grafted in and on the journey

Post Holiday Greeting Grafted In Readers, Do you feel like you are in the middle of two holidays? You are. Currently, Hanukkah is ongoing. Christmas occurred on December 24 and 25 in the west. New Years Eve and New Years Day occur over the weekend in the west. The eighth day of Hanukkah is very early next week also. We probably find ourselves reflecting, thinking, wanting to nap, wondering can we return to normal, wanting to live on the wild side, be done with words, be done with events, just read a book, view a movie or television program, have this moment and what it contains pass. Whatever the annoyance and our perceived quick fix I found a quote by writer Monica Johnson, on brainyquote.com that I like. It fits her and all of us: Regret is not a proactive feeling. It is situated in disappointment, sorrow, even remorse. It merely wishes things were different without an act to cause a difference. However, repentance is different. Repentance is an admission of, hatr...

Hello Grafted In Readers, Are you about ready to settle down for a long winter's nap if you live on the side of the equator where December 21st issues in the season of Winter, today? You're not alone! No, not depressed but glad we are having temperatures that will be slightly above freezing for the next few days. To our friends in the UK, Happy Summer, enjoy those "barbees and outdoor activities." You deserve to have this season of fun! I titled this post with the generality, Come What May, and one of those things is the end of the year top stories, top songs, top memories, and of course top words. In the US, The Merriam Webster Dictionary publishers chose surreal as their word of the year, but the Oxford English Dictionary went with post-truth. I will cite a portion of their definition here: "Relating to circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion..." Being an election "era" where debates went on fo...

Hello Grafted In Readers, Today is Monday, December 5, 2016, in my corner of blog land. Temperatures remain mild and somewhat wet where I live, but we could get a couple meters of snow later this week! It is nearing winter and of course, snow time here. This morning, I composed a Letter To The Editor of one of our local newspapers that I would like to share with you. There is a considerable amount of writing that many in the western church still ignore that puts a positive light on the Jewishness of Yeshua. My letter, less than 200 words is in question format, and challenges pastors, priests and all of us as persons of faith to consider thanking our ancestors for the heritage we have as believers and Christians. This is my post today. If you wish to copy and share it, be my guest! --------- Dear Editor/Reader: Where is the little town of Bethlehem? For religious observance of Christmas, can clergy stand in front of their congregations and publicly thank the Jewish faith fo...

Hello Grafted In Reader, Today is November 30, 2016. In about 32 days we will be saying, Happy New Year! This year, several of our posts have focused on health issues. We also continue to focus on faith issues as we look at the contribution Judaism makes to our faith heritage as believers in Messiah Yeshua, and will continue to do so Adonai willing. I found an article that is titled, Thirty Simple Diet and Fitness Tips, by Leslie Barrie, online, and will simply list several below. These are lifetime practices not one-month events. Here you go. -Curb your sweet tooth; -Find the best fitness friend; Stock up on these; -Relieve those achy muscles; -Buy comfy sneaks; -Pick your perfect tunes; -Police your portions; -Combat cocktail hours; -Up your exercise; -Have a fruity ice cream sundae; -Say good-bye to peer pressure; -Ditch your working lunch; -Slim up your snack; -Find healthy fast food; -Be a mighty maintainer. Writers Waiting For Messiah I am starting...

Hello Grafted in Readers, Today is Monday, November 7, 2016 in my corner of blog land. Today is the final day that TV ads and radio ads will run by candidates promising just about anything as general elections occur in the US on Tuesday November 8, 2016. I for one will be glad to have the bravado come to a conclusion! This post though is going to talk about a health remedy for stuffy nose, and a word I learned recently that is relevant to good tasting wine. Stuffy Runny Nose A recent edition of the Mayo Clinic Newsletter, Housecall, reports in its Expert Answer section on a home device called a neti pot. It is described to have a long spout on one end, and is a shallow container. The experts claim it is used for irrigating or rinsing the nasal cavity. One must use water labeled distilled or sterile for best use in the neti pot. For those of us who had moms or grandmothers that were "budget-conscious" there is always the pot that you may boil eggs in, boil soup, or ve...

Hello Grafted in Readers, Today is Tuesday, October 25 in my corner of blog land. I am going to start with the writing news, and then close with the Mayo Clinic health-tip. ***** -Additional Christmas Moments, by Yvonne Lehman and publisher, Grace-Publishing is now available. This is an anthology containing reflections or stories for and about the Christmas season. My contribution is a family story titled, No Room In The Sky. Available through www.grace-publishing.com or may be on Amazon or the major book carriers. Search by title and author. ***** -Health Tip You may consider this a gentle reminder, but nuts are good for heart health. That fits the post title, right? Nuts are good for you in limited intake, inexpensive, serve as a healthier snack and easy to store somewhere convenient. The only disadvantage is they tend to have high calorie amounts. They are a supplement not a main food source. Kevod Yeheveh, His presence be near us today and always. Mellow Roc

Hello Grafted In Readers, Today is Thursday, October 13, 2016 in my corner of blog land. I am going to visit with you about a few topics of recent interest. -On Tuesday evening, I enjoyed, and dozed off some, during the post-season Major League Baseball game between the Chicago Cubs and the San Francisco Giants. For eight innings, things were looking pretty bleak for the Cubs. In the final inning though, it was a come-from-behind story and they won to advance in the playoffs! Even the TV commentators implied a Cub's loss until they came back. -I am in a Bible study with some others and we are discussing the book of Hosea in the Tanakh. It's about a nation turning its back and values on God, but eventually also come back or will come back. -This year, the Day of Atonement was on October 12. As a Hebraic believer in Messiah Yeshua, I observe this day quietly. The following thought post Yom Kippur, Day of Atonement, is offered by Rabbi Eckstein in the devotional, Holy Lan...

Hello Grafted in Readers, Today is October 10 in my corner of blog land. To those from Canada, Happy Thanksgiving to you! To those in the US, we remember Christopher Columbus, 15th century explorer who is credited for discovering America. Today, I want to highlight an article by Dr. Joseph Mercola on the condition, Irritable Bowel Disease also known as Inflammatory Bowel Disease, or Irritable Bowel Disease. Dr. Mercola is a proponent of Natural Medicine but backs his position with credible research. This disease is caused when too much unhealthy bacteria invades the gut and plays havoc with one's intestinal function and health. This can lead to greater risk for bone disease, bone fractures, ulcerative colitis, severe pain, constipation or diarrhea, headache and nausea. Symptoms may include excess gas or bloating, craving sugar or refined carbs, headache, constipation or diarrhea. Healing and prevention of IBD may be aided by the following foods: broccoli, brussels, foo...

********** Announcement: Hello Grafted In Readers, I am told as a writer, one has to make others aware of what you have written. If you enjoy "ghostly tales" perhaps reflecting the style of the late Alfred Hitchcock or Edgar A. Poe, you might enjoy a newly released title that features one of my stories, "Living Sacrifice" David Russell. 31 Days of October   A Haunting Collection of Hallowe'en Tales Authored by Shae Hamrick Authored with David Russell, Gene Hilgreen, J Rene Young, Joe Stanley, Lena M Pate, Lisa M Collins, Lynette White, Marry Ross, Mirta Oliva, Rebecca Lacey, Glenda Reynolds, Elizabeth Ann Boyles, Linda L Taylor, Stephanie Baskerville, Terry Turner, Andy McKell, C Baely, Cora Bhatia, d b Martin, Elain Faber A haunting collection of Hallowe'en, Suspense, and Ghost stories for young and old. Publication Date: Sep 30 2016 ISBN/EAN13: 1539087697 / 9781539087694 Page Count: 286 Binding Type: US Trade Paper Trim Size: 5.5...

Hello Grafted in Readers, Today, our visit may be a bit lengthy as I would like to share a current reflection with you by Skip Moen, and my comment to it posted on his website. I also have some "exciting news" to share with you on the writing front! -October will be a "banner month" for me in terms of publication opportunities. I have two separate stories appearing in two separate anthologies! The first is titled, Living Sacrifice, from an anthology titled "Thirty-one Days of October" by Shae Hamrick and Glenda Reynolds that will be available through Amazon on or about October 1st. The second is a Christmas Anthology titled, More Christmas Moments, #3, by Yvonne Lehman, due to be released in late October and also on Amazon. My story there is a family account titled, No Room In The Sky. I will keep you posted about both of these works as they would make good gifts for yourself or others you know, who enjoy fiction and or reflective pieces. Las...

Hello Grafted In Readers, For those of you who may be new to my blog, there are three areas of interest that have come to be featured. -Health Issues: As a result of having been a professional medical transcriptionist from 1998 to 2013, a mini-stroke survivor last winter, and personal interest in general health, I try to bring items of interest to our attention be it diet, weight loss, general maintenance, or a particular condition experienced by the population at large. That will be our focus this post. -Faith Issues: These go under the umbrella of what is termed Hebraic Roots or Jewish roots. Abraham is the father of the Jew, Christian and Muslim faith(s.) The church at large ignores culture and customs that would enrich one's faith commitment. -Occasional Story: As a writer of flash fiction mostly, I occasionally post something recently written that may be entertaining to those who enjoy reading in that genre. I have been in three anthologies over the past three years, pu...

Hello Grafted in Readers, Today is September 19 in my corner of blog land. Historically, my wife and I left for our honeymoon twenty years ago today which we had in North Carolina. On the way home we spent the night in Nashville so as to attend The Grand Old Oprey. Now we are helping our granddaughter get off to a good start in kindergarten! On the health side of things, recently the Mayo Clinic newsletter, Housecall, featured a short piece on eye dilation. This is a procedure that is done for the purpose of examination. Eyedrops are administered that cause the pupils to widen. This makes it easier for the qualified eye doctor to view the back of the eye in more detail. There are several factors that can be detected via this procedure. They include diabetes, glaucoma, high blood pressure and macular degeneration. -On the reading front, I am halfway through a lengthy novel titled, On Beauty by Zadie Smith. It was published in 2005. The story is of a middle-aged married couple in N...

Hello Grafted in Readers, I do appreciate your readership and time, and hope many of these posts are informative and or thought provoking for all of us. If you have been around my blog a while, you may recall last December I had a mini-stroke. Though much of my speech has returned, and endurance is improving, keeping active is something that requires commitment on my part. A recent edition of "Housecall", the Mayo Clinic newsletter, offered some helpful tips toward staying active. Key exhortation, Do something. -Exercise to give yourself the gift of energy and improve sleep. -Focus on the future, maintaining health, is your reason for exercise commitment. -Vary activities. Exercise alone and with others . Walks, biking or swimming for example. -Take an exercise class at a fitness center. -Drive less and walk a little more. -Gradually work your way up to 30 minutes of exercise daily. Final thought: "Sticking to a regular exercise schedule isn't easy....

Hello Grafted in Readers, Today is Monday, Sept. 12 in my corner of blog land; still mild as we slowly transition from summer to Autumn. Our friends in the UK are transitioning from Spring to Summer. One thing is of immediate concern for both sides of the equator: the Zika virus. Recently, "Housecall" produced by Mayo Clinic in the USA, ran a short piece or update concerning this condition. I highlight the facts below. -The virus occurs in tropic and sub-tropic parts of the world. -Symptoms: headache, rash, red eyes, mild fever, general discomfort. -Zika virus is transmitted by the mosquito, worldwide. -Neurologic conditions such as microcephaly and Guillain-Barr syndrome can result from Zika virus. -Prevention: Vaccination pending, but take precautions so to reduce mosquito inhabitation and likelihood of mosquito bites. Kevod Yeheveh, The Lord be with us indoors and outdoors on the journey. Thanks for stopping by and maybe leaving a comment! Mellow Roc

Hello Grafted In Readers, Today is Sept. 8, Thursday, in my corner of blog land. For those who keep record or observe the Appointed Times, we are in the month of Elul. This period leads to the high holidays and end with the observance of Feast of Tabernacles and the conclusion of the current Torah cycle and beginning anew. For those who are new to this and not so new, I would encourage you to feed your soul by listening to some music by Jewish believer, Marty Goetz. You can find his songs on YouTube. In Particular, "Those Who Trust In The Lord" and "Lamb of God" are two of my favorite by him. Trust, grace, faith, righteousness, justice, holiness, and sacrifice are not terms or concepts that are exclusive to Protestant and Catholic Christianity. They go all the way back to creation. So, over the next few days enjoy some Messianic music and even try an online service called Chavah Messianic Radio. You might enjoy some of what you hear! God be with us in th...

Hello Grafted in Readers, Today is September 6, Tuesday, in my corner of blog land. Our granddaughter begins her first day of kindergarten today! On Wednesday, my wife and I celebrate 20 years of marriage! We had special occasions over the weekend to do this, and glad we have been married two decades! I posted on Facebook the question, What do Will Howard, Belle Baker, Sophie Tucker, Tom Jones, Connie Francis, Itzhak Pearlman and Neil Sedaka share in common? Tucker and Baker were among the first two Vaudeville singers to record "My Niddishe Mom or Mamme" in the 1920s. Neil Sedaka recorded a version in English and in Yiddishe during the mid 1960s, and Tom Jones has performed it on occasion throughout his performance career. There are said to be versions in Spanish and also a Jazz version. Itzhak Pearlman has a solo violin version backed by the Israel Philharmonic orchestra. The composer is said to be Jack Yellen. I heard the version recorded by Pearlman and it is nice, r...

Hello Grafted In Reader, Today is the last Monday in August, 2016. It is a mild warm summer day in my corner of blog land. Today, my post is going to focus on Jewish roots. What does that mean? For people who profess faith in the one true G-d, we inherit certain imperatives that are given to us by the G-d of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. One site I often like to read is www.torah.org. I found a Torah Commentary called "Lifeline" and this particular Torah summary is about Noah, (Noach) Genesis chapters 6 through 9, generally speaking.) Within this segment, are seven categories that are incumbent on all humanity, especially persons of faith. Most the churches ignore these things or take credit for having innovated them since their beginnings as an institution. You decide! These categories are given to humanity by G-d. -Not to eat meat or a limb severed from a live animal. -Not to curse the name of G-d; -Not to steal or rob: Not to worship idols; -Not to commit adul...

Hello Grafted In Reader, Today is Thursday, August 25 in my corner of blog land. Our last post featured a brief exposition by Ester T about the use of banana peels to remove or help remove metals from tainted water supplies. Ester asked that I mention that for best results, peels from organic grown bananas are seen to give best results. (See post dated August 22). I titled this post, "Speak" for the following reasons or reminders to each of us: -You have a voice be it verbal or written. -You have something to say and communicate. -It is one of our freedoms. -You will either experience great humility or great pride from the experience of expression. -You have something to teach others. There are numerous other reasons that could be added here, but I am conveying the idea to use our gift of vocalizing. Kevod Yeheveh, His presence be seen in what you speak. Mellow Roc David Russell

Hello Grafted In Readers, We all have heard the addage, or something similar to itk, one gets out of something what they put into it. I like to read "Today's Word" by author and D-Phil, Skip Moen. A recent writing asserts that with the help of God, also known as YHVH, we can starve those gods that demand our time and attention: surgical enhancements, accounts, items, instant gratifications, etc. Those idols will eventually starve to death from not getting our input. We are not victims of or to sin, nor are we fully capable of rescuing ourselves without God. Augustine and Luther were two men who strongly influenced the idea of inability to say no to sin. Of course, this all assumes that there is such a thing as sin, that humanity chose to disobey God through the first couple's choice, and that Yeshua the Messiah provided our pardon or atonement through his life, death, and resurrection! May the Lord be with us as we consider our idols, name them, and choose to ...

Hello Grafted In Readers, Over the weekend, My wife and I were listening to, Great Hymns of Faith, from UCB Canada. An acoustic song for which this post is titled was played and the words are worth pondering. The artists, Keith and Kristyn Getty have a pure sound, an acoustic/folk music type of blend. I jotted down the lyrics, but hope you will take this a step further and listen for yourself as the song is on YouTube. "My worth is not in what I own, not in the strength of flesh and bone. But at the costly warmth of love, at the cross. "My worth is not in skill or make, win or lose, pride or shape; but in the blood of Christ that flows, at the cross." Note, I did jot down the lyrics from the recording and that is what I'm sharing with you! Kevod Yeheveh, may we value YHVH and find him to be truly beyond worth and beyond measure! Mellow Roc

Hello Grafted In Readers, This past weekend, I heard a sermon delivered based on the account recorded in Luke chapter 11, where the disciples ask Yeshua to teach them to pray. He did. The issue is that most clergy may fail to mention that Yeshua based this on Jewish prayer of the time. I found the following excerpt, short in length, from a 2010 article in the Jerusalem Post. Pasted here for convenience. I would challenge you as Christians to ask your pastors, priests and teachers to share things that are a part of your faith practice that come from Judaism. Many are reluctant to do so even though they claim to have learned this in their education process. LOS ANGELES -- The Lord’s Prayer, widely considered to undergird the foundation of Christianity, “is utterly, totally, fully Jewish -- there’s nothing in it that is particularly Christian,” a theological expert said. John Dominic Crossan, a former Catholic priest and now professor at DePaul University, articulates this thesis i...

Hello Grafted In Readers, Today is June 27 in my corner of blog land. Over the weekend, I was reminded of the Hebrew word, "aliyah." Per recently adopted custom, in Google I type "hebrew definition aliyah, or whatever Hebrew word meaning is being sought. The results are quite telling and enriching. Traditionally, it referred to Hebrews who would go up to Jerusalem to celebrate the annual feasts, appointed times. See Leviticus chapter 23 for those feasts. During their time of going, they would travel in groups and sing praises to YHVH, God. Several of these are in Psalms 122 through 134 called, The Psalms of Ascent. Today, aliyah according to the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, refers to the dispersed Jewish people returning to Israel. The site - chabad.org, also mentions a metaphysical definition for aliyah. I was reminded by a Replacement theology Spokesperson that Yeshua went up to Jerusalem where he ultimately offered Himself for the sin of human...

Hello Grafted In Readers, I am pasting a recently drafted story of mine. Its title, "Up In The Air." I welcome comments and observations you may have about the story itself. It ends happily ever after for the couple, but with plenty of work to do within the family. ** Up In The Air David Russell 3735 Words I drove Scott to the airport to go see his parents. I met them last Thanksgiving when going home with him. There were some tense moments during that Thanksgiving weekend. I have fallen in love with him, and would consider marriage if he pops the question. It's early March and winter is finally releasing its grip. Meantime, Scott's desire is to thaw the freeze that they exhibit toward ReyAnn and himself. Though now known, only two weeks previous, the marriage conversation with ReyAnn's Mom included her blessing and welcome to the family. Scott called me Saturday evening. He sounded sad as he recalled the conversation with his parents. "Mom, D...

Hello Grafted In Readers, Today is Thursday June 15 in my corner of blog-land. Earlier, I was listening to some Hebraic Messianic music from an online station called Chavah Messianic Radio. When they play songs sung by Paul Wilbur, Zemer Levav, Sons of Korah, and now - the Roeh Israel Worship Team, my being benefits and so may yours! The song I heard by the worship team reflects on the time when God gave the ten words at Mt. Sinai to the Exodus, (children of Israel), and, time in life when G-d makes himself known to us, and we say yes to the relationship, taking on His name. When you and I assume someone's name either through marriage or a working relationship, i.e., let's say employee, you agree that your behavior will demonstrate something good and positive and noteworthy about that name. We are not alone, an island, left to our own devices though sometimes life may feel fragmented. I want to close this post with an excerpt from a daily reflection I read titled "T...

Hello Grafted In Readers, Info for this post comes from the health site, medscape.com. Topic is insect repellents. Now you got the reason behind the post title! Personal notes about life follow post: ** With summer upon us now and the Zika virus spreading via mosquitos, which insect repellents work best and which are appropriate for pregnant women and children? Response from Philip J. Gregory, PharmD Associate Professor, Pharmacy Practice, Center for Drug Information & Evidence-Based Practice, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska The Zika virus was detected in Brazil in May 2015, and by February 2016, Zika infection was declared an international public health emergency by the World Health Organization. The Zika virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected Aedes species mosquitoes. For most people, symptoms of infection are mild and include rash, fever, joint pain, and conjunctivitis. Symptoms typically last for up to a week. Zika virus infection during pr...

Hello Grafted In Readers, Today is Monday, June 13, in my corner of blog-land. From Sunset June 11, to sunset, June 12, the festival of Pentecost, also called Shavuot was observed in Israel and throughout the world by those who observe the festival calendar established in Leviticus chapter 23. Shavuot celebrates the harvest in Israel, and also celebrates the giving of G-d's instruction to the Exodus at Mount Sinai. Then, the collective committed in Word and intent to hear and do God's Word.. In about 33 to 36 CE, God in his kindness, began to "pour out of His Spirit on all flesh" giving the comforter to humanity known as the Ruach HaKodesh, Holy Spirit. Many came to, and still come to faith that day as well. In the world today, masses of humanity reject the God of the Bible and choose to make themselves and humanity at large the end-point. The buck starts and stops with us. The problem becomes, Who will be in charge? How do we just come together and live in a...

Hello Grafted In Readers, I am very pleased to let you know Ester T has provided us another informative guest post. We will learn about rice bran oil and its benefits to overall health. Thank you for viewing her previous post, June 2nd. I hope we will be seeing her often at our blog in blog-land. Note: For those interested in my previous post concerning a church denomination providing transgender clergy benefits for sex-change operation, see previous post dated June 7th. Now, some welcomed words from Ester. ***** The health benefits of rice bran oil include its ability to lower cholesterol, boost the immune system, help prevent cancer, improve skin health, help in weight loss, relieve menopausal symptoms, protect your heart, increase cognitive strength, and lower allergic reactions. Rice bran oil is extracted from the germ and the husk of rice kernels. It has a very high smoke point, which is why it is commonly used in high-temperature cooking methods, such as stir frying and...

Hello Grafted In Readers, It is nearly Wednesday, June 8, 2016 in my corner of blog-land. When I started this blog in 2009, the primary goal was to encourage believers in Messiah Yeshua to learn about the Jewish heritage of their faith. An excerpted blog post below from a website titled Exposing the ELCA, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, demonstrates what eventually happens when belief in a Jewish Messiah is twisted, ignored or minimized. Unfortunately, subtlety is a damning wolf in sheep's clothing. (The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org.  You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and twitter - here.) The managing editor of Living Lutheran, the national magazine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, is a partnered lesbian. The ELCA's magazine (formerly "The Lutheran") has been promoting homosexuality for a long time now, but below is a recent article highlighting the work of a transgender Lutheran pastor (...

Hello Grafted In Readers, Today is Monday, June 6, 2016. In addition to it being like summer in my world corner, according to "The Writer's Almonac" today is the seventy-third anniversary of the movie drive-in theater. It had its birth and creation in Camden, New Jersey. Entry was said to be 25-cents per car, and each person attending was charged 25-cents. Today, the drive-in theater is alive but not as popular as it once was. I want to thank those of you who looked at the post by our guest blogger, Aster T, which appeared on June 2nd. I want to briefly visit a health topic that is of concern to many adults, that being excess intra-abdominal fat or belly fat. One respected voice from Integrated Medicine in the USA is that of Dr. Andrew Weil. Here is his bottom line on belly fat treatment. I recommend a program for everyone that includes both aerobic exercise (walking, jogging, biking or swimming) for 30 minutes a day, five times a week - as well as strength training...

Hello Grafted in Readers, Today is Thursday, June 2, 2016, in my corner of blog-land. Most of us are more willing to make life changes if they are simple, don't radically change our day to day routines, and can become routine over time. Our guest poster, Aster T, offers some suggestions for improving personal health by improving nutrition through the following means. I am excited to have her share her expertise with us! Please leave a comment and help her feel welcomed! Here's Aster T all the way from the UK. ***** Shalom all, happy to be here; a short intro of myself-  I have been interested in Health issues as far back as I can remember for the reason that I love good food and enjoy cooking since young. To start, we need to build on a sound foundation. spiritual as well as natural. To cook a tasty meal, we must have the right seasonings.... Never use refined table salt. Go for Himalayan Pink Salt, available at Health shops, and online trustworthy sites. Himalayan P...

Hello Grafted In Reader, Today is Friday May 27 in my corner of blog-land. I would like to begin by wishing US readers a Happy Memorial Day Weekend. We recall our soldiers past and present, who serve/served our country in time of war and peace. Thank you for your service! This week I have started reading an interesting novel titled, After I Do. The author is one Taylor Jenkins. The story is of a couple named Lauren and Ryan who meet during college, are married for about 7 years, and are doing a trial separation. They no longer are happy and claim to have lost their love for one another. The narrative weaves the popular thinking of today within the story and is truly something to think about. Unfortunately, God and His word are not seen as an option. I had some posting issues of late with the blog, but think they are almost resolved now, hurray! For any interested, I would like to recommend you check out a blog by another writer, Lynn Viehl, titled Paperback Writer. It too is o...

Hello Grafted In Readers, Today is Monday May 9, 2016, and this post is going to be an original short story of mine. The names are changed, and the plot is further developed here. However, this actually was a news story that occurred in my locale recently. The solution, leave your arguments at home or agree to settle the matter at an agreed on time. Thoughts welcomed in the comment section of this blog. Not This Place David Russell 750 words "Want me to bring anything on Saturday?" asked Laurell. "Just yourselves and a pasta salad for the four of us," replied Roxanne. Laurell and Roxanne knew one another from their era as co-workers at the seat cover factory in Marine City. Roxanne's husband Bryan, and Laurell's husband, Gordon, went fishing together a couple times during summer over the past three years on the St Clair River just north of Algonac. Roxanne and Bryan lived in New Baltimore, MI and Laurell and Gordon in Port Huron about a 30 mile ...

Hello Grafted In Reader, I first want to express a warm, big heart-felt thanks to one Acia S for her recent comment on my story, Dying At The Library. Your words are warm and encouraging. I would be interested to speak with you further when time allows us to have that pleasure. Second, as a writer, I just finished days ago writing my memoir titled "HomeComing". Hence, the title of this post is appropriate, as is the song by Melissa Javors. I heard the song a few weeks ago on the folk radio program, The Midnight Special, and thought of my experience and that known to me of our two young adult children. My memoir concludes we take things from home with us along life's journey from a trinket to a DVD, a value, brand loyalty etc. My wife will help me get it ready to submit to a periodical for "possible" selection and publication this summer. Believe me, you will hear about this if it is selected! In my corner of blog-land, a major snow is on tap for us over th...

Hello Grafted In Reader, Wow! Today is January 4, 2016 in my corner of blog-land. We even had a small amount of snowfall this morning. The month past saw a major event occur in my 63-year-old life. On December 11, I had a mini-stroke, affecting the brain stem and was in inpatient rehab until December 29. Home therapy is beginning very soon and though some numbness and balance are concerning issues, overall I thank God, family and the healthcare providers that things are bettering! Needless to say, health and diet will be getting my attention this year. I re-subscribed to "HouseCall" newsletter by Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, and jotted down some notes from their recent article about weight-loss goals. -More weight is lost early on compared to later. Making an outcome goal to lose up to 10 percent of one's current body weight is realistic and wise. Walking 15 minutes daily and upping to 30 minutes is practical, as is eating five helpings of fruit or vegetables daily ac...