Picture of the Week

Cardinal of Hope

On a day that is bleak, though there’s a new fallen snow,

You fret and you ponder which way you should go.

You haven’t the heart to believe anymore

That the plans He has made would your own faith restore.

You’ve struggled and tried to use your own power

To understand things before the right hour.

But Jesus replies, “Rest in my unending grace.

Know my love and purpose is surely is place.

I will not leave you nor forsake you my child,

Your faith is the fabric put on in the trial.

So trust in me daughter and lean not on you,

For the secret lies deep in the pain you go through.

Acknowledge me daily with every heart cry,

And I will show you the answer to “Why?”

The fruit you produce in obedience will

One day be a legacy your children fulfill.

So look for the blessing I will send your way;

A cardinal of hope to strengthen your day.”

Some believe a cardinal is a representative of a loved one who has passed. When you see one, it means they are visiting you. They usually show up when you most need them or miss them. They also make an appearance during times of celebration as well as despair to let you know they will always be with you. Look for them, they’ll appear.

The above poem, is written by Kathleen Wichterman,  I can’t wait until you see your first wink from God or “Cardinal of Hope.”

 

Thought for the day

“He that can have patience can have what he will.” Benjamin Franklin

Women and Warning Signs

10 Reasons Why You Should Scrapbook Your Photos

I finally got my Cricuit out and here are some of the things I made for the baby books I am making for my three step children and grandson.

I found this great article and I had to share. 

10 Reasons Why You Should Scrapbook Your Photos 

The number one reason to scrap your pictures is…..*drumroll* to preserve them! Yes, by using acid-free materials including page protectors and the proper glue you can preserve your cherished memories for generations to come. 

The second, if your heritage is important to you, you will want to naturally preserve your photos for this reason. 

The third, your children and grandchildren will appreciate being able to look back at where they and their ancestors came from!  

You may have wondered how birds survive such brutally cold temperatures. (Photo Of the Week)

If you were one of the many bird watchers who fell into the Polar Vortex and temperatures dropped to nearly 30 below  you may have wondered how birds survive such brutally cold temperatures. I sure did, I spent much of the cold spell sitting in a cozy house, furnace on, wrapped in warm fleece, with favorite cup of coffee.

On days like these I am always astounded that there are any birds left alive, especially considering that most winter feeder visitors weigh in around 10–25 grams (the weight of 2-5 nickels)! But it turns out that birds employ many of the same strategies I was using inside my house plus a couple more to keep their motors running through cold snaps.

So how do they survive?

Bird Body Temperatures

Birds are warm-blooded animals that have a much higher metabolism, and thus higher body temperature, than humans. While the exact measurement varies for different bird species, the average bird’s body temperature is 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius). Body temperature can fluctuate during the day depending on climate and activity, but it can be a challenge for birds to maintain such a high body heat when temperatures dip too severely. Smaller birds are particularly at risk, since they have a proportionally larger surface area on their bodies to lose heat but a smaller core volume to generate it. Even the smallest birds, however, have several ways they can efficiently keep warm.

Heart Disease in Men

Happy Birthday President’s

Many Meanings of Valentine’s Day

“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt”.  (Charles Schulz)

Each year on February 14^th, many people exchange cards, candy, gifts or flowers with their special “valentine.” The day of romance we call Valentine’s Day is named for a Christian martyr and dates back to the 5^th century, but has origins in the Roman holiday Lupercalia.

Lovers’ holiday celebrated on February 14, the feast day of St. Valentine, one of two 3rd-century Roman martyrs of the same name. St. Valentine is considered the patron of lovers and especially of those unhappily in love. The feast day became a lovers’ festival in the 14th century, probably as an extension of pagan love festivals and fertility rites celebrated in mid-February.

Until the 19th century handwritten valentines were often given rather than modern mass-produced greeting cards.

“I don’t understand why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentine’s Day. When I think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short, chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon.”
Unknown

There are more than 120 types of cancer.

Types of Cancer

Cancer.Net  offers individualized guides for more than 120 types of cancer and related hereditary syndromes. Each guide provides comprehensive, oncologist-approved information on: Overview, Medical Illustrations, Risk Factors, Prevention, Symptoms & Signs, Diagnosis, Stages, Treatment Options, About Clinical Trials, Coping with Side Effects, After Treatment, Latest Research, Questions to Ask the Doctor, and Additional Resources

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) believes that all treatment decisions should be made between patients and their doctors.

Learn more about the different Cancers.

Learn more about Cancer treatment.

Picture of the Week

I took this photo at a parade in Magic Kingdom.