Change of life focus

It's astonishing how tiny bugs can change your course. Dreaded bed bugs invaded my home. I've quarantined myself. The little beasts spread easily. They invade dirty and clean homes. They can go months without eating, which is why it looks like they're gone but aren't. They're waiting. Devious. Persistent. Not easily killed. Heat works. However, to use heat in the house, it requires 120 degrees for 48 hours. I just can't. Dry ice, but you have to be able to seal the area so the dry ice sucks the oxygen out of the room. Pest control: I'm chemical sensitive so I need a company that uses natural products. A friend guided me to Amazon where I found Bed Bug Killer EcoVenger by EcoRaider. It's quite effective. However, I can't reach all the spots. Another friend recommended a pest control company that helped them with an infestation of cockroaches. Both were brought in by accepting things from someone else's home. Isn't that sad? Others try to bless us but turns into a problem instead. Trying to trust God and not the arm of flesh and struggling to recognize when God is sending help and sometimes when the help is more about encouragement than the doing. A dear friend offered the heat treatment, but the cost would be prohibitive and again I just can't vacate my home for 2 days when I feel like the Lord is endeavoring to give me an opportunity to focus on revisions; I'm also worried about items in my home that wouldn't survive 48 hours of 120 degrees, including an oil painting, candles, food. Then the car battery died because I failed to fully close the car door. It feels like such a stupid mistake. Was it? Or was the Lord offering another opportunity to accept help from others? Not easy. God is good, all the time. Blessed be the name of the Lord. I will place my trust in Him. He is able to fight my battles for me and often He sends others to help us. 

Movies

After watching the movie adaptation of Sarah M. Eden's book "Seeking Persephone" -- which I loved and will watch again -- I looked for other movies with Jake Stormoen and discovered he was in the TV series "The Outpost." After making it through the first two seasons of four, I read the synopsis of all the following episodes. It had an intriguing start but became repetitive and far too dark and hopeless and some things made me laugh because I saw the same ridiculousness in out world. By the end of Season 2 I was was fast forwarding through most of each episode. I did watch the last episode of the series.and glad I did. I prefer the feeling of finished to quitting. I enjoyed the music which reminded me of "Lord of the Rings" and "Harry Potter." The good news is that several delightful, fun movies with Stormoen are available on Spark TV, which I follow on YouTube. I've even saved them to watch again. 

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Visits with friends 

~ Blue moon

~ New book by favorite author

~ Supportive friends

~ God's grace           

Brain Dump

Entertainment specialists are refusing to celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States of America because one man might show up, might celebrate with them. Really? Congratulations on allowing one man to live rent free in your head 24/7. Stop it. This country is not one man. For the record, that one man is temporary, four years to be exact. We've survived all the previous insane administrations; we'll survive this one. And please stop pretending he's a king: A king would not allow you to protest. "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."

TBR 2026

66. True Power and Real Peace by Staci Stallings inspirational nonfiction. As always, I found inspiration and hope within the pages. While we don't agree on everything, the light and truth shared is unmistakable. 

67. Heirs of Falcon Point (Falcon Point series Book 1) by Traci Hunter Abramson, Sian Ann Bessey, Paige Edwards, A. L. Sowards suspense romance. Rereading the series, again, in preparation for the newest book in the series. Page turner 

68. The Danger with Diamonds (Falcon Point series Book 2) by Traci Hunter Abramson and Sian Ann Bessey suspense romance. Nonstop heart pounding don't forget to breathe.

69. From an Unknown(Falcon Point series Book 3) by Traci Hunter Abramson and Sian Ann Bessey suspense romance. Still a page turner, despite having read it a couple of times before.

70. When Fashion Turns Deadly (Falcon Point series Book 4) by Traci Hunter Abramson and Sian Ann Bessey suspense romance. The behind the scenes look of a fashion show is intriguing. The return of beloved characters. A joy to watch them grow as people and as couples. 

June 1st 2026

How have five months slipped away already? I'm making several changes, which means everything feels unsettled and out of sorts. Trying to eat healthier, including simple salads instead of carbs, not that I'm giving up carbs; just trying to have a little more balance in the food choices. More consistency in the herbal teas I've found helpful in the past. Unfortunately, sleep remains around 6 hours with nightmares. Too hot for walking much; heat rash has been a constant threat. I remember physical therapy sometimes but not all the time. Endeavoring to follow the gentle promptings of the Spirit. 

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Memorial Day

~ Memorial Day remembrance lunch with neighborhood friends

~ Cool enough to leave the door open at night

~ Visit with my sister

~ God's grace          

Brain Dump

The recent weather horror is that we are headed for a world-wide drought. Hmmm...may God is saying that A I data centers that use insane amounts of water are a bad idea. Just maybe.

REAL 27 May 2026

Not much walking. PT sometimes. Nightmares. However, actually slept 6-1/2 hours straight one night. It was lovely. Eating okay. Attempting to use herbal teas to help various health issues, which is going to require a consistent I usually fail to achieve.  

Memorial Day

 Mid-Life Mama posted this last year, and I wanted to read it again toady: https://family5power.com/2025/05/26/memorial-day/

Among those who serve their country in the military, all gave some. On this day, we remember those who gave all. We pray for their families and loved ones who have an empty place at the table. As long as there are those who choose power above life, evil over goodness, we need those who value freedom above power, goodness over evil. God bless those, now and forever, willing to fight and die for life and liberty. I'm grateful for those who gave their today for our tomorrows.

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Relief of a blessedly cool day 

~ Visiting a dear friend

~ Visiting family

~ Sarah M. Eden's "Seeking Persephone" movie

~ God's grace