QUILT OF HOLES
As I faced my Maker at the last judgment,
I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls.
Before each of us lay our lives like the squares of
a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us,
sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry
that is our life.
But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile,
I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was.
They were filled with giant holes. Each square was
labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult,
the challenges and temptations I was faced with
in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured,
which were the largest holes of all.
I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares.
Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other
tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright
hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life
and was disheartened.
My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth
together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.
Finally the time came when each life was to be
displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny
of truth. The others rose; each in turn,
holding up their tapestries. So filled their
lives had been. My angel looked upon me and
nodded for me to rise.
My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't
had all the earthly fortunes. I had loves in my life,
and laughter. But there had also been trials of
illness, and poverty, and false accusations that
took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start
over many times. I often struggled with the
temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the
strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many
nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and
guidance in my life. I had often been held up to
ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time
offering it up to the Father in hopes that
I would not melt within my skin beneath the
judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.
And now, I had to face the truth.
My life was what it was, and I had to accept
it for what it was.
I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares
of my life to the light. An awe-filled gasp
filled the air. I gazed around at the others
who stared at me with wide eyes.
Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me.
Light flooded the many holes,creating an image,
the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me,
with warmth and love in His eyes. He said,
"Every time you gave over your life to Me, it
became My life, My hardships, and My struggles.
Each point of light in your life is when you
stepped aside and let Me shine through, until
there was more of Me than there was of you."
May all our quilts be threadbare and worn,
allowing Christ to shine through!
God determines who walks into your life......
it's up to you to decide who you let walk away,
who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go.
When there is nothing left but God, that is when
you find out that God is all you need.
(this is from a Christian lady in the USA)
She requested this prayer for her friend
and others:
FATHER GOD, BLESS ALL MY FRIENDS IN
WHATEVER IT IS YOU KNOW THEY NEED TODAY!
MAY THEIR LIVES BE FULL OF YOUR PEACE,
PROSPERITY AND POWER AS THEY SEEK TO HAVE
A CLOSER RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU. AMEN.
Send this on to 5 other people, including
the one who sent it to you.
Within hours you will cause a multitude of
people to pray for other people.
Then sit back and watch the power of God
work in your life and theirs. :-)
I chose more than five...you can too!
March 28, 2009
March 17, 2009
PARROT PALS
This BLOG page is about helping your
PARROT live longer, healthier and happier!
(at the bottom are useful links)
Some of us look after senior parrots and realize their
bodies and organs eventually wear out, just like ours.
Symptoms of aging are similar across most species,
and we want to accomplish 2 things:
to prevent early aging and slow down aging in parrots.
Environmental Factors
Parrot lifespan is largely determined by diet and environment.
Owners who learn to care for their pet bird early on will be
providing the basis for a long and healthy life.
Stressors can reduce a pet's lifespan significantly. These include
poor diet, untreated disease and suboptimal environment.
Quaratantine for a new pet to prevent spread of a possible
disease to animals in the household is one effective strategy in
preventing disease transfer.
Finding out what foods are healthy for your parrots, and how
to vary their diets, is a good part of ensuring a happier and
healthier pet. Information is a key to disease prevention.
Health
Disease and pain are linked, but many parrots are on the
'be eaten' side of the food chain, so they hide or mask symptoms
of physical pain. Beacuse of this, owners must watch for subtle
clues to detect changes, including age-related changes.
An example is arthritis. Arthritis may become evident in a
shifting of body weight to one side or a reluctance to move.
In a situation of chronic pain, a parrot's spirit and immune
system become taxed and lifespan is usually shortened.
A well cared for parrot is most at ease in its own environment,
and developes routines and typical behaviors. When age-
related problems or difficulties happen as your parrots mature,
some small adjustments in your pet's environment can improve
their comfort.
Lifespans of Parrots
Parrot lifespans can range from about 8 years to over 80 years.
Some owners may need to worry about aging before their parrot!
A healthy, varied diet significantly improves lifespan and
helps prevent certain diseases from occuring such as diseases of
liver, kidneys and heart. Some diseases, like arteriosclerosis
can occur, just like in humans.
Second-hand cigarette smoke promotes respiratory diseases
in birds. Other signs of diseases and aging include cataracts,
arthritis and foot problems.
Prevention and a good diet are the main keys to prolonging a
bird's lifespan. This may include a wingclip to prevent your
parrot from flying into windows, mirrors or walls and the
associated trauma, or to prevent escape through a door.
Prevention also involves protection from mosquitos due to
WNV (West Nile Virus), vaccines where needed and
available, quarantine when first bringing your parrot home,
and preventing contact with dangerous substance in your
home such as ammonia fumes, fumes from heated teflon pans,
ingestion of toxic plants, etc.
Healthy Aging of Your Parrot
Your attention to physical and behavioral changes in your
parrot is important. Out of character behaviors or sudden
physical changes can indicate health or aging issues and
may indicate cognitive dysfunction (CD).
Changes to watch for include
neurological exam. Blood tests, analysis of poop, X-rays
and other tests may be needed to determine causes.
Many birds will remain healthy and live full, happy lives,
experiencing only minor signs of aging. They will be very aware
of their surroundings and owners over their lifespans, and
will experience fewer symptoms of losing mobility,
reduced immune system function, loss of muscle and bone mass,
slower metabolism, and loss of hearing, sight and smell.
Good LINKS for Parrot Owners
Parrot Message Boards where your questions are answered:
PARROT live longer, healthier and happier!
(at the bottom are useful links)
Some of us look after senior parrots and realize their
bodies and organs eventually wear out, just like ours.
Symptoms of aging are similar across most species,
and we want to accomplish 2 things:
to prevent early aging and slow down aging in parrots.
Environmental Factors
Parrot lifespan is largely determined by diet and environment.
Owners who learn to care for their pet bird early on will be
providing the basis for a long and healthy life.
Stressors can reduce a pet's lifespan significantly. These include
poor diet, untreated disease and suboptimal environment.
Quaratantine for a new pet to prevent spread of a possible
disease to animals in the household is one effective strategy in
preventing disease transfer.
Finding out what foods are healthy for your parrots, and how
to vary their diets, is a good part of ensuring a happier and
healthier pet. Information is a key to disease prevention.
Health
Disease and pain are linked, but many parrots are on the
'be eaten' side of the food chain, so they hide or mask symptoms
of physical pain. Beacuse of this, owners must watch for subtle
clues to detect changes, including age-related changes.
An example is arthritis. Arthritis may become evident in a
shifting of body weight to one side or a reluctance to move.
In a situation of chronic pain, a parrot's spirit and immune
system become taxed and lifespan is usually shortened.
A well cared for parrot is most at ease in its own environment,
and developes routines and typical behaviors. When age-
related problems or difficulties happen as your parrots mature,
some small adjustments in your pet's environment can improve
their comfort.
Lifespans of Parrots
Parrot lifespans can range from about 8 years to over 80 years.
Some owners may need to worry about aging before their parrot!
A healthy, varied diet significantly improves lifespan and
helps prevent certain diseases from occuring such as diseases of
liver, kidneys and heart. Some diseases, like arteriosclerosis
can occur, just like in humans.
Second-hand cigarette smoke promotes respiratory diseases
in birds. Other signs of diseases and aging include cataracts,
arthritis and foot problems.
Prevention and a good diet are the main keys to prolonging a
bird's lifespan. This may include a wingclip to prevent your
parrot from flying into windows, mirrors or walls and the
associated trauma, or to prevent escape through a door.
Prevention also involves protection from mosquitos due to
WNV (West Nile Virus), vaccines where needed and
available, quarantine when first bringing your parrot home,
and preventing contact with dangerous substance in your
home such as ammonia fumes, fumes from heated teflon pans,
ingestion of toxic plants, etc.
Healthy Aging of Your Parrot
Your attention to physical and behavioral changes in your
parrot is important. Out of character behaviors or sudden
physical changes can indicate health or aging issues and
may indicate cognitive dysfunction (CD).
Changes to watch for include
- reduced mobility; difficulty walking, climbing, jumping
- less energy and playing less
- changes in sleep patterns; like sleeping more
- significant weight gain or loss; appetite changes
- increased irritability or change in behavior to owner
- abnormal vocalizations or longer periods of quietness
- confusion and loss of learned behaviors
neurological exam. Blood tests, analysis of poop, X-rays
and other tests may be needed to determine causes.
Many birds will remain healthy and live full, happy lives,
experiencing only minor signs of aging. They will be very aware
of their surroundings and owners over their lifespans, and
will experience fewer symptoms of losing mobility,
reduced immune system function, loss of muscle and bone mass,
slower metabolism, and loss of hearing, sight and smell.
Good LINKS for Parrot Owners
Parrot Message Boards where your questions are answered:
- Budgie Cafe ... http://members3.boardhost.com/seesthru/index.html?1106930491
- Parrot Perch ...http://members5.boardhost.com/ParrotPerch/
- Birds n Ways ...http://www.birdsnways.com/index.htm
- Parrot House ...http://www.parrothouse.com/
- Lexicon of Parrots ... http://www.arndt-verlag.com/
- Pet Education: Birds ...http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=15+1835&aid=2844
- Parrot posters ...http://www.allposters.com/-st/Parrot-Art-Posters_c56638_.htm
March 15, 2009
Welcome to KAY'S BLOG !
In the future, this blog should include more information and
links for the categories below. Thank you for your patience.
1. Pets, Animal Welfare and Wildlife
2. Arts and Crafts
3. Inspiration, Ideas and Quotes
4. Green Living and Building
5. Health and Wellness
links for the categories below. Thank you for your patience.
1. Pets, Animal Welfare and Wildlife
- www.petloss.com ... good website for persons grieving the loss of a pet
- www.toppetsites.com ... place to find links for useful information for most types of pets
- www.audubon.org ... a place to learn about birds, birding, and bird science
2. Arts and Crafts
- www.art.com ... art, art styles and art subjects are featured here; lots of ideas to inspire your art
- www.usawallpaper.com ... click on the MURALS section, then select mural type (ie. nature murals)
- www.kaboose.com ... crafts, activities and recipes for children and parents
3. Inspiration, Ideas and Quotes
- www.inspirationpeak.com ... quotes, stories, poems, ideas, etc to inspire you and others
- www.exploratorium.edu ... science, activities, links to 10 cool sites ... excellent for teens
- www.audiotreasure.com ... download the Bible free ... audio form for computer or mp3 player
4. Green Living and Building
- www.ivillage.com/green ... the iGo Green site for info on green buys, foods, lifestyles
5. Health and Wellness
- www.webmd.com ... 'Better information. Better health.' is their logo ... lots of medical info here
- www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/medlineplus.html ... US National Library of Medicine offers one of the best Webs for medical information
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