A Guiding Light Hodgepodge

Hodgepodge Fun!

1. Do you try to set rules for yourself about how you use your time? Yes. Explain.

All the years that I worked full time and did my housework, laundry, shopping and so forth on Saturday, I had a checklist and set time limits for each room as well as each job to be done in that room. As I finished the work, I moved on to the next room and the tasks so that I would keep up the pace. After I retired, I found myself feeling as though I wasn't accomplishing as much as I should. One of the habits I picked up as a legal assistant was keeping track of my time for billing purposes to the clients and so I would mentally go over my day to make sure my time had not been wasted. I'm not so hard on myself as I used to be, but I do feel we should be good stewards of the time we've been given. (Therefore, sometimes I wonder whether keeping up a blog is good use of my time, but in the end, I decide it is because it is a photo journal for me. And I enjoy it.)

2. Monday was National Lighthouse Day. Have you ever visited a lighthouse? If not, do you have any desire to see one up close? Of the 10 Most Beautiful that made this list which would you most like to see in person-

Lindau Lighthouse (Germany), Fanad Lighthouse (Ireland), Portland Head Light (Maine), Yaquina Bay Light (Oregon) The St. Augustine Light (Florida), Peggy's Point Lighthouse (Canada), Start Point Lighthouse (England), Tower of Hercules (Spain), Bass Harbor Head Station (Maine), and White Shoal Light (Michigan)

We've seen lighthouses in Maine, Hawaii, and I think in Alaska? We've seen several, but I couldn't tell you their names. Peggy's Point Lighthouse is the only one I recognize. Since we never made it to Ireland, I think I would like to see the Fanad Lighthouse. The pictures online are beautiful. 

photo credit

When you've been away, what's your 'lighthouse' telling you you're on the right road home?

If by plane, the lake by our house. If by car, the bridge over the Red River.

3. What have you unintentionally stopped doing? Is this something you need to pick back up and begin again, or is it something you need to let go of for now (or even permanently)?

As much as I love music and to sing, I kind of unintentionally stopped listening to music at home and even in the car. I'm trying to get back in the groove and so each morning, I make time to listen to a worship song and then listen to music as I walk. Music isn't something to let go of, but I haven't enjoyed the sounds lately. I would rather hear teaching when I'm driving or just enjoy the quiet. The older I get, the more I like quiet. 

4. We've had a full week of August. Share a GRAND moment from your month so far.

I'm not sure about grand, rather more rewarding would be the word for my experience last week with a friend as her husband was rushed to the hospital with a heart attack. She texted me and another friend to ask for prayer as she was on her way to the hospital. Upon reading her text, I immediately changed my course of direction to get to the hospital and was there to see him before they wheeled him off to surgery. I was so thankful to be there for my friend as she arrived and be with her as we waited and prayed and made calls to other friends and family. Last evening we took dinner to them and their gratitude to me was more than grand as we all realize the blessing of being there for each other. They've been there for me in the past and so my gratitude to them is immeasurable as well. 

5. Tell us one song you love with the word 'baby' in the title.

Be My Baby, the Ronettes, 1960

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

There is an old story about a ship vs. a lighthouse, which I believe is probably fiction and used more an illustration than truth. One version goes like this:

This is the transcript of a radio conversation of a US naval ship with Canadian authorities off the coast of Newfoundland in October, 1995. Radio conversation released by the Chief of Naval Operations 10-10-95.

Americans: Please divert your course 15 degrees to the North to avoid a collision.

Canadians: Recommend you divert YOUR course 15 degrees to the South to avoid a collision.

Americans: This is the Captain of a US Navy ship. I say again, divert YOUR course.

Canadians: No. I say again, you divert YOUR course.

Americans: This is the aircraft carrier USS Lincoln, the second largest ship in the United States' Atlantic fleet. We are accompanied by three destroyers, three cruisers and numerous support vessels. I demand that YOU change your course 15 degrees north, that's one five degrees north, or countermeasures will be undertaken to ensure the safety of this ship.

Canadians: This is a lighthouse. Your call.

Speaking of lighthouses also reminds me of an old gospel song that I loved to sing. Here is the chorus:

I thank God for The Lighthouse, I owe my life to Him.
Jesus is The Lighthouse and from the rocks of sin,
He has shown the light around me, so that I might clearly see.
If it wasn't for The Lighthouse, Where would this ship be?