Matthew 6:34

 I came across this verse in a daily devotional, and it really stuck with me.  Not that I think we should not worry about the future, but this is a reminder to me to live in the present.  That is all. 

10 great performances that failed to receive an Oscar nomination

 I don't keep up with current movies like I used to, but I still enjoy them.  Here's another list in honor of the upcoming Academy Awards.  Here are 10 performances that did not get nominated that I believe should have.  Most of these are from comedies because the academy does not often nominate comedic performances.  It does occasionally, but not very much and I wish that would change.  Comedy is harder than drama in many ways, especially with film because you don't have that energy you get from performing before a live audience and yet you still have to be funny.  Not all of these are from comedies, but most are.  What are some of your favorite performances or films for that matter that did not get recognized by the academy?  Let me know!

1. Richard Gere - Chicago

2. Sandra Bullock - Miss Congeniality

3. Helena Bonham Carter - Howard's End

4. Nathan Lane - The Birdcage

5. Taraji P. Henson - Hidden Figures

6. Ryan Gosling - Lars and the Real Girl

7. Janelle Monae - The Glass Onion

8. Madeline Kahn - Clue

9. Toni Collette - Muriel's Wedding

10. Catherine O'Hara - Home Alone

Sunset Park

 Going back to my hometown a few weeks ago obviously brought back a lot of memories for me.  And they were good memories.  After spending some time at the cemetery, I drove around the town looking at places of my past.  One of those places was Sunset Park.  I spent many times there as a child.  Sometimes the neighborhood kids would go there but mostly I went when I was in elementary school. Sunset Park sits adjacent to Walter Bickett Elementary where I attended K-5th grade. It also sits near the Monroe City Cemetery also known as Suncrest Cemetery.  I was driving in that area to go to that cemetery as well because that is where my grandparents are buried. 

It was always a treat, though, when we got to take a long recess and walk over to the park and play.  We would have to walk in a line there and back. Most, if not all, of the old playground equipment has been replaced.  I remember that metal slide that you would burn your behind on when the sun was out.  Multiple swing sets.  Seesaws, which were also metal and could get quite hot.  There were basketball courts and two baseball fields.  Sometimes we would play a game of kickball on the baseball field.  I never played baseball there, but Bill did.  Many afternoons were spent watching little league games.  Several seasons, Mom worked at the concession stand.  Those were good times.  

It was a good trip down memory lane driving by the park.  I hope to do it again soon. 

Quote of the Week

 

The food cabinets

 

I tackled the food cabinets in my kitchen this week. During this process with the food cabinets, I discovered three things.  One is that I have way too much candy.  Two is that I will cram whatever wherever just to fit it in there.  Three is I am not letting food go to waste like I used to.

Why do I have so much candy?  I blame the holidays LOL Not only do I receive a lot of candy as gifts, for which I am truly grateful to be thought of during the holidays, I also buy a lot of candy during that time.  This will come as no shock to anyone who's been in my house or really knows me at all, but I love to have candy dishes filled and in each room.  It can be quite decorative, and most guests always want a little something sweet.  And there are candies that you cannot get other times of the year, so I tend to stock up. The ironic thing about it, other than I really only have guests during the holidays (need to change that) is that I don't eat much candy anymore.  The older I get; my tastes go more towards the savory than the sweet. Still, that does not stop me from buying it and keeping a cabinet full.  Oh well.  

The food cabinets were also incredibly disorganized.  And this is something that I have to work on.  I pulled everything out and got it all organized back in the cabinet.  I did my best to keep like products together.  I am sure I can do more in that department, but for right now it will work.  The most important thing now is that I can see pretty much everything in there so that will make it a lot easier when I am looking for something.  I have the tendency, as do most of us, I'm sure, to just shove something in the cabinet wherever I can find a space.  On one hand, I am not letting any ounce of space go to waste.  On the other hand, I don't know what I've got and will often buy something I already have because I could not see it in the cabinet.

Amazingly, I only had to toss out one thing that was out of date.  Now, I will keep things a little bit over the expiration date (not too much, though). But if something is well over a year out of date, into the trash it goes.  This year it was a box of Girl Scout Thin Mint Cookies.  Alas, they are my favorite, but I didn't want to risk it because of their age.  In hindsight, they were probably ok, but I feel better for having let them go. And because I don't eat sweets like I used to, it would take me a long time to go through that box.  So, I am happy that I am at least using what is in there before it goes bad.  That is a plus and my wallet is very appreciative for that!

Finishing up these cabinets means that I am about one quarter of the way through the kitchen.  That is not too shabby.  This works for me and thank you for your indulgence in my writing about it.  

Abide with Me

 This hymn I remember singing many times growing up at FBC in Monroe. We were a very traditional type of church and so was the music we sang during service.  This is one of those hymns that easily gets stuck in my head. I will find myself singing it for no reason at all.  The hymn was written in 1847 by Henry Francis Lyte as he was dying from tuberculosis.  I did not know that fact until just now when I looked it up and that puts a very different slant on it for me.  Gives it a more powerful impact, I believe.  Here it is beautifully arranged and sung by the BYU Men's Chorus. 

I took Facebook off of my phone

 

Several weeks ago, I took Facebook off of my phone.  I did that mainly for my mental health. Overall, I really enjoy my time on Facebook and I have worked very hard to have my personal Facebook page a place where people can go and not worry about all of the evils in the world and all of the bad things going on.  I have also worked hard to get my Facebook algorithm to do the same thing. But I came to the realization that I do not want access to that all day long.  I don't need to be constantly looking at my phone when I am notified of a message or of a comment. That kind of behavior is taking me out of the moment I am living at that time and it is no longer worth worrying about.  I can definitely tell a difference in my level of peace since I have let go of that.  It's a good feeling.

Another thing that is keeping my mental health in a good place is getting outside more.  Going on these daily walks really is refreshing and rejuvenating.  Again, this is an experience where I leave my phone at home.  I know will laugh at people (on the inside) when I see them walking and staring down at their phones.  They are missing so much.  On today's walk, many people spoke to me when I walked by.  That was so nice and reminder of what a great neighborhood I live in. I am finding it so beneficial to take these little steps to enhance my mental health.  Everything goes back to some sort of self-care with me.  I want to be good to others, but I must be good to myself first.  I am definitely going in the right direction.