GREEN EGGS AND HAM
There are many children (and adults) who remember and can relate to Dr. Seuss' Green Eggs and Ham book. In the book, Sam wants others to like green eggs and ham here, there, and everywhere. After a while of promoting his green eggs and ham, he finally convinces his friend to try them...and the friend finds that he really likes green eggs and ham!
We are all a bit like Sam's friend about trying things we aren't familiar with or don't quite understand. I recall the first time I was introduced to a computer. My first thought was that this was something that required a lot more skill than I had. A friend of mine helped me along; and as I watched and learned the process of the computer, I became amazed at how easy it was (as long as my memory did me good) :). One day, as I was struggling with learning more and more about the computer, it occurred to me that it wasn't having to learn the computer that was so scary, it was having to develop the idea that I could and would be able to accomplish the feat. I recalled back in high school how learning the typewriter was so overwhelming...and I had triumphed over that. So, I decided from that day forward that NO MACHINE was going to stop me in my endeavors to learn more...and learn I did.
At times we come across things such as food that we are unwilling to try. We immediately look at a dish of food and determine whether or not we've had that before. And we decide right then and there if we'll have some of it. Children, on the other hand, observe their heroes' eating habits...their parents and other adults that play a big role in their upbringing. They tend to eat what their heroes say is good.
This reminds me of a recipe...................

GREEN EGGS AND HAM

3 eggs 1 T. flour

1 1/2 c. grated cheddar cheese 1 c. squeezed (frozen & thawed spinach)

1 c. cottage cheese 1 pkg. deli ham (round-very thin slices)

4 dashes hot sauce

Spray medium size cups (muffin tin) with Pam.

Line cups of muffin tin with 1 deli ham slice each.

Mix together eggs, cheeses, hot sauce, flour, & spinach.

Put mixture in each muffin tin cup evenly.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Makes 12 medium muffins.

When I first made these, I brought some out to the campsite where some of our friends were camping. They tried them out and loved them! I could tell that at first they weren't too sure about taking one. But I really was proud of our friends. They tried them and enjoyed them. In fact they wanted the recipe so they could have them more often. These friends were all adults...I'm sure children would have questioned the "green" stuff-spinach in them...but the oohs and aahs from the adults and the name of the recipe would have probably encouraged the young to at least try them.

Yes, the tried and true is what we do, but to venture out into the unknown has its benefits, too. How else would we learn new things or use our God-given talents?

Nature-Patience

"Adopt the pace of nature, her secret is patience." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Adopt the simple way of life with the ability to wait and endure without complaint and you have followed the words of Emerson. Many times we find ourselves hurrying through life without thought of slowing down. I know that I'm one of those people. Trying to get things done to be prepared for the next hurdle in life causes me to literally race through my activities. Then I find myself complaining instead of quietly waiting and enduring silently. I've always tried to be patient with others, but never quiet accomplished it entirely. Of course, a long time ago I quit praying for patience...and prayed for understanding (knowledge) instead. When I was working (as a secretary) for the church, I was called upon many, many times to have patience with fellow employees, parishioners coming to the rectory door, phone calls from marketing people, charity cases with and without cause, and so many other things. I found out that patience comes much easier when you're younger. As age creeps up on you, understanding begins to play a role in your life and you begin to not have as much patience with others. You may still excuse young children for not knowing any better, sick people for not being able to help themselves, physically and mentally handicapped people for being incapable of doing for themselves...but the rest, you find as being too lazy, too arrogant, and too unfeeling to be excused. The lenten season is the perfect time to practice being more patient again. But try as I may, knowledge gets in the way lots of time. So I continue to struggle with my hurried world and lack of patience at times, but with the knowledge that one day I may again be able to have more patience as age catches up with me and I become "as a little child" again.

Keep A-Fishing

If you strike a thorn or rose,
Keep a-goin'!
If it hails or if it snows,
Keep a-goin'!
"Taint no use to sit an' whine
When the fish ain't on your line;
Bait your hook an' keep a-tryin'-
Keep a-goin'!

These words of Frank L. Stanton (born 2/22/1857; died 1/7/1927) reminded me of our camp at Toledo Bend. Fishermen are out in their boats riding the rather "rough" waters in order to try and catch their limit of fish. We are just beginning to see signs of Spring, and already, the fishermen have lowered their nets. Spawning season is here and the fishermen can't wait to try their hand at the first catches of the new year. In spite of the cold, wind, and rain, they "Keep a-goin'!"

We are presently in the Lenten Season. As I try to find things to read for this important season of the church year, I begin to get the urge to jump forward into Spring. I try to slow down the pace and take in all the beauty that has been given to me by God...buds on the redbud trees, tassels on the oak trees, flowers on the azalea bushes and bridal wreaths, and birds of the air coming back to their old familiar places...they, too "Keep a-goin'!"

Today, I read that getting lost with God is like getting lost on the road. It often leads to unexpected encounters and events, but gives us new ways to reach our final destination. My daughter and I have found this to be so true in some of our travels together. As we travel to various places and get "lost" on our way, we find all kinds of adventure awaiting us on our wrong turns in the roads. We have managed to see and do things not found on maps as we "Keep a-goin'!"

As the new year unfolds, I am reminded of the many things I have planned for the year. A trip to Missouri for one of my grandsons' basketball tournaments, Easter week at North Toledo Bend State Park with family and friends, a trip to take one of my granddaughters to see some of the grandeur of the United States out west, a trip to Hodges Gardens to view all the splendor of flowering trees and bushes, and the many trips to relax at our camp at Toledo Bend...I, too "Keep a-goin'!"

Yes, there are many bends in our journey here on earth, but if we "Keep a-goin'!" even when the going gets tough, what a blessing we'll find at the end of the long traveled road.