Inspiring Blog Award and I’d like to pay it forward. 

I’m up every morning around six o’clock. The smell of hot coffee permeates the air as my oldest Bichon dances around my feet ready to start our morning routine.

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It takes his sister, Piper a little longer. She’s still snuggled underneath the covers where she’s managed to wiggle her way in, the same way she wiggled her way into our lives some four years ago. We still can’t resist those adoring dark eyes staring at us, especially, in the wee hours of the morning.

My husband sleeps while the three of us walk out to grab the morning paper. They get a doggie biscuit, I get coffee, and we settle in front of the fire to catch up on the latest news.

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But, headlines are the same they were the day, week and month before. Stories of the dreaded fiscal cliff, threat of nuclear weapons, or the ongoing clashes between the political parties long after the election, cover every page. I stop reading, and close the newspaper on the never-ending rhetoric.

It’s Christmas! Time for joy and inspiration.

Elizabeth Cutright has been a tremendous source of inspiration for me. It was through   becoming acquainted with The Daily Creative Writer, and the many other talented bloggers that Morning Pages from the Cow Pasture Chronicles, sprang to life.

My blog, Cow Pasture Chronicles focuses on the how-to’s of  writing while Sheila’s Morning Pages is my chance to share my words and stories. Perhaps, one such story, Christmas Magic, was the reason my blog came to be nominated for this special honor. It appears my seven-year-old granddaughter, Mallory, has touched many hearts and I’m happy to have shared it with you all.

I challenge you to Pay it forward. Write a good story and share it with others.

Now to the business end of the award nomination:

  • I’m southern born and raised and I love sweet tea with lemon and lots of ice.
  • I was climber as child; my exploits included the ironing board, the refrigerator, and the top of the frame of a house being built. I was three years old. My mother and the builder talked me down.
  • I’m a Registered Nurse by profession but have long been retired.
  • I spent half of my career delivering babies and the other half as a transplant coordinator for the American Red Cross bone and tissue program, and Administration; Polar opposites.
  • One of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited has been the Grand Canyon. I rode all the way on a mule and saw the handiwork of God.
  • I collected clowns, dolls, and figurines for years. The clown and the character behind the face intrigued me. I eventually packed them away when my daughters reached an age they found them creepy.
  • And, although I love uplifting stories, my favorite genre is crime thrillers.

Blogs I nominate: 

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Morning Pages: Being Grateful

/ Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / Leave a comment

Thanksgiving is tomorrow. Today I will spend cleaning and baking and reflecting on the things, I am most grateful. The dictionary defines being Grateful as a feeling or showing an appreciation of kindness; being thankful. Voices of gratitude are heard the loudest this time of a year, wouldn’t it be nice to hear them all year long. There used to be a time when we did.

Recently, while antique shopping I came across a book, Etiquette Up To Date  by Cornelius (Mrs) Beeckman, 1938. I bought the book out of  sheer curiosity and was amazed at the author’s insight, the difference in decorum, manners, and how much we’re missing today by not teaching gratitude, graciousness, and thoughtfulness. Here are just a few of the pearls of wisdom from Mrs. Beeckman’s book:

 “Being gracious, being thoughtful, being kind, having a decent regard for the other fellow: this is etiquette- call it good manners, courtesy, common sense, decency, or what you will – ”

“People will like you better, and you will like yourself better if you graciously say “Please” and “Thank you” and “I beg your pardon” and ” How kind of you to say that” and “You were very good to do that for me” and other illuminated phrases that show you do not live in a world bounded on all sides by yourself.”

Sometimes I think we forget how the things we want or do  impact other people. It’s good to be reminded the world does not revolve around us.

 Thanksgiving night as you head off into the Black Friday abyss, and elbow your way through Christmas crowds, remember Mrs. Beeckman and her call for decency and graciousness. Be an example to those around you and to your kids. She said, “Parents are the standard bearers for the child,” and I have to agree.

The holiday season is a busy time of baking, stuffing our faces, enjoying family, friends and Christmas shopping. For some it will be thrilling and fun, while others may find it overwhelming, dysfunctional, and stressful. Whichever it turns out for you, be gracious in spirit, thankful, show appreciation and gratitude for God’s blessings. Here are some of the many things I am grateful for this Thanksgiving:

1. Family

2. Friends

3. Bountiful food

4. A Roof over our heads and a warm bed to fall into after stuffing ourselves and shopping

5. Money to shop

6. The freedom to do these things

7. Faith

8. Pets

9. Health that is improving

10. Laughter

11. The ability to read

12. The ability to write

13. My readers

Comment and add your list of things to which you are grateful.

And, as we sit down with our families this Thanksgiving and express our gratitude, don’t forget those who are less fortunate. Say a prayer for the hungry, the poor, those under persecution in Israel and the American citizens whose lives were devastated by Hurricane Sandy. Donate to the American Red Cross to help with their recovery.
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To each one of you may you and your family be blessed and have a Happy Thanksgiving.

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Safe Haven

/ Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 1 Comment

Photo Credit: Roxann Phillips

 

SAFE HAVEN

She tiptoed across the kitchen floor, and eased open the back door, put her finger to her lips, “Sssh Lady,” and took off running.

Louise didn’t look back, but she heard her mother’s warning ringing in her ears, “I’ll skin you alive if you don’t stay out of that cow pasture, Louise!”

She couldn’t stop. Here is where she felt safe, in the cow pasture, talking to the cows, her daddy, and God. Mostly God, because He had all the answers.Louise ran to the fence jumped up, squealing.”Lady! Look!” She pointed, “He’s here, see the rainbow?”