from "art journal"

There is a time for everything , and a season for every activity under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:15

 What will you be doing this Spring?  

I wish you health and blessings.  

God is the great Creator and the earth and skies show his beauty so magnificently in the Spring-time.  

  I love all the seasons but I'm so glad that Spring is here.  I need the extra sunlight.  God willing, I hope to smell some roses, take some walks and swim, with sunscreen of course, and enjoy the outdoors as much as possible.  Even little "Georgie" often looks out the window these days and begs for extra time outdoors which I now can gladly give him.  Perhaps, one day, I will have a yard.  I never wanted one until I had a dog and was retired.  Now I want a place for him and a garden too.  Perhaps  that season will come, one day, God willing. 

from my "art journal"

The women in my family group at church are reading "Secure in Heart."  Our vision is to grow spiritually and add to our family in the coming year with new disciples.
This book is great for remembering all the tools that God has given us and that only he can give us a secure heart.
  There are so many scriptures that tell us about God's care and love for us.  One of my favorites is  found in Zephaniah 3:17

"The Lord your God is with you,
He is mighty to save,
He will take great delight in you,
Ge will quiet you with his love,
He will rejoice over you with singing."

My number 1 music mentor

   As I finish putting together the "retirement book" that my friend Veronica started for me and presented to me,  I see so many pictures of me and my music students and also as a musician.  My whole life has had the touch of this man, Mr. Warren, my number one music mentor.  He was a good, caring man, my music teacher, choral director, marching band teacher, concert band director, stage band director, a Christian man and musician and the leader of his own band until his 80's.  Mr. Warren was the man that placed me in so many opportunities to perform and become self confident doing it.  I accompanied county honors chorus, played in the state, area and county bands, accompanied everything at school, and the stage band went on to get State runner-up the two years that I was in it. 

 

I've always loved music but he was the one who gave me the skills, the confidence, and the passionate heart for music.  I'll always love him.  Rest in peace, my teacher and friend.

Essence of retirement

• On my way to publish my book!  So exciting!
• Changed the cover to make it more appealing as an ebook.  That's my next step.
• Got the chronological Bible in the NLT version on my nook!  Read it in the NIV version a few years ago!
• Just got a brand new book called "Diet Rehab."  It's incredible.  The author explains why I'm having so much trouble with sugar and why it's dangerous to quit "cold turkey."  The book has many ideas as far as "booster" activities and thinking from an experienced phychiatrist who specializes in "cognitive behavioral therapy,"  addiction and especially food addiction.  He lays out a plan for gradually replacing "sugar" with serotonin boosting foods, activities and changes in thinking through cognitive behavior therapy, affirmations, a healthy mantra and other positive thinking skills and activities like prayer and meditation, yoga, exercise, sleep cues and mindfulness.  It's loaded, informative, refers to the brain chemistry research on addiction and is an excellent read. 
• Sun's shining! :)
• Georgie's clean and sweet smelling, even had his teeth cleaned...no more tartar and bad breath.
• Jess, Joel and I are playing at a nursing home this week as a community service.  Fun!  Hope to lift some spirits.  My jokes are so bad that they make you laugh and that's great for your health.
• Found reason for severe headaches...no more "Skinny Peppermint Mocha Lattes."

Still tweaking new book cover.


I know this is taking forever but I want to get it just right and I'm changing the cover for ebook format to be more appealing to children.  My friend and church sister, who's also a teacher and was a staff development teacher, has been editing for me (Mary Benton) and has given me her blessing on both the cover and the latest rewrite.  I'm almost ready to go...just have to get rid of the "paper stretching marks" from my watercolors.  I taped it down but still got the "shrink marks" or whatever you call them.
I'm taking life slowly to get really healthy so it won't be too much longer....prayer, yoga, meditation, stretching, eating healthy, walking, my recumbant (sp?) bike, taking naps, sleeping better, slower pace of mindful living,  less stress, not running myself ragged and being run ragged... retirement is grand!  Thank you God for so many blessings!!!!!

Today's Message from God.

Today, I opened "My Morning Cup" by Jeanie Shaw and immediately, I was given this scripture:
"This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses.  Now choose life so that you and your children may live." 
Deuteronomy 30:19


I know that I'm still here for a reason even though sometimes, I would rather not be.  Well, it can't be any clearer than these words from the living breathing Word of God.  There they are in the middle, my children, and I want them to live and be blessed by God.  So, this must be why I collage favorite things to cheer myself up and remember my many blessings.  This is why I write and paint and compose music and play music, all for God.  This is also how I share my faith; that and trying to live a life of godliness and love God above all things and my neighbor as myself.  Hey, that must be why I can't do any harm to myself....I have to love and care for myself, too.  That includes "quiet times,"  eating healthy, nutritious food not junk, exercising and sharing my faith.  Whether you read this or not, it reminds me of why I'm still here.  I have a vision!  Forgive me and thank you, God for your message.

from Fran's Art Journals

Laugh!!!!!!

I just found a book in Barnes and Noble for my Nook Color.  It's title really appealed to me:  "Just Say "Yes" to Laughing Your Way to Fitness with Yoga and Meditation" by Sushil Bhatia.  It was also inexpensive...anyway.  I've been playing around with "Yoga on the Go" and Meditation and thought this was a likely element to combine with them.

Research shows that laughing is good for you.  Norman Cousins treated himself to funny movies as he recovered from cancer.  Many others have shown that "laughing" improves relaxation, blood pressure and brain activity.  It  reduces pain, clears mucus (yuck), improves cardiovascular health and just plain makes you feel good.  I'm all for something that makes you feel good and isn't fattening.  Are you with me there?  Besides, if you think negative thoughts, your body believes you and feels bad.  So let's start policing those "puppies."  Isn't that where I started with my first blog?

I wrote a song called "The Laughing Song" that could get you started if you need it.  You can find it on itunes under "Best of Fran and Friends."  In fact, I think I'll play it on my guitar right now so that I can sing it whenever I need it.....laughing unplugged;)  There's an idea...Fran and friends unplugged.  It sure would be easier to do concerts.  Hmmm!  Food for thought...also non fattening.  Yes!!!!