Who am I? A wife for almost 40 years. A mom for over 36 years. A sister and a friend, of course. Each of these help describe me. But, even more, I have been a Christian since accepting Him as my Savior when I was 12 years old and, this truth defines each area of my life. I have enjoyed some mountain top experiences but have been through some very deep valleys as well. Valleys of incredible grief and even pits of depression. However, most of my days are ordinary, routine kind of days. But in every one of my days, God has been faithful. He has walked with me whatever the day. He strengthens, comforts, encourages and blesses me with life "most abundant."

A favorite life verse: The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10

Why do I write? Though not quite as private as my dad, I am definitely my father's daughter. I find it difficult to share. And to let others in. But I do love to write. I love to put words into sentences and sentences in paragraphs that help express my thoughts. I hope my words help me share my heart. Share the life that God has given me and all that He has done for me and through me. I write with the hope of giving Him at least a bit of the glory He is due.

A verse to guide my writing: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. I Peter 1:7

Good Monday Morning: 05.26.25

Posted on By jennifer

Another Happy Monday, friends!  Here in the United States, it is Memorial Day.  A holiday Monday and the makings of a long weekend.  It is also the unofficial start of summer!  Woo Hoo….can I get a hallelujah?!  The weather was positively glorious all weekend but I would not say it was summer weather and certainly not pool weather; however, all the community pools reopened on Saturday.  And, yes, there were plenty of brave souls ready to take their first chlorine dip no matter what the temperatures.  More power to ’em:)

Being it is a holiday and all, I thought a simple fun post was in order.  And I have been thinking over BillieJo’s recent “I can but I can’t” post ever since I read it.  She is so creative.  And, just for the fun – and for the record – I thought I would ramble off a few things I just cannot do.  In no particular order, of course.  Enjoy friends….and have a wonderful Monday!

I cannot eat meat. Or raw tomatoes.  In dire or otherwise odd circumstances, I could most likely force myself to eat meat again.  However, if raw tomatoes were the only option, I would most likely be done for.

I cannot say rural.  No idea why but my mouth simply will not form the word correctly.  At least, not on the first try.  After three or four very purposeful trys, I sometimes manage.  But only sometimes.

I cannot play the clarinet.  A few years ago, I was determined to learn the clarinet.  I bought the books, took some online lessons and then even took some lessons in person with someone from my church.  Nothing but breathy blows, occasional squeaks and wet reeds.  I was a clarinet failure.  Rather reminded me when my daughter was taking piano lessons many years ago and her teacher told me, “the piano is not for everyone.”  Point taken.

I cannot sleep in anything long sleeves regardless of the season.  And I certainly cannot sleep in a nightgown.  I simply become a twisted mess.

I cannot understand the tattoo phenomenon, the idea of being a “gym rat,” or how anyone can ride in a car with the bass so loud the car literally shakes.  I know I’m old but I just don’t get it.

I cannot leave the house without making my bed or doing my makeup.  Typically, I take care of both before I even head downstairs each morning.

I cannot stomach cigarette smoke.  Do you remember when the day when restaurants had smoking sections?  How comical.  The smoke certainly did not stay in its alloted section and I left many a restaurant, back in the day, if there was the smell of cigarette smoke.

I cannot drink milk over ice or juice with pulp.  No thank you.

I cannot understand why there is an American Sign Language and a British Sign Language.  It is all English so why not have the same signs?  But not only are many of the signs different, even the two alphabets are different.  Why?  Wouldn’t it be great if sign language was universal?  No matter how you spoke the word “water,” the sign for water would still be the same.  That seems like a no-brainer to me.  Sign language already has its own grammar, etc. so even that would not be a problem.  I dunno.  But, I am still working hard to master ASL.  Clarinet aside, I am determined to teach this old dog a new trick!

Oh, and I cannot thank you enough for stopping by today.  Ha.  See what I did?  I’m funny!!:)

Good Monday Morning

Comments (25)

    1. Thanks Linda – it has been a good week so far. Hope your week is also going well!

  2. I agree about nightgowns – they just end up around my midsection. So I sleep in men’s sleep boxers. I cannot do nude sleeping, no thanks. The older I get the more set in my ways I am! I should write a post like this, too. (:

    1. Nightgowns are a surefire way to get no sleep at all!! And, yes, you should write one of these posts!!

  3. Jennifer, I enjoyed reading your “I cannot” post. I don’t understand the tattoo and body piercings on women and the piercings on men. I’ll add one to your cannot list and that is going out to shop or to eat in my pajamas. When did this become normal? Have a blessed Monday.

  4. I saw this meme on BillieJo’s blog, too, but have not responded to it on my blog (yet).

    Even if we don’t understand why people cannot do certain things, we need to respect that and (unless it’s truly harmful) let people be who they are. Thanks for sharing.

    Oh by the way, I’ll take any raw tomatoes that are on your plate! (smile)

    1. Barbara – I will gladly send you ALL the raw tomatoes!! So glad you stopped by…and thank you for a thoughtful comment!

  5. Good Monday morning to you, Jennifer. I need to type fast, or it will be afternoon before I finish. lol

    I’m with you when it comes to tattoos. Milk over ice sounds awful.

    Have a great week!

  6. That was a fun read. I like what you shared. The bed is made first thing in the morning. That’s a good point about sign language. Hope your day goes well.

  7. This is a fun post! I found myself nodding in agreement at most of them, but I am a meat eater and I like tomatoes!

    1. You can have my tomatoes (well, other than the ones I promised to Barbara!) LOL

  8. Good morning – I really like this. Good idea. And a lot of the ones you can’t do – I can’t do either!

  9. Fun answers! I can leave the house without makeup, but I can’t really start my day unless my bed is made.
    I grew up in the midst of second hand smoke and now any whiff of cigarette smoke makes me nauseous.
    I’m attempting to learn to play the mountain dulcimer thinking it is like a guitar which I can play. Not so, at least for me.
    Have a great evening.

    1. The mountain dulicmer?? That sounds like so much fun. All the best as you keep at it!!:)

  10. Hello, my friend! So glad you shared your list! Let’s see…Oh, no to the milk over ice! And I so agree about cigarette smoke! I cannot stand it. Period. I am super sensitive to it, too. I used to sleep in long sleeves, long pants, and socks! No more! I am with you on the sleeve situation. Now, where we part ways! I played the clarinet in school, and while I was never First Chair, I could play a decent tune. I forgot all about the reeds! You brought back a memory from long ago! And tomatoes. I love them on a sandwich. And in salads. But I have kids who won’t even look at them! LOL Thanks for the fun, my friend!

  11. These were good ones. High five on the tomato thing. Although, I might have been seen recently leaving a tomato slice on my burger at Wendy’s. Who am I? Not crazy about meat but need the protein. I sub in beans a lot.

    Laughed about the smoking areas. Wasn’t that crazy? At my first elementary school library assignment, the smokers took over the teachers’ lounge and those who didn’t smoke or didn’t want to eat in a cloud of smoke had to find somewhere else to go.

    When I was a little girl, my mom tried to get us to drink OJ from frozen concentrate. I didn’t like the pulp and told my sister that the pulp was really kitty fur they cut up and put in the juice. She didn’t bat an eye and promptly gave up drinking OJ, too. My mom could have strangled me. I made the mistake of mentioning that story to my daughters when they were little and they just as swiftly gave up OJ. I had to start taking Tang with us everywhere so I could mix in water.

    1. Oh Leslie – too funny!! Kitty fur in the juice. That made me smile! I also remember when you could smoke in school. And even in the hospitals!!?! So crazy.

  12. My husband is the same with tomatoes!
    I very rarely wear makeup ..so it’s just skincare and SPF for me.
    I too can not stand the pulp in juice..

    1. Hi Hena – so glad you stopped by. You know, you remind me that I really need to be better about SPF. Especially on my face. Hope you are having a good week –

  13. Jennifer 🙂 This was a fun post! I played clarinet in 6-8th grades and basically was the only instrument I could make a sound with. I always make my bed (would never leave the house without doing it) and I always wear make up. I do eat meat, but often think I could do without. But then again…tacos. I don’t eat tomatoes unless chopped up and in something. And just yesterday there was a truck behind me at a traffic light who had his bass going so LOUD that MY entire car was shaking. Insane. Thanks for sharing! Have a great rest of the week 🙂

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