A to Z Mondays ~ The Letter Z

Zepher. A gentle breeze.

Ruach haKodesh is the Hebrew for the Holy Spirit and means Divine Spirit or Divine Inspiration. I may be stretching things a bit here, but I think it has been loosely translated to mean holy wind or gentle breeze. You can’t see Him, but He is there. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would come as His representative when He was no longer on earth. (John 14:26) The Holy Spirit is a gentleman…a gentle breeze…He doesn’t force anyone to come to salvation. He points us in the right direction. He whispers God’s truth in our ear. He is available 24/7 as our comforter, counselor and teacher. But He never forces Himself on anyone. As the third person of the Trinity, I believe the Holy Spirit is quite shy. (My spouse doesn’t quite agree with me on this---Patrick doesn’t think the Holy Spirit is shy. Oh well.) He doesn’t want recognition; He wants only to counsel and make God known to us. If you are reading this and don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus, you can ask the Holy Spirit to help you get to know Him. All you have to do is ask, and He will guide you!

So, I’m thinking that the Holy Spirit is very much a Zepher. What do you think?

If you haven't already, now blow on over to Jen's to check out the other A to Z folks on her side bar! love, Cassie

ps-I'm not a theologian, so please feel free to correct or challenge me on this!

A to Z Mondays ~ The Letter Z

ZAPOTEC COLLECTION

The Zapotec Collection is the finest weaving available from the master weavers of the ancient village of Teotitlan del Valle in the state of Oaxaca, in southern Mexico.

Patrick and I purchased 2 Zapotec (100% wool) rugs while we were in Prescott, Arizona for Valentines day this year. We left one on my sweater chest down in Phoenix, and he just brought the other up here when he flew up last week. They were all so pretty I had a hard time choosing just two, but I couldn’t be a greedy guts. The green one in this picture---with the lovely Vanna Rocket Dog---is my favorite.

Please go to Jen’s for more A to Z bloggers. Happy A to Z Monday friends!!

love, Cassie

The Curious Case of Benjamin Tiger Lily

Just For the Fun Of It!

Because of my fibromyalgia, I go for therapeutic massage regularly at Lake to Mountain Massage. Have done this for 3 years with the same person. I just love the gal who owns it, Suzanne. She has a bachelors degree from U of A and certificates out the ying yang (that's gonna be my next "y" word!). This young lady knows what she's doing and I must say is probably the best therapist I've had. Anywhooo, she showed me some exercises to do at home and I brought my camera last week so I could save them in infamy. I hope you enjoy my newest film venture.

On the home front, Patrick will be recuperating up in farrr North Idaho as of Thursday!! Yippee!! Can barely wait to see my sweetie again. Thank you for all your prayers and well wishes. He still hurts, but is slowly healing---the break was a very bad one. love, Cassie

A to Z Mondays ~ The Letter Y

Yip! Yap! Yelp!

Take a look...

Yes, now wasn't that fun?? If you go over to Jen's blog she has more A to Z bloggers listed on her sidebar. Blessings to all who view this! Have a good day.

love, Cassie

Blue Flowers In Our Garden

Hi Friends! Thought I'd get the lovely kidney photos off the top of my blog now. Here are some blue flowers from my garden. They are so cute. The dogs and I are usually up around 430am when the sun comes up and these blue flowers are wide open at that time. They close up at the end of the day as if to say they're sleepy. I planted them 3 years ago from a wild flower mix and they come back each year and each year are a bit prettier. Have a good weekend. (I'll be busy thinking of a "y" word:<)

love, Cassie

A to Z Mondays ~ The Letter X

These are 2 polycystic kidneys. Note the size in comparison to the hands. A normal kidney is the size of a persons clenched fist.

This is a pkd kidney vs. a normal, healthy kidney. Lovely isn't it?

This is really pushing it, but my ‘word’ for today’s letter is Xplant (pronounced transplant). Okay, I know it’s not really a legitimate spelling, but this shortened version is used Xtensivley on Xplant forums and as shorthand in some medical groups! I know this, as several years ago I was the coordinator of the Arizona Friends for the PKRF (Polycystic Kidney Research Foundation*)and the founder and moderator of the first PKD (polycystic kidney disease) patient/friend email forum. Toot - toot. (That’s my own horn. hehe.) Anywhooooo, PKD has no known cure and kidney dialysis or Xplant are the only things that can be done to prolong life, once the disease has destroyed the kidneys. Obviously Xplant is most desirable, but unfortunately there are many more people who need Xplants then there are donors. In recent years live donor Xplants have become more common since we all have 2 kidneys and this has helped a bit. There is still a very urgent need for folks to mark the organ donor box on their drivers license or fill out an organ donor card. Kidneys are not the only organs that are in short supply for Xplant. The heart, lung, liver and even corneas and skin can be Xplanted in this day of modern medicine. Quite amazing. So friends, I urge you to sign a donor card and perhaps some day give someone else the gift of life!

God bless you richly. Love, Cassie

PS- Patrick is feeling a little better and awaiting his next ortho. visit. Thanks for your continued prayers.

PSS-Jen's blog has more A to Z Mondays listed on her sidebar. *the name has since changed to PKD Foundation

Final Patrick Update!?

Dr. Ungar agreed with Dr. Dewanjee (the VA Orthopedic surgeon) as far as the course of action to take with Pat's clavicle. Seems "when you get older" these things are handled conservatively. Hmmmm. Seemed weird hearing that. I'll not bore you all with this henceforth. We're muddling through this alone now. Thanks for all your support. love, Cassie

You Be The Judge...

I don't think Patrick'll be doing this in the near future. Exhibit A: Patrick's right collar bone.

Thank you to all for your prayers and (nurse John) for your advice. When the Orthopedic Surgeon at the VA Hospital talked with Patrick today he said he wanted to try another type of sling and see him in 2 weeks---it should grow back together!! Can you see from the xray what his collar bone looks like?? Do you think the doctor even looked at the xray? Patrick has an appt. with our friend & GP (former ER doc) Ira Ungar at 430 this afternoon for a second opinion. If Ira says he concurs (with the orthropod) than we'll be okay with this, otherwise he may have to forget about the VA and go elsewhere to get the bone set. Oh man I feel so majorly helpless. Patrick feels like he is in limbo right now and has major pain. He says as long as he doesn't move he's sort of okay. What a mess. A young couple from the Mennonite church said they'd watch the dogs if I need to go down to Phoenix, so I might have to take them up on their offer. I will keep you posted. Keep up the prayers, and thank you.

A to Z Mondays ~ The Letter W

Western Tanager.

This morning I was awakened by a loud [[thud]] that came from downstairs. Unfortunately I have come to recognize this sound and knew that another bird had most probably bit the dust by flying into our bay window. Sure enough, there on the deck lay an adult breeding male Western Tanager. (I looked him up in Patrick’s Birds of the Inland Northwest and Northern Rockies.) He didn’t just have the wind knocked out of him; he was dead. What a shame too. He had a beautiful orange-red head and bright yellow body…just a lovely specimen of a bird. After reading about him I felt even worse, as these little guys not only are song birds, but they really help us out. Here’s what the book said about their behavior: “Gleans insects with sluggish movements through foliage, often high in trees; also sallies after flying insects.” I picked him up and he’s now in the back of the car going to a burial sight at the local landfill. Glad Hootie didn’t see him first, or I’d be running around in the rain trying to get him out of the little poop’s mouth!

My second W word for today is Wellness. Patrick was in an accident down in Phoenix with his motor scooter last Friday and dislocated and broke his R. collar bone. They scheduled an OR for him for tomorrow to get it set. They needed to wait until the swelling went down. His oldest sister (who is a nurse) went over yesterday and took the dressing off his back (road burn) and said he didn’t need that. Ginny called me from our place and said he was doing well, all things considered. Pat told me not to come down there (when it happened), as all he is doing is taking pain meds and sleeping. Ginny agreed and said I can baby him when he gets up here. I’ll let you all know how he’s doing, as I find out myself. Will appreciate your prayers for his wellness. Thanks all.

love, Cassie

ps-Don’t forget to check out Jen’s blog for more A to Z Mondays!!

pss-I'll post about the run at a little later date. We did better this year than last!