Another day

Another blessing.

Robin Redbreast

One year the winter was very cold. There was thick snow on the trees.

The poor birds could hardly find anything to eat. All the birds sat together to discuss the problem.

The robin had an idea, “I will go and ask the people who live in those houses to give us some crumbs.” So, he went to one of the houses nearby. A man was working in the garden. The robin went and perched very close to him. The other birds were afraid to go near humans, but the robin was brave. When the man saw the friendly robin he brought him a tray full of crumbs. The robin felt very happy and called all the other birds to eat with it. In this way all through the winter, the robin arranged food for the other birds.

When the winter season was over, in order to thank the robin, all the birds gave him a red waistcoat and since then, he came to be known as Robin Redbreast.

Happy New Year

Out with the old, in with the new: may you be happy the whole year through. Happy New Year!

Happy New Year

New Year’s Reflections

Looking back on the months gone by,
 As a new year starts and an old one ends,
 We contemplate what brought us joy,
 And we think of our loved ones and our friends.

Recalling all the happy times,
 Remembering how they enriched our lives,
 We reflect upon who really counts,
 As the fresh and bright new year arrives.

And when I ponder those who do,
 I immediately think of you.

Thanks for being one of the reasons I'll have a Happy New Year!

By Joanna Fuchs

I love red

Red is the colour of extremes. It’s the colour of passionate love, seduction, violence, danger, anger, and adventure. Our prehistoric ancestors saw red as the colour of fire and blood – energy and primal life forces – and most of red’s symbolism today arises from its powerful associations in the past.

Red is also a magical and religious colour. It symbolized super-human heroism to the Greeks and is the colour of the Christian crucifixion. Red was almost as rare and as expensive as purple in ancient days – a fact that may explain its magic and power. Paradoxically, today’s intense red dyes come from crushed insects (the lac beetle and the cochineal).

Red Umbrella

As a drought continued for what seemed an eternity, a small community of farmers was in a quandary as to what to do. Rain was important to keep their crops healthy and sustain the townspeople's way of life.

As the problem became more acute, a local pastor called a prayer meeting to ask for rain.

Many people arrived. The pastor greeted most of them as they filed in. As he walked to the front of the church to officially begin the meeting he noticed most people were chatting across the aisles and socializing with friends.

When he reached the front his thoughts were on quieting the attendees and starting the meeting.

His eyes scanned the crowd as he asked for quiet. He noticed an eleven year-old girl sitting quietly in the front row. Her face was beaming with excitement. Next to her, poised and ready for use, was a bright red umbrella. The little girl's beauty and innocence made the pastor smile as he realized how much faith she possessed. No one else in the congregation had brought an umbrella.

All came to pray for rain, but the little girl had come expecting God to answer.

They shall not grow old

They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

A poppy is to remember

A poppy is to remember

A poppy is to remember

We wear a poppy

On Remembrance Day.

And at eleven

We stand and pray.

Wreaths are put

Upon a grave.

As we remember 

Our soldiers brave

Wear your poppy with pride

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flander's fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, tho poppies grow

In Flander's fields.

Liet. -Col. John McCrae

Goodbye June

Goodbye June

Red Rose

Red roses continue to be the most popular way to say "I love you" to someone special. The rich heritage of the red rose has culminated in its modern day image as the lover's rose. They are the definitive symbol for romantic sentiments, representing true love, stronger than thorns. Red roses are a meaningful gift, perfect for expressing feelings for a loved one on Valentine's Day, an anniversary or simply "just because." For the budding relationship, a red rose bouquet can also signal the beginning of romantic intentions. They can send a message of commitment and an invitation to take the next step. Even the simplicity of a single red rose can elicit a powerful response. Whatever the occasion, red roses have an allure that is hard to resist!

A Bouquet for Mother

A man stopped at a flower shop to order some flowers to be wired to his mother who lived two hundred miles away. As he got out of his car he noticed a young girl sitting on the kerb sobbing. He asked her what was wrong and she replied, " I wanted to buy a red rose for my mum but I only have seventy five cents, and a red rose costs two dollars".

The man smiled and said, " come with me and I will buy you a red rose".

He bought the little girl her rose and ordered his own mother's flowers.

As they were leaving the florists he offered the little girl a lift home. She said "yes please, you can take me to my mum".

She directed him to a cemetery where she placed the rose on a freshly dug grave. The man returned to the flower shop, cancelled the wire order, picked up a bouquet and drove the two hundred miles to his mother's house.

Author Unknown

A Soldiers Prayer

The soldier stood and faced his God
Which must always come to pass...
He hoped his shoes were shining
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, you soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my Church have you been true?"

The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
"No Lord, I guess I ain't...
Because those of us who carry guns
Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays
And at times my talk was tough,
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.

But, I never took a penny
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear,
And sometimes, God forgive me,
Iv'e wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place,
Among the people here...
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fears.

If you've a place for me here,
Lord, it needn't be so grand,
I never expected or had too much
But if you don't, I'll understand."

There was a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod...
As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgement of his God.

"Step forward now you soldier,
You have done your work well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You have done your time in hell."
Author unknown

The colour red.

 

 If a woman wears a red dress it usually is associated with sex appeal. Wear a red accent piece when you want to present yourself as bold and dynamic. 

Red can boost your confidence if you are attending a function or interview where you feel unsure of yourself.