Fri, 17 Jul 2026 09:31:29 -0700WeeblyFri, 17 Jul 2026 02:20:14 GMThttps://www.focusforstrength.com/memories/found-itHow are you at finding what you put "in a safe place"?  We all do it.....  We have something important, or maybe a gift, we have all prepared.  We put it some place safe.  In fact it is so safe we can't find it again!  Almost two years ago I took a class, learned something new and was excited to be able to give the finished piece as a gift.  I brought it home, put it 'some place safe' until I could work on it.  I could NOT find where I put it!!!

Recently I have learned how to do a new (to me) type of quilting - English Paper Piecing.  It has a lot of little pieces, tools to use and then finished pieces to be sewn into bigger pieces.  I needed something to keep all of these "pieces" together.  I have a wonderful 13 x 9 brand new cake pan.  A friend gave it to me even though I don't bake.  So...  I got it off the book case.  And found some very interesting things - pictures, a book for my son and...... you guessed it!  There was the project from the class.

To say laughing is better than screaming is an understatement to how I felt.  I had looked on the book case, I had looked all over.....  Now I find it in my room on my book case!  You DO have to laugh.... and trust me, I am!!
]]>Wed, 15 Jul 2026 01:59:45 GMThttps://www.focusforstrength.com/memories/sharing2742750How are you at sharing about your trips?  Of course part of it depends on the reason for the trip and where the trip went to - right?  Another point could be who you are sharing with.  Of course the family probably hears everything first.  Then the friends who have been putting up with the count down.

I've been sharing, quite often (surprise!), about my recent trip to Scotland.  I've been especially excited, and talking about, Iona.  It has been fun,  and interesting, because of the different people at different times.  The people I see regularly knew about the trip and ask questions.  Most are even willing to see the pictures.

The most fun, though, is the new people to share with.  Several have also just "come home" from Scotland.  AND a couple have even been to, or know about, Iona.  AND the fun has come when we talk about finding yarn.  All of us can laugh...which is much better than screaming!
]]>Sat, 11 Jul 2026 14:16:43 GMThttps://www.focusforstrength.com/memories/backalmostHow are you doing?  Are you back from your vacation?  Are you adjusting back into a "regular" schedule or have you started a new schedule?   What about sore muscles you used on the trip - are they still "talking" to you?

I'm starting to feel adjusted.  God and I are using the "early" awake time for extra time with God, Scripture and praise music.  (I'm actually kind of hoping to keep this change!)  I've even started back at the gym to strengthen muscles that are still "talking" to me.  Lifting my suitcase every day means my arms should be stronger.  And.......  I fell while in Scotland......  Those muscles are still talking to me also. 

I missed the step at the curb, crossing the street, and landed in the middle of the Royal Mile.  Thankfully (praise God!!) there was a young man who literally picked me up, made sure I was steady on my feet, handed me my hat and disappeared back into the crowd.  I never even got to thank him.  So.... yes, muscles are still talking to me.....  And yes...it is better to laugh than to scream! ]]>Sat, 04 Jul 2026 01:39:15 GMThttps://www.focusforstrength.com/memories/time-zonesHow are you at traveling?  Have you crossed time zones lately?  How many times zones?  I have traveled, lately, across one time zone by going to the Eastern time zone from the Central time zone.  A one hour difference is not "too hard" to deal with no matter which way I'm going - to the Eastern or back home to Central.  The recent trip, however, was from Central to what ever they call the time zone in Scotland.  It was a six hour difference.

Actually traveling to Scotland was "only" difficult because of being up, pretty much all night, to get to Scotland.  We had an "extra" day to adjust, get some sleep and be ready for the tour.  This helped a lot!  It took most of the week to remember what time it was "at home" because of my difficulty with numbers.  A six hour difference in time -- so add the number or subtract?  Then we were up for basically 20 hours as we traveled back home.  An early flight to our connection, the flight to MN, and then staying "up" until bed time - which did come early!!

It has now been several days but I'm still waking up "early" for here but late for Scotland.  I can still fall asleep sitting in my chair.  It has been "only" three days though.........  So laughing instead of screaming.........
]]>Thu, 02 Jul 2026 01:43:55 GMThttps://www.focusforstrength.com/memories/thanksThankful for the time to make new memories.  Thankful the work to get some of my strength back worked.  Thankful for the history learned and the times when God's presence was definitely felt.  Thankful for for the strangers who helped when needed.  I, personally, would say it was God's helping hand providing someone to help.

Yes, I will be honest and let people know I fell.  I missed a curb step and landed in the middle of a busy intersection.  I've been told it was a beautiful "3 point landing."  I hit my head (scratched my glasses even) and my knees.  I have been getting stronger but NOT strong enough to stand up by myself yet.  Now in the middle of the street there was nothing to help, reach out to or use to be able to get myself up.  Then the next thing I knew a young man came out of no where and, literally, picked me up off the pavement.  Then he handed me back my hat and disappeared again.

There was also a wonderful lady, in a beautiful hat, who helped get me to where I could sit down.  She wanted to call for "emergency" help but we agreed I was fine.  Once again I can, personally, say it is better to laugh than to start screaming!]]>Sat, 20 Jun 2026 03:30:45 GMThttps://www.focusforstrength.com/memories/readyThe countdown is finally to zero!   Check in has happened, suitcase is ready to be zipped and briefcase (with needlework) is ready.  Passport, credit cards and foreign money are also at the ready.  To say I'm excited is an understatement.  I'm going to try to sleep.......

Meanwhile I keep going over clothes, in my mind, to make sure I have the right things with me.  Trying to think of everything I'll need for 10 days of traveling.  Yes, I have the meds.  Yes, I have my walking shoes and my walking sticks.  Yes, I can even lift the suitcase by myself!  So.... all the work to gain strength for this trip has worked.

I will NOT be taking my laptop.  Time AWAY is something ALL of us need.  A break, a way to s-t-o-p and listen for what God is saying to me.  Just like I encourage ya'll I will be "backing" off until I get home, have internet and know what time zone I'm in.  I will be TRYING to post on Facebook but technology and I do not always play well together.  I do promise pictures when I get back.  So.... For the next 10 days..... try laughing instead of screaming......  Something to think about.
]]>Thu, 18 Jun 2026 04:18:09 GMThttps://www.focusforstrength.com/memories/packingAre you planning any trips this summer?  Are you ready for said trips?  When is the trip?  I have been working, with my friend, on this trip to Scotland for almost 3 years.  We've talked about it, looked for the trip we wanted, vetoed a couple and finally found this one.  We leave in 3 days (but whose counting!).  To say I'm excited about the trip is an understatement!

What about packing?  When do you pack for the trip?  We're going to the Highlands of Scotland so it will be, probably, a little cooler than here (MN).  So....layers - right?  I've thought about the clothes - I really have.  I've even laid out some to get ready to pack.  I have found the suitcase.

I do have the important "stuff" ready.  I have my knitting started, extra yarn and the pattern ready to go into the suitcase.  I have the crochet hook and yarn ready for the briefcase and sitting on the plane.  I even have an "extra" sewing project just in case said knitting isn't with me.  Soooooo......  I DO have the important stuff ready!  Now I just need to work on more clothes..........  Might as well laugh = it IS easier than screaming!]]>Sat, 13 Jun 2026 03:24:19 GMThttps://www.focusforstrength.com/memories/goalsHave you set any goals?  How are you doing actually reaching said goals?  Could the goals be referred to as "bucket list"?   Sometimes a goal is a place you want to see.  Sometimes the goal is the strength to actually be able to "see" a particular place.

Working on gaining the strength takes time and goes slowly.   I, personally, have been working on getting stronger so I can reach each one of my goals.  The interesting part is the first goal was to be able to sit down, and stand up, in any chair.  I can do this now - even with something in my hands.  The second goal was to be able to travel and not collapse.  I can do that now too.  The next goal is to be able to get to the top of hills in the Highlands of Scotland.  (Leaving one week from today!)

I've been working on each of these goals almost a year now.  NOW even I can see the difference and I'm ready to travel.  Frustrating while working on them.  Definitely better to laugh than to scream!]]>Mon, 01 Jun 2026 17:48:49 GMThttps://www.focusforstrength.com/memories/timingHave you ever stopped to compare the clocks around you?  Not the kind of clock digital vs "regular" - but the times on the clocks.  I've recently started noticing clocks.....  For instance the clock on our microwave says a different time than the clock on the stove right under it.  The difference is only a minute or so but still different.  Both are different from the clock in the living room which is different from the time on the TV.  Again only a minute or so but still different.

Then today I was at the gym (working on gaining strength for Scotland in 18 more days) and I noticed the clock on the wall was several minutes slower than the digital clock hanging over the track.  The numbers on my treadmill didn't match either one - so I stayed with walking 30 minutes and ignored both.

All I could think of was the opening of "Back to the Future" where Marty is at Doc's house when ALL the clocks chime at one time.  Again.... might as well laugh or you will start screaming!!]]>Wed, 27 May 2026 16:48:29 GMThttps://www.focusforstrength.com/memories/counting-downHave you ever "counted down"?  I mean for something besides the New Year's Eve count down....  Have you ever been so excited, been looking forward to or in some other way "counted down" to the event.  I used to count down to when my son would be visiting.  At first I could give you the number of days AND the hours until his plane would land.

Right now I'm counting down to a trip.  In 23 days my friend and I will be leaving for Scotland.  This is a much wanted trip.  We will be in the Highlands of Scotland for a little over a week AND we will be visiting several of the islands including Iona.  I have wanted to go to Iona for over 20 years - ever since I heard about Iona in seminary.  So.... Yes, 23 more days to Scotland 25 more days until Iona.  AND I have gotten enough strength back to be able to get to the Iona Chapel.  I promise pictures.

Meanwhile.... My son recently pointed out this is the first time, in his lifetime, I've "counted down" to something that didn't involve him.  I should also point out I've stopped counting the hours.  One of his flights was delayed for over 3 hours due to a storm.  That's when I stopped counting hours.  3 hours of waiting in an airport terminal will do that.  It also helps with the laughing instead of screaming!
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