Chris Loehmer Kincaid's Blog, page 120
October 23, 2016
Relax and know God
Be still and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10 NIV)
I’ve written about this beloved Psalm before, but last weekend, at the Christian Writers Retreat, I learned another application for this Psalm. Say to yourself, “be still” as you inhale slowly. Then as you exhale, think, “and know that I am God.” Repeat it two more times and feel the tension slip away.
Because the Psalms are songs and songs are just that because they have a rhythm, this works with many verses from that book.
“For the Lord is good” as you inhale. Then “and His love endures forever” as you exhale. (Psalm 100:5)
“Give thanks to the Lord” inhale. “For He is good” exhale. (Psalm 107:1)
“Search me, God” inhale. “And know my heart” exhale. (Psalm 139:23)
I could go on, but you get the picture. This is a great relaxation technique and a way to remind us of the beauty and wisdom of God’s words.
Thank you, Lord God, for Your inspired word. Help us to keep Your song in our hearts. Amen.
I’ve written about this beloved Psalm before, but last weekend, at the Christian Writers Retreat, I learned another application for this Psalm. Say to yourself, “be still” as you inhale slowly. Then as you exhale, think, “and know that I am God.” Repeat it two more times and feel the tension slip away.
Because the Psalms are songs and songs are just that because they have a rhythm, this works with many verses from that book.
“For the Lord is good” as you inhale. Then “and His love endures forever” as you exhale. (Psalm 100:5)
“Give thanks to the Lord” inhale. “For He is good” exhale. (Psalm 107:1)
“Search me, God” inhale. “And know my heart” exhale. (Psalm 139:23)
I could go on, but you get the picture. This is a great relaxation technique and a way to remind us of the beauty and wisdom of God’s words.
Thank you, Lord God, for Your inspired word. Help us to keep Your song in our hearts. Amen.
October 20, 2016
Peas and a Doctor
Previously I shared how I became friends with my friend from Minnesota. Today I will share where she actually currently lives.You know how a lot of us don’t appreciate the town we live in. We don’t visit our local tourist attractions; we’ve maybe never been to our city’s historical society or even know if they have one. So what happens is that when we have friends visit from out of town, we go to the next town to visit their tourist traps, because we aren’t going to show them ours. Right?
Hence, I’ve never taken my friend to any place in my own town (except to church and out to eat a few times) and likewise when I visit her, we never bomb around her town.
This trip, because she had a prior commitment in the afternoon and I wasn’t ready to head home, I decided to visit her little town. Le Sueur, Minnesota.
First of all, a couple times a month, Hubby reminds me of my friend, by opening up a can of Le Sueur peas to eat for dinner. I was going to take a picture of one of the cans to prove it to you, but decided that would be crazy for even me. And even though these peas are no longer canned in Le Sueur or even by Green Giant, their label still says "Le Sueur". 
And who knew that Le Sueur had a museum, which naturally is open only by appointment, which seems to be true of a lot of small town museums. The curator probably works full time in a more lucratively paying job, or is a retired grandma who babysits the grandkids during the week.
In addition to the Jolly Green Giant (which by the way was the name I gave my first car, but that is another whole story), Le Sueur is famous for its connection to the Mayo family of Mayo Clinic fame. 
I probably could have spent more time in this quaint Minnesota town, but the open road was calling, which means more pictures will be coming soon. Also, I’m going to find something touristy to do with my friend when she comes to visit me next. 
October 17, 2016
The Romance of The Covered Bridge
Why are covered bridges so romantic? Why do they fascinate us so? Did it just start with the book “The Bridges of Madison County” or were we always in love with covered bridges?
On my recent trip to Minnesota, I took a detour. Okay, I kind of got lost. I should probably turn on the volume for Maps on my phone when I am going somewhere. Nah, that’s no fun. If I wouldn’t have taken the wrong road out of Red Wing, I never would have stumbled upon Zumbrota. And the only remaining original covered bridge in Minnesota.
Installed in 1869, the bridge crosses the Zumbro River and was moved to its present location in 1997 or 1970, depending on which plague along the river you read. I’m also not sure how long it is, from 116 to 120 feet depending on sources. Could not find out much on the internet about this bridge, which is a shame. Good thing I took as many pictures as I did.
Okay, looking at them, I don’t think I took enough pictures. I also didn’t explore the little town of Zumbrota. I think I need to get lost here again someday.
On my recent trip to Minnesota, I took a detour. Okay, I kind of got lost. I should probably turn on the volume for Maps on my phone when I am going somewhere. Nah, that’s no fun. If I wouldn’t have taken the wrong road out of Red Wing, I never would have stumbled upon Zumbrota. And the only remaining original covered bridge in Minnesota.
Installed in 1869, the bridge crosses the Zumbro River and was moved to its present location in 1997 or 1970, depending on which plague along the river you read. I’m also not sure how long it is, from 116 to 120 feet depending on sources. Could not find out much on the internet about this bridge, which is a shame. Good thing I took as many pictures as I did.
Okay, looking at them, I don’t think I took enough pictures. I also didn’t explore the little town of Zumbrota. I think I need to get lost here again someday.
October 14, 2016
Fused Friendship
As you may already know, I took a ride over to Minnesota one day last week to visit an old friend.
Phyllis was actually my sister Pat’s friend in college, and though they remained good friends until Pat’s death, Phyllis and I became friends through a different mutuality. After divorcing my first husband, I could relate to her dating woes. I’d been dating a special guy for a year when Phyllis finally married. Just one year after that I married my special guy. And sadly, tragically, my sister died two years later.
But the bond was formed. Phyllis had grown to be one of my best friends. And so she comes over to see us once or twice a year and I try to get over there yearly, usually in the fall when the colors are at their peak and pumpkins are ripe.
Her husband breeds draft horses and for a while she raised miniature horses. Recently she has discovered the joy of mini-donkeys. Can you see why I love going to her house?
Who’s your best friend? And how did your relationship begin?
Phyllis was actually my sister Pat’s friend in college, and though they remained good friends until Pat’s death, Phyllis and I became friends through a different mutuality. After divorcing my first husband, I could relate to her dating woes. I’d been dating a special guy for a year when Phyllis finally married. Just one year after that I married my special guy. And sadly, tragically, my sister died two years later.
But the bond was formed. Phyllis had grown to be one of my best friends. And so she comes over to see us once or twice a year and I try to get over there yearly, usually in the fall when the colors are at their peak and pumpkins are ripe.
Her husband breeds draft horses and for a while she raised miniature horses. Recently she has discovered the joy of mini-donkeys. Can you see why I love going to her house?
Who’s your best friend? And how did your relationship begin?
October 11, 2016
Buildings and a Show
For years Hubby and I had talked about going to a show at the Grand Theater in Wausau, about a 40 minute drive away. As a school bus driver, he used to take kids there all the time, but I don’t remember ever going inside myself. In the Spring of 2015, I finally got us both tickets to an Eagles Tribute Band. I blogged about that night at the time. I also promised at that time that we would return some day.
Early in September, I stumbled across a blurb for the Wausau Community Theater production of “Fiddler on the Roof”. And they still had tickets available for the night that Hubby had off from work. Booked it. Just like. For three days later.
We got to downtown Wausau plenty early enough, and as it was a beautiful evening, I wanted to walk around. There are a lot of interesting and historic buildings in that area of town. And as it was the weekend of "Artrageous", there were other interesting things to see.
I could probably do a bunch of internet research and let you know what these churches and buildings all are. But you can just enjoy them for what they are.
And the play, by the way, was great as well.
(And I just reread that post about the show last year and me losing our tickets. This time? Left the tickets at Will Call. That's the way to go.)
Early in September, I stumbled across a blurb for the Wausau Community Theater production of “Fiddler on the Roof”. And they still had tickets available for the night that Hubby had off from work. Booked it. Just like. For three days later.
We got to downtown Wausau plenty early enough, and as it was a beautiful evening, I wanted to walk around. There are a lot of interesting and historic buildings in that area of town. And as it was the weekend of "Artrageous", there were other interesting things to see.
I could probably do a bunch of internet research and let you know what these churches and buildings all are. But you can just enjoy them for what they are.And the play, by the way, was great as well.
(And I just reread that post about the show last year and me losing our tickets. This time? Left the tickets at Will Call. That's the way to go.)
October 9, 2016
God's Perfect Timing
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:7-8 (New International Version)
A year ago this week, I got to meet this beautiful little girl. In remembrance of my visit, we planted this tree, which in just three or four years will be large enough to produce fruit. In the last letter I received from my girl, she shared with me that the tree was still alive and growing. Only a few more years and the little tree will be fruitful.
In my impatience, I wish the tree could have started being productive right away. Supply this poor family with that little bit of fruit in their diets. Why wait so many years?
So many years? Three or four? That is not really a lifetime. In God’s time, that isn’t even a millisecond. In God’s time all things will bear fruit.
In God’s time, the dream job will materialize. In God’s time, the lonely family of two will become a family of three. In God’s time, sickness and sadness will be eradicated.
And in our time, we need to keep the faith and trust in God alone.
Lord, God, Heavenly Father, thank you for your perfect timing, for knowing when to answer our prayers and how to answer our prayers in the way that is best for all. Amen.
If the time is right in your life, please consider sponsoring a boy or girl through Compassion International and change the life of a child like my Mueni.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 (New International Version)
A year ago this week, I got to meet this beautiful little girl. In remembrance of my visit, we planted this tree, which in just three or four years will be large enough to produce fruit. In the last letter I received from my girl, she shared with me that the tree was still alive and growing. Only a few more years and the little tree will be fruitful.In my impatience, I wish the tree could have started being productive right away. Supply this poor family with that little bit of fruit in their diets. Why wait so many years?
So many years? Three or four? That is not really a lifetime. In God’s time, that isn’t even a millisecond. In God’s time all things will bear fruit.
In God’s time, the dream job will materialize. In God’s time, the lonely family of two will become a family of three. In God’s time, sickness and sadness will be eradicated.
And in our time, we need to keep the faith and trust in God alone.
Lord, God, Heavenly Father, thank you for your perfect timing, for knowing when to answer our prayers and how to answer our prayers in the way that is best for all. Amen.
If the time is right in your life, please consider sponsoring a boy or girl through Compassion International and change the life of a child like my Mueni.
October 7, 2016
What's in your front yard?
When I started blogging here on Tuesday of this week, I had planned on posting the following story, but went down the rabbit hole of our wedding anniversary. Let’s see if I can focus tonight.
I do not know the entire history of our house or the four acre spot it sits on. I know the previous two owners and who built it. I’ve even been told that there was a fire in the house at one time which explains the charred walls in the old garage and I suspect some of the peculiarities of the house.
I do not know, however, who it was who felt compelled many, many years ago to use the swamp in front of my house for a garbage dump.
When my kids were little and more adventurous, they loved exploring the swamp and extracting from it all sorts of glasses bottles. (This was long enough ago that the Zika virus was not a concern or really any mosquito-borne illnesses.) When they were old enough and big enough, they started dragging the tires out of the swamp. I’ve lost track, but the number was over a dozen when the kids were still in school. I don’t know how many the hubby took to the landfill or how much it cost him.
This past summer, as more tires rose to the surface of the muck, I asked the boy-child to pull them out. I had a plan for these.
For a few years, I’ve been cultivating trails through my meager woods and running along them when I can. I thought – ah, ha – I could add some obstacles. The first one could be the tire obstacle.
Okay, for all my work on this earlier in the week, I fell down running through it the first time. It’s not as easy as it looks. I will need to work on this and perfect it before I add a rope swing.
Wish me luck.
I do not know the entire history of our house or the four acre spot it sits on. I know the previous two owners and who built it. I’ve even been told that there was a fire in the house at one time which explains the charred walls in the old garage and I suspect some of the peculiarities of the house.
I do not know, however, who it was who felt compelled many, many years ago to use the swamp in front of my house for a garbage dump. 
When my kids were little and more adventurous, they loved exploring the swamp and extracting from it all sorts of glasses bottles. (This was long enough ago that the Zika virus was not a concern or really any mosquito-borne illnesses.) When they were old enough and big enough, they started dragging the tires out of the swamp. I’ve lost track, but the number was over a dozen when the kids were still in school. I don’t know how many the hubby took to the landfill or how much it cost him. 
This past summer, as more tires rose to the surface of the muck, I asked the boy-child to pull them out. I had a plan for these. 
For a few years, I’ve been cultivating trails through my meager woods and running along them when I can. I thought – ah, ha – I could add some obstacles. The first one could be the tire obstacle. 
Okay, for all my work on this earlier in the week, I fell down running through it the first time. It’s not as easy as it looks. I will need to work on this and perfect it before I add a rope swing. 
Wish me luck.
October 4, 2016
Another Anniversary
I still can’t believe it is October. And the way the weather was on Monday, I really couldn’t believe it. So warm and sunny. Which reminds me that 19 years ago today the weather was just as beautiful.
Umm, let me get a picture for you.
Oh, my goodness.
This could take some time. These pictures look like they were taken 40 years ago. Was photography really that bad before we went digital? And has this picture really been displayed on my piano for 18 years and 11 months?
I really was planning on blogging about something else today, but now that I went down this rabbit hole – here are the rest.
My kids are so little! Val was seven and Nick was eleven, I think.
Julie Bruyette, who introduced us, was my bridesmaid, and Himey’s brother John was his best man. Nick gave me away while Val and Himey’s niece Ann were our flower girls. Not that we needed flower girls, but we wanted to include them. My mom made their dresses and I ordered mine online for $69.
With Himey’s mom and dad.
With my mom. Please, nobody tell my mom that I posted a picture of her on my blog. She will kill me! You gotta know her to love her.
With all that ceremony stuff over with, Himey is still confused, I’m excited to cut the cake and Val wants to make sure her piece is the biggest.
But we all had a good time. I love you Himey and can’t wait to see what the next 19 years - and beyond - brings.
Umm, let me get a picture for you.
Oh, my goodness.
This could take some time. These pictures look like they were taken 40 years ago. Was photography really that bad before we went digital? And has this picture really been displayed on my piano for 18 years and 11 months?
I really was planning on blogging about something else today, but now that I went down this rabbit hole – here are the rest.My kids are so little! Val was seven and Nick was eleven, I think.
Julie Bruyette, who introduced us, was my bridesmaid, and Himey’s brother John was his best man. Nick gave me away while Val and Himey’s niece Ann were our flower girls. Not that we needed flower girls, but we wanted to include them. My mom made their dresses and I ordered mine online for $69. 
With Himey’s mom and dad. 
With my mom. Please, nobody tell my mom that I posted a picture of her on my blog. She will kill me! You gotta know her to love her. 
With all that ceremony stuff over with, Himey is still confused, I’m excited to cut the cake and Val wants to make sure her piece is the biggest. 
But we all had a good time. I love you Himey and can’t wait to see what the next 19 years - and beyond - brings. 
October 2, 2016
A New Hairdo
She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Proverbs 31:27-30 (NIV)
Let me ruminate a little bit here. I’ve been growing out my hair since around the first of the year. It’s gotten to be a ridiculous mess which needs to be secured in some way or another to keep it from swirling out from the sides of my head in ways which rival Effie’s hair from the Hunger Games.
Yesterday, my daughter talked me into getting a trim and a style from a beautician she knows. It turned out okay. The two of them claimed it will be very low maintenance, but when they insisted I buy a bottle of mousse to tame it every morning, I thought, whoa, that sounds like work. I’m ready to get it buzzed short again.
Am I just lazy? Or am I too uncoordinated to maneuver a hair dryer and a comb at the same time? Or am I too dense to understand why I should put “product” in my hair right after I washed it, because to me it would be easier to just not wash it for a couple days and let it get sticky all on its own? Or do I just not have the time to do anything with my hair in the morning more than running a comb through it? My ultimate goal was for it to grow long enough to brush it every morning and tie it in a big ol’ pony tail and not have to worry about it.
What is the lesson to be learned from this? And will I be able to maintain this high maintenance hairdo?
Maybe I am a little lazy. Maybe I should take the time to care about my looks a little bit more. I wish I could say I was the good wife in Proverbs 31, who has her priorities straight, who always puts her family before herself. I bet she doesn’t have time to fix her hair!
I think it’s all about balance and what you are comfortable with. For you women who still swear by Aqua-net, who am I to criticize? In the meantime, I’m just going to try to go with it and thank God that I have the hair that I do.
In 2011
June of 2015
A couple weeks ago. The hair had been beaten into submission that day.
Yikes! The new do, yesterday. I wasn't planning on taking a picture, much lest posting it here, so this is the scary face. And also, I do own clothes in colors other than blue.
and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Proverbs 31:27-30 (NIV)
Let me ruminate a little bit here. I’ve been growing out my hair since around the first of the year. It’s gotten to be a ridiculous mess which needs to be secured in some way or another to keep it from swirling out from the sides of my head in ways which rival Effie’s hair from the Hunger Games.
Yesterday, my daughter talked me into getting a trim and a style from a beautician she knows. It turned out okay. The two of them claimed it will be very low maintenance, but when they insisted I buy a bottle of mousse to tame it every morning, I thought, whoa, that sounds like work. I’m ready to get it buzzed short again.
Am I just lazy? Or am I too uncoordinated to maneuver a hair dryer and a comb at the same time? Or am I too dense to understand why I should put “product” in my hair right after I washed it, because to me it would be easier to just not wash it for a couple days and let it get sticky all on its own? Or do I just not have the time to do anything with my hair in the morning more than running a comb through it? My ultimate goal was for it to grow long enough to brush it every morning and tie it in a big ol’ pony tail and not have to worry about it.
What is the lesson to be learned from this? And will I be able to maintain this high maintenance hairdo?
Maybe I am a little lazy. Maybe I should take the time to care about my looks a little bit more. I wish I could say I was the good wife in Proverbs 31, who has her priorities straight, who always puts her family before herself. I bet she doesn’t have time to fix her hair!
I think it’s all about balance and what you are comfortable with. For you women who still swear by Aqua-net, who am I to criticize? In the meantime, I’m just going to try to go with it and thank God that I have the hair that I do.
In 2011
June of 2015
A couple weeks ago. The hair had been beaten into submission that day.
Yikes! The new do, yesterday. I wasn't planning on taking a picture, much lest posting it here, so this is the scary face. And also, I do own clothes in colors other than blue. September 29, 2016
The Only Walk This Summer
Was it two years ago that I came up with this great idea of walking every street in my hometown? I was pretty faithful that first year, but petered out by the second. And here we are rolling into the Autumn of 2016 and I haven't shared any walks here this year. Or at least I don't remember doing so.
Last spring and summer I was battling bursitis in my right hip and tendinitis in my left Achilles. The bursitis seems to be cured, but that Achilles is still killing me. Yes, I work at a doctor's office, but you know that health care workers make the worst patients. And speaking of the day job, I've been working a lot of long days and leaving work with no remaining energy.
In any event, last Friday, with the car in the shop for two hours, I had some time to kill and the weather was perfect. I was reminded of how blessed I am to live in such a beautiful place.
This little park-ette is just past the public library, along the Wisconsin River. It was a Girl Scout Gold Project from ten years ago.
The Wisconsin River - amazing any time of year.
The fire pit behind the library, in honor of the Lintereurs.
Parting words of wisdom.
Last spring and summer I was battling bursitis in my right hip and tendinitis in my left Achilles. The bursitis seems to be cured, but that Achilles is still killing me. Yes, I work at a doctor's office, but you know that health care workers make the worst patients. And speaking of the day job, I've been working a lot of long days and leaving work with no remaining energy.
In any event, last Friday, with the car in the shop for two hours, I had some time to kill and the weather was perfect. I was reminded of how blessed I am to live in such a beautiful place.
This little park-ette is just past the public library, along the Wisconsin River. It was a Girl Scout Gold Project from ten years ago.
The Wisconsin River - amazing any time of year.
The fire pit behind the library, in honor of the Lintereurs.
Parting words of wisdom.
