New Bits and Bobs, Hail, Camel Saddle and More

Hi Friends, my previous post of bits and bobs had lots of readers and comments, so that inspired me to write this post. Your comments mean a lot to me.
When my younger son, Lane, put the Christmas decorations back in the attic he found my old camel saddle up there.

I bought it in the old bazaar in Old Jerusalem about 50 years ago. The seat is made of leather and the stuffing looks like hay. I wonder how to bring it back to a more gorgeous condition. First thing some leather conditioner.
It doesn't snow where we live but Jan. 16 I was very excited to hear a loud noise hitting our sky lights. It was hail. I ran outside and took some photos.

The above is our front yard. Below are two closeups of hail. This is an exciting event for this California girl. I grew up in Wisconsin and still miss snow, and watching the Packers at Lambeau Stadium.

Next is a photo of Bounce's favorite toy, a Christmas gift already in need of sewing repairs. I call this little lamb Baa Baa. I sewed up two holes in its side but Bounce has already made another hole and there is stuffing all over the living room rug. Also one of the squeakers inside the lamb flew out, which is when I knew I needed to sew Baa Baa.

Next is a page from the book we are reading in Bible study, Discovering Joy in Philippians. Did you know that the words joy and rejoice appear 18 times in Philippians? It is amazing that Paul wrote this to encourage Christians while he was imprisoned in Rome, under harsh conditions, and knowing he faced a death penalty. The book we are reading has about 12 book marks to color in it, in separate pages at the back. You can see some coloring I did.

Have a beautiful day friends. I am fasting today all day Sunday in prep for a medical procedure Monday. It is one doctors want oulde people (that is me) to have done every five years. My dad signed his letters to me "ye oulde dad" so I kinda like that spelling.

2020 is really here! Some Bits and Bobs

• "All of us invent ourselves. Some of us just have more imagination than others. " Quote by Cher, living legend. This is the January 2 page on the daily calendar I bought for myself and also for my niece, and the calendar is titled "Wild Words from Wild Women".

• My January aim is to buy no books in bookstores or online in January, because I have hundreds of books on my TBR (to be read) shelves, enough to last me for many years. So far I am keeping this resolution.

• I am reading "Rules of Civility" by Amor Towles and "Miss Budge in Love" by Daphne Simpkins, a Kindle book.

• In the first week of January I went to a movie theater and saw "Little Women" and enjoyed it immensely. I was very happy to be in a theater and plan to do that many more times in 2020. Number of times I saw a movie in a theater in 2019, Zero. I bought bottled water and buttered popcorn, our local Indie theater uses real butter. I read that theaters make their money not on the movies but on the food. I am picky about what films I watch and will have to keep a look out for good films when they are in town. Give me suggestions!

• On December 21 a friend and I saw "The Nutcracker Ballet" by our local ballet company. It was accompanied by a 52 piece orchestra. I have seen the production about 15 times. It is always new, colorful and upbeat. In 2017 I bought a sparkly red nutcracker there to add to my collection, which is in the photo above.

• I am still praying asking God to send rain to put out the raging bush fires in Australia. I am so worried about the people, the trees, and the wildlife. The poor little koalas can't run fast. Also I am praying that rain will end the severe droughts in South Africa, Zimbabwe and other African countries. 

• Women's Bible studies begins January 16 and the book we will use is "Discovering Joy in Philippians". It has book marks to color in it and suggestions for creativity. We like studies that are fun and not severe sombre activities.  Usually about 30 women show up and we divide into groups of around eight ladies.

These bits and bobs are getting rather extensive. I hope 2020 will be a joyful year for all of us.