Monday, April 6, 2020

These Troubling Times

My brother called me this weekend just to check up, and I mentioned to him that I was going to the store sometime soon and was feeling a bit anxious about it, having to be around people right now.  It's such an unsettling feeling in our lives at the time, and I'm sure you are experiencing the same wave of emotions.  He said he had to go to the store anyway and offered to pick up a few things for me.  And let me tell you, he came back with so many different foods and goodies that I'm thoroughly stocked up, and I don't have to go for a couple weeks.  I am truly thankful.  My uneasy feeling turned into calm.  Like many of you, I've been cooking and baking a lot, and I baked some seasoned meatballs to put into my spaghetti.  They were so good.   I see people out there still exercising, but keeping their distance.  I have to give our California Governor, Gavin Newsom, a lot of credit.  He's been keeping us informed and working around the clock to help stop the spread of the virus in our state.  Remember the run-away sheep?  I'm happy to say that their owners found them and are safely back home grazing.  I haven't put many Easter decorations out, but there are a few that I just can't go without, like skinny bunny, which reminds me of our Jess.  She's poised and elegant and makes me smile when I see her in the house.   Here are a few pictures of my days during this dreadful time in history.






























I am very thankful for those that are out there each and every day helping and giving their service to others, like the health care workers and the grocery store clerks and so many others.  They are truly heroes.  And there are heroes in our midst, which are really never mentioned, those unselfish ones, who do the little things to make lives a little easier, like my brother, shining some light during a very dark time.


This is part of a verse said by The Pope recently. 
I hope you find comfort in it.

Let us hand over our fears to him so that He can conquer them.  Like the disciples, we will experience that with him on board there will be no shipwreck.  Because this is God’s strength: turning to the good everything that happens to us, even the bad things.  He brings serenity into our storms, because with God life never dies.

Stay safe, friends.

~Sheri
 

35 comments:

R's Rue said...

Stay safe. ❤️

CiNdEe's GaRdEn said...

You are so blessed to have your brother. That was so nice of him.
My husband does the shopping. So far he has been lucky and the store is pretty much empty.
Glad the sheep got home safe too. Those animals are crazy. When one goes they all go that is a fact. I use to take care of my friends sheep when I was a kid whenever she was gone. It is hard to get them back in too! (-:

Walking the Bean said...

Amen to that. Your color capture brightened my day.

~christopher

It's me said...

Owww so nice of him...I do also no shopping here ...my friend brings them to me....so nice...I stay at home ...and hope I will be safe...please stay safe too Sheri ...love from me Ria ...nice words....with God life never dies....love Ria ❤️❤️❤️

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

"Life never dies." Absolutely. Because life begins with a form a love that brings into shape a being.

Oh Sheri, all I can see at the end of this tunnel IS God. While in the tunnel, I see Him too, while kindness abounds.

I love the part here in your post about, "DO YOUR BEST." That is all I can do as I sit here monitoring my students from a distance, on the computer, and still not knowing what our technology has in store for our teaching.

Do your best. That is all I guess God asks of us which means that LOVE is the highest skill we can practice.

Anne Hagman-Niilola said...

Beautiful roses;-)

Carla from The River said...

Thank you Sheri, for sharing the message from The Pope.
You shared his link with me last week and read his words to my family.
Thank you,
Carla

Terra said...

Your photos are so bright, they added some cheer to my morning, and the sheep made me smile. How good of your brother to bring you a banquet's worth of food. My sons bring me food, so I don't go out. They are so thoughtful, they want me to stay home and be safe. Be safe my friend.

TARYTERRE said...

your photos shine a light during these dark times. i am glad you are safe and that your brother took care of your grocery needs so you can stay in. we will get through, one day at a time. take care. i'm saying prayers for all of us. Pope Frank and Queen Elizabeth are calming voices during this world's time of crisis.

Sandi said...

Beautiful photos. You would never know what is happening if you just looked at these scenes.

Love the purple polka-dotted mug!

Thanks for including the words at the end. ❤️

ALLIE NYC said...

Oh how nice your brother to do this and I have been doing more cooking as well. Thanks for sharing your photos : )

Allie of
www.allienyc.com

Louca por porcelana said...

Hi,dear Sheri!Your post is adorable as ever...God bless and save the world...Sending prayers.Xo

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I'm glad you let us know about the sheep....I worried about them! Love the photo of the bird in the tree! And of course sweet little one pics are always welcome at any time. We sure need more things to be happy about. You have a sweet brother to shop for you! We have plenty now and are going to try to make it last. Take care of yourself and keep posting these uplifting posts! They are much needed now! Sweet hugs, Diane

Chatty Crone said...

Glad the sheep found it's way back home - Jesus looks for every lost sheep too. I love John 3:16 and I also love what the Pope wrote.
I can see why you had to bring your bunny out - so sweet.
That bench that is in the shape of a butterfly - I would love to have that!!!
Love all your flowers, they brighten me up as well as the girls.☺.
And lastly love the purple eggs in the purple bowl.
Love, sandie

Pilar said...

That was so kind of your brother to get you groceries from the store. I have to go to the store and it makes me anxious too. I pray and try to make the trip quick as possible. The flowers are always so beautiful!

Jeanie said...

This is just the most beautiful post, Sheri. I'm so grateful you didn't have to go out. Your brother was wonderful to take care of you so well. I have told Rick his grocery days are over -- we're going delivery or curb pick-up because it's just not safe. This will be a bad week or two (or three) in Michigan. I'm trying very hard to stay calm -- with mixed results. I admire your calm and every bit of beauty in this post.

Rose said...

It seems like never a week goes by that I don't have to get out....and I always dread it but am so glad I have gone once I go. I live in a small town and I go early so it is never crowded.

I tell myself God is in control now, the same as he is all the other times.

Patricia said...

I understand your reluctance to go food shopping, as I am the same. We have done some online shopping with deliveries, but it is difficult to get a time slot. We do need to go out for fruit and vegetables, and I wear a mask and feel nervous the whole time.
Look at those lilacs - Springtime! I love them so much, but only see them if we go to Canada. What an elegant bunny she is - definitely needs to come out for Easter.
Happy Easter dear Sheri, and to your wonderful brother too. x

Karen said...

THANK YOU FOR YOUR BEAUTIFUL POST. I LOVE THE ROSES AND DECORATIONS AND SWEET GRANDBABY! I LIKE WHAT THE POPE SAID: LIFE WITH GOD NEVER DIES.

Debby said...

As always, love the photos and encouraging messages. We need that now. I just don't know what to say anymore.

Marilyn Miller said...

Love much from this post from a butterfly bench, red roses, your granddaughters, sheep, a dog walking,Easter candy, a skinny bunny, mandarin oranges, but most of all now I want meatballs. They look soooo good.

roughterrain crane said...

Thanks for sharing beautiful photos of your area in spring.

Debbie Nolan said...

My Dearest Sheri - Your brother sounds wonderful just like mine - who brought me two jars of Peanut butter (He knows I can't live without this staple :)!) Your photos are awesome. It is wonderful to visit your part of the world. I know California has really been swamped with the virus. Here in Ohio we too have a great governor that moved quickly and made hard but good decisions to protect us. Glad to read that the sheep were found and are now home. Loved reading what the Pope wrote...we will come through in the end dear friend and I am praying that we will all be much better folks for having found out truly what matters the most. God Bless you and keep you safe. Hugs!

Himawan Sant said...

Beautiful photos and interesting stories.
I'm happy to see photos of Jess's cute rabbit and your family.

I pray for your family to always be happy.

Happy Easter

Victor S E Moubarak said...

I must say those meatballs made me hungry. And then the mandarins ... followed by the bowl of chocolates ... and was that rice pudding with raisins? And Easter eggs? What are you doing tempting me with all this food?

Wishing you and yours well. God bless you all always.

Ann said...

Those meatballs looks so delish.
Love your flower pics.
And your girls look so cute
unmindful of what is going on in the world
right now, and it pains me to think that
after Covid19 our world and the way we live
will never be the same again.


Stay safe Sheri.
Kisses and love. ♥♥♥

Ann
https://roomsofinspiration.blogspot.com/

Jill said...

Love all the pictures and what a lovely butterfly bench! I've been doing a lot of baking and cooking too, but I still feel like there's never enough time in the day, lol. Stay healthy and have a wonderful weekend and Easter!

Blessings,
Jill

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

Such a lovely post, Sheri, highlighting all that is sweet and good in the world - kind brothers, sweet little grand-babies, flowers, roses, and pretty little things to make one smile. I'm glad the sheep are safe and I love the verse. It brings a wonderful sense of peace to my soul. Sending you peace, love and blessings this Easter. Hugs xo Karen

roughterrain crane said...

Sheep look enjoying a sunny day in spring. Stay safe.

Louca por porcelana said...

Happy Easter,my sweet friend!Hugs and blessings.

R's Rue said...

Happy Easter

handmade by amalia said...

I'm glad that you are keeping well and safe, dear Sheri. I've also been wary of going out, especially to the market. I've stocked on dry goods and found a farm that delivered a box of fruit and veg to my door, so I'm all set for now. This new way of life takes some getting used to. I wonder how long it will be.
Amalia
xo

Susan said...

Oh Sheri. So nice of your brother to buy groceries for you. My daughter does my shopping and I am eternally grateful. The photos are most beautiful, as always! Also, I keep meaning to tell you I love your dew--covered rose in the header. Hugs. Susan

Pam said...

I did not put out decor for Easter either, except for door decor. Love the pics. The meatballs look all yummy too. Yep, been doing the store since I don't have anyone to do those things for me but I stay safe, I wear my mask. I also do gloves when pumping gas. Take my temp every morning and all is well. Not to say that this virus has not hit home, a classmate past from it. A friends niece has it and a girl I worked with father has been in the hosp for a month now. Stay safe.

baili said...

this fortunate to have such loving and caring brother dear Sheri !!!

i agree that in time like this it is disturbing to be around people ,glad you have your brother to help you out with groceries

your meatball look so delicious ,i bet your spaghetti was so tasty ,thank you for sharing cute adorable faces ,they always enlighten my day :)

i loved each capture so much ,superbly taken images ,specially the sheep looks really awesome ,purple row of flowers is beautiful
i enjoy your cups with inspiring phrases on :)

yes here either our nation is paying silent tribute to such brave heroes who are at front line .more than six thousand people infected here and more than one recovered by the grace of lord,people who depend on daily earnings are suffering and thankfully they are receiving help from authorities gradually which is relief to know

i loved this verse so much
fear is good sometimes when it makes us to be careful in our actions but when it makes us panic it is damaging and heart who have deep faith never let such fear rise within them .
stay blessed as always dear friend!