Dyslexia

My son has dyslexia
He struggles with his words!
He has a great mathematical brain
But it's words that give him grief!
It's like there is some difference
In the way his brain works
It's like everything is upside down
Instead of down side up
It's all topsy turvy
It's all ass about face
Sometimes I wonder
How he gets from A to B
He works out math problems
They are all just fine
But ask him to write some stuff
And then see how it pains!
What another does in minutes
It used to take him hours!
The teachers had a weekend away
A time to understand their brains
They were asked to write in Chinese
Using their left hands 
This is how they got to feel
Just exactly what it's like
To be dyslexic: to be different
To be left behind in grades
Simply because their brain
Works differently than ours!

Holiday Monopoly

Every time our nieces came to visit
During school holidays
Out would come the Monopoly board
With all the little pieces
With all the colourful cards 
We'd set up that board game
We'd play for hours and hours
Round and round that square board
Collecting our two hundred Bucks
Every time we passed Go
Every time we had a visitor
Landing upon our space
Yes every school holidays
We'd give those little tokens 
A good run about that place!

Meeting at the Markets

I love going to markets
I love checking out those 
Market stalls and stands
They say one man's trash
Is another man's treasure
Well that very true!
Just check people's market stalls
And tell me if it is not so!
So many people wandering round
There is buying and selling 
Along all the walking trails!
All sorts of stuff is for sale
All sorts of stuff to look at
While walking around at Gawler!
I met an old friend there
He was selling his carpets
Bits and pieces: many years ago!
It was such a pleasure to meet up
And have a little chat
Yes! Thank you Lord for 
Setting up our meeting
All those many years ago!

Autumn Leaves

Autumn leaves are so beautiful
Those glorious colours and hues
Drying in the sun; falling down!
Drifting along upon the breeze
Piling up into browning heaps
Yes autumn leaves: burgundy and brown
I've seen these beautiful colours
In the Barossa Valley: all around!
Yes they are there: which ever way I turn
Yellow leaves turning darker gold
Gold becoming darker and bolder
Like a giant gibbous moon
Slowly rising into space
The atmospheric conditions
Giving her a glowing golden face!

Kaiser: King of the castle

Our beautiful German shepherd Kaiser
Was such a pleasure to own
He was such a beautiful creature
So full of adventure: so full of love!
He was our precious gift from God!
We took him everywhere we went
He was part of our family!
I remember a friend of ours
Many long years ago
He always had to prove a point
Always had to be the best
No matter what it was about
He always wanted to win
What ever the cost!
He had a German shepherd dog
Rocky was his name
That man had to prove that
His dog was better than ours
He wanted them to have a fight
He wanted that championship bout
I was not happy for this battle
I was worried for my boy
But he would never shut up
Until this war was fought!
So one day we went to a park
Kaiser and Rocky had their bout
Though Manuel urged his Rocky on
Saying: "Bissell Rocky: bissell!"
What ever it was he shouted?
I don't really know? 
But though poor Rocky tried hard
Though poor Rocky fought
Our Kaiser was the winner
Kaiser won the test
He stood up at Rocky's shoulder
He put his paws on Rocky's back
Saying "I'm the winner today
I have won this bout!"
I thank God it was all over
I thank God that everyone was safe
I thank God that man learnt his lesson
I never want to see that happen: ever again!

Greenhills Adventure Park

Had a great school trip to Victor Harbour
We went to the Greenhills Adventure Park
The kids had so much fun there
Running around all day long!
Some loved playing mini golf
Some loved the slippery slide
Landing in that cool water
During that hot summer time
There were canoes to paddle in
And paddle boats as well
Motorised go-carts were the go
They were so fast and such fun!

I had a go at the climbing wall
Back when my arms were strong
Couldn't do that right now
Don't get me wrong: I'll get strong again!
There were so many fun things
So much energy to go around
As those children ran us ragged
Having the best day of their lives!

The Big Rocking Horse

There is a giant Rocking Horse
At Gumeracha in the Adelaide Hills
We've stopped there so very many times
Over the last twenty years
As our children grew!
Been there on school excursions
Been there with family and friends
We climbed up to the very top
We've taken photographs too!
Back in those good old days
When our kids were running about
So excited to be there for the fun
Enjoying those excursions in the sun
We visited those native animals
Fed them snacks and stuff
Checked out all those beautiful
Handmade wooden toys
So much crafty stuff for sale
We even got certificates
For climbing right up to the top
All my children have climbed up
All of them have memories
Of that beautiful big Rocking Horse
At Gumeracha in the hills!

St Kilda Beach Playground

St Kilda Beach playground
Just north of Adelaide
A boarded walk to traipse on
Along the mangrove trail
So much fun to be had!
The huge slippery dips
The massive castles
The huge pirate ship too!
A massive flying fox to swing on
Every sort of climbing apparatus
Swings and games of all sizes
Even a green grassed picnic area
A little train you push back and forth
A great big fantastic maze!
We went there many years ago
For Vanessa's birthday party
For our family picnic day
What a fantastic time we all had!

Walking in Woolies

I'm walking in Woolies
I'm praying to Jesus
Yes I'm walking in Woolies
I'm enjoying my shopping
Nobody else knows I'm here
Feeling the way I do!
I see a man talking
To his little children
Loving them as any daddy will do
Then there's a racket
As an old man is pushing
His trolley into them
And I am thinking
"Father, father what 
Are you going to do?"
He's angry at the old man
He's tossing him onto 
That cold meat fridge
His children are staring
Their eyes are so wide
"What's daddy doing?
Why is he fighting?
With that old man?"
I hear the old woman
Screaming out at him
"Get out of the way kids
Or I'll do it again!"
I don't why I walk up
To the two men fighting
I touch the father's arm gently
I say "What are you doing man?
What are you even thinking?
Think of your little children!
I know you are angry!
You have a right to be!
But aren't you forgetting?
What Jesus would want you to do?
Yes I'm walking in Woolies
I'm trying to mind my own business
But I am called to intervene
I'm walking in Woolies
Praying for everyone in here!

Friday on my mind

You know I've got Friday on my mind
That's the day we're all going to find
Just a few more days to wait and see
My baby's baby is who we'll greet
And find out what sex he/she's going to be!
Yes! I've got Friday on my mind
Can't wait to meet my new little one
Praying that we'll see that healthy bub
As those hands and feet kick up a bit
Showing the entire world that she's okay!
Yes I'm talking about our new baby!

Headaches

Headaches, terrible headaches
Can't get comfortable: can't sleep
My neck hurts: my jaw even more so
It creeps up underneath my skull
Aching head: feels so dull
Like a fluffy powder puff
Yes my head feels full of fluff!
I try to sit up: try to adjust
But it just won't stop
It must make me pay 
For the other day!
What ever I did: now I must pay!
With pain: unstoppable pain!

Yin and Yang

I've got photographs of our two little dogs
All curled up together in their basket
Like Yin and Yang: head to tail!
Yes that's how they slept
In that warm and cosy little basket 
It was made just for those two
Yes! I've got the proof!
Right under my roof!
My two little dogs all curled up
Together in their basket!
But now her mum: Kia is just a memory
Amy dreams of her: I know!
She was probably out chasing
Those rabbits: just like they used to do
Many long months ago!

The Music of my memories

Isn't it amazing how a song
Can take you right back
Through all of those years
Right back to times when 
You were young and free
Full of life and vitality
When everything was so easy to do
When you were in your prime
When you always had the time
To see your friends and have fun
Enjoying all that summer sun
Sunbathing at the beach
Excited and full of beans
Always on the look out for someone
To share the fun with you!
Always on the go: always in "the know"
Having the energy to run about
Playing chasey and just running amok
Climbing trees and laughing out loud
Feeling good among the crowd
I remember feeling like that: sometimes!
I remember the songs blaring 
On that radio: words and music
To my ears: so special to remember 
Those songs still live on
In my faded memories
The music brings back those times
I can see myself dancing to those
Wonderful melodies: as a young teen
I also see that shy teenager
Desperately wanting to be asked
By the one person who doesn't 
Even know you are alive
He doesn't see you as you see him
He is living in his own little world
Of which you aren't even a part
That's really what is was like
For many a long year!
Later on I danced with other teens
Feeling the same as me!
Just getting up and dancing
Moving to that beat; not caring
About dancing partners
Just letting that beat take me away
To some other place
Where it didn't matter 
If I was alone! 

Amy's on my bed

It's getting colder and colder
Amy's getting bolder and bolder
She comes up onto our bed
She lays her head nearer and nearer
To my face: instead of my feet
She cuddles in close: I feel her warmth
She feels like a warm piece of toast
As she cuddles up all night long
She figures that's where she belongs as
Its way too cold in her basket!

Kia's 12th Birthday

Kia’s 12^th birthday 26 April 2013

Toady would have been Kia’s 12^th birthday

Had she lived this long!

Maybe If we’d exercised some more

Yes today we would have celebrated

Given her a great big bone

Let her chew on it all on her own

And wished her many, many more!

But alas it could not be

My poor old dog was taken from me!

In doggie years she was about 80

When she went on  August 29th 2012

I guess that’s not too bad

I gave her the best that I had

I miss you Kia Rosie!

It's raining it's pouring

It's raining it's pouring
My old man is snoring
He went to bed
At half past ten
And he doesn't want to
Get up in the morning!

Old friends

Paul Simon wrote of Old Friends
Sitting on a bench like bookends
Is that how it ends my old friend?
Do we sit there: so very much the same?
Are we so similar then? Like bookends?
I suppose our hair is all grey
Our smiles: become wrinkled
Our eyes become dim!
Our coats cover our thin bent frames
We become the same in our thoughts
Our memories: similar too!
Yes! Old friends are like bookends!
We hold between us our memories!

True blue heaven

I was lost for many years after my birth

But now my future is so bright!

I'm in heaven right here on earth

Now that I've finally seen the light

I have the Lord of love and light

He lives here within my precious heart

He is all that my heart and soul does need

Because for me it was that He did bleed

My sins He took upon His precious soul

My sins He took up from my shoulders here

Paid my price with His precious blood

His blood: that flowed from His broken side

He offered up all of my foolish pride

Gave it all to dear God to decide

Saved me from my life of sin

Now I must give back my life to Him!

Lost and found

When I was young I was so lost
Upon the stormy seas was tossed
Found myself in so much strife
I gave everything I had to give
To find some love within my life
Then that's how I had to live
For ever and always I had
To give, give, give!
I made myself a target dear
I was too afraid to be alone I fear
Thus I was led astray
Yes almost every single day
Gave myself; surrendered up my will
Trying to climb that steep rocky hill
Love was that thing for which
I would always seek
Never finding anything
I was used and tossed aside
Not good enough to show any pride
I just let myself go down that slide
Deeper and deeper into sin
How could I ever win?
Many years along life's dark trail
I found the sunshine peeking in
When I cried my tears of shame
The dearest sweetest angels came
They raised me up and held my hand
Told me to take my stand!
Look up to find salvation near
Look up dear sinner: never fear
Though you've been lost along the way
Dear Jesus has saved the day
Jesus has paid your price in full
His blood and tears are the miracle!

Been so blue

Cried my silent tears
Nobody heard me
I was so alone
So lonely you see
I didn't want to be me!

You know I've been so blue
Didn't know what to do
Was so lost at sea
Nobody wanted me!

Tried to live my life
Tried to end this strife
I was so down
So lonely you see
I wanted to be anyone but me

You know I've been so blue
Didn't know what to do
Was so lost at sea
Nobody wanted me!

You came into my life
You took away my pain
I wasn't alone
You comforted me: I was
So glad that you loved me

You know I've been so blue
Didn't know what to do
Had been so lost at sea
Somebody wanted me!

Now I am so full of life
I surrendered all to thee
I was no longer alone
You live inside my heart
You live inside of me!


You know I've been so blue
Didn't know what to do
Now I am so free
Lord you wanted me!

Longing for love

I sang along to my records
I had it up as loud as could be
Don't know why it had to be like that?
I guess I just wanted the whole world
To hear me crying out for love
As I sang along and put 
All my heart and soul into it!
I just wanted to be heard 
By someone! By anyone!
I just wanted to tell the universe
Of my longings: of my desperation
To find someone who would love me!
Isn't that the most basic desire?
To find someone who will love you
Someone who will accept you
As you are! 
Somewhat less than perfect
Just a lonely heart
Desperate to fulfil her dreams

Music I grew up with

I had an old record player
I spent all my allowance on records
Every weekend I'd go to Barmera
Shopping with my family
While mum shopped for groceries
I'd be in the record shop checking out
All the singles: 
Ben by Michael Jackson
Puppy Love by Donny Osmond
I would order in my favourites
At Colin E. Weste Electrical
In Barwell Avenue Barmera
Every weekend I'd have 
Something to look forward to
Some new record to play 
Over and over again!
Singing along with my idols!

Heavenly Words and Music

Words and music reach right in
To my very soul: so beautiful to feel it!
A wondrous melody can take me away
It can reach such beautiful heights
Sometimes I swear I have 
Heard angels singing!
Their music is like no other
So difficult to describe
I would never even try
Except that is so very beautiful
So magically unreal
So precious to think that I 
Have actually heard a little piece
Of heaven up above
I hold its magic here within my heart
Of my soul it is a very beautiful part
Never would I want to leave this 
Marvellous music 
If only I could always hear it
No matter where I am!
Oh dearest Lord: to be with you
Listening to angelic choirs
In heaven would I truly be!

Teen dreamer

I was a typical teenage girl
Falling in love with every teen idol!
At 13 I loved Donny Osmond
I sang along to Puppy Love
And The twelfth of Never
I had posters of him and
The Osmond brothers on my walls
Along with Michael Jackson
Rick Springfield and David Cassidy
Any good looking young singer
Was up there on my walls
I tried to get the words to their songs
I wrote song words in my notebooks
If I couldn't buy them
I'd listen to the songs over and over
Writing them down so I could sing along!
Today I found one of my notebooks
Full of words to so many songs
Hand written; with so much love!
Just so I could feel closer to my idols!

Rick Springfield: teen idol

As a teen I dreamt of Rick Springfield
He was my idol: he was gorgeous
So handsome: so hot!
I had posters of him: all over my walls
All the way to the very top!
I bought every magazine I could
Just to have more pictures of him!
I dreamt of my idol: of marrying him
Being his wife: sharing his life!

Looking glass

I picked up a piece of glass
Shaped like a precious jewel
Like a magnificent diamond
It sparkled in the sun!
I used its facets like a kaleidoscope
Looked at all the bushes and the trees
They looked so weird: upside down
All in bits and pieces; what a mess!
It made me I wonder: 
How does a bird see me?
Or maybe even a dog? 
Does Amy see me like I see her?
Am I in colour or black and white?
Am I upside down as in my eyesight?
Does the lens of my eye
See me differently than my brain!
Am I turned upside down?
Am I cut in twain?
How does my Lord see me?
Am I just a tiny speck to Him?
Am I all blurred by His tears?
Am I mistaken in my fears?
I know how it feels to be me
But how do others see me?
Do they see only what is on the outer side?
Will they ever see this inner me?
How will I ever know how to just be me?
And be satisfied that I am true to myself?
As well as true to my Lord 
Who in His wisdom
Gave me such an active brain!

Fight for your life

Fight for your life: don't just give in
In times of strife: keep on fighting!
Don't just give in to this sinful life!
It's your life: fight for it!
Isn't it worth fighting for?
Please get up and exercise!
Please wake up and see the skies!
Please move on from your dismal past!
See this life of yours: it's God-given!
Get up and live again!
Can't you see through your foggy mind?
It's you I want: I am your wife!
Please see I am fighting with you!
I am not fighting against you!
I just want you to look around
Notice all this life that abounds
Look around you; see what's passing by
If you don't get up off your lazy bum
You will fade away and die!
Please for the love of God!
Get up and fight!

We watched The Abyss
Just the other day
You saw how Virgil
Fought for Lindsay's life
Why can't you see
This is what I am doing
Fighting for you but
I cannot live it for you!
I cannot do it for you!
You have to get up and 
Fight for your life!

I say a little prayer for you

Whenever times are tough
Whenever times are rough
I say a little prayer for you
Whenever I think of you
So far away I think of times
When we were together and
I say a little prayer for you
We've been apart for so long
I really do miss you so much
But always know: we are close
Because our hearts are linked
As I say a little prayer for you!

Dreamer

The darkness was complete. Everyone was quiet; ears straining. They all moved quickly yet quietly, walking with determination, into the darkness. Eighteen feet trod as lightly as they could.

Explosions! Bombs dropping; fire leaping; thick black smoke; spiralling up into the deep blue sky.

A lifeboat drifting aimlessly; some wounded some near death.

After many days, only one left! All the others commended to the sea.

I’ve always had vivid dreams! Even as a little child, I would wake up frightened; tears pouring down my cheeks. Crying out to my mummy; desperately upset! It is only now that I am able to understand my dreaming.

Finally there is an end to those awful nights.

My great grandparents left their homeland in the middle of the night; determined to find a better life for their children. Uncles, aunts and cousins all walked off into the night never to return for many long years. My family history is a very interesting one. How they survived to come to this lucky country will be a tale I can tell my children in the years to come!

From many very different races I am descended. From great love I am come.

The story will never grow tired with the telling. Great-grandma Lindy met and married Great-grandpa Rickard during the second Great War. They fell in love and married within weeks of meeting; knowing they might only have those few short weeks before he had to return to his duties as Merchant Seaman. I guess a lot of marriages were short-lived in those awful days. This one endured many hardships and survived the end of that Great War.

Great-grandma Lindy had her first son six months after Great-grandpa left her to return to his duties! She lived with family and got on with her life; not knowing whether they would ever meet again. He got on with his life, sailing the seven seas from port to port; ship to ship; where-ever fate led him! Only their memories sustained them. Though he was gone for ten years, she waited for his return, never giving up hope of seeing him one day.

On my mother’s side: they escaped from Russian occupied Hungary during the darkness; determined to make a better life for their children away from menacing Russian tanks and all those other hardships imposed upon them during the Great War. Settling here in Australia; this glorious “Lucky Country” I proudly call my home! I love this beautiful land; surrounded by beaches; where sunshine abounds!

I am so glad that Great-grandpa made it back to his dearest Lindy after all of those years. What a terrible state he was in after the war! But all he could think of was getting back to his darling Lindy; her long black hair; those big grey eyes full of adoration and love! These were what kept him going! These were the memories that remained in his loving heart during all those days spent drifting upon that lonely sea! These were the memories of his love that finally brought him home, a broken man! What great love! That spanned ten years and many oceans; three sunken ships and painful injuries.

My grandfather was the second son born after Great-grandpa Rickard returned from the second Great War. He saw the pain and terror that came back with his dear dad. He saw the flagons piled outside the back door. He heard the arguments and the nightmares too! Great-grandma Lindy stood by her man; doing the best she could to help him forget his terrors. She loved him from when they first met; she would love him till they died “till death do us part”! These were a part of their vows! These words they spoke to each other on their wedding day so long ago!

Though Great-grandpa Rickard died ten years after his return; Great-grandma Lindy never remarried. She could never love anyone like she loved her dearest Rickard! She would always remember his tall blonde good-looks; his big warm hands, his beaming smile! These sustained her during their parting; these same things were to sustain her love for all those years after he died!

Widowed for over thirty years her heart still belonged to her dearest Rickard!

My grandma came from this other dream. She was still in her mother’s belly as they crossed over into Austria on that dark night! Thank God the mines had been removed the week before they started their trek to freedom!

Otherwise I wouldn’t be here to tell this story! You see; my grandma and grandpa met here in Australia! Here in this lucky country! They were brought together to marry and have their great love, right here in this beautiful lucky country! Amid the sunshine and peace; no wars to mar their love!

The dear lord saw how much they needed each other; how much they would accomplish together; how many wonderful children would bless their marriage! All this was ordained before I was even born! All these things I know! How? You may well ask? I’ll tell you!

I might not be having those scary dreams any more; but I have been dreaming! I‘ve been dreaming of the most wonderful things! I believe they are coming for me! You see the first of these has already come true!

I saw my love walking down our long dusty drive way; his faithful dog at his heels! I saw his car out on the road; broken down; steam rising form under the bonnet! I’ve also dreamed of our beautiful children! Two sets of twins! Our fiftieth wedding anniversary! Our grandchildren!

Yes it’s all coming back to me! How do I know it will come true? Well our twins will be born next week! The rest is still to come! I’ve dreamt it all! I just know!

Sizzler

Remember Sizzler restaurants

They were busy as can be

Because they had a bit of 

Everything for everybody!

Vanessa loved the Lemon Chicken

It was one thing she would eat

Shelley loved their bread

She had lots of fun with that

Michael loved their dessert bar

The ice cream and jelly: that's what he said!

Tim enjoyed their bread and butter pudding

Just like Nana used to make

Me: I just loved going there

For everybody's sake

Yes I enjoyed the salads bars

Yes I enjoyed the potato skins

There were so many things to choose from

So many things to eat!

The only problem was: trying to get a seat!

We went to Sizzler with our friends

We went with family too

It was such a great place to eat!

That's what I'm telling you!

La Trattoria Restaurant Adelaide

We've been going to the same restaurant
For many a long year: yes we have!
We've celebrated all kinds of events
Births, birthdays and graduations too!
We've had family dinners
We've had quiet lunches
We've had their yummy pizzas
Over and over: margarita with garlic
Made by the same chefs too!
Their brsuchetta is to die for
Their pastas just the same
They do vegetarian dishes
These are so hot: famed!
Yes La Trattoria Restaurant
Is the place to go!
We've been taking our growing family
For as long as we can see
Because La Trattoria
Is the one for me!

Pelican chips

School excursions were great fun
We went to so many lovely places
We had a picnic at Mannum
Michael was just a little boy then
He loved eating hot chips
What we didn't know then
Was that the pelicans liked them too
He was eating a chip 
When a big pelican came up
And stole it out of his hand!
He was so scared he ran behind a tree
It hurt his hand as it stole his chip
He has never gone near them since!

Horse Tales

I've never been a horsey person but
I have loved my share of horses
Old Red was ours for a few years
We loved him so much
We spoilt him with huge bags of carrots
He would stand there all day eating
Crunching away at those carrots!

We had a horse called Zack for a while too
He was a beautiful creamy colour
Vanessa rode around quite a few times
But he got scared by large trucks going by
He almost bucked Vanessa off and
He didn't like the new saddle we bought for him
He bucked and kicked: scared Vanessa so much
He almost pulled out the post he was tied to! 
I remember the day we sold him and 
Had to get him into the horse float!
He was just plain scared
That's what stopped him from getting on!
I went up to him and stroked his head
Then I went into the float ahead of him
To show him it was okay! 
He finally got up the courage to enter
And I was so relieved because
I was terrified as well!
He could have squashed me in there!
But the dear Lord protected me
We got him going in the end and
Off he went to his new home!

When I was young I was 
Fascinated by horses
I always wanted to pat one!
My friend Martha and I visited one
Out the back of Berri in the Riverland
I was stupid and climbed over the fence
I wanted a pat but didn't take note
The pony kept turning it's back at me
Hinting that it would kick me if I got too close
I didn't understand that it was scared of me
So I kept getting closer until that back leg 
Came at me and got me right in the belly
The most stupid thing was that
I was too scared to tell my parents
What if I'd collapsed? 
They wouldn't have known why!

The other horse was a huge Stallion
Four of us were patting him
I was being gentle patting him but
He moved and I poked him in the eye
By accident!
He looked at me with a terrible glare
I walked off and forgot about it!
We were all just chatting later!
When I ducked as I noticed 
A shadow coming at me
It was that big horse getting his revenge
For my supposedly poking him in the eye
Nasty old thing!

Sometimes

Sometimes I feel hot
Sometimes I feel cold
Sometimes I feel young 
Sometimes I feel old
Sometimes I feel hungry
Sometimes I feel full
Sometimes I feel happy
Sometimes I feel dull
But all of the time I feel blessed
It is because I have my Lord
He lives within my heart
He lives within my soul
With Him here to guide me
With Him loving me in return
I feel blessed beyond belief!

Amy's New Winter Coat

Thank you Lord for Santiago
Thank you Lord for his scissors
Because now that Zac's jacket is ruined
Amy has a new doggie coat!
The hood was a perfect size to chop off
I turned it into Amy's new winter coat!
With just a few stitches here and there
Amy has a new warm coat to wear!

Migraines

In 2012 I spent a couple of months in pain with migraine headaches. I’d never had so many. I’d never felt like this. I know some people who have lived like this for years unable to halt this cycle of pain. I’d been to the doctors for acupuncture but it didn’t really help. These headaches were so different to anything I’d ever experienced before!

You know you’re having a migraine when you start seeing the sparklies; shining lights that dance around your eyes. Then you have a massive hole in your vision, sometimes accompanied by nausea.

A few times I’d been able to manage the onslaught by taking a couple of Panadol and then lying down in a darkened room. Light and noise are painfully unbearable.

By the second month even that didn’t help and I had to turn to stronger pain relief. I was totally incapacitated. No one should have to live like this.

A visit to the local hospital was necessary because I was beginning to worry that I might have the same problem my dad did many years ago. He ended up in the RAH with an aneurism in his brain and lost part of his vision because of the pressure on his optic nerve from the blood that leaked into his brain.

Finally chiropractic eased my pain and I haven’t had any migraines for over  a year!

I thank the dear Lord for showing me how much I appreciate my vision and all the things I am able to do because I am so fearfully and wonderfully made!

Sticks and Stones

Remembering the old saying: sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me!

How wrong they were!

Words

They have the power to hurt, to calm, to embarrass, to encourage, to deflate, to wound, to uplift or enrage!

How will you use your words today? Will you encourage and uplift or will you hurt those around you? Please think on these things and learn to use this precious gift wisely. There are so many who cannot even utter a sound or speak a word.

Make your words a joy unto others and remember that some words are better left unsaid and to treat your neighbour as yourself!

Winter Burns

The other day I accidentally touched the chimney of our wood-burning stove and ended up with a painful burn on my arm. It brought back memories of when my girls were little and Vanessa had fallen against my parent’s wood-burning stove (over 20 years ago). We’d done the cold water treatment and  all was good while she was awake as she could keep her fingers in the glass of cold water in which Epsom salts were dissolved until saturation, but as soon as she fell asleep the fingers came out and the pain was back again. At this time I was doing a course of study in Herbs and I thank God that I had the book Practical Home Healing with me. It contained many stories of how to use simple ingredients at home to ease small burns and other simple illnesses like sore throats etc.

One of the amazing stories was about treating simple burns. A burn destroys the human tissue by overheating it. The CSIRO used a technique called atomic absorption measurement to make very accurate chemical analyses of various substances and found that there was a dramatic loss of magnesium in burn victims. The destruction of the tissue of a burn causes the dead tissue to become toxic to the body so the first task is to draw off the poisons to prevent their circulation through the system. Secondly, external oxygen must be kept away from the burned areas because oxygen accelerates the decomposition of tissue. The third objective is to replace the depleted supply of magnesium.

Thus the Epsom salts in cool water replace the magnesium while the water helps cool the burn and keeps the oxygen out.

All well and good until she fell asleep! That’s when I remembered another story that described how in India (where many people used little kerosene burners for cooking) the restaurants donated all their potato peelings to the local hospitals for use on burns victims because of their high magnesium levels. So we wrapped Vanessa’s fingers with some large slices of potato and bandaged it on for the night. By morning, there were no blisters, no redness and no pain! Thank God!

I had already done all the cooling with water on my burn and later tried the potato slices but it wasn’t enough, so I peeled a long piece of Aloe Vera and bandaged that to my arm for the night! The relief was instant and I was able to sleep through the night as well! No pain, no blisters and no redness by the morning.

A couple of months ago my second daughter burned herself when her griller fell onto her arm and even after lots of cooling under the tap it was still painful even with the Aloe Vera, so the hospital was the best place for her to go to have the burn properly dressed and treated. The nursing staff commended her on her earlier treatment as it saved her a lot of pain and grief for later.

Another time, whilst cooking, I was foolish enough to leave my cooking fork leaning against the frypan, and as I was hungry, I took the fork and the little piece of food stuck on it, into my mouth and burned both my lips and tongue.

The pain was terrible but I was able to suck on a few pieces of potato for a couple of hours until it was all better. The magnesium was replaced by the potato; it also cooled the burned tissue and kept it cool whenever a new piece was introduced. Thank you simple potato!

Obviously, if someone does get a bad burn it needs to be cooled first under lots of cool running water, and then bandaged to stop the oxygen from entering. Please use your common sense and get burns victims to the hospital as they can be extremely painful! My suggestions are only for little minor burns and not for any thing else, maybe just to keep you going until you can get to hospital!

So please, as this cold winter season is here, please, please be careful around wood-burning stoves and heaters and keep safe!