ANNA'S SIXTY; Castle Rock-WA

My cousin posted this timely article to her FB Page; it is exactly the  reminding encouragement & spiritual boost, I needed to hear this Sunday 😘

Anna is highlighted in the Scripture passage of Luke 2:36-38.

The Reminder: There isn't just one kind of prayer. There's authority prayer, for what's under your jurisdiction. Warfare prayer, against spiritual forces. And prophetic intercession … the Anna kind - for a person with free will, where you stand faithfully before God for years while honoring the choice Elohim, Himself, refuses to override (the choice of mankind's free will); Elohim waits for the turning towards Him to begin the healing, restorative work needed for a whole healing in lives that have been damaged. Nothing is beyond repair when hurting people turn towards Elohim for restoration, a healing touch from Yeshua, and power-infused, life-changing experience, from the Ruach HaKo'desh.

Spiritual Boost: You are exactly where you need to be, difficult as it may seem. As frustrating as it may look. Hardships always result in blessings. And love never fails. A mother's prayers are heard - and often answered in ways the natural eye cannot see: sometimes, the parent goes to their eternal rest without seeing the prayers answered. Free will … & God's timing, not ours. An unsaved spouse is covered & sanctified by the saved spouse; Elohim hears the prayerful pleas & often answers in ways the natural eye cannot see & many times, an unequal yoke is meant for a humbling of both hearts, for the benefit of His glory to shine forth.

There is no gain without pain.

If not for the rain, sunshine would be taken for granted.

God is good all the time … and all the time, God is good. Amen!

********************

ANNA'S SIXTY

~By Ruth Callahan

We preach Hannah, who prayed for one year and got her son. We preach Abraham, who waited twenty-five. Nobody preaches Anna.

She's four verses in the Christmas story, and most sermons walk right past her to get to the shepherds. A widow. A prophetess. 

Scripture says she served God in the temple night and day with fasting and prayer — and that she was eighty-four years old before she finally saw the promise she had waited her whole life for.

Do the math on that. Decades of interceding before the answer ever walked through the doors.

I found her the year I'd decided I was a failure.

I'd been praying for my son for a long time by then — longer than I like to count. And I'd started to believe the silence meant something about me. That if I were more faithful, prayed with more power, had less doubt, God would have answered by now. I looked around my church at the women whose children still sat beside them on Sunday and felt like the least faithful mother in the building.

Then a book I'd been given put Anna in front of me — really in front of me — and asked a question that turned the whole thing over. What if the length of your waiting isn't the measure of your failure? What if some of us aren't failing at all — we're Annas, called to a long watch, and nobody ever trained us for it?

Because here's what it taught me. There isn't just one kind of prayer. There's authority prayer, for what's under your jurisdiction. Warfare prayer, against spiritual forces. And prophetic intercession — the Anna kind — for a person with free will, where you stand faithfully before God for years while honoring the choice He Himself refuses to override.

I'd been praying like my son was still under my roof, commanding an outcome over a grown man who has his own will. It wasn't weak faith. It was the wrong weapon for a battle I was never taught to fight. Anna knew the right one. So did Daniel, who fasted twenty-one days while a war he couldn't see raged in the heavens. So did Paul, who asked three times and got a holy no and kept going.

There's a name for what they had. Intercessory longevity — the strength to keep praying faithfully when the battle is measured in years, not weeks. It's not the booby prize for mothers whose prayers "didn't work." It's the highest form of the thing. Anna didn't waste sixty years. She spent them holding a promise before the throne until it was time.

I don't know when my son's story turns. That's between him and God, and I've stopped pretending the timeline was ever mine to set. But I've stopped grading myself on it. His choices are his — not the final mark on my worth as his mother. And I've stopped believing the silence means I've been forgotten. A prayer can disappear into quiet and still be moving, kept before God, reaching a child in the places a mother's arms can't.

If you've been praying for years and started to think the length of the wait is proof of your failure — it isn't. You might just be an Anna the church forgot to prepare.

PUTTING THE SQUEEZE ON; Castle Rock-WA

Holland had a consultation about his knee relief options, in Centralia, this morning (I was supposed to go with him for a day-out-of-house - but kelso interfered, and I stayed home); consultation assessment is that his disability insurance will pay for the consultation, x-rays, future doctor visits/x-rays … but the injection itself is not covered: that's fine. Just knowing that there will be some kind of relief medically & financially is a plus in regards to this option.

On my end, I called my dentist while Holland was gone, to set an appointment for my partial (I managed to come up with the $$$$$ required); and was told that the dentist will not do the tooth replacement until I submit to a barrage of x-rays, and an in-depth cleaning; which upped the quoted $1,800+ cost for the tooth replacement, by an additional $2,000 = total cost $4,000 for the [cheap-option] partial. None of this will be covered by my social security coverage. It's a major hit to the wallet. But, I need the partial & the dentist knows that; hence the ultimatum squeeze.

So, I cut the connection with an appointment for a cleaning set on the 16th.

Which leads into another ultimatum squeeze: this one put on heavily by Holland, who is once again dragging me over the coals concerning the Kelso riff-raff. However, I am not that easy to drag anymore; I've reached my tolerance limit with this man and his shady connections. I'm not accepting the burden of responsibility anymore, when it comes to Lana, Jake, Mark, or Tim - these loose bullets are solely Holland's responsibility, seeing as how he has made them, so: I want no part of any of that kelso mess.

What caused the recent blow-out?

The mere mention that I was going to go on a 40-Day Fast when August came around - he had been talking about groceries, and I said that he should probably concentrate more on what he likes, instead of figuring groceries with me in mind, since I was not going to be eating for 40 days. He asked why; I said, "August is a National Fast for our Nation that has been infiltrated with muslims, and nearly given over solely to islam on every front; Americans need to gain the upper hand again, and islam needs to be rooted out of all high seats of governing powers and education establishments. And I'm going to be fasting for personal reasons, too. It's a good thing." He went ballistic: just the mention of muslims had him grinding his teeth. Then the accusations started; & the tone went to heightened decimals of ridiculous rancor, that set my watch off with environmental sensory overload warnings.

I was shocked, following our Reno wedding & subsequent USA State Hops … to find that Holland's entire family - both sides, is filled with muslims & islam ideology. This revelation has been hard or me to live with.

Christianity & islam is not compatible.

National Fast 2026.

Personal reasons fast, too.

He has recently spent time in Kelso.

With Tim; Holland's "best" friend. An Albanian muslim.

With Mark; Holland's only living sibling. A democrat & stuck to Bob Redmill like glue. A Redmill religion devotee.

With Jake; Holland's nephew. A democrat & stuck to Bob Redmill like glue. A Redmill religion devotee. He married Tim's sister, Arta - they have adult, twin sons.

With Lana; Holland's SIL. A mouthy democrat. A Redmill religion devotee. Jake's mother, family patriarch, & interfering person.

We had recently enjoyed time in the sunshine, in a forested environment: that directly butts up against the family compound in Olequa.

He has been talking about Aunt Gaye, in AZ

I was fooled by Holland's claim & show of Christianity, & outward appearance as such; the mask didn't slip, & his religiosity didn't rear it's head, until we were married. That's the Redmill standard M.O.

Holland grew up around islam indoctrination - he doesn't have a problem with it, because it has been accepted as normal. It's the Harris standard.

islam is firmly rooted in Holland's family nucleus, but I will never accept it. This causes a lot of friction between us; a friction that I do not feel I should apologize for. I do not accept, "need to understand", or apologize for devilry. BIG NO. Big squeeze in our home.

For the past 2 weeks, he has recently been highly sensitized.

I have been expecting the blow-out, and actually expected it sooner.

I know that when the steam builds up and the cork pops … he's on a roll, and hurt is the primary objective to anything that falls out of his mouth.

It's a Redmill trademark.

I spent the majority of the afternoon burning energy and blowing off steam, by heavy lifting and furniture shifting - thank the Lord for my strength building exercises. When I had heard enough & had reached my limit with his ridiculousness, and he saw me danger zone-cleaning, Holland finally zipped his lip, wisely kept his mouth shut, and stayed out of my way - the tone he had set in our immediate space, led him to rightly assume that if he'd uttered another asinine  & inflammatory accusation at me, or tried one more time to justify his shitty behavior or his family's obsession with islamism … there was a pretty good chance (a very good chance, actually) … that I would have done everything in my power to lift and shift him. I was that steamed up.

It's not just his love affair with muslims that is raw nerve in this marriage. It's the combination of a lot of things: he has disabilities that limit him & he doesn't like that, so he's kinda always in angry mode. And my asthma concerns him, which adds another complication to the disabilities issue.

Asthma takes it's toll~April 10th, 2024; Barstow, CA

It's the absolute refusal of any of Redmill men to grow up and morph into full-grown men, willing to shoulder their own responsibilities - and Holland's crazy notion that he has to be smack-dab in the middle of all the chaos, running the dog & pony show from the sidelines: with the exception of Jake, who is around 50 or so … everyone else is 62 & above! They should, by now, be able to man up & be mature enough to handle their own crazy train ride. Tim is the wild card, & from what I can see, what I am hearing, and what Holland should be wise enough to understand - is that that 35 year old [friendship] is no longer a 2-way deal; Tim only calls now, when he wants something from Holland ("track down a car for me", "sell a vehicle for me", ect.): and Holland, jumps right on it. Holland & I have been married a little over 3 years now, and Tim has never once come through for Holland. Not once. Holland has, for 3 years, asked a simple request of Tim … Tim agrees … drags the situation out, blows him off, and just outright ignores him. Until Tim needs or wants something form Holland. This clearly is not the bonded friendship Holland seems to believe it is. It has, to my way of understanding it, played itself out. Tim has moved on; it's the muslim way.

There is nothing that interests me, in kelso.

There is nothing about islam, that interests me.

There's nothing in kelso that I want; & I don't want it in our home.

And I am really tired of having this same argument with my husband every couple of weeks; about the same people, over the same behaviors.

Holland's mother's oldest brother's daughter married a black man & she was shunned by the family ever after. On one hand, they will embrace islam … and on the other, they will cut ties with a family member that dares to engage in an interracial marriage; it's another whacky train car on the family crazy train ride. And that adds another complication to this already complicated marriage, as I am a heinz 57 mutt with Jewish DNA, Native American DNA, and North Africa DNA. I come with baggage Holland doesn't know how to appropriately deal with.

I always knew about the Blackfeet Indian DNA.

I didn't find out for sure about the Jewish DNA until the late 1980's.

I didn't find out about the African DNA until February 2019.

I come with baggage.

He's in a physical & emotional war with himself, in regards to me - keeping this relationship strong & healthy, is too costly to him & he's not ready to pony up.

He's in a spiritual war with Elohim, in regards to me - honing a relationship with Elohim & honoring this marital relationship, is too costly to him & he's not ready to pony up.

The only ones he is not in war with, are the kelso morons - and he will distance himself from God Almighty, & sever any other relationship that threatens his kelso connections. kelso is his be-all.

With the whisper of a dove wing's touch, 1 phone call came & 1 text were sent to me during this time that were Heaven sent (thank YOU, Lord, for the unfailing love you keep ever present, in my Life) - clear and present proof that I don't "hate!" everyone, and that rational people do keep me close. Of course these people don't matter to Holland - they do not qualify as proof: they are not "his people"; his people are all that matter, according to him.

So, I shot him an "I'm d.o.n.e." glare, broke the in-house squeeze, & cleaned house like a frenzied maniac.

Furniture was lifted & shifted.

Windows are sparkling.

Bathrooms smell fresh.

Then, I checked the Anti-Inflammatory Honey Concoction I had set aside to ferment, a months ago, and swallowed a healthy spoonful. I like the color & I like the flavor. I've never tried this for my asthma before … so, I'm hoping for a good result. I want to deal with my asthma, holistically & organically. The honey was gifted to us from Holland's cousin Bruce, when he visited us in Coalinga-CA, a couple months ago.

ALCOHOL FREE ANTI-INFLAMMATORY HONEY CONCOCTION; Castle Rock-WA: (https://roadgypsiesvalandholland.blogspot.com/2026/06/alcohol-free-anti-inflammatory-honey.html)

If Holland would stop acting like an ass & distance himself from kelso connections, that would really be helpful with my asthma flareups.

PLEASE, GOD.

LOUD; Castle Rock-WA

This year - today on May 7, 2026, we will unite and pray as our new 2026 theme calls us to, “Glorify God Among the Nations, Seeking Him in All Generations.”

This is a loud that is welcome.

As I drink my morning joy juice, read an article, & munch on a toasted cheese sandwich; I sit here and think of how crazy my life has become. I may enjoy an occasional country song - but I do not want to get caught up in  living one, with un unrepentant roughneck.

That kind of loud, I can live without.

Some days, patience feels like the hardest thing to hold onto.

Especially with people who test every bit of it. 

As my errant husband was stomping off last night, his parting shot was, "I know more Bible than you do!" I just shook my head, and said, "I doubt it; you may know the words, but you lack enlightenment understanding, and have no concept at all, of application. Being able to quote Scripture passages like a parrot, does not mean that you understand the context. I'm not going to get into a pissing contest with you about this, Holland. I'm just going to say that you have a lot to learn."

That did not go over well.

Well, cry me a freaking river: my roughneck cowboy needs a little reining in before I loosen up. If he wants to "look good", with me standing by smiling prettily - he needs to be good. Just sayin'.

'It's not how things look - that's how things are'. A snippet lifted from the 1974 movie, Zandy's Bride, in which a backcountry Big Sur rancher sends for a mail-order bride … and following [family] male traits, treats  her more as property than a marital partner.

I like the movie Zandy's Bride - and would like to read the novel: but, the novel will cost me a whopping $75 for a 2nd hand buy … and I do not appreciate living the script, in real life.

Yesterday was extremely stressful. So much so, that I went and retrieved Bob's little remembrance urn from where I had it tucked away for my own body's eventual burial if the sound of heavenly shofars & Yeshua tarries.

My heart prays, trusts, & rests in Elohim's faithfulness: He holds steady.

In times of turmoil & strife, my soul cries out & yearns for the peace that passes all understanding.

Loud, undisciplined cowboys are no fun.

No joke.

I want quiet.

I crave peace.

The constant chest thumping, boot stomping, arguing, & shading absences … is wearying.

When my eyes light upon that little ash urn that matches Bob's eyes - I am comforted. His eyes were the kindest eyes & they were always soft when turned on me. When I see that little bit of what is left of Bob's human vessel, I am reminded that my life was once blessed with a love that lifted, & made Days light. Words of encouragement and affirmation were spoken. War was not a daily activity, and anger didn't poison the air.

Bob's Remembrance Ash Urn.

Maybe that's a sin to be thinking of 1 man while married to another: I don't know. Bob is no longer available to me except by memories that comfort me.

And, Holland is lost in Kelso dancing with the devil.

In these times of harsh chaos, comfort is a mighty calming effect.

Right now, in this  moment, BOTH men are absent.

And the remembrance urn comforts.

Speaking of infighting … demonrat obamanite lawmakers are attempting to penalize the growing number of Minnesota cities opting not to fly the new state flag after the old one was deemed racist. Governor Tim Walz’s redesign of the Minnesota flag has been controversial, with comparisons to flags from Somalia - no surprise there: the obamanites are infatuated with American users & abusers. The fight over Minnesota's state flag has ignited a firestorm, and one mayor is refusing to back down. In Champlin, a Minneapolis suburb, Mayor Ryan Sabas is flying the original 1983 flag. The controversy has become a cultural and political flashpoint in a state still reeling from one of the largest U.S. fraud scandals, which involved the illegal anti-American, Somali muslim community infiltrating every city in America … this one, sinking deep & poisonous roots in Minnesota. Some lawmakers have proposed cutting state aid to cities and counties that fly the old flag, but Sabas and other mayors—like Crosslake’s Jackson Purfeerst—have called the bill “ridiculous” and an overreach, arguing it punishes local governments for exercising their right to choose.

obamanite politics is out of control across America, & the insanity of obama causes is entirely too loud: it needs to be unplugged & taken out with the trash.

{{Walz hit with local revolt from Minnesota mayor refusing 'ugly' new flag: 'People's decision'

~Story by Peter Pinedo/FOX News

Minnesota Democratic Gov. Tim Walz is facing a new challenge from a Minneapolis-area mayor who is refusing to back down from flying the original 1980s state flag. The mayor said the controversial flag redesign has left citizens out of the process and stuck with what consider an "ugly" replacement.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Champlin Mayor Ryan Sabas said that "in my nearly 10 years of being on the city council in Champlin and going on four years as mayor of this town, I have never heard from more people on any one issue than I did about the Minnesota state flag."

The new flag has become a cultural and political flashpoint in a state already reeling from one of the largest fraud scandals in U.S. history, heavily involving the Somali immigrant community. The flag was approved by a 13-member commission created by the Democratic-controlled legislature in 2023. Critics of the flag say it is overly simplistic and some have even knocked it as bearing a resemblance to Somalia’s national flag. 

Sabas said that "without any question" there is at least a two-to-one majority in favor of keeping the earlier 1983 version of the state flag. He said that many believe it erases their history, while others simply think it is "ugly." He also emphasized the massive wasteful spending to replace the old flag, pointing to the $40,000 it cost the city of Champlin alone. For these reasons, he is now calling on Walz and the state legislature to reopen the flag issue and put it to a vote by citizens across the state.

"These are the people's flagpoles. This is the people's decision," he emphasized.

Minnesota raised a new state flag on May 11, 2024, featuring an Islamic faith symbol.

The old flag features a blue field with the state seal, with a farmer and American Indian figure along with the state motto and founding date. The new flag touts a more simplified design with a dark shape representing Minnesota, a light blue field and an eight-point North Star.

In its final report to the Minnesota legislature, the Minnesota State Emblems Redesign Commission said that "through extensive public input, a design contest that drew over 2,500 entries, and many hours of deliberations," the commission had "created designs that reflect the spirit of Minnesota — the people, the land and water, and the history of our state."

Many Minnesotans, however, do not feel the flag represents them or their state.

The Champlin City Council voted in February to continue flying the original Minnesota state flag. There has been an effort by some Democrats in the legislature to crack down on around a dozen towns and counties across the state refusing to fly the new flag.

Sabas emphasized that Champlin is well within its legal rights to fly whichever state flag it wants or even no flag at all. He said that he does not have a particular personal attachment to the old flag. He does, however, take issue with how he believes the citizens of Minnesota were left out of the process of choosing their own flag.

"Two years ago, the governor and the Democrats had full power of the House, Senate, and the governor’s seat. They chose they wanted to change the state flag, which they legally have the ability to do that. But instead of bringing this to the House, through the Senate and all voting on it, they picked select members of a committee and that's who chose the flag," he said.

Now, Sabas said Walz and the state legislature "have the opportunity to do this legally and do it right."

In the state legislature, Minnesota Sen. Mark Koran, a Republican, told Fox News Digital that despite being created as a bipartisan commission, the flag redesign committee only represented "about 13 percent of Minnesota’s population."

"Native Americans, Hispanic, LGBT, you name it, every special group was identified," he said. "So, that was really reflective of how all governance [in Minnesota] has been done by a small group of people that they've pandered to under the guise that they're they've been oppressed and they've given them the strongest voice."

While he admitted that the flag "may seem unimportant at one level," he said it has galvanized people across the state because "it’s a direct assault on hard-working, legal U.S. Minnesotans."

"It was a process that reflected almost how all of [Minnesota] legislation has been implemented," he asserted.

Back in Champlin, Tim Huttner, a member of the city council, echoed the mayor’s sentiment on putting the new flag to a statewide vote.

"We cannot legally put it on a city ballot, but it doesn't mean we can't put it on a state ballot," he told Fox News Digital.

Huttner said that before the council voted on which flag to fly, he held a roundtable of his own with constituents. By taking an informal vote of roundtable attendees, Huttner said he found "100 percent" expressed support for flying the original flag.

The Minnesota state flag is shown, which was replaced by a design some say resembles the national flag of Somalia.

When a constituent asked him what his opinion was on the flag, Huttner said his response was, "I don't have an opinion. I work for you."

"I respect our city legislators, I respect our state legislators, but sometimes you've got to redo a redo," he continued. "I believe this is one of those times."

As the nonpartisan leader of a purple municipality, Sabas said of Walz, "I've always felt that he's someone who does listen to me when I have something to say."

"So, I challenge the governor in his last year of being governor of the state of Minnesota to really find a way to unite," he said. "Unite Minnesotans, unite us, Republicans, Democrats, people that don't know which side they are on, unite us."

Fox News Digital reached out to Walz, Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth and Minnesota Senate President Bobby Joe Champion for comment.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/walz-hit-with-local-revolt-from-minnesota-mayor-refusing-ugly-new-flag-people-s-decision/ar-AA22wKlX?ocid=winp1taskbar&cvid=93451262131044f1c609df8409397176&ei=7 }}

I rinsed my coffee mug out, checked the snap traps … of which a loud sound would be music to my ears:

Snap Traps still untouched.

As an added precaution, I bought & employed 2 of these Ultrasonic Mouse Deterrent Plug-in's: 1 in-house, & 1 in the [basement].

Then, I gave a listen to Dave's podcast, because at some point in his podcast, he cracks jokes that make me laugh: laughter is good, right now.

The Rubin Report~Zohran Mamdani Just Got Scared After Billionaire’s Latest Response to Him: 

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

Then, I posted a post to a couple Blog Hops and noticed that Julie had mentioned  my  crochet Floribunda Rose Coaster pattern on her 'Homemade Monday' Blog Hop … and she made a bright yellow coaster for herself, that looks right nice: I like it & it matches her coffee mug, too.

Julie's Blog Hop.

MOD SPRING FLORIBUNDA ROSE COASTER; Castle Rock-WA: 

(https://roadgypsiesvalandholland.blogspot.com/2026/04/mod-spring-floribunda-rose-coaster.html)

Julie's sunny remake looks fine; I'm glad she liked the pattern enough to use it.

Later, I watched a YouTube movie & worked a few more rows of crochet.

Give me steady over chaotic.

Calm over loud.

WHO GETS ACCESS~Self-Care 2026; Castle Rock-WA

 

Yesterday I agreed to work with Holland on his weight loss, so he could get the surgery he's been wanting for the past 3 years - today, I realize that he's really not serious about losing weight … which means there will be no surgery happening; he'll go from doctor to doctor, fight with everyone who tries to give him helpful suggestions - and he'll find a way to make himself the victim; without recognizing his own self-sabotaging. He wants instant results without putting the work in to achieve the end goal.

To effectively lose weight, you  have got to cut back on the calories. Yes, activity is necessary … but, ultimately the fatty foods, the sugary goodies, the comfort eating … has got to be stopped. He's already arguing his doctor's suggestions - and getting snarky with me, because I'm in agreement with the doctor's suggestions.

So, I'm removing myself from the scatter fire fallout.

Who get access.

My ears have gone deaf: I don't want to hear the self-sabotaging gripes.

My phone is muted: I'll look at it if, and when, I feel like it … and I may, or may not return the notifications. It will more than likely be ignored, because peaceful vibes right now, is what is most important.

I'm going to studiously stay in my own lane: he can go it, alone, careening down the DIY Flying Eagle dead-end freeway like a squirrel on crack - I choose to go the peaceful route that actually leads somewhere, with tangible results.

If he wants directions - he can pick up the Road Map himself and read the details:

And I will continue to earnestly pray that he practices separation of another sort - that will be extremely beneficial, on all fronts.

Bloodlines are not an exception to the Rule.

When to Sever Ties With Toxic Family Members: 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIJTEuNN1XM)

This line of thinking leads directly into the pope instigated fight with Trump - highlighting this recent Daily Signal BBC footage:

Mehek Cooke: Media Hypocrisy, the Pope, and the Limits of Moral Authority on War: 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNW4nDwgCYw)

Mehek is correct in her assessment, and I will go further in stating that (1) the pope is not God - regardless of what the catholic religion,  believes (2) the pope is not the authority on anything concerning America - The President of America is - who happens at the moment, to be Donald J. Trump (3) the pope is not teaching the Gospel; the catholic religion has fully embraced islam, and is openly castigating Jews & Christians (4) the pope is certainly not holy, as the religion itself is anything, but; especially now that it has aligned itself with  islam.

Resetting my peaceful atmosphere, I picked up my WIP, and got back to that … while doing a bit of footsie workout under the table 😉

The Darebee Seated Calves workout is also known as calf push-ups, & activate the soleus muscle that runs at the back of your calf from your Achilles tendon to your knee. Research has shown that despite the fact that the soleus is only one per cent the body's weight, it is capable of raising its metabolic rate during contractions to easily double, even sometimes triple, the whole-body carbohydrate oxidation (refers to the total amount of carbohydrates = glucose, fructose, maltodextrin, etc.; being burned for energy by the entire body at a given time). The result is you get a pretty decent energy burn without having to leave your seat.

Seat Calves Workout = a ct. of 30 EA Set x2

Muscles Worked~Sore Feet Workout; 10 reps EA Set x2

The Darebee Sore Feet workout: whether we are sitting down, or standing all day - our feet take a pounding. They are subject to wear & tear, soreness, aches and pains, and get less TLC than any other part of our body. These exercises is where we can make amends for this oversight. Good foot health means improved circulation and a great feeling of personal well being.

2026 is going to be dedicated entirely to my self-care; I had let that slide while trying to build a life with a new husband & find ways to strengthen this marriage. It is abundantly clear that Holland does not share in that necessity - or, for that matter, concerning any necessities that would make his, my, and our life together happier or better.

Self-Care involves the whole being, in it's entirety: body (physical), soul (emotion), & spirit (faith) - this is what I'll be working on this year. Holland can join me, or not; but nothing and no one is going to divert me anymore. My lifespan gets shorter with every passing day … and there's no guarantee that my lungs, or heart, will keep me alive second by second: so, it is imperative that I keep my main focus on the end goal for me … I intend to get Home.

I enjoy my life as I walk this Earth, but this is not my Home. And when my time here draws to an end, I intend to get Home. That is my goal. That has always been my primary concern - especially when solo loboing. I can't afford to get side-tracked anymore by ridiculousness; or side-railed by evil intentions.

I've always been very careful about who has access to me, and when.

It's time to be that intentional, again.

So …

My ears have gone deaf when it comes to self-sabotaging antics.

My phone is muted until Elohim prompts me to actually turn it over and look at the screen.

I'm going to studiously stay in my own lane where the scenery isn't murky, the atmosphere is peaceful, and Life's ride is enjoyable.

THE DEVIL THRIVES IN COWLITZ COUNTY~Self-Care 2026; Castle Rock-WA

It always happens - as soon as we cross the OR-WA border I can feel the change coming; by the time we reached Cowlitz County I can literally watch a change come over him.

It's a spiritual thing … and it's not a good shift. I refer to it now, as the redmill demon: the redmills are spread out over the region, and it gets a real grip on him. The snarkiness ramps up. The snide, belittling remarks pick up speed. The mean streak sharpens. The hurling accusations find their mark, and sting like hell fire. Any time spent in Lana's smoke-filled kitchen, only deepens the spiritual talons, & hones those poisonous darts. He idolizes her until she reaches the saint  madonna status in his eyes. I can't stand her. He goes … I stay home.

All of our marital issues begin & end with Lana's influence in his life: I say his life, because when she started interfering in our life, I shut that down.

Nobody runs me, but Elohim.

So, when he jumped back on the redmill hamster wheel a few days ago - I separated myself from the craziness. He came home in a mood: I went upstairs. When he started a convo, last night, "She's a widow like you …" I quickly stopped that line of thinking; "No. No, she is not. I loved Bob. Bob will always have a special place in my heart; I am a better person because Bob was in my life most of my life. Lana doesn't love anyone but Lana … maybe you - she has certainly called on you enough to come to her rescue; despite the fact that she has a bachelor son & 2 bachelor grandsons already at her beck & call, and daughter living with her. But, from what I could see, hear, & observe when we visited before Scott died; she verbally belittled him in front of me, a newcomer to the family. She bitches nonstop while chain smoking - any cancer treatments she is rushed to, are useless if she's suicidal: but, you're right there by her side, holding her hand and commiserating with her. She ruined her children's lives, and destroyed her husband's confidence as head of his family: I watched in shocked surprise last summer, when she jerked away from Scott, claiming he was hurting her - and he hadn't even touched her yet; I doubt she is crying over Scott's death. She's a bitchy drama queen & I don't like being around her. And every time you are around her, you become a bitchy drama queen, too. Lana is not - in any way, shape, or form, "a widow like" me; there is no comparison at all. I will thank you to keep her name and my name together, out of your mouth. And you don't get to talk assumptive shit about Bob or my relationships with my kids, either. You've never met Bob, & weren't there when things went south with the kids: you don't know what happened, or how I feel, because I don't talk about that period of my life & you've never taken the time to know anything about me - you make demands, assumptions, and accusations, but you don't know anything at all about ME. I do not allow you to make snarky assumptions about things you know nothing about just to dig the redmill demon spurs deeper into me until I bleed. NO. I don't like your "family" - and right now, I don't like you, either; so, I'm going upstairs and I'm going to stay away from you for a good long time. This behavior may be what you are familiar with - with your family, but it is not acceptable with me."

Traffic - 'Light Up or Leave Me Alone' Lyrics: 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SspQ22eL_iU&list=RDSspQ22eL_iU&start_radio=1)

So, that's where we are.

Again.

E.v.e.r.y.t.i.m.e. the redmills make in-roads in his thoughts, or we get back in the vicinity of the redmill demon influence.

PTSD~I don't court these thoughts - my mind never shuts off; so, I usually put distance between me and whatever triggers them. Holland's tirades set me back weeks in recovery!

TBI Personality Changes; Holland goes through this. Frequently.

It's hard to live with.

Bob had brain trauma too - but he wasn't deliberately mean; he didn't go out of his way to hurt me or make me feel worthless. In most ways both men are similar - but Holland is truly a new experience. And when he gets moody, I'm not liking it. I've never had cruel people in my life - and I don't keep hurtful people around me … but marriage is different; you gotta work through the hard stuff. So, right now (and for quite a while) I'm gonna be upstairs. Alone. I'm weary of the redmill hamster wheel craziness.

I can only stay "golden" if I do not have any interaction with him, right now. The redmill family is toxic & I can't allow that life-sucking depressing spirit to wreck havoc on my Life. It's a constant uphill battle & it's going to be a long stay, here in WA

My self-care exercise plan is going much smoother … and will be a success with the recent distancing - just sayin'. For some reason, the men in my life, like to fatten me up after marrying me - but my small frame groans with the added weight. My knees and ankles are screaming in angry rebellion, and my overall well-being is in full-out revolt. Holland's fat-laden meals and smoothies have caused the weight I lost with Bob's passing - to come back. It really, REALLY needs to GO, so my petite body can enjoy to continue "going" forward healthily: this is the goal. And I'm thinking that if the weekly 2-3 day drives to Kelso continue for the entire time we are here - dropping the added weight will be a snap; he won't be around to be fatten me up. I tend to eat light when going solo lobo. In that regard, I suppose I should thank Holland's SIL Lana.

The Darebee Mave Workout is designed to enhance your upper body strength, improve muscle control, and boost bone density, which contributes to *cognitive health. It involves various exercises that will force you to work your upper body, activating the adaptive response and helping you become stronger.

*{{Cognitive Health: Bone Strength and Brain Health - How To Improve Both

https://darebee.com/fitness/bone-strength-and-brain-health.html

Suppose we were to tell you that your bones will determine how well your memory works, whether you are going to get depressed or not, how overweight you will end up being and even if you will suffer from dementia as you get older?

Yet, this is exactly what some new studies are suggesting. The new scientific evidence that’s been accumulating through 30 years’ of research, is overturning the traditional view of bones as the mostly inert scaffolding upon which muscles attach and it is forcing a rethink of the traditional view of the mind/body connection.

It is a lot to unpack so we need to start from the very basics. Bone is living tissue that is a lot more active than previously thought. For example, it acts as storage for calcium and other minerals which are released into the body when needed, and it constantly remodels itself according to environmental stress factors such as diet and physical activity.

The complex chain of chemical processes that enable bone to respond to the body’s neurochemical needs and also adapt to external stimuli and become denser and stronger takes place through the direct biomechanical connection between bone and muscle. Simply put, every time we exercise our muscles send signals to our bones which then respond by releasing complex neurochemicals that affect the performance of the body.

As a result of this constant dialogue we know that weight-bearing exercise such as running, aerobics HIIT, help the bones get stronger and denser and fight osteoporosis which is an age-related disease that weakens the bones. Lifting weights and engaging in other resistance activity also delivers similar results. All of which means that exercises that force the body to experience physical load activate the bones’ adaptive response, reduce the probability of injury and help maintain stronger bones as we get older.

The activity of bones however is not limited on their effect on the body’s skeletal muscle. It expands to also include the brain.

The Mind/Body Connection Of Our Skeleton

Fresh studies show that cells deep in the brain, communicate with skeletal bones through hormonal messaging. This places our skeletal framework at the very heart of the body/mind connection with hormonal messengers secreted by the bones playing a key role in age-related cognitive decline. In addition, this hormonal messaging by the bones affects other physiological factors such as fertility, anxiety and depression.

Building on these findings scientists have also been able to show that the health of our bones plays a role in our ability to learn new things and the quality of our memory. Hormones secreted by the bones that affect us at such deep operational level also affect our appetite and metabolism which means that our ability to be active is governed by them.

At an intuitive level all this makes perfect sense. Physical activity trains the muscles to be stronger. Stronger muscles require stronger bones to support them. Exercise reverses ageing and ageing, in its traditional definition, is the body’s and brain’s gradual, functional decline.

There Is No “Mind” and “Body”

The picture that is emerging is that the traditional divide between “mind” that referred to activities performed by the brain and “body” that meant physical health and strength is an illusion. The entire body is also mind. The brain and the body communicate through the complex network of the central nervous system. Because it is expensive (from an energy point of view) to build, keep and maintain any organ in the body, every organ in the body participates in the dialogue between external stimuli gathered from the environment and internal adaptations that are a response to that stimuli.

In this latest example bones ‘talk’ to the brain and the brain seems to ‘talk’ to bones. What we eat (and when), how we breathe, and even how we think affect what happens to us and are affected, in turn, by the lifestyle choices we make.

Our fascial fitness depends upon the quality and strength of the skeletal bones.

In our body everything is connected. Everything is just body. 

Workouts To Help Improve Bone Strength and Health

In general, HIIT workouts with their fast-paced, high-impact exercises are perfect for improving and developing bone strength. Because the body responds to muscles, strengthening the muscles themselves results in stronger bones.

Generally you are looking at anything that has resistance work, is high-impact, works the fascia and is fast-paced.

Summary

The body’s and mind’s ageing processes are interconnected. Inactivity in one organ leads to inactivity in the other. Ageing involves a slowing down of interrelated processes that affect a wide variety of functions and involve neurochemical and hormonal messengers that affect a variety of organs.

Reversing the ageing process in the body reverses the ageing process in the brain. Physical activity is key to both. Physical activity is also key to remaining healthy and capable for as long as possible, even as we age. Again, there is no “one thing” we can do to achieve that. It is the result of a network of things working together for us. Ultimately we are the ones responsible for making that happen.}}

Muscles Worked.

Push-ups~Aim for 5-10 reps x2; Punches~Aim for 8-10 reps x2; Curls~Aim for 8-10 reps x2; I've posted some alternative exercise moves (#) below.

#Wall Push-ups are safe for a 69-year-old woman to do. They are a low-impact exercise that targets the chest, shoulders, and triceps, building foundational strength without the strain of floor-based push-ups. Proper form and a sturdy wall are essential for safety. Wall push-ups can be adjusted in difficulty by changing the distance from the wall, making them suitable for a wide range of fitness levels.

Wall Pushups~Aim for 5-10 reps x2

They also help improve balance, posture, and functional movement, which are crucial for maintaining independence and reducing the risk of falls.

Dumbbell Cross Punches are generally safe for a 69-year-old woman to perform as part of a balanced and structured strength training program. However, it is crucial to consider the individual's fitness level, health conditions, and any limitations that may arise. Here are some key points to keep in mind - Start Light: Begin with lighter  weights (1-, 2-, or 3-lb weights) and gradually increase (5-lb weight) to avoid injury.

Focus on Form: Ensure proper form and technique to minimize the risk of injury. Gradual Progression: Increase the weight and number of repetitions slowly to allow for adequate recovery and muscle repair.

Dumbbell Cross Punch~Aim for 8-10 reps x2

#If mobility is an issue, consider the chair-based exercise:

Seated Dumbbell Cross Punch~Aim for 8-10 reps x2

Dumbbell Alternating Hammer Curls are safe for a 69-year-old woman to do. This exercise is designed for muscle growth and strength gains while ensuring safety and proper form. It targets the biceps brachii, brachialis, and brachioradialis muscles, providing functional strength for daily activities. The exercise is performed with a neutral grip, which reduces strain on the wrists and elbows, and emphasizes keeping the elbows pinned to the sides to avoid using momentum.

Dumbbell Alternating Hammer Curl~Aim for 8-10 reps x2

It is important to listen to your body and adjust the number of repetitions and sets as needed to avoid overexertion or injury. Here are some key points to keep in mind - Start Light: Begin with lighter  weights (2-, or 3-lb weights) and gradually increase (5-lb weight) to avoid injury.

#If mobility is an issue, consider the chair-based exercise:

Seated Dumbbell Alternating Hammer Curl~Aim for 8-10 reps x2

Following my workout, I did a little internet surfing … and settled on Tony's podcast because the title grabbed my attention; so, I gave it a listen. iran is continuing to issue threats, announcing new "strategic martyrdom" moves to fight the United States, Israel, and surrounding muslim countries that have stood down - and have sided with the United States & Israel - basically to save their own skins; they have no love towards us, or towards Jews. Democrat leaders from California to New York are begging former residents to move back to blue states, while simultaneously promising even higher taxes - not gonna happen. gavin newsom, tim walz, kathy hochul, zohran mamdani are systematic destroyers, their terrible political world-view & disastrous state torpedoing is not going to get better, as more people flee to red states daily. The Senate gets into the dumbest arguments over Voter ID - nothing new there; there isn't enough brain power in the mulish party to jump start a single brain cell.

The Tony Kinnett Cast - The Daily Signal.

🚨BREAKING: Iran Announces "Strategic Martyrdom", Democrats Beg People to Move Back to Blue States: 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DmDkEa3ShM&list=PLjMHBev3NsoV3kHckydY58R7TaYsizl45)