All photos author’s collection.
P. Booher
Monthly Archives: October 2020
Correction to Diving Into A Sea of Books–Rambler–A family pushes through the fog of mental illness
In my original book review of Rambler, I believe I referred to NAMI as the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. I also indicated the group is a support group for patients and their loved ones.
Please note NAMI actually stands for: National Alliance on Mental Illness. While the group is a support group, it also involves health-care providers, and researchers. Local chapters of NAMI offer educational classes and support of various kinds. I made these corrections in the original post as well.
I thought I checked the facts before posting the book review, but obviously not well enough! My apologies to NAMI and to the author of Rambler, Linda Schmitmeyer.
For more info.: You can contact the National Alliance on Mental Illness at www.nami.org. Linda’s website is: www.lindaschmitmeyer.com.
P. Booher
Filed under Diving Into A Sea of Books
Friday Photos–A Celebration of Nature’s Colors, II
All photos are from author’s collection.
P. Booher
Filed under Friday Photos
Re-blog: Keeper of My Heart
I needed to read this, and thought I’d pass it along.
Sometimes darkness creeps up on my soul, entering the crevasses of my heart and troubling my mind.
I notice the spinning thoughts, the obsession with problems, and the oppressive spirit that weighs me down, and I know it is time –
- Time to walk outside into the whirling, drifting colors of fall;
- Time to allow my mind to wander through drifting clouds and dive into the endless blue sky;
- Time to listen to a rippling steam or the brush of sea on sand;
- Time to be still in the wonder of God’s creation and remember –
My Creator planned and pieced this mighty creation.
My Father has not forgotten His creation, nor has He lost me in its vastness.
My Sovereign Lord is still on the throne, and He is attentive to His children.
My Omnipotent God will honor His promises and keep His covenants, and my life is inextricably…
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Filed under Uncategorized
Friday Photos–A Celebration of Nature’s Colors, I
All photos are from author’s collection.
P. Booher
Filed under Friday Photos
There Is Life After High School
To mark October as Anti-Bullying Month, I am rerunning a post I did a couple years ago.
I don’t have fond memories of my school years. I was picked on from about second grade through eleventh grade. I never knew what would bring the teasing on–perhaps being the only person in second grade to have to wear glasses? (This was long before contact lenses.) Or maybe it was my shyness–often I couldn’t think of anything to say in peer-to-peer conversation, so I was quiet. (When you are in school, any little difference from what is considered “normal” makes a person ripe for picking on.) Maybe the teasing of the moment revolved around my non-existent athletic ability (if a team had to pick me, the kids groaned and I wished for the ground to swallow me).
For today’s kids, cyber-bullying is an ever-present possibility. At least when I went to school BBC (Back Before Computers), I had a break after school hours, weekends, and summertime. No smartphones, no texting, no tablets, no internet, no cyber-bullying.
When I was sixteen or seventeen my dad told me, “This is the best time of your life!” I was horrified. I remember thinking, If this is the best time of my life, you mean the rest of my life will be worse than this?
Many years later, my answer to my question is NO, my life now is better.
My life taught me this: after you graduate, you realize your world is so much bigger than what some kids put on Facebook or any of the other social media out there. The world celebrates youthfulness, but getting older allows you to realize the things people say about you don’t have to cut to the quick anymore. You put boundaries in place, shrug it off, and live your life. You gain maturity and a saving grace–perspective. You can gain faith in the God Who loves you deeply and want to give you new opportunities and confidence.
To any young person reading this who lives in dread of bullying and wonders if things will ever get better, my answer is YES, things will get better. Hold on, don’t give up. When I was sixteen or seventeen life didn’t look good, and I went through some dark periods, but I can tell you: There is life after high school.
Author’s Note: To anyone reading this who thinks, I want to check out of this life; it’s not worth it., please talk to a friend, a pastor, someone you trust, or a counselor. Call a suicide-prevention hotline. Your life matters.
In the USA, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255. You can contact the Crisis Text Line by texting Talk 741741. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s website is: www.afsp.org. It has many resources available, for those considering suicide, for family and friends who want to help someone, or for people who want to get involved with suicide prevention. The AFSP has local chapters, and sponsors the Out of the Darkness Walk. Due to COVID-19, some walks have been canceled, but some local walks in memory of loved ones are held.
Post modified from original.
P. Booher
Filed under Uncategorized
Mental Reinforcement
These are days I need to keep mental “ammunition” close at hand. Here is some of the “ammunition” I use:
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8, KJV)
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (I Peter 5:7, KJV)
“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” (Psalm 27:14, KJV)
“For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.” (Isaiah 41:13, KJV)
“But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.” (Proverbs 1:33, KJV)
“Lo, I am with you alway, even until the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:20)
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2nd Timothy 1:7, KJV)
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8, KJV)
P. Booher
Filed under Faith Matters, Life Issues, Tips to Manage Stress
Friday Photos–Antique/Classic Car Show
Here’s a blast from the past!
This car show was obviously before COVID-19!
All photos: Author’s collection
P. Booher
Filed under Friday Photos
What I Am Enjoying Now
Every now and then I make a list of things I enjoy. In a world where it’s too easy to see the negative, it’s good for my mental health to take note of what I find enjoyable.
What’s that list look like now?
Well, here it is–
- The beautiful green and yellow leaves of butternut trees and the wild cherry trees. The yellow leaves look almost gold when the sun shines on them, and the gold shimmers in the breeze.
- The songs and calls of the birds which live around here, especially the chickadees, cardinals, goldfinches, thrushes, and titmice, but even the harsh calls of the blue jays and crows.
- Activities to look forward to–if the Lord permits, I’ve got more to write, more to do. I remember a period when I couldn’t think of anything which I was looking forward to. Now I can, and that’s a blessing.
- Victories ahead, mentally and spiritually. I’ve won some battles, with God’s help, and I’ve lost some, when I didn’t ask for help or wasn’t aware I could ask for help. I know there are other battles ahead; I also know there are more victories ahead, large and small.
- Watching Abby the cat chase her tail. That’s always fun to watch. Sometimes she does catch it, briefly, but it always manages to slip away.
Do you have a list you keep in mind?
P. Booher
Filed under Country Ripples
The Abby Chronicles–Abby Has A Complaint
Chapter XVII
I strolled into the laundry room, intending to use one of my litter boxes. I smelled both of them. Would you believe neither one had been cleaned out?! Major problem!
What gives, humans? Don’t you know I am a cat. I am fastidious! Moreover, I am Abby!
Abby
P. Booher, secretary
Filed under Humor, The Abby Chronicles
Country Ripples 
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