Monday, June 29, 2015

Hymns, Gospel Songs, Bird Watching and Other Monday Things.....

The gazebo is the perfect place to have our coffee while we read the Bible and have our morning devotions. We also do out loud reading and this morning we skipped our Doris Day book and read extra pages in this one!



We started Chapter 2 / Religious Songs and learned something I think we knew but it was still good to hear again - the difference between a hymn and a gospel song.
"A hymn is a prayer set to music. A gospel song is a testimony, or exhortation, set to music......the distinction between the hymn and a gospel song is quite important, for the determining of how the song should be sung.....Sing a hymn with the same reverence and solemnity and humility with which a prayer would be offered, and sing a gospel song with the same enthusiasm and earnestness and victory with which a testimony or exhortation would be delivered."
This book was written in 1975 and church music has changed ever so much since then.
 I personally  prefer the old ones. My favorite as a child was and still is 'The Old Rugged Cross.'


Louis Dean singing 'This World is Not my Home.'

Another thing we do while sipping our coffee is watch the bird feeder to see who is visiting.


I am so NOT a photographer but we DO get many birds and  a great variety of them at the feeders on any given day.


I bought a good many bird books back in our homeschooling days  - and still have them!


These entries are from 1994 and were written by Amber and Benjamin.


I love seeing their writing and reading their descriptions again!


This essay by Benjamin was tucked in the back of the book.
Such good memories!


While we were reading and chatting, Maddie was sunning herself on a garden stone.
She does love getting outdoors!

Today was Louis Dean's first, last and only Physical Therapy session.
He was in there an hour and came out TIRED but got a very good report as well as pages of exercises to do as Homework - for the next two weeks!


While HE was getting his stretches in, I did a little shopping at Big Lots and found this cute personal size water pitcher - perfect for the infused water so popular these days. I have a TON of fresh mint so I added a couple of lemon slices to it and set it in the fridge. Great to gulp down after working in the yard as I have been doing this afternoon and evening!


I also picked up a simple and old fashioned sprinkler ring at Lowes. The younger grands will love playing in the water! They will be here tomorrow afternoon while their mama has an appointment here in town.


I also bought myself a new sander!
I HAVE one - and OLD one - but I CANNOT FIND IT!!
Now that I have a new one it is sure to turn up!


I meant to have this table from the den sanded and stained and ready to put back in the house tomorrow. That didn't happen! It was all those weeds and chores in the front yard that delayed me in getting back to this.


Plus I had to plant my 'reduced for quick sale' plants from Lowes.
So far everything I have bought there has survived and is thriving.


Louis Dean wanted me to thank Susie for the get well card!!!
We had just come in from his PT and he was dragging.
He went back out to get the mail and came in smiling from ear to ear!
Thank you, Susie! Of course he calls you SUSIE Q!!!


To  close tonight I found what was actually Harrison's first selfie!
I thought the one he took yesterday was but NO!!
This was an even better one and he took it nearly 3 weeks ago.

Louis Dean is already fast asleep.
This recovery is taking a lot of rest plus he got stuck right under his left eye yesterday morning as he was walking back to the gazebo after chasing off some squirrels.
It swelled up and I gave him Benadryl.....but that poison still got in his system and his eye is still swollen. Poor guy.

15 comments:

  1. Glad to hear LD is making such a great recovery and that he's remembering to take it easy. He just had surgery and that takes a lot out of you.

    That is a good way to remember the difference between a hymn and a gospel song. I'm going to remember that. I never realized that's what the difference was.

    Love that selfie of Harrison's!

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  2. Glad Louis Dean is doing good, but sorry about his eye. Hope that's better by tomorrow.
    I love to sing hymns and gospel songs...This World is not my Home either. PTL.

    I love birds, and will post some tomorrow as that is the theme for Creative Tuesday, and I join back up with the group.

    Have a good night....sweet dreams.

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  3. How lovely to hear Louis Dean singing, Linda! I hope he continues to improve as time goes on.

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  4. In Finland they have only hymn type of music in the church. I find it depressing that there is no happy grateful joy type of singing at all. I know Lutherians are serious and deep people but still some joyful music would serve them too. In US I always enjoy gospel music, especially the black people know how to express their delighted feelings!

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  5. Never knew the difference between a hymn and gospel song! Very interesting! Hope Louis Dean continues to feel better! (And love that pic of sweet Maddie :)
    Susan

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  6. I am making a beeline for the PC so I can hear Louis Dean singing. I just remembered that you captured an entire song for yesterday's post. The insults of this life, I tell ya! Anyone recuperating from knee surgery should not have to cope with a swollen eye. I have a suggestion for those pesky squirrels. ; >

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    1. Now that was worth the trip! Wonderful. Louis Dean sings with deep meaning and soul. Love it! And I enjoyed hearing the grands chatter away. They are so darling.

      Forgot to say that I appreciated the definitions you shared from that book. I think it is helpful. Our pastor does not appreciate the old hymns of the church as he believes that all praise and worship should be directed toward The Lord and not be about The Lord. Hmmm... balance, I think!

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  7. sorry about that eye, poor LD... i love the photo of the new pitcher, really beautiful ....

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  8. Well I guess I never knew the difference between a hymn and a gospel song Linda. I just learned something new. My favorite hymn is And Can It Be while my favorite gospel song is I'll Fly Away!! I guess you will be LD's therapist in making sure he gets those exercises in!! Several friends of ours are recovering from knee replacements. What a blessing it is that those old pesky parts can be traded in these days!!

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  9. Hi Linda, I am glad Louis Dean is doing pretty well. You have been working very hard out in the garden and I love hearing about it and seeing your yard. You seem to have as much energy as the energizer bunny! :)
    Blessings, Beth

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  10. Linda, I too love looking over things from my children's young days. It can be bittersweet, can't it? Glad LD did so well in therapy and will be able to his exercises at home...that is handier. Happy LD got his card. The weeds are getting harder to tackle around here with all our rains. Oh my gosh, the kids taking selfies already. LOL. Look our memaw. Take care of each other there, hugs to you both. Love you guys, Susie

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  11. Bet Maggie loves the birds too! So glad the op went well. And 10 years of marriage - fabulous achievement. Cheers from carole's chatter

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  12. I did not know the difference between a gospel and a hymn, thanks for the info. I have that same old, small bird book you have on the top of your pile. Sometimes grandson J and I need to look up a bird. How lucky you were to have the birdwatching journals....I'd certainly treasure them! I picked up a few clearance plants from Menards the other day. I have to go to Lowes this week.........who knows what I could find there???? Glad LD is going good. Have a happy 4th of July!!!

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  13. Sorry to hear about LD's eye. I hope he is more comfortable now. Sweet to see your son's essay. I always keep the boys' story books from school, some of the stories are hilarious (unintentionally), especially their 'daily news' books! X

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  14. Ouch Poor LD. Just when you thought he was healing he gets poked in the eye.
    I hated the homework after PT. Grrr. I wasn't a good patient..

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