NATIONAL MARRIAGE WEEK #1-2026~Self-Care; Coalinga-CA

National Marriage Week 2026 will be observed from February 7 to 14. The theme for this year is "Man and Woman He Created Them: Together With Purpose."

Marriage - a Christian Marriage - is a Sacred Covenant.

A Covenant Marriage is much more than a blending of 2 lives & a setting up of a home … it is a spiritual union ideally suited to help you know Elohim's character more fully and intimately; it is a disciplined life that draws you and your spouse closer to Yeshua in ways that will hone your character to more fully example the life and love lessons He lived, exampled, & taught. The sacredness of this special intimate covenant is enriched by the guidance of the Ruach HaKo'desh as He guides you both into a deeper understanding of merciful love that reaps humble gratitude and profound thankfulness. Whether it is delightful - or difficult, your unfolding, enriching, and rewarding 3-cord-marriage will become a closer walk with Hashi'lush HaKo'desh (the Trinity). Everything about your marriage; from the history you and your spouse are creating, to the love you share, & ultimately to the forgiveness you both will learn to offer and seek - will be favored with the sacred capacity to help you grow in Yeshua's character: thus fulfilling Elohim's purpose for your Union.

During Holland's bachelor years, and during my widowing years, we had both been praying that our lives would not settle into a boring landscape as our senior years were creeping up on us - and man! Elohim delivered in a big way!

John Michael Montgomery - How Was I to Know: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mx2ToUji1Wo&list=RD1o4s1KVJaVA&index=10

Holland was a major surprise - with more machismo than I had ever experienced before. He was mega macho - tenuously balanced with a big heart full of big love.

My 5'2" self was not a surprise to Holland (he'd visually seen me decades ago & had patiently been waiting for me to show up, in the flesh) … but my 6' attitude was not foreseen; nor was it appreciated when it entered his life.

The macho driven machismo, & the short shot of whiskey in a tea cup, set us both back a pace; and seriously put out marriage in jeopardy. Holland wanted a traditional "Biblical Wife!" -  and I wanted a gentler giant to submit to. Needless to say: tensions were high, triggers were tripped, and both of us were behaving badly during those flareups.

Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash - Jackson:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpPzk-41RJI&list=RDTpPzk-41RJI&start_radio=1

Holland was not the kind of man I was used to - he didn't give ground. on anything, for any reason. His word was Law.

I was not the kind of woman Holland was used to - I didn't step back, back down, or tremble when his voice rose & shook the rafters. I stood ground; and sometimes, gave back tit to his tat (no pun intended; this was no joking matter).

The first 2 years were rough. But I never doubted that with him, I'd always be protected, sheltered & looked after: even when he was frustrated, or angry with me. And he never doubted that with me, he'd be looked after, sheltered - hands down, and tended to: even when frustration was high and my eyes were shooting daggers.

I'd been a Wife for 44 years before widowhood demoted me: my understanding is that marriage is a sacred undertaking.

Holland had been a bachelor for decades - and raised in a testosterone driven atmosphere all of his Life: his understanding of marriage was totally clueless all the way around.

We had a LOT to learn about each other.

We had good friends who came alongside us and offered words of loving encouragement, and reminding us that the first two years of a new marriage are the hardest; and most trying on the nerves.

We also knew that Elohim Himself had orchestrated our coming together … knowing He was "for us", we anchored ourselves in Him, His unfailing Word, and trusting Yeshua's healing power.

We are building our Home's foundation this year, on the  Solid Rock: 3 CORD = Us, Elohim, & His Word. In spliced pliancy, strength is built.

We are friends. We love each other - and keeping that front and center during those 24 months of baptism by fire, we hung on.

Sometimes with fingernails that threatened to fail.

"Forgive-Forget-Move Forward" became a looping mantra.

I am - and will always be a Daughter of the Most High God first; after that, I am Holland's Wife. And being Mrs. Holland Redmill is an assignment from Heaven - a devine trust we both feel honored to be favored with.

So, when we celebrated our 3rd Year Wedding Anniversary, a month ago, Holland said, "This is the year we will begin to build a new life. I love you, Baby."

We started our New Life together 37 months ago, with hope towards a happy future; and despite the cold winds that occasionally blew through & disturbed our blissful bubble, the hope held.

February 10th, 2023 Post: ONE MONTH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY: https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2023_02_10_archive.html

I'm okay with kickstarting the New Life Dream and building a refreshed New Life. That's what a covenant marriage is - commitment, dedication, & restarts if necessary.

So far, 2026 has been very good to us.

Finishing my morning coffee - and shifting my potted plants to a sunny window … I noticed a newly emerging stem emerging from the potting soil; eventually these spindly growths will flesh out to become another interesting zig-zag shape resembling a fish skeleton. The Fishbone Cactus is not a desert cacti plant - it is actually a succulent jungle plant that grows on trees, in the crotch of jungle trees:

New growth pushing up through the potting soil.

And turning from the dining table - I caught sight of a cute little song bird touching down to perch on the hand rail alongside the front door … but flew off before I could get my camera. This is what it looked like - and this is the birdsong I wake up to every morning:

California Towhee; Almond Oasis RV Park-CA

Spring Song of the California Towhee: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZeft08Mrb8

Then,  I engaged in some lower body toning exercises. The Darebee Demeter Workout is designed to be a lower body workout that helps develop strength in muscles and tendons, ligaments, and support muscle groups. It is suitable for individuals of various fitness levels, including those who are 69 years old. The workout is non-equipment and focuses on strength training, which is generally safe for older adults. However, it is always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new workout routine, especially if you have any pre-existing health conditions or concerns;  listen to your body & stop if pain is excessive.

Muscles used.

This workout is generally safe for most individuals, but if you have knee or back issues, it's best to consult a fitness professional for personalized guidance. Form & technique for each exercise is shown below. Aim for 10 reps x2 EA exercise.

Bent Leg Extensions Kickbacks

Bent Side Leg Extensions Kick

Double Glute Flex Lift

Double Glute Lift exercise video: 

(https://workoutguru.fit/exercises/lying-double-glute-lift-female-video-exercise-guide-tips-641512/)

Glute Bridge

Half-Wipers

V-Extensions  Adductor Stretch

Side Lying Clamshells

My hands have been aching with overuse (because I always push the envelope when designing & working on a project), so Holland suggested we seize the sunny day, enjoy a day out of house, & bring pizza back for Supper: YES!

After supper, we were treated to a pretty sunset - and the Day was so pleasant, we left the front door open until darkness settled & the moon rose:

Lovely ending to a lovely Day; Almond Tree Oasis RV Park; Coalinga-CA

While my husband was sprawled on his recliner enjoying a short snooze, I noticed the leaves on the Amaryllis bulb are proliferating and lengthening - so, I pulled some old knitting needles, and used those as stakes to hold the leaves upright & corralled …

Amaryllis leaves staked & contained; and a Spring Book Cover slipped over tonight's read.

A Clive Cussler Novel; tonight's choice.

And when I felt my sore hands itching to reach for my WIP; I quickly grabbed a book to read and headed upstairs to lay down - keeping my self-care covenant, and treating my hands kindly.

SKUNK STRIPES & FISHBONE CACTUS; Shavua Tov, Coalinga-CA

I am praying, and hoping, with everything in me that WA long-term, is off the table; we do have temporary business there that can't be avoided … but generally, WA State just holds a lot of pain 💔 for both of us - and some of it revolves around death. Most of it revolves around betrayals and deep heartaches. Seasonal aches and pains 😟 kick up there, too. We both do have friends there, but those friends have lives of their own … and we need to build a Life of our own, too. Generally, WA State is not a friendly place for either of us. I was very glad 👏 to sell everything I owned and leave it behind 33 months ago 👍; I hope Holland eventually gets to that point, also.

Self-care measures.

MiYah - 'I Know You (Keep Me on the Path) Song ~ Psalm 27:11, Matt. 7:21-23' Lyrics: 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvJ6_51yTzg)

Right now, everything is up in the air, and it's a crap shoot every day as to where we'll be going in a month or so. Holland has a cousin coming through here around Thanksgiving time; I know we'll be here in CA until that get-together happens.

The only thing for sure now, in the moment, is my security is Christ ☝️: that is unchangeable, unshakable, and a reliable compass 💖 reading ✝️ 

 

After morning coffee ☕️, Coalinga's Save Mart was on the docket for a loaf of bread 🥖 - and a plant I had seen there last week. I left home hoping the plant was still available: it was 😁 … so, it came home with me 😉

Supper was light: chili dogs. Then, dishes were done - I checked out the white highlights showing in the back of my hair (I like them); and I picked up my knitting project to work on; following a couple stretching exercises.

Coalinga Save Mart; oil field proud.

My Coalinga-CA keepsake; no matter where we end up, Coalinga will always be a part of our Life - Fishbone Cactus.

Chili Dog Supper.

My white 'skunk stripes' showing prettily in my gray hair …

Getting back to work on the little sweaters.

The palm-to-palm hand press stretch involves pressing your palms together in a "praying" position and then lowering your hands toward your waist, keeping the palms pressed together, to stretch your wrists and forearms. You can also vary the stretch by pressing your palms together, then slowly separating your elbows while keeping palms together.

The palm-to-palm hand press (also known as the prayer stretch) stretches the muscles on the inner wrist and forearm, while also working the muscles on the back of the hand and wrist when the elbows are spread apart. It primarily targets the flexor muscles in the forearm and hand, promoting wrist and hand flexibility and range of motion.

To do the pat-on-the-back stretch, lift one arm and bend it behind your head. Place your other hand on your bent elbow to help stretch your upper arm and shoulder. Hold the stretch for 15 to 30 seconds. Relax and return to the starting position and repeat the stretch with your other arm.

Stretching the back of the arms primarily targets the triceps brachii muscle, but can also involve other muscles depending on the specific stretch, such as the latissimus dorsi (lats), subscapularis, and shoulder muscles like the rhomboids and deltoids.

Lats & Triceps Muscles

The shoulder hold stretch, also called a cross-arm stretch, involves using one arm to gently pull the other bent arm across your chest. You can perform it by standing with feet shoulder-width apart, holding the elbow of one arm with the other hand, and gently pulling the elbow towards the opposite shoulder. You should feel the stretch in the back of the shoulder and hold for 15-30 seconds before repeating on the other side.

The cross-arm stretch primarily targets the posterior deltoid (back of the shoulder) and the infraspinatus and teres minor muscles of the rotator cuff. It also engages and stretches the upper back muscles, including the trapezius and rhomboids, along with the latissimus dorsi.

Traps Muscles

The seated cat stretch exercise offer numerous benefits including improved spinal flexibility, tension release in the back, neck, and shoulders, and core muscle strengthening. This type of stretching can also enhance posture, increase body awareness, and promote relaxation by syncing movement with breath.

The seated cat stretch primarily works the abdominal muscles and the back muscles, including the lower back, middle back, and upper traps. It also stretches and strengthens muscles in the neck, shoulders, and chest, while the full movement sequence engages the hips and can help improve spinal flexibility.

Hip Flexor muscles

To do the seated upper back stretch with palms extended, clasp your hands together in front of you with palms facing outward, tuck your chin to your chest, and round your upper back while reaching forward. This stretches the muscles between your shoulder blades by pulling them apart.

The seated upper back stretch with palms extended primarily targets the thoracic spine extensors and the muscles surrounding the shoulder blades, specifically the rhomboids and trapezius. It also provides a mild stretch to the chest (pectorals) and shoulders (deltoids).

Thoracic Spine Muscles are  arranged in layers of muscles and ligaments that work together to support the spine.

Pectoralis Major muscles

To do the weightless seated Lat/triceps stretch, reach your arms overhead, interlock your fingers, and gently pull your hands down behind your head - keeping your elbows close to your head, slowly lowering your arms behind your head while keeping your back straight, then extending back up to the starting position.

The weightless seated Lat/triceps stretch primarily targets the triceps brachii and the latissimus dorsi (lats). It also engages the teres major and teres minor muscles, along with the shoulder and arm muscles involved in maintaining the stretch.

Triceps brachii Muscles

Foot and toe stretches use muscles in both the lower leg (extrinsic) and the foot itself (intrinsic). Extrinsic muscles include the extensor digitorum longus and extensor hallucis longus for toe extension, and the tibialis anterior for dorsiflexion. Intrinsic muscles, such as the flexor digitorum brevis and abductor hallucis, are in the sole of the foot and help with gripping and arch support.

Foot & Ankle Muscles; upper side of foot.

Foot Muscles; underside of foot.

It's been a relaxed Day.

It's been an introspective Day.

It's been a Day of blessings.