View From Harmony Hills

With 8-12 inches of snow in the forecast this makes the perfect time to settle in with something hot to drink and a good book. Just finished "Rewired"- a true story about a raccoon, a woman and a doctor of great faith. In fact Dr. Seth was a physician I seen several years ago before this book was written. If you get a chance you can google this remarkable tale.  It took place in North Canton, Ohio. The book was given to me from a family member who had just been to see him.  He had sent this signed copy with her.  (It can be purchased on Amazon.)   The above stack of novels should keep me busy for several weeks.  I had been figuring that there just might be a need for some reading material with the weather forecaster warning that storm "Izzy" would be hitting us in a short time.   Read a few pages of "The Orphan House".   It looks like it will be a page turner.  Speaking of turning the page hope you will visit my blogging friend Sharon Wilfong at Gently Mad

 Once again it is time to unveil my perfect word for the coming year. So grab a cup of something hot and come sit a spell while I share 2022's word. As always towards the end of November or December a certain word keeps coming to me.  It never appears as intrusive or even something I think on...it is just there. Several weeks ago a friend of mine was sharing a thought about the letters being the same in two particular words.  It made me stop and pause.  Just the past week I had encountered the one word in several different books and passages. The two she was speaking of were "Listen" and "Silent".  What an intriguing thought.  When one becomes silent then one will listen.   So there it is friends - "Listen" is my new word for 2022.   If you have a perfect word or two, please share. Have a blessed week. Hugs Debbie P.S. Next week will give you an update on my reading list.  Priscilla Shirer's book is excellent thus far. Believe it or not the first c

The week after Christmas has always been a favorite of mine.  It is the quiet space between saying good bye to the old and hello to the new. The hurry and flurry hopefully has passed. There is time to reflect on what has been and what will be.       Time to make plans. Time to dream of places to visit and artistic endeavors to pursue. Time to explore a new book. Time to make a list or two. All of these I did. What about you?  What does the week after Christmas look like in your world? Hope it allowed for a bit of quiet space.  Wishing everyone a wonderful New Year. Next week - will share my perfect word for 2022. Maybe you will share yours too. Hugs Debbie ..."In quietness and trust is your strength..."  Isaiah 30:15  (NIV)

 The gifts are wrapped.  They are waiting to be placed beneath the tree.   The cookies are baked. The decorating is complete. Of all these tasks, the most challenging is finding the perfect gifts to give. This year as I pondered my Christmas list a thought came.  Why not give what I would like to receive. Monetarily they have no value but spiritually they are priceless . So sweet friends I am sending you what I want to unwrap Christmas Day.   I hope you will find them waiting under your tree.   Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a blessed coming New Year!  See you in 2022! Hugs Debbie "On coming to the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.  Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, and of incense, and of myrrh."  Matthew 2:11 (NIV)        

Today did not look like a December day.  The snow we had last week is gone.  It did not stay for  long. The sky was a breathtaking blue...not a cloud to be seen. Red rose hips glistened in the sun. Even a few blackberry leaves were still clinging to their branch.   No it did not feel like a day in December.   Hard to believe it is less than two weeks until Christmas. Are you ready?   Hope everyone has a blessed week. Hugs Debbie "In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph a descendant of David.  The virgin's name was Mary.  The angel went to her and said Greetings, you who are highly favored.  The Lord is with you."  Luke 1:26-28 (NIV)  

 If it were not for the birds - winter here in Ohio would seem quite dreary. This sweet sparrow is one who visits often. In doing research I was surprised at how many varieties of this species abounds.  Chipping, American tree, song , fox, swamp, white throat are just a few to mention.  This little fellow is perhaps an American tree sparrow although his crown is not orange.  Identifying them can be a challenge because the females may have different markings than the males. For the most part they seem like very polite birds.  They are quite amiable and seem to not mind sharing with others.  In fact I often see them side by side happily munching their brunch together. Well friends if some of you are needing a fun past time to make winter not seem so long, you might enjoy taking up bird watching.  It can be quite fascinating as well as entertaining. Till next week God Bless! Debbie    "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly