National Go Fishing Day on Saturday!

Go Fishing Day

Do you like to fish?  Or, what if you don't fish?  This day could be a step for you to take to get some needed rest and relaxation.  But first, let's go fishing...

On June 18, you can dig up your dusty or spider-dabbed fishing rods, reels, and lures out of storage and seek out a lake or river and just go fishing.  Yes, it's the day when we can take a rest from all our hard work and cares to escape into the beauty of nature.  Where I live, around Melbourne, Florida, there are several fishing spots within easy driving distance for you to get some much needed recuperative rest.  First, there's the ocean, and each city and town nestled on the beach appears to have a nice long pier off of which you can fish and even make an acquaintance or two.  Just click on this link, and you'll find fascinating locations where you can take all your equipment and have a refreshing adventure and even the opportunity to taste the local food: fishing piers in Brevard County  .  If you're not an ocean person, follow this link to discover the many tranquil lakes and waterways wherein you can caste your fishing rod, or fly fishing pole, and have a great time: Things to do in Brevard County .

You might ask now, What if I don't fish?  Hey, feel free to take a nice easy drive to one of these sites and enjoy the food, natural wonders, birds, manatees, and sunsets.  You won't regret having your own unique "fishing day."  After all, on this day, isn't it what we make of it?

Bye for now, care for yourselves, and have a wonderful, fantastic, exquisite, restful Fishing Day.

J.P. Osterman

Today is National Egg Day

June 3, National Egg Day

We don't have to limit eggs to breakfast.  Did you know, eggs are a great source of protein and vitamin D?  And there are more than a hundred ways to cook an egg.  My favorite method after breakfast hours is the following:  Scramble an egg; smear it with your favorite salsa; sprinkle a little wheat germ over it; and, hit the dish with a dollop of sour creme. Yummy.   So, enjoy eatin' some eggs today!

Bye for now,

J.P.

Today is National Lipid Day! What to do?

Today is National Lipid Day  

Yes, it's the day to be aware of the amount of cholesterol or fat in your blood.  Do you know your cholesterol levels?  Do you know how they can harm you, or help you?

Dyslipidemia is the abnormal amount of fat in our blood, and it's the major cause of cardio-vascular disease worldwide.  Yes, worldwide!  However, we can take steps to prevent this debilitating illness.  We can change our diets and lifestyle.  I'm going for a nice power walk today.  How about you?

You can find out more about Dyslipidemia at Be Healthy Now .

Have a great day!

J.P. Osterman

A Death

Death.

How can a person find inspiration when someone you love dies?

Last Wednesday night, my husband died in front of my eyes.  I tried to revive him.  "Come back! You come back right now, damn it!!"

You'd think a person would listen with someone like me screaming in their ears.  He couldn't.

We'd been married nineteen years.  We shared experiences, memories, and raising a child.  He was my soul mate.  We had made plans.  We anticipated every day together.  We had dreams and goals...

Gone!

Crush.  Numb.  Hollow.  Those were the only feelings I experienced while watching my darling husband die.  What's left????

"He will swallow up death forever.  Adonai Elohim [God] will wipe away the tears from every face" (Isaiah 25:8).

My husband is with Jesus.  Heaven must be magnificent for him, and he's not suffering anymore.

That's God inspiring, right? 

Bye for today, J.P.

p.s.  Cherish every moment you have with loved ones and friends.

National Peanut Butter Lover's Day

Peanut Butter, PB&J, Peanut Butter Fudge, Peanut Butter Rum Cookies...

It's all Peanuts today 'cause today is National Peanut Butter Lover's Day.  Come read all about it...

Did you know, 90% of the U.S. population eats peanut butter?  And we spend almost $800 million on peanut butter a year.  You you ever asked the question: how many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll?  You might also ask: How many peanuts does it take to make a 12-ounce jar of peanut butter?  540 is the answer.  A walloping 540 peanuts! Think on that the next time you lick the last lingering bits off that sticky pea-nutty flavored spoon.  To find out more about this delectable holiday, follow this simple link:  National Peanut Butter Lover's Day

 Today, I also find myself contemplating the exhaustive supply of God's love and how He satisfied my soul: 

"With you, I lack nothing on earth" (Psalm 73: 25-26).

Have a God-inspiring great day.  J.P.

9 Leap Year Traditions

But first, if it's your birthday today...

a really good happy Leap-Year birthday to you!

Photo courtesy of:  www.Quotesgram.com

For centuries, people around the world have bestowed nine superstitions on Leap Year.  After reading these, you might want to indulge in them or forget them, however! February 29 happens only every four years, so here goes those nine traditions-superstitions.  Are ya ready?

1)  A woman can ask a man to marry her today!  If the man says no, he has to buy her 12 pairs of gloves.

2)  People in Greece say it's unlucky to get married today.

3)  Today, "Leap Year, Gloomy Year," say the Italians, or "anno bisesto, anno funesto."

4)  If you're Russian, you're extra cautious today because you believe you have a higher chance of dying and the weather's going to be extra freaky.

5)  If you live in Taiwan during this month, because of the greater risk to the parents’ life during this time, a married daughter should return home with pig trotter noodles for her parents – to wish them good health and good fortune.

6)  In Scotland, “Leap year was ne’er a good sheep year.”  So pay extra attention to your farm animals.

7)  In northern Italy, they believe it's whales' year.

8)  In southern Germany, there’s a tradition of boys putting up a small May tree in their love interest’s back garden during the night before May Day.  In leap years, the girls put up the trees.

9)  There exists a "Leap Year Capital of the World."  See more about these superstitions by following the link:

Leap Year Traditions and Superstitions

I'm still inspire by this true fact:  "God, in you I take refuge" (Psalm 7:1).

Superstitions are all around us, like fearing black cats and shattered mirrors.  No fears when we have God in our lives guiding us.

Have a God-inspiring day.

Follow the link to my book that has 366 Days of inspiration--one for today, February 29...

God Designed: 366 Days of Inspiration

Bye for today!

National Tell a Fairy Tale Day

Grab a seat or gather around an open fire ...
Today is National Tell a Fairy Tale Day.

Photo courtesy of: www.mamawriteswords.wordpress.com

What's your favorite fairy tale?  I like Snow White by the Brothers Grimm.  In German, the title is written "Schneewittchen."  I remember reading it in high school German class.  I know most of you probably don't speak German, but I love the first sentence of this story written in German.  Don't fret!  I'll translate it after I give you the German words.  The story goes like this:

"Es war einmal mitten im Winter, und die Schneeflocken fielen wie Federn vom Himmel herab. Da saß eine Königin an einem Fenster, das einen Rahmen von schwarzem Ebenholz hatte, und nähte."

Here's the translation:

"Once upon a time in the middle of winter, when the flakes of snow were falling like feathers from the sky, a queen sat at a window sewing, and the frame of the window was made of black ebony."

It's pretty easy to see some of the German words that appear to translate naturally into English.  Let's take a phrase as an example:

"Die Schneeflocken fielen wie Federn vom Himmel herab" means, "The snowflakes were falling like feathers from heaven [the sky]."

There's alliteration with the repeated "f," and "h".  So beautiful!

If you'd like to read both the German and English versions side-by-side, you can follow this link:  Snow White

Yet, so many times it's hard to interpret--translate, really--the things people say and do.  Sometimes, I find myself standing back in a conversation and asking myself, What did he/she mean by that?  Words can have so many meanings, right?  In Greek, the word for "love" can be "eros," "philos" or "agape."  They each have different meanings.  So when you tell someone in Greek, "I love you," you're being specific about which "love" you mean.  "Eros" is romantic or attraction; "agape" is sacrificial love, and "philos" is brotherly love.  Wow!  But at least you know what you're dealing with if someone is specific, wouldn't you agree?  

When Moses asked God who He was, God told him:

“Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh [I am/will be what I am/will be]" (Exodus 3:14).

God doesn't change.  That quality about Him is in his name.  "I am, will be what I am, and will always be."  What does that mean?  We can count on Him.  He's listening to us, knows our situations, and is walking with us through our trials.

Bye for today, and have a God-inspired day.  Maybe you can use this day to write your own fairy tale, or tell one of those classic tales to a child.

J.P.