THE DOGWOOD LEGEND

Centuries ago, the stately Dogwood tree proudly reached toward heaven in praise and in supplication. The cross . . . that which bore Christ's body, was hewn from this proud Dogwood tree.

So great was the tree's humility that it grew twisted in agony, gnarled with disgrace, bent and slender in meekness. Its true grain was stained by Christ's blood, forever to remain a living symbol of His pain and suffering. 

On Easter morning the Dogwood tree caught the radiance of New Life and Reawakened Hope, and burst forth in an array of soft white splendor. Four delicate petals in each bloom formed a cross--each edge marked with brown nail prints. A crown of thorns, as He wore, formed the center of each blossom. 

And down through the long centuries of time, the Dogwood tree, with its downy white petals, vividly reminds us of the precious gift He gave on Calvary, and of His promises, which were fulfilled on the first Easter Morning.

FACE TO THE SON

by Joyce Doolittle

I've come to believe that the happiest ones
must be those who view life
with their face to the SON.

Not allowing dark shadows to mar their view
but always plodding onward
peaceful dreams they pursue.

Not tossed or plundered by life's troubled seas
but facing each problem
with dignity and ease.

And when they look back from whence they begun
they'll have no regrets
with their face to the SON.

Dangers of the Drug CIPRO

Dated March 22, 2017

My friend, Connie, who is 74, was given Cipro for what the doctor thought was a minor infection. I believe she took two (maybe three) pills and her feet began to burn. She couldn't walk w/o pain or even touch her feet. Now it is weeks later and she is still suffering. She looked up the side effects of Cipro and found that it should not be given to anyone over 60.

I went to the doctor recently for a UTI and he asked if I had ever taken Cipro. OMG! I am so thankful I was aware of Connie's experience. I told him Cipro should not be given to anyone over 60. He looked at me strangely and I told him I was 68. Then I told him about Connie's burning feet. He gave me something else. He was clueless about Cipro. We have to be our own best advocate for our own health! 

Please read the following website: 

https://mountainsandmustardseedssite.wordpress.com/2017/03/18/this-antibiotic-will-ruin-you/

From: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES, Food and Drug Administration, Rockville, MD 20857 

WARNING: Fluoroquinolones, including CIPRO®, are associated with an increased risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture in all ages. This risk is further increased in older patients usually over 60 years of age, in patients taking corticosteroid drugs, and in patients with kidney, heart or lung transplants (See WARNINGS). Fluoroquinolones, including CIPRO®, may exacerbate muscle weakness in persons with myasthenia gravis. Avoid CIPRO® in patients with known history of myasthenia gravis (See Warnings). 
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/appletter/2011/019537s075,019847s047,019857s054,020780s033,021473s028ltr.pdf

Since I was aware of Connie's horrible experience, I was able to avoid taking Cipro myself. I pass this information on to you in hopes you will take every precaution against this drug.

GOD’S WORD IS ACCURATE FOR ALL PEOPLES FOR ALL TIME. . .

EPHESIANS 2:14-18 (TLB)

EPHESIANS 2:14-18 (TLB)

“For Christ Himself is our way of PEACE. He has made PEACE between us JEWS and you GENTILES by making us all ONE FAMILY, breaking down the wall of contempt that used to separate us. By His death He ended the angry resentment between us, caused by the Jewish laws which favored the Jews and excluded the Gentiles, for He died to annul that whole system of Jewish laws. Then He took the two groups that had been opposed to each other and made them parts of Himself; thus He FUSED US together to become one new person, and at last there was PEACE. As parts of the same body, our anger against each other has disappeared, for both of us have been reconciled to God. And so the FEUD ENDED at last at the cross. And He has brought this GOOD NEWS OF PEACE to you Gentiles who were very far away from Him, and to us Jews who were near. Now all of us, whether JEWS or GENTILES, may come to God the Father with the Holy Spirit’s help because of what Christ has done for us.”

For Christ Himself is our way of PEACE. He has made PEACE between us CHILDREN and PARENTS by making us all ONE FAMILY, breaking down the wall of contempt that used to separate us. By His death He ended the angry resentment between us, caused by [misunderstandings] which favored [one sibling over another], for He died to annul that whole system of [jealousy and unforgiveness]. Then He took the two groups that had been opposed to each other and made them parts of Himself; thus He FUSED US together to become one new person, and at last there was PEACE. As parts of the same body, our anger against each other has disappeared, for both of us have been reconciled to God. And so the FEUD ENDED at last at the cross. And He has brought this GOOD NEWS OF PEACE to us… Now all of us, whether CHILDREN or PARENTS, may come to God the Father with the Holy Spirit’s help because of what Christ has done for us.

For Christ Himself is our way of PEACE. He has made PEACE between WHITES, BLACKS, ASIANS, INDIANS, ALL, by making us all ONE FAMILY, breaking down the wall of contempt that used to separate us. By His death He ended the angry resentment between us, caused by the [hate] which favored [one race over another], for He died to annul that whole system of [racism]. Then He took the two groups that had been opposed to each other and made them parts of Himself; thus He FUSED US together to become one new person, and at last there was PEACE. As parts of the same body, our anger against each other has disappeared, for both of us have been reconciled to God. And so the FEUD ENDED at last at the cross. And He has brought this GOOD NEWS OF PEACE to you . . . who were very far away from Him, and to us . . . who were near. Now all of us, whether WHITE, BLACK, ASIAN, INDIAN ALL, may come to God the Father with the Holy Spirit's help because of what Christ has done for us. 

For Christ Himself is our way of PEACE. He has made PEACE between us CHRISTIANS and MUSLIMS by making us all ONE FAMILY, breaking down the wall of contempt that used to separate us. By His death He ended the angry resentment between us, caused by the [hate] which favored [one religion over another], for He died to annul that whole system of [religion]. Then He took the two groups that had been opposed to each other and made them parts of Himself; thus He FUSED US together to become one new person, and at last there was PEACE. As parts of the same body, our anger against each other has disappeared, for both of us have been reconciled to God. And so the FEUD ENDED at last at the cross. And He has brought this GOOD NEWS OF PEACE to us…Now all of us, whether CHRISTIAN or MUSLIM, may come to God the Father with the Holy Spirit’s help because of what Christ has done for us.

For Christ Himself is our way of PEACE. He has made PEACE between us MEN and WOMEN by making us all ONE FAMILY, breaking down the wall of contempt that used to separate us. By His death He ended the angry resentment between us, caused by [sexism] which favored [one sex over another], for He died to annul that whole system of [discrimination]. Then He took the two groups that had been opposed to each other and made them parts of Himself; thus He FUSED US together to become one new person, and at last there was PEACE. As parts of the same body, our anger against each other has disappeared, for both of us have been reconciled to God. And so the FEUD ENDED at last at the cross. And He has brought this GOOD NEWS OF PEACE to us… Now all of us, whether MEN or WOMEN, may come to God the Father with the Holy Spirit’s help because of what Christ has done for us.

For Christ Himself is our way of PEACE. He has made PEACE between the REPUBLICANS and the DEMOCRATS by making us all ONE FAMILY, breaking down the wall of contempt that used to separate us. By His death He ended the angry resentment between us, caused by [viewpoints] which favored [one platform over another], for He died to annul that whole system of [opposition]. Then He took the two groups that had been opposed to each other and made them parts of Himself; thus He FUSED US together to become one new person, and at last there was PEACE. As parts of the same body, our anger against each other has disappeared, for both of us have been reconciled to God. And so the FEUD ENDED at last at the cross. And He has brought this GOOD NEWS OF PEACE to us… Now all of us, whether REPUBLICAN or DEMOCRAT, may come to God the Father with the Holy Spirit’s help because of what Christ has done for us.

MY SILENT WORLD

by Danna Shirley

I am a ninety-seven-year-old widow and I’m totally deaf without my hearing aids. My auditory professional says that in the most quiet surroundings I can hear approximately forty words out of one hundred. With slight background noise, it reduces to only twenty words out of one hundred. I cannot hear television or radio or conversation unless the person is right in front of me and speaks slowly and distinctly, and then must repeat themselves often.

When I fell and hit my face on the edge of the countertop, I became totally blind in my right eye. Emergency surgery reattached my retina but my sight was lost. That was my good eye which allowed me to read large print books; my only joy in life. My left eye was already designated as legally blind; which does, however, allow me to walk through my home without bumping into walls and furniture. My days consist of drops and ointment to keep my eyes moist and batteries to keep my hearing aids operable. My 24/7 caregivers get me up in the morning and put me to bed at night. They prepare my food and administer my meds throughout the day, walk me to the bathroom, and help in the shower.

A seizure at age ninety-five affected my memory and I lived for several months trapped in my childhood years, not remembering my siblings born after my tenth birthday nor remembering my own husband because we had met as teenagers. Slowly I advanced through my life and began to ask questions about this brother or that sister until I finally remembered them . . . and the love of my life, Howard, who passed away when I was ninety and he was eighty-nine. We shared sixty-eight wonderful years together, three daughters, seven grandchildren, and six great-grands.

We always thought I would go first because of my health issues while he was still strong and healthy and sharp of mind. Alas, prostate cancer took him just a few days after his birthday. I could not live without him for he was my ears and my eyes; my chauffeur to the hair dresser, the grocery store, the post office, visiting family and friends. Everyone thought I would go shortly after his passing but I am still here, seven years later and approaching my ninety-eighth birthday soon. I miss him every day.

I can’t see to read or watch television or crochet afghans. I can’t hear the news or listen to music. I just sit every day in my recliner with a blanket over my feet and legs and let the caregivers do their job. When the weather is nice, I walk around my backyard for exercise. I tell people I twiddle my thumbs and wait for the clock to move so I can retire for the night. I sleep but never peacefully, getting up a few times (or more) for the bathroom, a drink of water, or a throat lozenge when my mouth is too dry.

Is this a life? My inside mind is still young and active and healthy. It’s not fair to live in MY SILENT WORLD! 

Warning Label

by Danna Shirley
Writing assignment: Ignoring the Warning Label

A friend of mine just passed away last week of bone cancer. She was diagnosed several months ago and refused treatment. It was a slow and painful death but she chose to live . . . or should I say, die this way.

Now we all know, or should know, to get our affairs in order on the presumption of our demise, especially if it is soon imminent. She, however, did nothing to alleviate the disaster that loomed after her death. She neither left a will nor discussed her wishes, even though her sister begged her to put something in writing since the home she lived in was left to both of them.

Her son was also living there and assumed it would be left to him when his mother died. He immediately took charge while the sister was dumbfounded; not only grieving the loss of her only sibling but now having to deal with an irate nephew.

I can understand a young, healthy person not preparing for life’s unexpected pitfalls but someone who knows the end is near and still does nothing but leave a tragic mess behind, does no favor for their loved ones. Where is the warning label for this scenario?

Take heed . . .

Prepare to meet your Maker . . .

Leave your loved ones a peaceful transition!

MY VIEW OF THE POST-ELECTION 2016-2017

by Danna Shirley

The 2016 Presidential campaign between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump and the election night results that followed were a complete upset that shocked the whole country. It shocked the Democrats that Clinton didn't win and the Republicans that Trump did. The real result was that the country took the Democrats to the woodshed for a reality check. 

Now on a personal and individual basis, taking someone to the woodshed is supposed to have the objective of learning a very valuable lesson about behavior, character, integrity, and right from wrong; what's expected and not expected in the future. 

One trip to the woodshed usually helps to learn the lesson well, unless of course the individual is stubborn, rebellious, and defiant. Does that describe the post-election Democratic supporters that have shown just how out of touch they are with the rest of the country?

Everything they stood for in the last eight years was rejected because after eight years of being "in charge" with little change and few improvements, the people have spoken...and what they want and need is a leader that will run this country like the CEO of a successful business and that is what we have in Donald Trump. 

The protesters speak of intolerance but they are then so intolerant that they RIOT; destroying property and showing just how hateful and detestable they are. Their "protests" cannot even be heard over their shameful and outrageous behavior. Those of us who DID NOT vote for Obama accepted him as our President anyway. Now we, as the silent majority, have spoken, and they are acting as childish, bratty, and spoiled children. Grow up or journey to the woodshed in four years for another spanking.

Why don't all these government officials (local, state, federal) put as much into taking care of our veterans as they are in protecting illegal and criminal aliens? Their priorities are skewed. They are going at high speed down the wrong track to a dead end destination. 

Protest: a statement or action expressing disapproval or objection. 
Riot: a violent disturbance, rampage, fight, run amok, go berserk. 
Skewed: biased, distorted, inaccurate, unfair, misleading.

May I say again, the Democrats just don't get it! Grow up, wake up, open your blind eyes and your deaf ears, and hear what the populace is SHOUTING. 

On to Hollywood:
I didn't watch the Grammys, the SAG Awards, or the Oscars. Who cares what Hollywood thinks politically. The awards are to recognize achievement in their field. As far as I can determine from their speeches, their "field" is a swamp of quicksand and if they're not careful it will swallow them up. Their insults are offending half of the population and I've already decided to boycott their movies. I don't have to spend the $25 to go to the show (ticket, jumbo popcorn, & drink). I'll stick with my Hallmark movies on television.

Maybe I'm just showing my age but where has the respect, courtesy, and just plain good manners gone? Okay, that's enough of my soapbox.