Thursday, August 27, 2020

Your 'Do Is You

Barb got a haircut the other day, and we really had a bit of a disagreement about  the chosen style. Haircuts should telegraph character and personality.

I mean, really, when you think of Barb (at least through my descriptions), what do you see...this...


...or this?



I lost the argument, but have to say, the Mohawk does look pretty good on her.

The choice to take the trouble for styling hair, even when working remotely and seeing almost no-one, is important. It bespeaks self-care, and the resolve to do the right thing, even when no-one is watching.

Do it in one part of your life, and it spills over into other areas. When discipline becoes a habit, the whole world spins a bit more smoothly.

It's the same when you are terminally ill. Dying is not an excuse for slacking; it's a call to even greater discipline.

You don't slop around in a dressing-gown; you dress for the work you're doing (in this case, caring for a multitude of ogs, and writing to witness God's grace.

You don't abandon the dreams you had; you work on them,d aily, in the faith that a miracle may yet come.

And most of all, you don't give voice to despair. Though no-one may be listening, and even if they listen, they condescend, you speak hope always.

And you never, ever give up.

You may ask...what kind of haircut do I have? I've let it grow out to my shoulders (no, I will not post a picture), for two reasons.

First, that it keep my neck from keeping sunburned while I am caring for the dogs.

Second, that there's a massive tumour on the right side of my neck; the long hair keeps it in shadow, if I look in a mirror. Otherwise it would really be discouraging.

I do avoid mirrors.

Barb got a haircut yesterday,

and it pleases her

to have it cut just that way,

like short retriever-fur.

It is her head after all,

but haircut is assertion,

and for boldness there’s a call

to define the inner person.

She’s vocally quite confident,

and she’s really cool;

kind but never hesitant

to slap down, hard, a fool

so if it had been up to me,

she’d have hair cut like Mr. T.


And if you touch Barb's truck, she, too, will gladly feed you your socks.


I do try to answer each comment in a timely fashion, but with Internet providers really stretched, I have only about half of the access I once did. Please bear with me!


Thanks to Carol Ashby, Blessed Are The Pure Of Heart is back on Kindle, and will be available in paperback soon.

Friends are everything. I couldn't have done it.

Below are my recent releases on Kindle -please excuse their presence in the body of the blog. I haven't the energy to get them up as 'buttons' in the sidebar. You can click on the covers to go to the Amazon links.










37 comments:

  1. You have such a way of combining humor with deep insight, my friend.Both are such incredible gifts. I'm always glad to see your link! Thank you- sending love to you and Barb, as always. Karen (FMF #5)

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    1. Karen, thank you so much for this loving and gracious comment...love back! (And please pardon the delay in responding...rough week.)

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  2. It is amazing how a simple haircut can make us feel so much better. We leave confident and ready to take on all that is waiting for us. You and Barb continue to inspire so many of us! Praying ...

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    1. Joanne, you're so right...a simple haircut can make a world of difference.

      We thank you so much for your prayers!

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  3. this makes me laugh picturing her with a mohawk! thank you for the lightheartedness even in the mist of your pain and trial. continuing to pray for both of you in his hard season.

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    1. Mariel, she really does look good in a mohawk...and the gold chains, like WOW!

      We're so grateful for your prayers!

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  4. Keep speaking your words of hope. The world needs them now more than ever.

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    1. Bethany, the hope will keep coming. I promise.

      My next FMF post will deal with depression. I am praying that it will help.

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  5. Thanks for the laugh, Andrew! It's easy to forget that self-discipline and self-care tell others how we want them to treat us.

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    1. Anita, I'm so glad you enjoyed this, and this is something I learned from you...that self-care is absolutely vital.

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  6. You know by answering "Do you like my hair cut?, you have faced one of the most dangerous questions a wife can ask her husband. The other being "Does this make me look fat?" There is no correct answer to either so it;'s better to play dumb. If you can brave that you're ready to take on anything.
    Keeping you and Barb in my prayers.

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    1. Duane, you're so right...just last night, I told Barb that she reminded me of a blue whale.

      "You mean I'm big and fat and blubbery?"

      "No, impressive and dignified!"

      But the damage was done...although she nows that I have a somewhat singular mind, and we did get a laugh about it, after I said, "Well, you're more an Oprah."

      "Uh...you mean, orca?"

      "Yeah, that's it. And you know, since you're musical (she is), a group of killer whales is an orcastra!"

      Barb really needs to limit the eye-rolls, 'cause someday they are gonna lock.

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  7. Mr. T was always so sure of himself wasn't he? I don't know if I'd put Barb in a mohawk though... :) visiting from FMF15

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    1. Annette, Barb's pretty self-assured, too (for good reason), and the mohawk is HER.

      Eat your heart out, Mr. T!

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  8. I didn’t expect the picture of Mr T, I let out a startled laugh when I saw it. This is really well written - wisdom blended in with humour. Praying for you

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    1. Wemi, I'm so glad you enjoyed this...and so grateful for your prayers, and that you are a part of Five Minute Firday.

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  9. Your marriage must be very strong if you feel comfortable writing that your wife's hair is retriever like. You're putting a smile on my face, over here!

    Amie, FMF #14

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    1. Amie, it's a good marriage, and I'll be writing a bit more about it in future; it included a divorce and remarriage, and I think you may find a few more smiles in the story.

      I sure did.

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  10. Awww, Andrew. I enjoyed this post. Now you've got me wanting to ask Barb to post a picture. I love how you share the integrity she lives by. You're right, the things we do, the discipline we practic when no one's looking speaks loudly of character and helps the world spin more smoothly. Personally, I won't be encouraging Barb to get a mohawk, even though it looks amazing on Mr T. ;)

    I'm praying for you both, my friend.

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    1. Jeanne, you've got Barb perfectly summed up in that one word...'integrity'.

      We thank you so much for your prayers!

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  11. And when you can't decide how to style it, I guess that says a lot about who you don't know you are. Hmm, food for thought Andrew. I'm at a standstill right now in that area.

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    1. Mary, thank you for being here...and know that you are in our daily prayers.

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  12. Thanks for the chuckle, Andrew, imagining Barb in a mohawk. Good words about the need for discipline as well. I needed to hear those, as it's something I really struggle with. Like Paul, my spirit is willing, but my flesh is weak. You are always an inspiration, and in my prayers.

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    1. Grams, I am so glad you enjoyed this! And yes, discipline can be easy in the reliner, but hard on the street. Been there, done that, and Belle the og ate the T-shirt.

      We thank you so much for your prayers!

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  13. Never adandon your dreams...and never give up! Wise words for me this evening!! Thanks for sharing -

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    1. Jennifer, thank YOU.

      I figure that an abandoned ream is a slap in the face to God.

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  14. As our friend Susan says, hope changes things!

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    1. Tara, hope changes EVERYTHING!

      I am so glad you're here. Your voice is a lifeline. May I say this...that I love you?

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  15. So, are we to assume she got a mohawk, Andrew? You can't just leave it open to interpretation here! Lol! But yes! I'd say this is Barb's way of expressing her freedom to choose. Perhaps this pandemic has stolen some of opportunities she once had to choose. We all can relate to that! Praying for you and Barb! I know that dealing with a terminal illness has to be sooo incredibly hard to begin with, much less during a quarantine! Visiting here always helps to put my troubles into perspective in light of yours, my friend!

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    1. Beth, Barb has to be Barb, and she absolutely puts Mr. T in the shade.

      This has, yes, been very hard; COVI has not really been an issue, but my physical degradation, so vicious in the past few weeks, definitely is.

      Beth, there are times I want to die. And then I know all that I must live for, and carry on.

      Does this make sense?

      Cancer sucks, but giving up, well, that sucks even more.

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  16. I bet the girl is rocking her new do!

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    1. Linda, she sure is rocking the new 'do!

      I'm so glad you're here.

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  17. I think that's one message I keep trying to instill in my boys - never give up. Determination changes everything! Haircuts have been a hot topic in our house this year - even among boys! LOL

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    1. Blue Cotton (I SO LOVE that handle!), I do agree...never give up, even in the small way of hair care.

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  18. Mr. Entertainer and Sincerity punches out another one. For many of Andrew's readers I have noticed the COVID-19 lifestyle up heavel has been eye opening and for some depressive. We understand this from a different stance, as our life was turned upside down 18 years ago. Learning to comply to new protective routines for Andrew's living was a process. It took time! And yes emotional strain. I would like to lift each of you up that are accomplishing your hurdles. It's okay to not jump but crawl under Neath or walk around them by the way! You still see the lesson. Be kind and loving to yourself. Remember the Father treats us with loving-kindness through His most precious gift, His Son and His Son's selfless gift provides the direct path to the Father's loving-kindness.

    Oh and the hair cut.... Well let's say unlike many of you at my age I'm gaining hair and not losing it. So, I love my short short style but...I dislike and am not talented or patient enough to style my hair. That said my stylist did something new and I'm trying to use mousse. It works most days others I comb and go.

    Thanks to all who keep us lifted in prayer, the protect us daily.

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    1. Barb, I have no words to add. Thank you for this.

      And the Mohawk is YOU.

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  19. Such a sweet post from Barb!
    You all are not forgotten (hugs:)
    Love & prayers, Kathryn Z.

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