GOLD DIGGERS & GRUBSTAKES

Stephen Bly

Copyright©1993,2008

Ward Fergusen teaches school, so he gets summers off to do what he wants. He often spends  that time painting houses to supplement the income and keep busy. But a few summers back he headed to the higher elevations for a little gold digging. He stopped by our place with his truck loaded with all sorts of equipment, such as a small portable dredge to sift through stream beds. He sure looked like a modern day prospector.

“That’s quite an investment,” I said.

“Well, my car dealer friend, Bill Hastings, sort of grubstaked me,” he replied.

The term ‘grubstake’ still fits lots of situations. Hastings put up the money and Ward did the work. Any gold found would be split between them. At summer’s end, Ward reported that he didn't find anything like a geode, but he made enough to pay for the equipment and buy a few groceries. 

“Hastings was happy and now that the equipment’s paid for, next summer we should turn a profit.”

There’s a sense in which God grubstakes you and me. That is, He gives us gifts and talents and expects us to go out and do something productive with them. Both God and we benefit. 

Matthew 25 relates how each one has been equipped with various sizes of grubstakes. The important thing is not how much you receive, but how you use what God has given you...in order to accomplish His purpose. In the story, the first two servants did quite well with their grubstakes. Both received the same commendation: “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness” (Matthew 25:21). Pure gold. Priceless.

However, the third servant’s condemned for laziness and indifference. He was a bum who expected to be cared for, whether he deserved it or not. He cached the grubstake (buried it in the ground) and returned it later, untouched and untapped.

The day will come when each of us gives an account for God’s investment. He expects some sort of work sheet of what we've done with what He provided.  That keeps me motivated--even in my old age with my health not so great. He deserves a proper payback.

#######

Have you ever had a grubstake type experience? What was the result?

COUNTRY LIFE CAPTIONS

JANET CHESTER BLY

 

Why am I so drawn to snapshots of decrepit old barns and cabins about to fall at the next stiff breeze? Sure, I like the shiny, red ones too, however can’t pass up the antiques that no one would want for their kitchen view landscape. The one on the right I call "eternal autumn."

Maybe because they symbolize the skeleton of stories. Fun on a long trip to think who lived there and why and what happened to cause them to move away and abandon their homestead. Now moss covers their memories.

Or it’s the clash of contrasts. These treasures pop out of fields ripe for harvest or lush forests or come with swamp land, but also sensuous views like these snow-capped mountains. 

Recently I discovered this fairly new motor home parked next to a well-ventilated barn on the verge of collapse, way out in the Southwest boonies. Were they vacationers? Did they inherit the land and had many pleasant memories of summers with grandparents? Or did they have engine trouble and parked at the first site? Or were they temporary or permanent squatters? No one around to ask. I took my shot and moved on.

Last spring when the snow hadn't quite all melted, I got this find. . .what I call the ultimate "fixer-upper." The realtor might wait until things green up a bit to show this place.

Or perhaps do a tour of this barn that comes with a charming dormer window.

What photo ops can you not pass by without clicking or kick yourself because you didn’t bring your digital?

We'd like to use your country pics. . . 

You're invited to participate in our "Country Life Captions" feature. 

Guidelines for entering on the right sidebar.

KILLING TIME, a novel by K. Dawn Byrd

Killing Time blurb:

Mindy McLaurin, thinks it's the end of the world when she's incarcerated on trumped-up embezzlement charges. While in jail, she investigates the death of an inmate who allegedly died of an overdose. Mindy suspects foul play when her cellmate dies and she learns that both women had ingested the same drug. Mindy trusts no one, including Drew Stone, the handsome counselor she can’t stop thinking about. She faces many challenges, including constant interrogation by the Major and emotional abuse from the other inmates. Upon release, someone is stalking her and framing her for the murder. Can she prove to Counselor Stone that she’s innocent of all charges before she loses him forever?

Bio:

K. Dawn Byrd is an author of inspirational romance. Queen of Hearts, a WWII romantic suspense released in April and was Desert Breeze Publishing's best-selling novel for the month. Killing Time, a contemporary romantic suspense released August 1, also with Desert Breeze Publishing.

K. Dawn Byrd is an avid blogger and gives away several books per week on her blog at http://www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com/ , most of which are signed by the authors. She's also the moderator of the popular Facebook group, Christian Fiction Gathering.

When not reading or writing, K. Dawn Byrd enjoys spending time with her husband of 14 years, walking their dogs beside a gorgeous lake near her home, and plotting the next story waiting to be told.

Blog: www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com

Publisher:

http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-103/k-dawn-byrd-killing/Detail.bok (there will be links at this site to purchase from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, the Sony ebook store and others)

See Book Trailer below. . . .

KILLING TIME by K. Dawn Byrd -- Book Trailer

THE FISH THAT COVERS

Stephen Bly

Copyright©1993,2008

An old time cowboy’s typical outfit included muddy boots, brown duckins for trousers and an off-white cotton shirt that turned gray with age. His colorful bandanna got very grimy on the trail. 

But there was one other essential piece of clothing: his bright or mustard yellow oilskin rain slicker. He called it his “fish” because of the trademark Fish brand on the inside, so named in the 1800s because they originally had a fishy smell. The slicker is split for mounted use and large enough to cover the entire saddle, therefore ideal protection for inclement weather. It didn’t keep him warm, but he stayed dry.

Many a cowboy wore out his fish just being tied to the back of his saddle. But he wouldn’t think of going to work without it, no matter the condition. 

To get caught in a downpour without your fish humiliated more than getting bucked off a kid horse. And that fish came in mighty handy on more days than rainy ones. If he rode a forked saddle on a horse that wanted to buck, the slicker jammed between him and the saddle horn provided a bucking roll to help wedge him in. This helped train the horse to not be so jumpy at new sights. And being waterproof, the fish covered his pack, his bedroll, his dinner, his other shirt, his spare Colt .44, or anything else he didn’t want to get soaked in a storm or crossing a river. 

The old fish…or slicker…could cover a wide variety of valuables. A cowboy without one was either dirt poor…or dumb.

Reminds me of the admonition: “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins,” (1 Peter 4:8).

To cover the sins of those you love doesn’t mean you imply that their actions were right or smart or that they’ll escape the consequences. But the ‘love cover’ allows you to refuse to let another’s wrongdoings destroy your friendship. 

You can roll up that kind of love and take it with you wherever you go, ‘cause you never know when someone close will all of a sudden fail you.

 

With God’s help, you’re not too poor to love this way. Nor too dumb to know its good spiritual smarts.

ABIGAIL, a novel by Jill Eileen Smith

Abigail  by Jill Eileen Smith released February 1, 2010 and is book 2 in The Wives of King David series.

About Abigail:

Abigail is the third wife of King David and her journey is one of heartache and shattered dreams, but in the end she grows stronger for what she has endured and her relationship to David takes an interesting turn.

Here's the back-cover copy:

What price must she pay for true love?

Her days marked by turmoil and faded dreams, Abigail has resigned herself to a life with a man she does not love. When her husband Nabal’s foolish pride angers David and his men, she boldly steps forward to save her family—and David, the would-be king, takes notice. 

Circumstances offer Abigail a second chance at happiness with the handsome David, and she takes a leap of faith to join his wandering tribe. But her struggles are far from over. How can she share his love with the other women he insists on marrying? 

Abigail follows the bestselling novel Michal and continues Jill Eileen Smith’s rich story of David’s wives. 

A little about Jill:

Jill Eileen Smith has been married for 33 years to her beloved engineer husband, Randy, and together they have three adult sons. Two sons live in California pursuing a film career, and one lives at home finishing an English degree. She was a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom for 12 years so the transition to almost-empty-nester has been tough! She is most grateful for technology, particularly Skype. Jill lives with her family in Southeastern Michigan.

Ten random things about Jill: 

1.  I am a third-born, married to a third-born, and we have three sons.

2.  My maiden name and married name are the same.

3.  I collect refrigerator magnets of places I’ve been.

4.  I was a high-school valedictorian.

5.   My hubby and I used to be camp counselors.

6.   Randy (hubby) used to take me drag racing in his '66 Mustang.

7.   Traveled to most of the continental U.S.; plus Canada, Hawaii, and Israel.

8.   Used to sing solos in church.

9.   Catered food for a music video production for my kids.

10. I love Bible trivia questions

 Reviews of Jill’s books:

“With skill honed by years of historical research, made sharper still with a gifted passion for storytelling, Jill Eileen Smith crafts the story of Abigail in a way that takes us deep into the heart of King David and into the heart of a woman determined to follow God’s will, no matter the cost to her—or to the man she loves.”—Tamera Alexander, bestselling author of From a Distance and The Inheritance 

“Smith’s writing swept me back to ancient days and brought Abigail and David’s love story vividly to life.”—Deborah Raney, award-winning author of Almost Forever and the Clayburn Novels 

“A rich tapestry of an era filled with love and longing that rings true across the centuries.”—Siri Mitchell, author of Love’s Pursuit

Available from Amazon and fine bookstores everywhere.

Bathsheba, book 3, releases March 1, 2011.

Michal, book 1 is available now.

 

For more info about Jill and her books, go to: 

http://www.jilleileensmith.com or
http://www.thewivesofkingdavid.com

GET OUT!

JANET CHESTER BLY

Copyright©2008,2010

Yesterday proved to be a downer day. I felt listless. Nothing grabbed me as important on my 'to do' list. I sat at home and fumbled with a riff-raff of miscellany. No purpose. No peace. I needed to get out.

 

Peace develops as a process.

Do you want personal peace? Then, get out of yourself and risk a project, a cause, or a relationship. "But that's just why I don't have peace," you might protest. "It's all that stuff and stress of life that gets me down." But the search for peace itself turns your attention inward. Focused on your wants. Your needs. Unless you reach outward, your efforts fail. You stagnate. One living being must reach out to another to stir potential vibrate life.

So, there's no guarantee that what you attempt to do brings you peace. Maybe not. But you won't know unless you try. Peace develops as a process. There's no magic spray can. If there was, you could buy it in 5-gallon drums.

I recall my confusion when my friend Karyn avoided another woman. I thought she and Alexa had much in common. Both had red hair. They loved to ski. They raised chow dogs. And they each had a great sense of humor. Slam dunk friendship, I thought.

Little Orphan Annie

"Alexa makes me feel like a penny waiting for change," Karyn finally confessed. "Or like Little Orphan Annie before she got her perm and learned how to dance and sing."

I realized Karyn measured herself by the ways they were different, not by similarities. They were too much alike, so comparisons happened. My friend was honest and perceptive enough to admit she felt they competed for the attention and affection of the same group of folks.

Once she got convicted of her wrong attitude, she determined to get out, to get of herself. "That's why I reacted so quickly when one of Alexa's dogs was diagnosed with an infectious disease. I knew I needed to help her with cleaning her pens and getting her other dogs separated. I did it more for me than for her--to get my heart right."

 +++++++++++++++


When have you needed to get out, that is, get out of yourself and risk doing something for someone else? Did it lead to personal peace?

THE HOUSE MY FATHER BUILT, a debut novel by Linda S. Clare

THE HOUSE MY FATHER BUILT, novel by Linda S. Clare

We like to introduce new books by writer friends to followers of our blog. We met Linda Clare at the OCW (Oregon Christian Writers) Conference several summers ago. Steve was keynote speaker and Linda taught the major class for nonfiction. We're delighted to feature her debut novel. . . .

About The Fence My Father Built:

When legally separated Muri Pond, a librarian, hauls her kids, teenage Nova and eleven year-old Truman, out to the tiny town of Murkee, Oregon, where her father, Joe Pond lived and died, she’s confronted by a neighbor’s harassment over water rights and Joe’s legacy: a fence made from old oven doors.

The fence and accompanying house trailer horrify rebellious Nova, who runs away to the drug-infested streets of Seattle. Muri searches for her daughter and for something to believe in, all the while trying to save her inheritance from the conniving neighbor who calls her dad Chief Joseph. Along with Joe’s sister, Aunt Lutie, and the Red Rock Tabernacle Ladies, Muri must rediscover the faith her alcoholic dad never abandoned in order to reclaim her own spiritual path. 

BIOGRAPHY:   

Linda S. Clare grew up in Phoenix, Arizona and taught art as well as elementary school in public and private schools. She has published four books, including her debut novel The Fence My Father Built (Abingdon Press 2009). She has won several fiction awards, teaches college writing classes and works as a mentor and editor. Her husband of thirty-two years and their four adult children, including a set of twins, live in Eugene, Oregon, along with five wayward cats, Oliver, Xena Warrior Kitty Paladine, Melchior and Mamma Mia!

Check out Linda's blog where she has lots of tips for writers: http://www.godsonggrace.blogspot.com

Other books by Linda:
Making Peace with a Dangerous God
Revealed: Spiritual Reality in a Makeover World
Lost Boys and the Moms Who Love Them

What they’re saying about The Fence My Father Built by Linda S. Clare:

 “I was so moved by the first pages that I literally cried. This is simply a story you cannot take the chance of missing.” -- Eva Marie Everson, Author of Things Left Unspoken

"With vivid descriptions and a fine sense of place, Linda Clare introduces us to a little known landscape of the high desert west."—Jane Kirkpatrick, Award-winning author of Flickering Light and All Together in One Place.

"I've been a fan of Linda Clare's writing for many years and am so thrilled to see this book finally in print! " ~ Melody Carlson, author of Dear Mom, Just Another Girl, The Other Side of Darkness, 86 Bloomberg Place, The Carter House Girls, and much more....

"Linda's fresh original writing, a captivating back drop and cast of fascinating characters make this story of colliding cultures, a dead father's honor and a daughter's bleak reality a truly compelling read." ~ Bonnie Leon, author of Enduring Love Sydney Cove Series

I was unable to put down this book.  It held my interest to the very end." —Elizabeth Bantz, Author’s Choice Reviews

“Clare’s rich and thoughtful contemporary inspirational novel vividly portrays the day to day struggles of a neglected people against poverty, substance abuse and more, while holding out the enduring hope for second chances.” ~Lynn Welch, Booklist

"Readers trying to find their way home will relate to Muri's longing for father. They'll rejoice with her when she finds faith and the Father." ~ Kim Peterson - CBA Retailers Magazine

COUNTRY LIFE CAPTIONS

WHAT TO DO WITH LEFT-OVER APPLES

sent by Linda Strawn

Last fall, we had an abundant crop of apples, but could not sell or use them up fast enough. Every day, my daughter would fill a bucket and toss the spoiled fruit out in the field. The cats loved to chase them, that is, until the deer showed up.

Linda Strawn is from Shasta County, California. She is a wife, mother, and an author of Christian fiction. Find out more about her at http://www.lindastrawn.com 

Here's the verse Linda has on her signature:

"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart" (Proverbs 3:3).

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

READY FOR DINNER

sent by Lynn Skillicorn

Lynn says: I don't remember who sent me the bear picture. Someone emailed it to me a couple of years ago. It has probably been around the internet for a bit now. I wouldn't know who to give credit to for taking the photo.

Lynn is a member of our Yahoo Fan Group: 

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Stephen_JanetBlyFans/

Note from Blys: We're sure this is just the sort of picture that Shepard Smith of Fox News would show over and over. He loves bear pictures and videos, especially that one of the bear that fell out of a tree and onto a trampoline. He shows that one as often as he can!

What interesting contacts have you had with animals out in the countrysides?

Check out on the top right of our sidebar to see how you can send a photo for us to feature on our blog.