The Magic Bank Account

Imagine that you had won the following *PRIZE* in a contest:
Each morning your bank would deposit $86,400 in your private account for your personal use.

However, this prize has rules.  The set of rules are as follow:

1. Everything that you don’t spend each day will be taken away from you.
2. You may not simply transfer money into some other account.
3. You may only spend it.
4. Each morning,  upon awakening, the bank opens your account with another $86,400 for the new day.
5. The bank can end the game without warning; at any time it can say,“Game Over!”   It can close the account and you will not receive a new one.

What would you personally do with your prize?

You would buy anything and everything you wanted right? Not only for yourself, but for all the people you love and care for. Even for people you don’t know, because you couldn’t possibly spend it all on yourself, right?   You would try to spend every penny, and use it all, because you knew money would be replenished in the morning, right?

Actually, THIS GAME IS REAL.  Shocked ? Yes!   Each of us is already a winner of a much more valuable *PRIZE*.   We just don’t seem to realize it.

The prize is *TIME*

1. Each morning we awaken to receive 86,400 seconds as a gift of life.
2. And when we go to sleep at night, any remaining time is NOT credited to us.
3. What we haven’t used up that day is forever lost.
4. Yesterday is forever gone.
5. Each morning the account is refilled, but the bank can dissolve your account at any time WITHOUT WARNING.

So, WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH YOUR 86,400 seconds today?

Those seconds are worth much, much more than the same amount in dollars.  Think about it and remember to enjoy every second of your life, because time races by so much quicker than you think.

So take care of yourself, be happy, love deeply and enjoy life!  Here’s wishing you a wonderful and beautiful day. Start “spending” your valuable *PRIZE* wisely.

One of Santa’s elves sent me this picture taken at our recent party.

“Yours truly” is seldom in a picture because she is usually behind the camera.

“Today is the first day of the rest of my life.”

From the picture of me with Santa, you wouldn’t know that I have been so depressed for several weeks (since Thanksgiving). Gratefully, I am feeling “fine” this morning!! I tackled projects that have been neglected; I finally opened a stack of Christmas cards!! (All the residents had stockings, in the CARE Center, and I dutifully emptied it occasionally.)

Warmer today but overcast. With the exception of filling the most-popular bird feeder, no outdoor “projects.”

“How curious; why’s the cat on the feeders?” I’ve never seen that cat before. After a few pictures (through the window), I went outdoors to check. A little bird was caught inside the feeder. I opened the top and it flew away.

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Didn’t take very long; the birds were on the freshly filled feeders. “Mercy,” it’s cold outdoors!! “Merci,” it’s warm inside my trailer home!! ~~ I was wearing a warm jacket, and stocking cap, as I worked (rapidly) in my yard. Next time I’ll wear gloves!!

(Honestly, I don’t like cold weather!!)

unexpected, unprepared…!!

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I spoke to my friend, David, on the phone. He has a simple solution: Another “tie down” on the inside over the roof frame. Why didn’t I think of that?? 

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I prepared for cold weather!! If we have freezing temperatures, I’ll cover plants in large planters. Rain water on the roof of the tarp shelter never occurred to me.

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Houston TV meteorologist said “Feels like freezing…” due to wind chill.

I’m planning to stay in my pajamas and warm robe all day. This is one day where I have no desire to be outdoors!!

Speculation: Three inches of rain in the gauge but fifty gallons in the pocket on the tarp?! ~~ A CARE volunteer came and helped me dump the water.

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At noon, Houston TV meteorologist said “ ‘Feels like’ temperature is five degrees below the observed number.”

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The bird feeders need a refill **BUT** I don’t want to go out in the cold!!

My faithful followers know I am “an old-timer”–three quarters and counting. I recall a radio program–and TV program–titled Life of Riley. Moments ago, I smiled (to myself) and thought “Life of Lorraine.” I’ve certainly had more than my share of humorous(?) situations. A pool of water on the roof of the tarp-shelter is just the latest. Remember the Feeding Station that toppled over during (or after) a rain storm? Remember (after a storm) I found one of my favorite planters upside down? The Christmas Cactus disaster is noteworthy

“What a revoltin’ development this is!”

Check back because I’ll be adding more… as our temperatures plummet.

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The storm burst on us in a matter of seconds!! The rain is pounding on the roof; lightning  is lighting up the night sky. Through-the-air TV reception has major interference (so TV was turned off). The temperature dropped over fifteen degrees in less than thirty minutes.

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Visual evidence that the temperature dropped twenty degrees between 5:00 PM and 6:40 PM.

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Almost three inches of rain in the gauge. Too cold and wet to linger outdoors for a picture. When the temperature started to drop (earlier), I put on a sweater. Moments ago (9:00 PM) I turned on the heater. Tonight the door is closed, and I’ll enjoy a warm blanket. Last night, the door was open and I slept under a sheet. ~~ No complaints from me because our unusual Fall and Winter weather is preferable to conditions in other states.

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Seventy-two degrees this time last night. Seventy-four degrees five hours ago!!

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Burr!!

“We have a gift for you!!” ~~ Remember, this was a recent planting from cuttings (no roots). This Kalanchoe plant (indoors near my computer) is getting ready to bloom. How delightful. 🙂

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Yesterday, a resident in the adjacent RV Park asked me to shelter a very large fern, and an Angel Wing Begonia. I used my faithful hand truck to move them to the tarp-shelter. Sorry, no pictures of the transport. 😦 However, here are pictures inside my disorganized, crowded shelter.

An after-thought: I snapped this picture of the “Money Moss.” I still hope for a proper identification. I’ve already given away several small planters. All cuttings have taken root and standing tall.

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Postscript, Tuesday, December 29th: The plant (indoors) is getting prettier each day. It appears the plants “in the basement” will also bloom.