Warm Thoughts

Thanksgiving Day is a very special holiday for many families. Family traditions are often carried out on this day in many homes. It is also a good time to remember what we often forget to say - that we are grateful to be together and to acknowledge with thanks, each other. It is a time to thank the people who have made a difference in our lives. Many warm thoughts come to mind.

Recently, I read some thoughts by Albert Schweitzer a pioneer African missionary, and I would like to share his thoughts on thankfulness. "To give thanks is not only a happening that embraces the whole purpose of creation within itself, it is also an experience. He who thanks God with his whole heart experiences something. He is himself, enriched. All too often we think we are destitute of joy and fortune. Our lives seem empty and unsatisfied, and we know not why. Now take a look at yourselves. The times of poverty within are the times when you do not give thanks to God. What life brings has no value in itself. It acquires value only by our giving thanks to God. Today at the harvest Thanksgiving, it is not those who have gathered much into their barns who are rich. Those who thank God much are the truly wealthy. So our inner happiness depends not on what we experience, but on the degree of our gratitude to God, whatever the experience. Your life is something opaque, not transparent, as long as you look at it in an ordinary human way. But if you hold it up against light of God's goodness, it shines and turns transparent, radiant, and bright." Albert Schweitzer.

May every day of the year be a day of thanks, with an attitude of gratitude. Warm thought: "The year that is drawing toward its close has often been filled with the blessing of fruitful fields and healthful skies. They are the gracious gifts of the God most high." Abraham Lincoln. Have a beautiful, thankful day!

Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie Over a Cup of Tea by Luetta G Werner

Published in the Marion Record, November 28th, 1996.

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Enjoy flipping through the Vintage Photo Book on your coffee table.

I hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! Please follow along on this journey by going to visualbenedictions.com or following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, and Overcast. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! I’d greatly appreciate it.

Till next time,

Trina

Every parent has a dream that their child will succeed in school. And the question they may ask is, "How can I help my children succeed in getting a great education?" As a mother and grandmother, this has been a real concern for me. I found it very interesting to learn about research that Judith Ann Hillard did for her doctorate. Her research is based on a sampling of more than 1,800 students. I believe you will appreciate the following 10 tips Judith found, which are backed up by statistics and her research.

Make sure your children ate breakfast. Only 46% of all children eat breakfast regularly - 62% of a students do and 90% of D and F students skip breakfast. This is good advice for adults too! Eat dinner as a family. 95% of A students regularly eat dinner with their families, 55% of below average students rarely or never eat dinner with their families. Involve your children and clubs, sports, community service, or church activities. The development of social skills coupled by structured responsibility is crucial. Students who fail are three times more likely not to be involved in activities. Be a positive role model to your children. Students with low grades are three times more likely to have no positive role models. 53% of all students say their role model is one of their parents. Children mimic parents behavior - if parents treat each other with respect, children will behave that way. If parents are rude and snap at each other, their children will be rude. Listen to yourselves. Listen to your children. Take the hint. Establish and keep track of goals with your children. Students who have personal goals are three times more likely to attain good grades. 89% of a students have established goals while 70% of D and F students have no goals. Turn off the television. Of students who earn A's, only 2% report watching more than six hours of television per day. A large percentage of failing students watch six or more hours a day. The longer the tube is on the more grades suffer. Encourage part time jobs. Students who worked 10 to 20 hours per week get better grades than students who do not work. But moderation is the key. Full time working students have generally lower grades than either part time or non working students. Read. Create a quiet time for your kids to read. Read it out loud to each other. Read the newspaper and discuss what you read. When you have time, read. When you do not have time, read. 65% of A students read often or at least occasionally. 63% of A student's failing or near failing students seldom or never read. Encourage doing your best. 96% of A students say they always tried to do their best, while 76% of failing students put little or no effort into schoolwork. Hint: be aware of what homework is due and when. Keep track of your sons or daughters rates of tardiness or absenteeism. Hold your children responsible for their own actions. 63% of failing students blame others, mostly their teachers. If a blame game is on your household excuse list for failure, begin with the first tip and work your way down this list again. Good things are bound to happen. And parents may even put these tips on their refrigerator door. Two bonus tips: No smoking, no alcohol, no drugs. All three of these habitual, destructive activities have a dramatic direct relationship to poor student performance. See that your children get enough sleep. Students who sleep eight to nine hours a night get the best grades. More than nine hours or less than eight lower students achievement.

Thanks to the mother for these tips for this week's column and thanks for sharing and caring!

Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie Over a Cup of Tea by Luetta G Werner

Published in the Marion Record November 18th, 1999.

Download the Found Photo Freebie and cherish your memories of the past.

Enjoy flipping through the Vintage Photo Book on your coffee table.

I hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! Please follow along on this journey by going to visualbenedictions.com or following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, and Overcast. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! I’d greatly appreciate it.

Till next time,

Trina

November: the month of Remembrance Day, also known as Veterans Day, and Thanksgiving Day. How thankful we are to live in our America. Liberty, so precious a gift for each of us. It is so special that we can enjoy our liberty every day here in America.

In our country, we have the freedom to vote, to participate in free enterprise and to worship as we are led. We need to be reminded often of their value. In the words of our national anthem by Francis Scott Key, the price of our liberty is made quite clear. A great price was paid by our forefathers and that price is still being paid on our country today.

An unknown author has penned these words on liberty: "I know three things must always be, to keep our country strong and free. One is a hearthstone bright and dear, with busy happy loved ones near. One is a ready heart and hand to love and serve and keep the land. One is a wide and traveled way to where the people go to pray. So long as these are kept alive, our country and people will survive. God keep them always, everywhere - the hearth, the flag, the place of prayer."

Warm thoughts: "If there is hope for the future of America, if there is to be peace and happiness in our homes, then we as a nation must return to God and to the practice of daily family prayer. My hope for the future of this nation is predicated upon the faith in God, which is nurtured in the family." J Edgar Hoover.

Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie Over a Cup of Tea by Luetta G Werner

Published in the Marion Record, November 14th, 1996.

Download the Found Photo Freebie and cherish your memories of the past.

Enjoy flipping through the Vintage Photo Book on your coffee table.

I hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! Please follow along on this journey by going to visualbenedictions.com or following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, and Overcast. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! I’d greatly appreciate it.

Till next time,

Trina

This is a time of year when some folks leave the Prairie Winds and go south for the winter. Folks down south who have permanent residence there will say, "The snowbirds are coming!" About the same time, the northern geese are going south too. Recently I read that these geese are not going as far south as they used to go in past years. These geese flap their wings and fly south and a "V" formation. In the spring they fly north and it is always a special time for us to learn some lessons from the geese.

We can learn about sharing "leadership" from the geese. When the goose in the lead gets tired, it rotates back into the formation and another goose takes over at the point position. We can also learn from the geese to be interdependent and take turns in doing the hard tasks...in a caring and sharing way. What happens when one goose gets sick or wounded? Two geese drop out of formation and follow him down to help to protect him. They will stay with him until he is either able to fly again or dies. Then they launch out on their own either with another formation or to catch up with the original flock.

As we traveled throughout our journey in life, we may have many challenges where we need someone to cheer us on and give us that encouraging word. We need to stand by each other and care about each other in the good and also difficult times in life. We can learn from these northern geese that when we share a common direction and a sense of community we can get where we travel on the thrust of one another. What are these geese communicating to us? We can learn many lessons from animals and birds as we go through many life experiences.

Warm thoughts: The highest wisdom is kindness. Talmud. Caring comes before sharing. Have many warm thoughts every day!

Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie Over a Cup of Tea by Luetta G Werner

Published in the Marion Record November 7th, 1996.

Download the Found Photo Freebie and cherish your memories of the past.

Enjoy flipping through the Vintage Photo Book on your coffee table.

I hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! Please follow along on this journey by going to visualbenedictions.com or following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, and Overcast. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! I’d greatly appreciate it.

Till next time,

Trina

My dear friend of many years, who is over 90 years old now, really warmed my heart this past week with a letter. She has always written beautiful and inspiring letters with many warm thoughts. She has enjoyed the book, "Love is a Quilt," and sent thoughts about homespun patchwork quilts on these chilly autumn evenings one feels the need for that warm comforter quilt. Here are her thoughts.

Art Appreciation: Lord, sometimes when I look at my life, it seems like a homespun patchwork quilt. Quaint, but not quite together. There are bits and pieces of cloth and colors, scraps of material, the days of my life. When you began to put together the days of my life, you must have known where each piece would go. You've told me that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. And I believe you Lord, I do. I may not be a velvet tapestry, but even crazy quilts have a purpose - to give warmth, and cozy comfort, and color to a room. Whatever I am Lord, you made me lovingly, carefully, reverently, and exactly right.

Thanks dear friend for these warm thoughts. You have touched the lives of many individuals with your letters. Thanks for all you're sharing and caring. With the holidays approaching, send along your gems with thought.

Another Warm Thought: When we become reluctant to change, we need to remind ourselves of the beauty of autumn. Have a great day!

Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie Over a Cup of Tea by Dr. Luetta G. Werner

Published in the Marion Record, October 23rd, 2003

Download the Found Photo Freebie and cherish your memories of the past.

Enjoy flipping through the Vintage Photo Book on your coffee table.

I hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! Please follow along on this journey by going to visualbenedictions.com or following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, and Overcast. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! I’d greatly appreciate it.

Till next time,

Trina

Recently, a few of my friends celebrated their 80th Birthday anniversaries. It was a very special occasion where family and friends came for an open house to celebrate life together. It is quite interesting that when I taught gerontology classes that I call the 80s the "lively 80s." An essay entitled, "Life begins at 80" supports those warm thoughts.

Life begins at 80. I have good news for you. The first 80 years are the hardest, the second 80 are a succession of birthday parties. Once you reach 80, everyone wants to carry your baggage and help you up the steps. If you forget your name, or anybody else's name, or an appointment, or your own telephone number, or promise to be three places at the same time, or can't remember how many grandchildren you have... You need only explain that you are 80. Being 80 is a lot better than being 70. At 70, people are mad at you for everything. At 80 you have a perfect excuse no matter what you do. If you act foolishly, it's your second childhood. Everybody is looking for symptoms of softening of the brain. Being 70 is no fun at all. At that age, they expect you to retire to a house in Florida and complain about your arthritis and you ask everybody to stop mumbling because you can't understand them. Actually, your hearing is about 50% gone. If you survive until you are 80, everybody is surprised that you are still alive. They treat you with respect just for having lived so long. Actually, they seem surprised that you can walk and talk sensible. So please, folks, try to make it to 80 - it's the best time of life. People forgive you for anything. If you ask me, life begins at 80. This essay was written by Frank Lauback.

And so the birthday parties go on and on to the age of the nifty 90s. In recent weeks, and in my travels I've met many golden ages in the nifty 90s who appeared to be in the sparkling 70s. Next column will tell you a bit about those nifty 90s. Let's celebrate life every day of our lives!

Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie Over a Cup of Tea by Luetta G Werner

Published in the Marion Record, October 15th, 1998.

Download the Found Photo Freebie and cherish your memories of the past.

Enjoy flipping through the Vintage Photo Book on your coffee table.

I hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! Please follow along on this journey by going to visualbenedictions.com or following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, and Overcast. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! I’d greatly appreciate it.

Till next time,

Trina

A loyal reader of this warm thoughts column sent me the story about how Oktoberfest began. Some communities throughout the country celebrate Oktoberfest or have harvest festivals. Thanks dear friend for sending the history of the Oktoberfest.

Oktoberfest began in Bavaria, Germany in October of 1810. Crowned Prince Ludwig announced his betrothal to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. The people of Munich, Bavaria through an engagement party for them. 40,000 people celebrated the event and it was such a success that King Leopold declared the feast a national holiday.

This tradition continues to the present day in Munich, Germany, beginning on the last Sunday in September and continuing for two weeks. The festival in Germany begins with fanfare of brass bands, which winds their way miles through the city on a huge fairground. When all is in place, a brass cannon is fired to begin the festival. A ceremonial mug is hoisted to the mouth of the nine-foot plastered lion in front of the Lauenbrau biertent, also known as beer tent. The lion comes to life with flashing eyes and with head and tail wagging. He goes down the tremendous stain of beer and roars with satisfaction. during these two weeks there is an abundance of singing, dancing, music, feasting, and of course, beer. The event supports the largest industry in Bavaria. 50 million gallons of beer is brewed yearly and 4/5 of it stays within the city of Munich. Husky barmaids can carry 10 Full Stein's at one time. The nonstop kitchen brings forth varieties of German foods.

In the fall of the year following harvest, many communities in America have harvest festivals. Many churches may have their soup suppers, turkey suppers, and celebrate the end of the harvest season. It is interesting how the various cultures celebrate harvest time.

The season of autumn is a time of cheer. As we travel, may we see the blaze of the sunsets, the fire of the trees, the gold in the meadows...what treasures are these? So let's walk among them and bask in their glow, for autumn awaits us wherever we go. Autumn is magic - when nature is turning and letters keep the flame of our friendship burning. Thanks for sharing your warm thoughts! Celebrate autumn.

Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie Over a Cup of Tea by Luetta G Werner

Published in the Marion Record, October 8th, 1998.

Download the Found Photo Freebie and cherish your memories of the past.

Enjoy flipping through the Vintage Photo Book on your coffee table.

I hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! Please follow along on this journey by going to visualbenedictions.com or following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, and Overcast. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! I’d greatly appreciate it.

Till next time,

Trina

Recently, one of the readers of this column from Texas sent me an article entitled, "We are Survivors: Consider the Changes we have Witnessed." I thought it appropriate to share some of the thoughts from this article.

"Individuals who are born prior to 1945 will especially understand the changes in their lives. We were before television, before penicillin, before polio shots, frozen foods, Xerox, contact lenses, Frisbees, and the pill. Were before radar, credit cards, split atoms, laser beams, and ballpoint pens. Before pantyhose, dishwashers, clothes dryers, electric blankets, air conditioners, drip dry clothing, and before man even walked on the moon. In our times, bunnies were small rabbits and rabbits were not Volkswagens. We were before daycare centers, group therapy, and nursing homes. We never heard of FM radio, tape decks, electric typewriters, artificial hearts, word processors, yogurt, and guys wearing earrings. For us, timesharing meant togetherness, not computers or condominiums. A "chip" meant a piece of wood, "hardware" meant hardware and software wasn't even a word. In our day, grass was mowed, coke was a cold drink, and pot was something you cooked in. Rock music was grandma's lullaby, and pizzas, McDonald's, and instant coffee were unheard of. We thought fast food was what you ate during Lent and outerspace was the back of the local theater. We hit the scene when there were five and ten stores, where you bought things for five and ten cents. The corner drugstore sold ice cream cones for a nickel or a dime. For one nickel, you can ride a street car, make a phone call, buy a Pepsi, or enough stamps to mail one letter and two postcards. You can buy a new Chevy Coupe for $600, but who could afford one? A pity too, because gasoline was only 11 cents a gallon. And we got married first then lived together. And we were the last generation that was so dumb to think you needed a husband to have a baby, but we survived."

Warm Thoughts: Seasons change and so do people. For me, managing change quite literally meant survival. Terry Anderson. May you have many warm thoughts every day!

Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie Over a Cup of Tea by Luetta G Werner

Published in the Marion Record September 26th, 1996.

Download the Found Photo Freebie and cherish your memories of the past.

Enjoy flipping through the Vintage Photo Book on your coffee table.

I hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! Please follow along on this journey by going to visualbenedictions.com or following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, and Overcast. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! I’d greatly appreciate it.

Till next time,

Trina

One of the very faithful readers of this Warm Thoughts column recently sent me an article entitled, "You can Make a Difference." It was an article informing the public to take action on October 26th and make that day a day of caring. A National Day to inform us that the Make a Difference Day can help everyone to help others. The sixth annual event in partnership with the Points of Light Foundation takes place on October 26th. Mark your calendar! How do you plan to spend Make a Difference Day? It may be a month away but it is not too early to think about what you can do to help your community pull together a project for the day. You can also make a difference in the life of even one lonely shut-in, give a helping hand to a busy mother, write a letter of cheer to someone in need of an encouraging word, or touch the life of a child by sharing a gift of time with that child. Perhaps Saturday October 26th does not fit into your schedule, then make it October 27th or a day that will also Make a Difference Day for you or someone in need.

There is no age limit for this Make a Difference Day. The stories of volunteers are very heartwarming. In Maryland, 10 year-olds gave personal items to an older friend in need. Two retired teachers in Selma, Alabama befriended a 96 year-old widow, helping her to continue to live independently. And in Washington State, friends celebrated their friend's 50th birthday by collecting 7,500 pounds of food, clothing and blankets for an emergency network. Perhaps this Make a Difference Day can focus on your regular service project in the church or community. If you want a big impact on Make a Difference Day, pull the community together to blitz a needed project or solve an existing need in the community. Just think about it! Will you make a difference? One person can make a difference. Will it be you?

Warm Thoughts to ponder: Give what you have to someone, it may be better than you dare to think. Longfellow. Remember October 26th is "Make a Difference Day!"

Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie Over a Cup of Tea by Luetta G Werner

Published in the Marion Record September 19th, 1996.

Download the Found Photo Freebie and cherish your memories of the past.

Enjoy flipping through the Vintage Photo Book on your coffee table.

I hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! Please follow along on this journey by going to visualbenedictions.com or following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, and Overcast. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! I’d greatly appreciate it.

Till next time,

Trina

The Labor Day weekend provides a great holiday for families who still need a few more days vacation. September is when we start counting the days of summer we still have left. September is also the month for Grandparents Day. This past summer, the grandchildren came to vacation at the little home on the prairie. One day I heard the older grandchildren laughing upstairs. They had found grandma's humor box. The youngest grandchild, very active two-year-old, Trevor, keeps everyone challenged. Grandma would rub his back at naptime. When he returned home from vacation, he ordered his dad, "Rub my back!" It is a real joy to receive many warm thoughts from the readers of this column. Recently, someone sent a poem which I will share with you.

"Hugs for Everyone." It's wondrous what a hug can do. A hug can cheer when you're blue. A hug can say, "I love you so," or "Gee, I hate to see you go." A hug is, "Welcome back again!" And "Great to see you, where have you been?" A hug can soothe a small child's pain and bring a rainbow after rain. The hug! There's just no doubt about it, we scarcely could survive without it. A hug delights and warms and charms and must be why God gave us arms. Hugs are great for fathers and for mothers. Sweet for sisters, swell for brothers. And chances are, some favorite aunts love them more than potted plants. Kittens crave them. Puppies love them. Heads of State are not above them. A hug can break the language barriers and make your travels so much merrier. No need to fret about the store of them. The more you give, the more there are of them. So stretch those arms without delay and give someone a hug today. Author Unknown.

Warm Thoughts: "Children who have the luxury or relationships with grandparents win out in all studies of child development." Dr. T. Berry Brazelton. Have many warm thoughts every day!

Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie Over a Cup of Tea by Luetta G Werner

Published in the Marion Record, September 5th, 1996.
Download the Found Photo Freebie and cherish your memories of the past.

Enjoy flipping through the Vintage Photo Book on your coffee table.

I hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! Please follow along on this journey by going to visualbenedictions.com or following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, and Overcast. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! I’d greatly appreciate it.

Till next time,

Trina