January 26, 2026
Sip, Smile, Start Fresh
Good morning, friends! Grab that cup of coffee or tea and let’s get this Monday up and running with a few tidbits of this, that and the winter storm. :((
Lord, I don’t know what tomorrow will ask of me, but I know You will be there before I ever arrive.
5:00
p.m., Sunday — It’s 30° now, the rain has finally stopped, and everything
outside looks cold and wet. We’ve got the water dripping and the cabinet doors
under the sinks open, just in case.
Maegan
and Louie brought the generator yesterday, so it’s sitting on the porch ready
to go if we need it. This afternoon Maegan called from New Orleans Seafood and
offered to bring us some gumbo. As much as I hated to turn her down, Mr. D had
fixed us a big breakfast‑brunch and we were still stuffed!
Wayne (younger brother) called a little later to check on us. He’s north of us and getting snow, but thankfully he still has power. Since he runs on propane, he’ll stay warm even if the lights go out.
Monday 5:00am 27* and all's well.
Did You
Know?
Honey
never spoils. Archaeologists have found pots of honey in ancient tombs that are
still edible. Sweet eternity!
Bananas are berries, but strawberries aren’t. Nature loves plot twists.
Monday
Motivation
“Start
where you are, use what you have, do what you can.”
Mondays aren’t the
enemy—they’re the reset button. Think of today as a fresh page in your story.
This
winter storm has felt like a weight hanging around my neck. The forecasters
have been sending out warning after warning—enough to send anyone into anxiety
overload. Now the storm is right on top of us, and I’m holding my breath that
the power stays on. We do have a gas stove, so if we gather in the kitchen and
living room, we’ll manage just fine, inconvenienced, but okay. Still, the worry
about needing oxygen keeps me on edge. Even with the generator sitting ready, I
can’t seem to fully relax. There is one scripture that keeps me grounded:
Isaiah
41:10
Fear
not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
These
words, written by the inspiration of God, given to Isaiah, have pulled me
through so much. Thank You Father.
On Christ, the solid Rock
I stand,
All other ground is
sinking sand,
All other ground is
sinking sand.
It’s my
prayer that no one has been adversely affected by the winter storm sweeping
across the country.
Stay safe,
Stay warm.
Until
Next Time





Dear Mary, thank you for this inspiring and informative post. 🙏
ReplyDeleteWe are in the storm right now here in Montreal. Lots of snow ❄️
Stay warm and safe ❤️ 💙
Hi Mary, I am glad you have that generator in case you need it. I have never been through a winter storm like that. We will be 71 today and it will be 82 when we go to Disneyland on Friday. I like the verse you ended with. Stay safe and warm!
ReplyDeleteHi Mary! So far we have survived the storm and I have discovered that I am unashamedly a warm weather girl. When I saw the sun come out today, it felt like a long lost friend :) Stay warm and cozy and hopefully we will get some Texas weather real soon :)
ReplyDeleteCold down in Texas, too? My goodness. Well, you just never know what the good Lord will give you. Stay warm and just enjoy being cozy the next few days.
ReplyDeleteI hope the cold weather moves along and leaves you with more normal temps.
ReplyDeleteI do my Wordle every morning. Apparently a new one is posted after midnight. My GS waits until then, does it, then and only then does he finally go to sleep. LOL
I did know that about honey! Pretty amazing. I do Wordle every day and been for quite a long time.
ReplyDeleteJoining you in prayer, Mary! While I'm not exactly frightened, this wintry 'stuff' is sobering; I can't stop thinking about all the little animals with no place to go. How fun to play Wordle with the family! I've not heard the term Wordle Warrior, but I'm happy to be one. (Some days are better than others.) Do you play any of the others? (Spelling Bee, Connections, Strands.) It's addictive, but I tell myself I'm building brain cells. (lol)
ReplyDeleteI just realized we're headed back to the 20's tonight so I'd better turn on some faucets. Hugs!
Thank you for a lovely Monday post.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
That's one of my very favorite hymns...in every high and stormy gale, our anchor holds within the veil.
ReplyDeleteWe are held safely in every storm of life.
Hugs from Shirley in Virginia
A wonderful hymn that I love. He is definitely our anchor in the storms of life. I hope that by now most everything has passed you by. We have another night of well below zero, last night was -17F. We have another below zero night predicted in a few days and then we'll have a heat wave in the 20's for awhile.
ReplyDeleteI ended up at urgent care yesterday, (made to go by my dear Hubby.) This cough has been hanging on for a couple of weeks and I now have antibiotics and an inhaler for bronchitis. I'm praying that it will work and I'll be better soon because I have another colonoscopy in two weeks. I think they would cancel it if I were still coughing. I'm not sure.
Take care my friend and stay warm.
Blessings and hugs,
Betsy
So sorry to hear you're not well, you did the best thing by seeing a doctor. Sure hope you have a quick recovery. I hope you stay warm also, Blessings to you!
DeleteI enjoy playing Wordle too!
ReplyDeleteThe storms here have been pretty hard, and the winds are quite frightening at times. Stay safe!
Most of us need to invest in a generator! We have one, as well.
ReplyDeleteIt's just cold here...so tired of it!
Happy week!
hugs
Donna
Mary, I sure understand anxiety when things like this weather happens! I'm glad you have a generator. I have nothing like that and worried about power outages, but all was well. Just nasty icy rain and later snow.
ReplyDeleteAn evangelist from La Marque spoke at our church Friday evening and I heard on Sunday that he hadn't been able to fly home yet. Hopefully he is now.
Stay warm and safe!
La Marque is very close; I wonder if he was from the church where Perry Stone visits. I've wanted to go down there when he was there but just never made it happen. Hoping you're warm and safe too.
DeleteI enjoyed your post and knowing that you are all okay is the best part. And you know I'm a "Wordle Warrior" too. I have a few friends who play along and we share our highs and lows with that and Connections and Strands. I enjoy all of those games and the challenge they give my brain each day.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, winter isn't over yet. More to come this week and weekend, at least on the east coast. We are going to be VERY cold. Thankful for a warm house and the power to keep it what way. Thank You, LORD!! Take care my friends, and stay safe and warm in your cozy bungalow by the Bay. (((HUGS)))