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Whale of a Time

Whale of a Time

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Whale of a Time--two whales divingMy husband and I had a whale of a time watching whales off the coast of Cape Cod. What a thrill. I thought we might see one or two whales, but they were everywhere. Whales surrounded our boat.

That may sound like a whale of a tale, but it’s true. My pictures don’t begin to capture all we saw in spite of a light rain.

A whale of a time means an exceptionally good time.

The experience is:

  • Enjoyable
  • Fun
  • Exciting
  • Huge (like the size of a whale)

Occasionally we add an adjective to the expression and say we had a whale of a good time.

We differ on what makes a whale of a time.

Will we choose to enjoy whatever this day offers?

Certainly, some days challenge us more than others. Nevertheless, our outlook makes a tremendous difference in our degree of enjoyment.

“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs” (Psalm 100:1-2 NIV).

Thanks to Jane Ashley Pace for the suggestion.

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

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Stop and Smell the Roses

Stop and Smell the Roses

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Stop and Smell the Roses--roses and other flowers around a pool of waterMy husband and I love to travel. For years, we planned our own trips and did our own driving. We hit the trail as often as possible. I usually scheduled far more than we had time to do. However, we learned to stop and smell the roses along the way.

Our schedule was not as important as fun on the trip. We began according to plan but made changes along the way. We went off the beaten path almost every trip and are so glad we did.

To stop and smell the roses means to take time to enjoy life.

We slow down and relax. That means we:

  • Get away from our busy schedules
  • Recognize the importance of mini moments of joy.

Without breaks, stress builds.

No one can go forever. If we fail to get away, our:

  • Health suffers
  • Work becomes less productive
  • Relationships weaken

We must stop and smell the roses if we desire a good life.

Leisure time is a necessity, not a luxury. When God created the world, he set aside one day a week to rest and worship. The value of that plan remains as important now as then.

“Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime; it is the Lord who sends the thunderstorms. He gives showers of rain to all people, and plants of the field to everyone” (Zechariah 10:1 NIV).

Thanks to Karen Hart for the suggestion.

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

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Nest Egg

Nest Egg

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Nest Egg--robin's nest in a hole in a tree trunkDo you have a nest egg? Perhaps you hide it in a special place at your home. Maybe in a sock or a cookie jar? Or you might keep it in a bank or other financial institution.

Family members might be aware of your nest egg. Or maybe only you know about it.

A nest egg is money saved for a later time.

Planned uses include:

  • Buying a house
  • Retirement
  • Emergencies
  • Travel
  • A rainy day

Nest eggs may be large or small.

Small ones help with:

  • Christmas or birthday gifts
  • Toys
  • Clothes or shoes
  • A fancy meal

This expression comes from leaving an egg in a chicken’s nest.

A nest egg can be real or fake. Its purpose is to encourage the chicken to lay more eggs.

Most people think of nest eggs for personal use. However, the idea can be expanded to the needs of others. Since you can’t take it with you, what fun to save in order to give it away.

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV).

(I know the above picture is a robin’s egg rather than a chicken’s. Yet isn’t it lovely?)

Thanks to Regina Graham for the suggestion. Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay.

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

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Knee High to a Grasshopper

Knee High to a Grasshopper

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Knee High to a GrasshopperMany of us love spending time with children who are knee high to a grasshopper. They are:

  • Small
  • Short
  • Still growing
  • So cute

We enjoy children’s smallness. Yet, we don’t like to feel small.

Most of us have moments we feel knee high to a grasshopper.

Because grasshoppers are so small, they appear unimportant. People pay little attention to them. Sometimes we feel unimportant. We think no one pays attention to us either. Other people appear:

  • Smarter
  • Better looking
  • More talented

We feel like low man on the totem pole.

We also feel small compared to the size of our world. How tiny we look compared to:

  • Mountains
  • Oceans
  • The sky

In addition, we feel small when we have done something wrong. We think we are:

  • Guilty
  • Worthless
  • Hopeless

Although small, both children and grasshoppers make a big difference.

 Children teach us to:

  • Have fun
  • Love
  • Trust
  • Learn

Grasshoppers destroy much we need or enjoy:

  • Gardens
  • Fields
  • Flowers

Regardless of our size, we all make a difference.

Therefore, what kind of difference will we make? Will we spread joy like children? Or will we destroy what we touch like grasshoppers?

God created our world and everything in it. Compared to God’s greatness, we all appear knee high to a grasshopper. Yet, God desires a personal relationship with each of us. How great is that?

“When I look up at the heavens, which your fingers made, and see the moon and the stars, which you set in place, Of what importance is the human race, that you should notice them? Of what importance is mankind, that you should pay attention to them?” (Psalm 8:3-4 NET)

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Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

As Friendly as a Puppy

As Friendly as a Puppy

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As Friendly as a Puppy 1If you own a puppy, you know the joy of complete acceptance. That puppy loves you. He doesn’t care about your status:

  • Who you are
  • What you have done
  • How you look
  • What you say

He wants to be with you. He remains your friend through thick and thin.

A puppy knows how to have fun. He finds pleasure in the little things.

  • Chewing on a bone
  • Chasing a ball
  • Running and jumping

If you let him, he will share his joy with you:

  • Snuggling close to you
  • Barking for attention
  • Letting you scratch his ears or rub his tummy

A puppy can turn frowns into smiles simply by being a puppy.

His behavior may change when you hurt:

  • Sitting still beside you
  • Listening as you talk or cry
  • Whimpering to share your grief
  • Offering an occasional lick of love

A puppy gives his friendship without criticism or judgment.

When he thinks you’re in danger, his behavior changes again:

  • Barking to warn you
  • Trying to pull you to safety
  • Not quitting until you move

Why can’t we all be as friendly as a puppy?

“There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24 NIV).

Special thanks to the Bloyd family. Their photo of pure puppy joy reminds us that puppies are also good medicine.

Do you have a favorite puppy tale? If so, please comment.

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What a Hoot

What a Hoot

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What a Hoot

Isn’t that funny? “How amusing.” “That makes me laugh.” All these are nice, polite ways to say, “What a hoot!”

In my mind, what a hoot implies extra energy and fun.

Can’t you imagine the following?

  • Deep belly laughs
  • Body doubled over
  • Hands thrown in the air
  • Tears rolling
  • Embarrassing snorts

This group of ladies did not create the expression what a hoot. However, they certainly know how to live it. They understand that fun and laughter are not luxuries. Everyone needs them for a healthy and happy life.

Because their work involved a constant flow of problems, they took occasional breaks.

  • Sometimes they talked.
  • Sometimes they cried.
  • Sometimes they laughed to keep from crying.

They learned to look for those funny moments that happen every day. I know, because I worked with them.

We all need to laugh more.

Consider the benefits.

  • Laughing at ourselves and with others helps us through difficult situations.
  • Remembering fun times provides comfort in our sorrow.
  • Laughter gives us energy to finish a tiring job.
  • Playing harmless jokes on one another makes friendships stronger.
  • Laughter is contagious. If another person laughs, we usually laugh too.

Just thinking about this makes us smile, doesn’t it?  Now, that’s a hoot!

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (Proverbs 17:22 NIV).

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