Another day closer

Each day I know Christmas is one day closer. The joy and anticipation of the season is the best part. Once the day is here, it is gone so quickly. So we should take each day beginning December 26 and with great excitement and anticipate the Savior's coming. The family gatherings. The cheer to spread and the amazing feeling of peace on earth. Many times we think there can be no peace with war, sickness, failures etc. but I read somewhere that true peace comes in the midst of strife. So seek it out. Even if it's a mere few minutes. If you just have to draw away for a few moments alone with yourself and God. Feel His love and embrace and know that each day we are one day closer to fulfillment of life.

Image is another Christmas card design from my kid's classes. Hope it inspires you to take out the paints and paper and paint some original cards for the special people on your list.

Rainy Days and Mondays - Guilt Free?

So much to do and just wanting to relax and enjoy the quiet day....is that bad? I need to finish decorating for the holidays, bake, shop, wrap, clean, make art, mail cards and art submissions and the list goes on and on and on just like yours I'm sure. Please share how you take advantage of rainy days just for you and not feel guilty. I find myself going from task to task, saying, "I'll just do this and then take time for me." BUT after an almost entire day of little chore to little chore, the day is gone and I took no time for me. I am a firm believer in taking time for me to be better for my family. When I don't for weeks on end, I often get resentful and turn out to be a not very "nice" person to live with....so share your thoughts on how you make time for you and not feel one bit bad about it!

Image is a card idea for my kids class. It's just little strokes from various paint pens to make the tree shape.

A Season to TRUST

TRUST

• the reason for the season


• peace on earth


• glad tidings


• joy to the world


• shopping will be finished


• baking will be finished


• good will toward your fellow "artist"


• the smile of a child


• time with relatives


• safe travel


• a kiss under the mistletoe


• a white Christmas for some

Add your own thoughts of things to trust at this wonderful season of the year! Please share with us!

A Good Artist is Easy to Find

As I was visiting a local art gallery and holiday sale yesterday, I took time to once again look at the work of a favorite local artist's exhibit. She died a couple years ago and her work has been on display since then. I own a few small pieces but was considering a larger purchase.

The thought came to mind that we have so many fine artists come and go. They are talented and and prolific but once they are deceased, their work is either in high demand or forgotten. I'm afraid that is what is happening with this fine artist's work. My work is not nearly as fine but will soon be forgotten and discarded once I am gone. I wonder how much great art has ended up in thrift shops, basements, attics and worse yet the local land fill. Which also makes me ask many questions. Are we too prolific as artists? Are we wasting money, time and supplies? Can we limit creativity? Should we? What is the answer? I'd love to hear your thoughts on these questions and ideas.

Image is one of my vessel images done in relief on a canvas board.

Thanksgiving is more than

Thanksgiving is more than
sitting around the same dinner table
being in the same town
eating turkey, dressing and pumpkin pie
watching football and parades
planning for holiday shopping and sales events
Thanksgiving is about a heart bursting with appreciation for the gifts God has given us all year.
We should celebrate that every day of every year we breathe.

Blessings to you all!

It's my BIRTHDAY!

I am 52 today!

It's not too painful!

I counted my blessings this morning first thing...not what I wished or wanted.

I already have everything I need and most of what I want...

• a happy loving family


• 2 homes


• transportation


• clothes and food


• skills


• a loving SAVIOR!


• and so much more!

We are here to serve

We often hear only the negative about computers....malfunctions, people doing bad things to systems, people leaving their families for other lives...the list goes on but I'm here to say computers do good too. I have a whole network of friends that are there at the click of a button to pray for needs, friends to keep in touch with during busy times, inspirational sites continually feed my spirit and my artistic endeavors. Other people's blogs tell me that we are all in this world together. We all have similar problems and goals and needs and like the old song goes...people need people and people need the Lord...we're all in it together so let's help each other out at every chance possible.

May you know many blessings this Thanksgiving season and share them with many!

Image is a digital collage of my shadow with fall colors and computer text.

All Children are ARTISTS!

Picasso said it best "All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up." This was so evident with my kids yesterday. Painting their self portraits, they abandoned all fear and jumped in with both hands. Laying down bright colors, imaginative backgrounds, changing their hair color. What beautiful work! Not labored or filtered. Why can't we maintain that enthusiastic manner when we grow up? Here are their efforts!

How to spend a day off

Imagine a beautiful fall day to yourself. A rare gift. How will you spend it?

These are possibilities; which will you choose or add?

• clean


• sleep


• watch tv


• shop


• create art


• look at art


• visit


• decorate


• launder


• go to a park


• go to a museum


• organize


• pay bills


• meditate


• practice an old skill


• exercise


• relax


• go for a drive


• all of the above

Sleep can be evasive

Despite not sleeping well the night before and being exhausted last night, I was wide awake at 2:30 this morning. I just decided to get up and get busy. I will crash and burn later. My mom said I didn't like to sleep as a child but I sure wish I could now. Ah, to sleep perchance to dream...

Image is from a journal project I am doing for a Serendipity artist.

See others work here: http://serendipityart.squarespace.com/10-day-journal-project/

Spinning Wheels

Seems the faster I go the slower I get anywhere....Morning is mid gone and I only got prep for class and apts made. How can that be?

Time is my most precious asset and fiddling with all the little details of life gets in the way of just living it.

Guess I'll just make art, take care of family, spend time with God.......and forget the unimportant details

digital collage.

Holiday Season already!

How do I let it get here and not be ahead of the game every year? I have bought a few presents and plan to start baking and freezing this week! I've even thought of putting up the tree early since my son will hopefully be home for Thanksgiving for a couple days. He loves Christmas as much as I do. The Southern Christmas Show comes to town this week and it always puts me in the spirit and gives me lots of ideas. I really like a simple holiday with family. I have a small family but it always amazes me how much there is to do. I love it but if only I could do on 4 hours of sleep a night. Not possible.
I also think it's time to start those gratitude lists and let the rest take care of itself.

I am thankful for:

• God, my heavenly father



• Christ, my Savior



• super husband



• dear son



• wonderful parents



• dad didn't break his knee when he fell



• home



• friends



• art



• a good life

Have you started your list?

Image is from a beach journal started with a friend. We are the alias mermaids, Maggie and Mia.

More blessings

I spent the day with my parents yesterday. Dad had fallen a couple days ago and had doctor apts already lined up. He only went to the ER after he decided it was serious. No broken bones but his arthritic knee was messed up pretty bad. He's diabetic and on cumaden (not sure of spelling) so they have to be cautious of what they do. Despite it all we had a fun time going together and enjoying the time together and fall color on the ride.

I realized once there the same stretch of high 70 goes to where my son lives. It felt good to know we were connected by that road even though about 400 miles apart. This short verse came to mind.

A span of Hwy 70 connects the state end to end
as our hearts connect our love and care for one another.
I can never know the depth an volume of this love without
knowing the importance of God in it all.

Blessing on you this day! Enjoy the wild altered me photo. Altered by scratching out the background and adding prismacolor and Elmer's paint pens to the remains.

When is too much too much?

I finally got good at saying NO, but still find myself with too many projects, commitments and dreams. I just want to make art and share it the best way I know how. Seems this blog is the way. I've tried to start a new blog at Artella but I seldom get my self on there to do it. How do those of you who keep several blogs going do it? I have dial up internet service so loading and waiting is so slow for me. Maybe that's one reason I often fall short. I do find a little time for art almost every single day. I do several swaps. I still take care of my husband and grown son and parents and some friends. I'm not old by any means of today's standards (52) but I do get tired easily and chase various aches and pains around. 24/7 never seems to be enough time! Please share you ideas with me. Blessings to you who do it all and do it well.

Check out my weak blog and other GREAT blogs at http://artellacafe.com/blogs/creative_inspirations_2/default.aspx

Until next time....here's a little wc palmetto tree from my Kiawah week.

Always a Down to counter the Up

Worn out....guess the hyper last two weeks finally took its toll. Just vegged out with TV. Went to bed and finally slept about 1:30 AM. No energy for the days list of to do's. Hate to post downer blog entries so I'll counter it with an art image I did at the beach week before last, when I was carefree and creative. It's the letter A for a vintage alphabet swap. I send in the A's and receive back a batch of each letter from different participants. Lots of great places to do online art swaps. It really does help your creativity to do someone else's idea and then see all the varieties. (I received my batch of DOD and Frida tags from that swap and WOW were they great!

Doing another complete alphabet set in this fashion to submit somewhere. By the way the technique was paint a piece of matboard with the vaseline crackle paint technique from Claudine Hellmuth. Dry. Remove vaseline. Cut into 1 1/2 inch squares. Layer with Prismacolor Art Stix. Then add packing tape transfer letters. Voila! Coat with gel medium.

Did a few mixed media sketches this AM to rev me up but I think it's going to take a decent night's sleep to do the trick completely.

Blessings to all...and get your sleep or the creative muse will nap and you'll miss out on something GREAT!

Fall is such a special time

I love the crisp air and blue sky. I love the fall leaves and changing shadows. It feels like a time for people change too. Maybe an easier time for resolutions. Although I seem to make resolutions every day cause I break them everyday. Maybe today will be different.

Image is a digtal collage from my Kiawah trip with original poem written while walking one morning on the beach.

Life is full of BLISS

when you take time to expect it... I had such a beautiful weekend with my husband and son celebrating the son's 23rd birthday.

Children bring such joy and happiness to us from the day of conception. It's unfathomable.

They are such sponges when little and then when they become adults we are so proud, the sponge just explodes with beautiful memories and times. There's a verse in proverbs, not taking time to look it up, but it simply says (train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it)! How true! I think we tried to raise our son to be smart, thoughtful, responsible and dedicated to his Lord. He's all that and more. I only hope I can be a little like him when I grow up!

Ah, the beauty of LIFE!

A wonderful week on the coast last week and now a weekend at another coast (New Bern, NC) to celebrate my son's 23rd birthday! Blessings abound and I try to count them daily.

I suggest you do the same. The more you count your blessings the more you forget your troubles. It really does work! Try it next time you feel kinda down, blue or just our of sorts.

Here's another little inspiration from last week!

AS THE SUN RISES

After the walk along the shore

Inspiration is everywhere!

If you just keep looking and reading and thinking and waiting and expecting....be open to it. Let the creative spirit within you reach out to the spirit of all creativity (God for me) and let the wisdom flow.

I just finished reading a wonderful book called The Forest Lover by Susan Vreeland. If you like to paint, you like nature and the two combined, you will love this book and receive much inspiration for your own creative endeavors. I highly recommend it. Here is a quote from the book:

"You who dwell in the forest," Emily murmured..."You have given me the longing to paint...give wisdom to my eyes to see into the soul of this land. Though I will walk through this valley of the shadow of afar and lonely wilderness, help me to hear a spirit song. Give power to my brush so I can create something true and beautiful and important."

My image for this post is a little different from what I usually share. It shows my workspace while at Kiawah. The lovely glass top dining table became my studio away from home and here you see lots of my favorite paints and tools I travel with.

images first

I have downloaded images but haven't gotten poems and thoughts from journal....I will get to them eventually. Enjoy this moment captured. Take yourself there in your mind. Relax and leave all your cares behind....

The vacation glow is back!

I can't wait to download my pictures and share my trip. It was a perfectly wonderful time of relaxation, art, and time with hubby. Kiawah Island for a week does me more good than almost anything in the world when it comes to putting things in perspective. I realize that I am truly blessed and have more than I could ever dream possible to be thankful for. I hope to be able to hold on to the glow that is around me right now through the rest of the year and my life. I always think "what if it's the last time I get to go there..." Well, once should be enough but I've gone over 20 times and it gets better and better. I am fortunate to have gone twice this year.

Thanks to the good Lord and my wonderful husband.

Image is from Kiawah past....sunset over the marsh....

Family-Nothing Compares

I had the good fortune to celebrate my Mom's 78th birthday yesterday along with my Dad and husband. If our son could have been with us it would have been complete. We laughed, ate, talked, and had such a wonderful time at a favorite restaurant. Took photos, opened her gifts and cards and enjoyed it so much. It made me wish for days like on Walton's Mountain when the whole family lived under one roof. Everyone worked close to home and were always together for family celebrations.

On a sadder note, I heard of a lady losing her husband in an accident. How sad for her and her children. It made me value my special family time even more.

I'm heading to Kiawah Island, SC with my husband for the week so I'm checking out for a while from blogging but hope you will check back with me on my return. I should have some great photos and new art to share.

Blessings dear readers and thanks for sharing your wonderful comments. God loves you!

Photo of Mom (Vember) and me.

Pain is NOT my friend

After two nights of pain keeping me from sleep, I have to ask how does someone with trully painful conditions survive. When 2400 mg of ibuprofen doesn't help, where do I turn?

I hate the idea of more wasted doctor visits and meds. Plus I'm leaving for a week at Kiawah in 2 days and want to feel like enjoying it! Do I just smile and keep making art?

ART has always been my mental therapy. Maybe it can be my physical therapy also.

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

Praise and glory to God the Father, Jesus, His Son and the Holy Spirit.

Image is of acrylic textured ATC's.

God is with us

Where do you draw the line?

between stating your own beliefs in your own words for no one to read unless they choose and being considered intolerant. I happen to believe I am extremely tolerant of other's beliefs. I also feel that my blog is as my personal hand written journal, a place where I can be completely honest and who I am...a Christian.

I certainly respect other's beliefs and do not feel I have ever shown any disrespect to any one in what I write here. I apologize if it has come across to someone in that tone. Blogs may be written as the writer wishes and no one is made to read them, as far as I know.

I do plan to continue to express my beliefs about God and Christ and the Christian way of life. I suggest that if my words upset you, then just don't visit my blog. I usually invite others to view images on my blog and I do use many Christian ideas and symbols. If you see or read somthing you disagree with, you are certainly welcome to express your own opinion in the comment section but please do not suggest that I do not tolerate others ideas. I happen to admire many other religious groups for their consistency in their practices. I think Christians are often not that consistent and we could certainly learn from others.

It is my sincere desire to express my own thoughts and ideas and images in this blog and NOT to offend or upset anyone.

Comments are always welcome and you may wish to comment on other's comments as well.

Image is a pencil sketch of Mary and Jesus.

Trying but ....

It seems I am always trying to do what it is right but the older I get the harder it gets. I continue to come up short. I say the wrong thing, do the wrong thing, think the wrong thing. I just want to live peaceably and happily, love God, produce art, and be with my family. I want to find comfort in my Lord and Savior, offend no one, worry less, strive to be the person God made me to be....but I continue to fall short. My prayer is this...as a Christian lady whom I admire once said...

"God let me be who You want me to be this day;

God help me do the things You want me to do this day;

God make me who You made me to be this day."

I believe

I believe in

the Trinity- Father, Christ and Holy Spirit

TRUE LOVE

dreams and wishes

family

friendship

sharing your gifts

creating art

Prayer

What do you believe in?

image is from Frida Kahlo ATC series

I wish...

Life was simpler

Pain didn't exist

Your best day lasted forever

You could keep those you love close

No one was hungry

Everyone loved everyone

War could end

Happiness and contentment reigned

Wishes came true

What do you wish?

image is a real ATC with wish added digitally

A Message from God

If you are reading this and don't live in the piedmont of NC, you may not realize but we are in a severe drought. Only a trace here in Alexis for nearly 3 months. We have had teeny tiny showers the last couple days. I've prayed for rain. I even told God I wouldn't complain about my frizzy hair when it rains. I wouldn't complain if it rained everyday we are at Kiawah week after next but....we need rain. I miss the sweet smell of the earth after a good rain. I miss the droplets hanging on to leaves and branches. I miss the swirly Payne's gray skies. I miss RAIN!

Well, while walking this morning in the early light as the sun was rising and the mist was in the air, my husband pointed out a rainbow in the sky. I've never seen one in the sky with so little light and so little rain and no storm. I took it as a personal message from God. He was reminding me that He was still there and it would rain again! What a sweet answer to a heartfelt prayer.

The photo is from another rainbow day!

Favorites

Thought it would be fun to list favorite things....

• Spiritual life


• family time


• creating art


• studying art


• sharing art


• movies - Moonstruck, Steel Magnolias, Sleepless in Seattle, any Nicholas Sparks movies, any Sam Elliott or Keven Costner movies


• books - Bible, art books, Nicholas Sparks novels


• music - christian, pop, jazz, James Taylor, Carpenters, Eagles, America, Norah Jones, John Mayer, Michael Buble


• photography, digital art, quotes


• icons-hearts, crosses, ferns, mountains, angels, vessels


• corny jokes


• chocolate


• grilled cheese sandwiches

There are lots more but that is enough for now.

Here is another set of Zine images.

Link to Artella website

http://www.artellawordsandart.com/

Browse and enjoy!

More MEDLEY ZINE pages

These pages show the fun of mixing and matching images, adding real photos to art images, using leftover bits and pieces and keeping it simple.

MORE IMAGES

more on Medley Zine

I have photographed all the pages and today will pick up rings to finish binding.

I'd like to show some sample pages and describe some themes and techniques I used. Imade 5 zines to mail out and will receive 5 different ones back. This swap is through the Artella site.

(If you still haven't checked out Artella, do it soon. It's getting bigger and better all the time.)

I chose to name my zine Medley since it is a medley of images, colors, themes and things I love. I first did all the backgrounds in red, yellow, peach, orange and white with acrylic paints, stamping images of a flower over and under various layers. Then I chose to clean out my stash of images, hand painted pages, and saved artwork. I used many of my own original art pieces, scraps of papers, photos, and clip art pieces to fill the pages. Basically, including something family oriented, an original one of a kind ATC, small watercolors, jokes, fun images, words, icons and symbols I use over and over in my work, a landscape collage, quotes, some original poems, my handprint and an envelope of goodies. This is only a simple list. Even though each zine is similar, none are exactly the same. So each person is getting an original zine of artwork compliled just for that particular zine. Look at the photos and if you have specific questions, I'm happy to reply. I will post several images over the next few days for you to enjoy! It was a real blast doing it and can hardly bare to swap them out now but I think I will certainly enjoy getting the returns.

Medley Zine Covers

Here are the other 3 covers:

It has been fun to layer and add. I added more yesterday, transparency flowers and pop up butterflies. How do you ever say enough? I used to do art with the less is more idea (still do with watercolors) but this wild mixed media collage stuff just explodes. I have to finally just put it away or in the mail to stop myself!

medley zine update

I have my zine's for Artella's first zine swap finished except for binding. Think I will simply punch holes and use rings. Here is another cover.

Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures. ~Henry Ward Beecher

Message for Sunday-wish I had written it!

Never give up

No matter what is going on

Never give up

Develop the heart

Too much energy in your country is spent

developing the mind instead of the heart

Develop the heart,

Be compassionate

Not just to your friends

but to everyone,

be compassionate

Work for peace in your heart and in the world

Work for peace, and

I say again

Never give up

No matter what is happening

No matter what is going on around you

Never give up.

Tenzin Gyatso

Maybe I can live it!

digital self portrait

art, life and the real world

In art we can create the dreams we really want.

In life we try to make our dreams come true and learn to accept life as it comes.

In the real world, dreams are just dreams.

BUT I say: Never NEVER quit dreaming.

Dreams do come true.

I have a wonderful life with many of my dreams realities.

Go and seek your dreams and the life you want TODAY!

Great Weekends

I had the blessing of visiting my son over the weekend in New Bern, NC AND going to a Nicholas Sparks book signing. I now have all of his books and all are signed.

His latest book is The Choice and I can't wait to start reading it.

Attaching a photo of me with him at the signing.

Always Over Inspired

I see so many wonderful arty things I want to do. I have so many arty things going on.

I have so little time to complete them all. I really need to get my time mangement better organized. I try to cram too much into most days and of course that leave little energy for the art. I usually do fiddle with something when I finally stop in the evening but it always leaves me wanting to do more and I'm just too pooped. I joined a zine swap through Artella and I am so excited. I make 5 to send and receive 5 different ones back. Well, you know me, I have to be over creative. I've chosen one set of ideas and am making each of the 5 different in content. I have three months but if I only had 3 weeks uninterrupted I could make even more.

Please if you are reading this, tell me some ways you find more time to create.

Here's the cover of Medley Zine 1.

This is the day the LORD has made

REJOICE and be GLAD! It is a beautiful day indeed! A new day brings hope and promise of a closer walk with Christ and His glory fulfilled. One of my daily devotions talked of being ready. Ready for what comes your way! How does anyone without Christ in their hearts make it through any day? I know I couldn't. The old adage of "if you don't feel close to God, guess who moved" is very true. If you have a single doubt in your heart, STOP, right now where you are and confess your sins and unbelief. Turn to HIM and BELIEVE! Ask Him into your heart and He will never leave you!

Walking in the Light

The world is dark enough so find your own inner light from God. Then you will never be in darkness again. Christ is the light of the world and if we make Him part of us, we are light too.

Chase away the darkness in simple ways:

pray

sing

dance

create

help

guide

ask

show

tell

believe

Do the things that make you happiest and do them often.

Image is a digitally altered photo.

Thanks for all the lovely comments and would you like to trade or barter?

I'm sorry to be so slow to reply to comments on this blog. I do appreciate them each and everyone; I just forget to check when I'm posting.
To comment on several:

I do write the poems I use; when I don't I surely give the author credit.

All the artwork and photography are mine (again unless otherwise stated).

I love to share my work, trade my work and sell when it happens.

Most images on the blog are for sale unless stated as something made for trade.

If you have an interest in trading with me, let me know. Bartering is good too.

I'm in the process of cleaning studio again and have way too much ephemera, leftover bits etc.

If interested send me a self addressed envelope with two 41 cents stamps and I will stuff it with some bits for you to use in your notecards, ATC's, Inchies, mini works, etc. If not satisfied I'll send a second envelope filled for free.

Here's a little Halloween character you may wish to use in your upcoming Halloween art.

Just right click to save it or click to download the full size.

Enjoy!

in regards to YOU KNOW YOU ARE AN ARTIST WHEN

Linda says:

When you pick up strange things off the ground because you might want to glue them to something!

Anyone else care to add?

Praise is what it's all about

Each day give God the praise for all the good in your life. Thank Him for the many blessings and show Him your love by spreading his message to everyone you meet. If like me, a quiet witness, then simply show others the way by your own quiet voice, smile, word of encouragement, sharing of blessings and talents. You will be blessed and be a blessing to others in ways you can never fathom.

Follow the Leader

God is my leader in everything I do.
I sometimes fail to follow His nudgings and that

always lands me in trouble. When I listen and

do as He would have me do, things always

work out. I must do a better job following and less work whining. What will you do?

Mountain Top Experiences

Just returned from a nice visit to the mountains.

Stayed at our favorite bed and breakfast which has changed owners since we were there last.

Still a great, economical B & B. Check it out. Alluring View B&B at Jonas Ridge, NC.

Here is a little inspiration from there.

Mountain Top Experiences

You can tell you are an artist if

• you have paint on most of your clothes


• you think about art most of the time


• you see art ideas in the simplest of things


• you buy things on sale or with a coupon even when you don't need it


• you think of art before sleep and when you wake


• you want to check out art stores everywhere you go, even if it's the same chain


• you never tire of browsing other artists' sites and blogs


• you visit museums and galleries over and over again

there are many more of these....respond with your own.....

Image is of a watercolor and crayon melt note card. I've really been into doing lots of art with crosses lately.

Regaining Balance

"If you are exhausted when you quit working, you've worked too long." It's a reminder to quit working - or at least take a break - before total exhaustion sets in. Like how we should eat before we get totally famished...same idea. If I work til exhaustion, it takes a while to bounce back...not very efficient in terms of time or energy."

I read this on Marney Makridakis' blog.

It fits me to a T.

I had a wonderful Labor Day weekend (family, friends, cooking, sharing) and kids' art classes began immediately after ... last night and this morning, I found myself crashing.

I often just keep with the momentum when there is so much to do and see and share but when it's all over I'm so exhausted I just stop completely. How do I get off the Merry-go-round earlier and take time for me during all the craziness of cramped calendars and speeding clocks.?

I thought I had been doing better but this past weekend proved I have more work to do on simplifying and slowing down so as to not miss the good times. I advise anyone reading this to do the same.

Next week we are going to the mountains for a couple of days. Then to Kiawah next month. Maybe I'll regain my balance, composure and energy there.

Image is a collage on watercolored mat board with altered clip art geishas, transparency pagoda and stamped letters on paper towel. Was going to send to Somerset for green theme but sent something different.

Accidents happen but GOD is good!

Remembered Little Miss Sunshine was due at the video store yesterday evening. I had watched it with a friend and kept it to watch with my husband. Matthew, my grown son was home for the holiday weekend and we decided to watch it, and then I went to return it a little after nine (PM). Got behind an old beat up truck at the fork, driving eratically.
Got to the stop light. Stopped short to give him space, not wanting to follow him to Stanley (4 miles) and suddenly he started to roll back and right into my bumper before I could even shift into reverse.
In Matthew's car (old Camry), just roughed up bumper. I was okay (I thought but got up before the chickens with my back and sciatic nerve hurting into leg.) When the driver got out he was acting shaky and drunk. Younger man with him. Both claimed he had a bad clutch and wanted me to back up. I said "No, I'm calling the police. Dialed 911. Lincoln county answered. They decided to transfer me to Gaston. Stanley police responded.
I thought the old man was drunk. I told the police what happened. The old guy admitted he rolled back into me. They asked him how much he had been drinking. He said "Just one beer." They questioned him saying they could smell it on him. Tested him and asked about drugs. Both men appeared to have prescription drugs with them and the officers tried to determine what it was but was not completely sure without their ID book. Meanwhile, I had called Matthew while waiting for police. He came and took the movie back. Got to the store as they were locking up and told him he'd have to put it in the drop box. His watch and the clock inside said 9:59. They would not budge. I will take care of the late fee today. (But I went by this morning and it had been checked in with no late fee incurred.)
Officers said I could get a police report today. They said they had other reports of this guy that evening and I happened to be the one to help them get him. I said, "lucky me."
Of course the mind was going through all the what ifs and if onlys. I finally decided it was meant to happen this way. Maybe I saved him from killing someone. Oh, and the police report had errors with my phone number and drivers license number. Got to wait till Wednesday to get one now.

God is good all the time and all the time God is good.

Here's a recent hand painted note card reminding us to TRUST God in all situations.