Revised "Woman at the Well"

Scene opens with woman coming on stage carrying some bags of groceries. She sits them down on table and begins taking things out of the bag.

“I always do my grocery shopping later in the day when the rest of the wo men in town have already been and gone. They refuse to speak to me.. I am sure they think I want to steal their husbands. And the truth is, working in

the only bar in town, I do see most of their men every week.  Of course

the men won’t speak to me in public either. No one wants to be seen with someone from the wrong side of the tracks. So my shopping trips are usually pretty quiet.”

Pulls a bottle of water out of bag.

“Today was different though. There was a display of bottled water at the end of one of the aisles. I stopped to get some and noticed there was a man just standing there looking at them. He asked me if I could get a bottle of water for him. I was surprised that he talked to me, he was obviously new in town and didn’t realize who I was. I told him that he needed to buy the bottle first, but he said he didn’t have any money. I thought, of course you don’t – figures. Just another guy looking for a handout. But I told him I would give him one of my waters after I paid for my groceries. I assumed that would be the end of the conversation, and prepared to turn my cart down the aisle, but then I couldn’t resist stopping,  and saying over my shoulder, ‘if you knew who I was you would never have asked me to give you my water’.

He turned to me, looked me straight in the eye, and said – ‘and if you knew who I was, you would be asking me for water that never runs out.’

That got my attention. I stopped and turned back. “ What do you mean, water that never runs out?” I picked up one of the bottles from the cart and held it up. “You don’t even have money to buy this water – how are you going to give me water that never runs out?” I will never forget what he said.

He said, “after you drink that water you will eventually get thirsty again. My water is living water – it takes away thirst and gives eternal life.”

So I said – “give me some of that water then, so I don’t have to keep coming here to buy more.”

Then he said something strange – he told me to get my husband.

I answered, “I don’t have a husband”. Then he said, “You’re right,

you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the guy

you are living with right now.”

I felt my heart start pounding, and my throat begin to tighten up. All of the years of being an outcast started weighing on me, and I stared at him for a minute and said – “So are you some kind of a prophet…. or have you just been following me around? “

Instead of waiting for an answer, I found myself getting defensive and I started to vent my frustration.

I said –“And by the way, if you are some kind of a prophet, here’s a question for you. The big main church in this town won’t even let me darken their door, while the little broken down church up on the hill welcomes me with open arms. So tell me this prophet. Does God hear my worship when it’s coming from that little church, or does he only listen to worship from an “acceptable” church.”

I paused to take a breath, and see his reaction to my outburst.

He was just standing there, looking at me. Looking at me like he could see right through me. But it wasn’t a look of judgment; it was a look of love. He didn’t even know me, but I could see he loved me. It had been so long since anyone had looked me in the eye, let alone with love.. It was like a physical impact on my heart, and for some reason I felt tears come to my eyes. Then he began speaking to me.

“Believe me woman, it doesn’t matter if you worship God in town or up on the mountain.”

I so wanted to believe him, but I had been lied to by men all my life. So I said:

“How do you know what kind of worship God is looking for?”

And he replied, “Believe me, woman…, and he said the word woman as if it was something to be cherished, rather than condemned.  The time is coming when it will no longer matter where you worship. The time is coming; in fact it is now here, when true worshipers will worship God in spirit and in truth. He is looking for anyone who will worship Him in that way.”

And I just stood there and looked at him.. I wanted to know more, to hear more of what he had to say. I wanted to ask him many more questions. But then a group of men I had never seen before came around the corner and surrounded him, talking excitedly to him. They gave me a quick look, then dismissed me with a glance and led him out of the store with them.

I just stood there for a minute; I had never met anyone like him before. I finally paid for my things and then came straight home – but I can’t stop thinking about meeting him, and the things he said.

It was like he knew me, and yet we had never met. It felt like he could look right through me and see everything I had ever done or thought.. And in spite of that, I saw no condemnation, only love -

And you might think I am crazy, and maybe I am, but I could swear I saw Jesus in his eyes..

You know what? I can’t just keep this to myself. I have to tell someone about him and the things he said. I think I will start with the bar. They know me and will listen to what I say. But then I am going to talk to the others, the ones who won’t even look at me. I will make them look at me,  and I will make them listen. Because I think if there really is a place we can get living water, everyone should have the chance to hear about it.


I found this lovely retelling of the "woman at the well" in today's life.  I was so moved by it, that I wanted to share with others.  I contacted the blog owner and was told that I could share.  You will find it at www.thelittlebrownhouse.us.  Be sure to go by and visit.

I Like Candy

My favorite candy bar growing up was the Big Hunk! Full of peanuts and creamy nougat.

So when I repotted some of my plants, I made sure to gather together some of the styrofoam peanuts to put in the bottom of the pots. This helps in letting the soil drain and my lovely succulents don't get root rot.

Then I went ahead and took a Big Hunk out of my week-end cleaning. Taking care to get the laundry washed, dried and put up.

Daily Small Things is from www.homesanctuary.com.  Each day you are given something small to think over.

A New Bed

Just to give you a little history.  My husband's mother has lived with us for the last 17 years.  For a while, she was content to live in a trailer on the place, but the last 5 years, she decided that she wanted to live in the house with us.  So, instead of moving her into the house , we built on to my craft room.  Which meant that I had to move all my crafts, material and sewing cabinet into the main house.

I had home schooled our younger girls for four years, so the master bedroom had been made into the office/classroom.  When they decided that they wanted to go back to the public system, I turned the room into my office/guest bedroom.  This is where you could find me most of the time.  All my books were lined up against the walls in their bookcases.  I finally had my dream space.

Well, now my mother-in-law is in the main house.  My office has been reduced to the foyer.  The piano was moved out and place in the living room.  I thank the Lord that He blessed me with a big house with large rooms.  For the past three months, I have found myself sleeping on the couch.

Mother-in-law will be 91 in February and has Alzheimer's.  It has gotten to the point that she needs to know where I am.  She really doesn't remember me, except that she calls me "the nice lady that takes care of her".  So, we have found ourselves trying to come to a solution on my sleeping arrangements.  I am not comfortable with sleeping upstairs, because she will get up and then come looking for me.  Every evening, she will as, "Now, where will you be sleeping?  You aren't going anywhere are you?"  So as you can see, I don't go far day or night.  My darling husband really has a hard time dealing with her, so I take care of her. Both my parents are gone and I only know that one day, I will get old and I might need my Mandy to take care of me.  So, I feel that the way that I treat her, will be the way that I get treated one day.


Last Sunday, I went to Rooms to Go and bought a wooden daybed, good mattress and got a simple bedspread.  I am not crazy about having a bed in the livingroom, but it will certainly beat sleeping on the couch.  It has been a blessing that I have a wonderful husband that is understanding about our sleeping arrangements.  Ever once in a while, I will slip upstairs and get a few hours of sleep on our Tempur Pedic mattress.  My husband told me the other morning, that he thought that I was in the bed, but then I was gone.

Thanks for listening to me.  Since i started my blog, I have found that writing is a great stress relief.  Especially, with four teens living in the house.  Life is never boring nor dull.  You just learn to lock the bathroom door and smile.....

High Heels Are Murder by Elaine Veits

From the back of the book

There are some major benefits to Josie's job-like, oh, getting paid to shoe shop.  But on the flip side, there are sleazes to deal with...like salesman Mel Poulaine.  His employer, the chichi Soft Shoe store, thinks the heel's a little too interested in his line of work-namely, handling women's bare feet.  So they hire Josie to mystery-shop their St. Louis store and see whether Mel should get the boot.  But one thing leads to another and Josie finds herself in St. Louis's seedy underbelly.  Before long, she gets caught up in a web of gambling, blackmail, and truly desperate housewives.  And she hopes against hope that she won't end up murdered in Manolos...

**Once again author, Elaine Veits has Josie involved in a murder that was not her choosing.  Perhaps, being a "Mystery Shopper" is more dangerous than it should be.  But when her mother is bent on becoming the Maplewood chair of the St. Louis Flower Guild, Josie knows in her heart that she has to find the real killer.

Dying in Style by Elaine Viets

From the back of the book

Ah, the Danessa Celedine handbag.  To have one is to invite envy and flaunt wealth, with each bag costing upward of five thousand dollars.  When a large company considers paying millions for use of the Danessa name, Josie's hired to inspect the designer's stores anonymously.  And each boutique is worse than the one before.  Her less than stellar report provokes threats of a lawsuit...until Danessa is strangled with one of her own thousand-dollar snakeskin belts.  Josie better bag the killer before she winds up in an ugly jailhouse outfit herself...


**This was a fun book to read.  I loved the way that Elaine Veits portrays her character.  Reading about the escapades that Josie had in her job as a "Secret Shopper", had me thinking that I would enjoy being one.  I would highly recommend this book to my friends.

Blooming Plants

What to my surprise did I find out in my sunroom?  Blooms on some of my plants!  I have always had aloe's, but I have never had one that bloomed.

 I remember growing up and visiting my grandparents in Dallas, TX. , grandpa had aloe's growing up in a small greenhouse that he had set up on the side of the garage.  He gave my mother some to take back home and she left them laying on top of a cabinet.  I am sure it was months before she did anything with them and when she did, they took root and began to grow.  I always knew that if I couldn't grow anything, I would be able to grow aloe's.

Then I looked over to the right and there on a very tall stem, was more blooms.  This time on one of the "Chandelier plants", that my Mandy had given to me.  It seems that since moving all my succulents into the sunroom this fall, they have started to flourish.  Now the question I will  be faced with this spring is "Do you lovely plants stay in here or do you want to move out side?"

As I was leaving to get my camera to take the pictures, my eye caught sight of another bloom.  WOW!  three in one day.  I know that my Mandy tells me that I am bragging when I tell her about them, but I do suppose at some degree, she could be right.  She always has some of the most interesting plants.  And you would think that she could at least let me have my moment in the spot light! LOL

I would not be here at this moment in life, if it were not for my Mandy.  So I love teasing her.  She just happens to be my very best friend and I love spending time with her.  Especially, if it has anything to do with plants or books.  My favorite past times.


Now we will wait and she what treasures she finds in her greenhouse tonight.  I am almost positive that she can outshine me!!!!!!

Better Together

Today, I wanted to share a post from www.homesanctuary.com.  I love my time alone, but I also enjoy my family and friends.  So when my sister came down, I had her drive me to the mailbox. Now this is not a really big thing, seeing that it is just down the lane.  But it had been awhile since I had gotten to talk with her or spend any time with her.  It wasn't a long time, but I enjoyed it just the same.

I'm a big believer in Alone Time.  I need it to recharge my energy and find inspiration.  Hey, sometimes I need it just to get myself psyched up to face the onslaught of needs that face me each day.  Now that my kids are all older, I have much more Alone Time than back in the days when sitting on the potty with the door closed was exquisite luxury.  Believe me, constipation was a welcome friend.

Husbands need Alone Time as well.  They are out there slaying dragons in the work world and then expected to be tender caregivers the moment they walk through the door.  Even if they have a cushy job with no interruptions (what would THAT be like????), time to be alone with their thoughts or their tools is important.  It's sometimes hard to respect that when you feel like you're being devoured by little piranha people on the home front, but it's one of those things that you've got to do for each other sometimes.

Still, there's something good about togetherness. There is sweetness in keeping someone company.  I'm not really talking about long, romantic walks in the rain, or even deep talks with a girlfriend over coffee.  I'm talking about when someone invites you to be with them to watch TV or wash the dishes.  To sit nearby while you both read.  To take a ride to the car wash.  It makes you feel special to be invited.  It's the "Company Girl" thing in action.

When someone asks you if you want to walk to the water cooler at work, or when a child requests that you sit and watch him stack blocks, you are being invited into that person's life.  When you think about that, it's pretty cool.  And makes you want to tread carefully.

Today's Small Thing is for you to invite someone along.  It doesn't matter where, or for what or for how long.  Just try "hey, want to share a sliced apple?" or  "can I play with your hair? (always a hit at our house), or "want to read together?"  It can be casual and last for just a minute, but when you invitesomeone to share your time you're communicating Belonging.  You're saying that you enjoy their company and you like being together.  And that just feels good.

Bloggiesta

This morning, starting at 8 am, the 4th year of the Bloggiesta began.  I was excited about this, seeing that I have not had my blog for very long and it really could use some help.  I have read alot of blogs and found that I need to just relax and it will all come together.  I believe one of the greatest enjoyments that has come out of the blogging is freedom. 

By that, I mean the freedom to express myself and  have fun with it.  I have found that just writing my thoughts has helped me to see things a little clearer.  Visiting the different blogs today, has really been uplifting .  I still have until Monday morning at 8 am, to do more research on how to make my blog better.

I would encourage you to check it out.  We can never have enough information on any chosen subject.  It is just neat to read how to improve your blog by people that have already tried other avenues and found the ones that really work.  I so appreciate each of the ladies that are giving their time to help the blog world become better.  Please take the time, even if you just browse.  I am sure that you will not be disappointed.

You will find this workshop at http://www.mawbooks.com/

Women are Writer's

Today, I have a great saying on my desk calendar and wanted to share with you.

THERE ARE MORE SECRET WRITERS AMONG US THAN WE REALIZE.  IT HAS BEEN FOUND THAT THOSE WHO REALLY WANT TO WRITE ARE WRITERS.  LISTS ARE WRITING.  NOTES ARE WRITING. JOURNALS ARE WRITING. WOMEN ARE WRITERS.


**When we speak our truth in our writing, even if it's only for our own eyes, we are cleaned and healed.


I do believe that one day My Mandy will start writing.  She's always had a way with words.  Growing up, she was learning new words that she would get out a dictionary and then learn how to use it in a conversation.  And spelling, she awesome.  Then My Gabrielle, has always used big words in describing.  My friend would always get upset  when she was asked what was her birthstone and she would not say green, but EMERALD.  She is always amazing her teachers with her words.  


For myself, I love reading and writing reviews for books.

A Fobidden Drink

Ever since I was small I have never cared for the taste of coffee.  My Daddy always drank his black and strong.  My Mother never would touch the stuff.  That is, until she went through her divorce.  I lived in Alabama and did not get to visit with her often.  Perhaps twice a year if things were good with our business.

One winter, I went to see her and what do you know.  She was drinking coffee.  Now it wasn't like my Daddy's.  It came out of a small oblong tin and she didn't place it a pot to boil.  She would heat her water in the microwave and poof she had coffee.

Well, now I love to go to Starbucks and get their Vanilla Bean Latte.***correction - My Mandy just told me that what I get is not a Latte, but a Vanilla Bean Frappe'.  I stand corrected!!!!  At the time, I thought there was no coffee in the drink.  So when I was at Walmart the other day, I got to thinking.  And that thinking led me to the coffee isle.  Maxwell House International Cafe has a great little tin of Vanilla Bean Latte.  So into the basket it went.  When I got home, I realized that I had given my gallon of milk to my sister.  Did I want to try it with water or just wait.  I chose to wait until I took the girls to church and stopped at Walmart for milk.

What an awesome warm drink, but only use milk.

And to think that I always thought that coffee would be such an awful drink.  All I can say at this point is ahhhhh!  What I have been missing.  Not only do I love it, but my girls do.  So tonight, I bought not one, but two tins of the stuff.  Now I realize that this is probably not what you coffee drinkers drink, but it will do for me.  I can just imagine what my son-in-law will say.  Now don't think that I will follow in my Daddy's steps.  This is as far as I go in the coffee isle.

Chandelier Plant

I have placed all of my succulents in our sunroom for the winter.  I normally, check them over every couple of days.  But when my Mandy mentioned that her chandelier plant had flowers, I thought I should go look. Sure enough, mine had buds, but no flowers.  So I started looking every day and finally I was blessed with some beautiful little flowers.

Now if I can just get the cat to stay out of my plants, they will be ready to go back around the pool area when it starts to warm up.  My thoughts really are, "Just get rid of the cat!"  But if I do, then I have the chance of having mice in the sunroom.

The Main Chandelier plant

Blossoms on top of the Chandelier Plant

Blossoms on the Donkey Ears.  This is the second round of flowers

Here's the Donkey Ear that is giving a second round of flowers.

Also wanted to share some about my Donkey Ears.  I could not believe my eyes.  This plant had already given me some flowers and now it is giving me another round.  Amazing!  I never thought my plants would do so great in the sunroom.  They do get a lot of sun and then at night, I have a gas heater that will come on when the room dips down in temperature.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to keep the cat out of my plants?

Monster Spray

A while back, by sister, Tammy was telling me that she was having a problem with Annalise, her granddaughter.  It seems that she is always ending up in Tammy's bed.  Annalise is so sure that she has monsters under her bed and in her closet.  In fact, the whole room.

My own grandson, Byron had a problem with this when he was small.  At that time, I made up a spray, sort of like Febreeze.  So I got to thinking.  Instead of making my own spray, I went to the Dollar Tree and bought some body spray.  Fresh Cherry spray.  Then I got busy on my computer and printed out some labels.

It was so fun making this for her.  I have yet to call may sister and find out if it worked.  The things that we go to, in order to help our children face their fears.  My Alexis told me just yesterday, that she remembered having some when she was small.  She remembered having the febreeze smell.  Now she is 17 years old and has faced alot of challenges and is still going strong.

List of Kindness

 Today, on one of the blogs that I follow, http://www.heathernow.blogspot.com, I found this list of, 30 Days of Kindness.  Heather the owner of the blog had gotten it from http://www.dandee-designs.com.  The purpose of the list was to do the 30 things before her 30th birthday.  I thought it was such a neat thing to do that I would like to try it.  Hopefully, there will be others that would enjoy it also.  So here goes.....

  1.  hold the door for someone
  2.  compliment someone's hair & mean it
  3.  write a letter to a friend & mail it
  4.  listen, really listen
  5.  share a smile & a warm hello
  6.  bake a  treat & deliver it to an elderly neighbor
  7.  call someone you've been thinking about
  8.  tell a loved one you're thankful for them
  9.  be patient
10.  be sincere when you ask "how are you?"
11.  be on time
12.  hide a note for your love
13.  read to a child
14.  donate to a clothing drive
15.  make someone's bed
16.  leave a generous tip
17.  leave a treasure on a stranger's doorstep
18.  avoid judging others
19.  send a thank you card
20.  surprise someone with a home cooked meal
21.  make a new friend
22.  give someone a hug
23.  cheer up the sad
24.  make a yummy breakfast for you loves
26.  send happy mail
27.  say I love you
28.  reach out to an old friend
29.  make someone laugh
30.  anonymously pay for a stranger's meal

Daughters

The other day, my day calendar had a great saying on it that I wanted to share.  I liked it so much that I have placed it on my refrigerator.  That way, when I want to tell them what they should do, I can step back and allow them their mistakes and pray that they will learn from them.
     "Daughters are not the chance to do a corrective rerun on
         one's own misguided youth.  They want their own  
                                misguided youth"
Don't we have enough to do without trying to run our children's lives?

This struck home with me,  because I want to be so careful that I don't put desires that I had as a young girl on my daughters.  I have to realize that they are who they are and I need to let them be them.  I am very proud of each of my four girls, ( ages 14 - 35).  My only desire is that they walk with God and allow Him to lead and direct their paths.

Bookplate Special

The kinder folks of Stoneham might call Pammy Fredericks a free spirit.  The less kind, a freeloading thief. Tricia has put--and put up with--her uninvited college roommate for weeks.  In return, Pammy has stolen one hundred dollars, among other things.  But the day she's kicked out, Pammy"s found dead in a trash cart, leaving loads of questions unanswered.  What was she foraging for?  Did her killer want it, too?  To piece the case together, Tricia will have to dive in headfirst...

Once again, I have typed the back cover of this book.  This is the third book in the series, "A Booktown Mystery".  The author, Lorna Barrett has written another mystery that I could not put down.  In each of her books, you will meet old friends and new ones.  I love each of the characters.  Tricia and her sister, Angelica are by far my most favorite.  They are so different from each other, but the love and respect for each other is there.  Lorna Barrett's characters are all someone that each of us have met or have in our lives.

My daughter said that she had finished the fourth book and I am looking forward to getting it.  I may have to go and get the book myself, if the wait is long.  For you see, I live 1,000 miles from her and miss her daily.

Be sure to check this author out, You won't be disappointed.  Her books are delightful, colorful, and you will find yourself walking the streets of Stoneham in your mind.

Bookmarked For Death

To celebrate her bookstore's anniversary, Tricia Miles hosts a book signing for bestselling author Zoe Carter.  But the event takes a terrible turn when the author is found dead in the washroom.  Before long, both police  and reporters are demanding the real story.  So far, the author's obnoxious assistant/niece is the only suspect.  With a sheriff who provides more obstacles than answers, Tricia will have to take matters into her own hands--and read between the lines to solve this mystery.

I have typed what was on the back of the book by Lorna Barrett.  If you enjoy a great mystery, this is one for you.  Lorna takes the reader to the town of Stoneham, New Hampshire.  This small town is known for it's many variety of bookstores.  Each one carrying it's own style of books.  As I read the book, it made me want to call my daughter up and say, "Hey, let's get together and open up a Mother/Daughter bookstore.  What a delight it would be to live in a small town as the author, Lorna Barrett has pictured in my mind.

Fill in the blank Friday

1. Winter is  -  cold, the days are shorter and it is a time to celebrate Christmas with family.  Also a time for baking new recipes that I have been itching to make.
2. Summer is  - hot, uncomfortable, but a joy.  This is the time that I look forward to all year, for this is the time that I get to have my grand-daughters from Texas for at least 4 - 6 weeks.
3. If it were summer instead of winter right now  -  I'd be having fresh tomatoes on my table daily, a pool full of our grandchildren and also my sister's grandchildren.  My freezer would also be full of Popsicles.
4. My favorite thing to do in winter is  -  to get our girls off to school, have my house and laundry done, so that I can cuddle up with a blanket, a good book and a ice cold diet dr. pepper.
5. My favorite thing to do in summer is  - going to Texas and getting our grand-daughters and having time with our two oldest daughters while there.
6. The ideal outfit for a sunny summer day is  -  a cotton shirt and skirt, with a pair of sandals on my feet.
7. The ideal outfit for a frigid winter day is  -  a pair of sweats, sweatshirt and socks on my feet.  This is only if I am staying at home.  If I go out, I would have a pair of jeans, sweatshirt, socks, Reebok's and a coat on.

 This is part of a weekly writting for:                       
http://thelittlethingswedo.blogspot.com