Monday, July 12, 2021

US Navy ZR-1 Airship USS Shenandoah

 

US Navy ZR-1 Airship USS Shenandoah

Here is an original bookplate illustration from the book, Man's Conquest of the Air, published in the 1920s.  Unfortunately, the book was not in a condition where it could be saved to be read another time, but this plate is still looking very good though about 100 years old.

This US Navy ZR-1 airship was the USS Shenandoah, the first of four US Navy rigid airships, lost in 1925 while flying over the state of Ohio. Fourteen men lost their lives, 29 survived. 

The plate of US Navy ZR-1 is currently on sale in GrandmaHen's Treasure Shop on Etsy.  There is one original copy to be purchased by the right buyer. Shipped free in the U.S.A. 


Monday, April 26, 2021

New Listings by Grandma Hen on Etsy

 GrandmaHen on Etsy has new listings!

LINK Two Neely Hall Craft Pattersn #708 and #125

LINK  Joy Jingles for Kiddies by Guy Hernis, Worzalla Publishing, Stevens Point, Wisconsin Rare Book!

LINK  Notebook of Miss Helen Tillisch, St. Michael's Academy, Chatham, NB, Canada 1907-1908

LINK  Churchill-Grindell Song Book Series Books 1-7, and Songs for Sunday Schools and Religious Day Schools

LINK   1904 Christmas Edition Gold Medal Flour Cook Book 1970 Reprint

SHOP GRANDMAHEN on Etsy!



Monday, August 24, 2020

The Specialness of Rainbows

Blog post by Mary Katherine May
24 August 2020

What makes rainbows so special? Is it their beauty? That they come after rain? The biblical promise? 


In Pablo Neruda's posthumously published work, The Book of Questions, he asks:

"Where does the rainbow end, in your soul or on the horizon?"

What an intriguing, thought-provoking question!

This  LINK will take you to archive.org where you can read the English translation Neruda's book online for free. You will also find print copies both new and used, English and bilingual editions at Book of Questions.

Have a blessed day!

Saturday, August 22, 2020

What Does the Systemic in Systemic Racism Mean? Is There a Cure or Is It a Terminal Illness?

This blog post by Mary Katherine May

22 August 2020

It is sometimes tough to understand where a group is coming from and understand but we must, whether friend or foe, because understanding is the key, if it is at all possible, to getting along and knowing the true nature of something. What does the adjective "systemic" mean, how does it apply to "systemic racism" and the situation we find ourselves experiencing in the U.S.A.?

Something that is "systemic" affects the whole organism. It can mean either something that is benefiting the whole or destroying the whole. What it is not is a cure like a drug that works its way through the body and heals it.

Thus, "systemic racism" means that it is not only a group such as the KKK, or a few people here and there who are racist. It means that every part of everywhere and everything in the USA is incurably diseased.

Here in America, it has taken on the meaning that everyone, everywhere who doesn't wear the color of skin relating to the practice of slavery by their very appearance has to be racist.
It also means that since all people and entities involved in founding, growing and developing the U.S.A. from its inception until now have the racist skin color and that our country is incurably permeated, systemically invaded with racism. All that is good, all that America has done that is good, is in this ideological thinking not good because at the core is evil.

It means that all that we know as the U.S.A. is hopelessly wrong, bad, and evil. And like putting pesticide solution on weeds, that invades their system and overtakes it, to kill them all so the good may grow, all that is present must die and be replaced with the new and right.

Those who believe this want it done now, no waiting--and why should they think anything else since there is no cure? For those prone to vengeance and violence, it means they can justify their actions. It means that accusing all who don't agree with their premise of systemic racism must be silenced and destroyed.
The only solution is new society, one that is systemically pure, must be put into place.

None of us knew that like going to bed at night, pulling the shade up in the morning and looking out at the world and ourselves, we would suddenly discover we had been born evil with no hope of change. This is what the left and their leaders are saying they believe needs to happen.


Do you see a parallel here between how Jesus came into the world to save us, to transform souls? Look at 1John 1:5-10. Think not only about the ideology of left and right, think about Joe Biden's acceptance speech and how he talked about systemic racism, darkness and light. Think about how they are not condemning the riots, want open USA borders, believe in letting aborted babies born alive die... Why does defunding police in the midst of chaos make sense to them? Because police, and law and order, gets in the way of destroying the fabric of a systemically evil America. In my thinking, what is happening is scary stuff.

Do you think I am on to something here or do you think I am way off the mark? If you have read this far, it is for you to decide. There is a Grand Canyon-size divide in America where on one side there is a curable disease and on the other a terminal illness. That is what "systemic" is all about.

Friday, November 16, 2018

10 Encouraging & Inspirational Bible Verses for the Down, Dark Days

Be strong in the LORD and in his might power.
Ephesians 6:10 NLT
Image created by Mary Katherine May
List of 10 Encouraging & Inspirational Bible Verses for the Down, Dark Days

List prepared by Mary Katherine May

From experience I know that keeping Bible verses that talk about strength, encouragement and trusting God in my heart and mind will see me through dark, hard days. It isn't usually an automatic thing, though. I repeat them to myself, over and over, and tell God I do trust him and believe He will give me peace. 

1. This day is holy to our LORD. Do not grieve, for the JOY of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10 NIV

2. Jesus Christ: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27 KJV

3. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV

4. The LORD is my shepherd, I shall NOT want. Psalm 23:1 NASB

5. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust and will not be afraid, for the LORD God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation. Isaiah 12:2 ESV

6. Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. Psalm 55:22 NASB

7. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 NKJV

8. GOD IS our refuge and strength, a very PRESENT help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 KJV

9. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. ...but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40: 21, 31 NIV

10. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart. Wait, I say, on the LORD! Psalm 27:14 NKJV



Thursday, September 20, 2018

The Word of God Is a Marvelous Word Quote J Vernon McGee

The Word of God
is a marvelous Word 
if you just let it speak to you.
Quote from Thru the Bible by J. Vernon McGee

Every day is a good day because it is the Lord's Day!

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Please never think that you are not good enough, smart enough, or knowledgeable enough for God to speak to you through the words of the Holy Bible. 

God speaks to all who will listen with a message intended exactly for each individual person. Most often it will take reading the same passage many times, but it will come, or He will have you tuck it away in the back of your mind and bring it out just at the right time when you need it. 

Read because you want to hear. That's how it works.

The Word of God is a marvelous Word if you just let it speak to you. ~ J. Vernon McGee

Blog post by Mary Katherine May, co-owner of QualityMusicandBooks.com

Wednesday, September 5, 2018

What Will Put You in a Sunshine Mood Today? Nathaniel Hawthorne Quote


I cannot endure to waste anything so precious 
as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house.
~ Nathaniel Hawthorne ~
Hello Sunshine! by Mary Katherine May

> This blog post by Mary Katherine May of QualityMusicandBooks.com.
> Image created by Mary Katherine May photograph using Corel Painter Essentials 6
> Image is free to download and save for nonprofit use.
> Quotation from Passages from the American Notebooks by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Boston: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1868.

Where you are is there sunny sun out today creating the feeling of freedom and joy, energy and enthusiasm?  If not...make your own sunshine!  Think on something, do something that will put yourself in the mood.  Please, don't let weather control your disposition.

Every day is a great day because it is the LORD's day!

Monday, September 3, 2018

Spouse's POV Living with Dying Interstitial Lung Disease

Rick and Mary May
September 3, 2018
My husband is dying. I say it out loud far more than I should. It shocks people.  Maybe saying it aloud makes what's happening more real. Maybe it helps accepting the future. I don't know.

Blog post by Mary Katherine May

As a Christian I say that I am not afraid of death and am ready to die.  I now know the hypothetical is different than reality.  I don't believe I fear death, but I do know that being ready to die hypothetically is not even close to being true after hearing from the doctor my beloved is on his way to the pearly gates.

After nearly 45 years of marriage do I have the right to the feeling that it was shocking news? 

He is 68 years old and retired.  Does it mean I shouldn't feel grief but should expect it?

Interstitial Lung Disease is an awful thing.  The lungs fill up with stuff, choking the space where air should go meaning the unlucky recipient of scarring and honeycoming and whatever else dies by suffocating. 

We saw how it was with his Dad.  We know what's coming.

Living with Dying...how do you keep going? Every heavy, noisy breath he takes...I stop asking him if he is alright. He must be tired of hearing me ask.

I am working on being positive.  Some days it's hard work.  No one in their right mind wants to live anticipating death. The best way to live is to make every day the best and leave death waiting until in front of its doorstep.

Washing up dishes after dinner is tough for him and so is making his bed. He has to stop and rest. Bending over to put on socks and shoes is tough so to make it easier he got velcro shoes. He is not supposed to travel by air anymore.

One year after diagnosis, he has lots of pills, oxygen machine, and handicap card for the car. He rides the motorized carts at the stores. Tasks he used to do himself now are hired out. He has to watch someone else do them and sees he is powerless to make what's happening change for the better.


...and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Mark 10:8
Sometime during the past year it came to me about how the Bible says that in marriage two become one.  I thought, how does one live when half of me is gone? Others have gotten through it, so can I. 

The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want.
If Psalm 23 were only that one line long, it would say everything I need to hear.  I can't count how many times this one sentence has gotten my focus back to where it should be. 

Though I walk through the shadow of death
           ...thy rod and thy staff comfort me.
Here is where my faith is my staff.  I lean on my staff to make the walking easier.  Living the faith that I believe means trusting God to handle it for me, and though I forget to do that, the time getting back on track is shorter and I am forgetting less.

Truth!  By experience, I know that in reading the Bible I have placed in my mind Scripture that comes to mind when I need it to sustain me.  It's the same with hymns.  
Leaning on the Everlasting Arm
What a Friend We Have in Jesus
God Will Take Care of You... He does.

As a bookseller, I go through a lot of books.  Part of the preparation for selling is to look at each page so I can accurately describe the condition as well as determine if there will be a profit and price.  This blog post has come from looking at a volume of Annie Johnson Flint poetry and discovering her thoughts about The Heaviest Cross. 


It is not His cross that is heavy;
It is those that our hands have made
That hinder us on our journey,
On our aching shoulders laid;
There is strength for the load He gives us,
And balm for the thorn He sends,
But none for the needless burdens
And none for our selfish ends.

We bear a burden of sorrow;
We carry a weight of gold;
We cling to some treasured idol,
And will not loose our hold;
We bend beneath troubles and worries;
We drag the load of a wrong;
And we cry that the cross is heavy,
And sigh that the way is too long.

Let us drop the sin that besets us;
Let us cast aside our fears;
Let us give our grief to Jesus,
And break our pitcher of tears;
Let us learn of the meek and lowly
Who giveth the weary rest;
Let us take His yoke upon us,
And walk with Him abreast;

For His yoke is easy to carry,
And His burden is light in weight;
He will do His share of the labor,
For He is a true yoke-mate.
Are we weary and heavy laden?
Are we anxious and full of care,
That is not the cross of His giving,
But the one that we make and bear.
Annie Johnson Flint Poems Volume One
Toronto: Evangelical Publishers, 1944

October 7, 2018
Something changed this past month--not in our situation, but in me.  One day I realized that I had stopped anticipating death and had begun living through the circumstance.

Two things occurred to me. First: It had taken a year for my initial grieving to pass (my eyes no longer tear up at any moment) which seems to me a very long time; and, Second: that it is possible to live as though nothing has changed, even though everything has changed. Maybe hearing the coughing, listening to the oxygen machine, seeing how exhausted he gets has all become routine. I don't know. For sure, everything is going to be okay.

Saturday, September 1, 2018

A Mushroom Outing in Minnesota

Mushrooms! Fungi! 
Minnesota!
This blog post by Mary Katherine May

It was a sunny day in September of 2016 that my husband and I went to the Sandhill Crane Natural Area in East Bethel, Minnesota.  It's just a wild place in its natural state. 

Going there means you will climb over fallen branches, walk through thick brush and over uneven ground.  We parked at an entry point which was the end of a cul de sac on a neighborhood street and walked in.  There never were any sandhill cranes in sight, but there was loads of fungi to photograph during the two hours (take or leave a few minutes) of exploration.  

I have been waiting to share some of the photos until I could put names to the mushrooms, and even bought a book but still having difficulties with identification. I am comfortable for the time being, however, with my pleasure at taking mushroom photos and will dig into identification at a later time. Fungi experts with ID skills welcome!

So...voila!  Here are some images from our Sandhill Crane Natural Area Adventure.



































Saturday, March 17, 2018

What About This Jesus Prayer

The Jesus Prayer
Blog Post by Mary Katherine May


Who can any person change but themselves?  It is the result of the transformation within our self that changes others.  In matters of Christian faith, the transformation enacted to committed believer, a servant of the Lord, is performed by God.

So many Christians pray the Jesus Prayer. It is a blessing requested in order to be a blessing to, and for others.  It is an ancient prayer that when prayed we join the chant of our Brothers and Sisters in Christ throughout the centuries.

Jesus Christ, Son of God, 
have mercy on me, a sinner.

One sentence. 11 words of which the longest has six characters. The prayer can be carried with you in your heart and lips wherever you go. 

St. Hesychios the Priest on the Jesus Prayer
Source: The Philokalia, Vol. 1
The single-phrased Jesus prayer destroys and consumes the deceits of the demons.  For when we invoke Jesus, God and Son of God, constantly and tirelessly, He does not allow them to project in the mind's mirror even the first hint of their infiltration--that is to say, their provocation--or any form, nor does He allow them to have any converse with the heart. 
If no demonic form enters the heart, it will be empty of evil thoughts, as we have said; for it is the demons' habit to converse with the soul by means of evil thoughts and so deceitfully to pervert it.
Resources for the Jesus Prayer
Jesus Prayer, Prayer of the Heart from OrthodoxPrayer.org
Includes a downloadable trifold brochure

The Jesus Prayer at the Orthodox Church in America website, OCA.org

Orthodox Prayer Ropes from St. Paisius Monastery in Arizona.

Many books have been written on the Jesus Prayer and there are no-cost resources available on the internet.

Rick & Mary May own the Christian-based webstore, QualityMusicandBooks.com.

Monday, March 12, 2018

How Hard Is It to Be Calm in the Middle of a Storm

We Christians are prolific on quoting Bible verses and talking about how being saved by Jesus Christ brings peace in all life experiences. Calm in the midst of the storm. Gale winds blow but we remain as strong as a rock, soaring above it all being carried on the wings of eagles.

Reality Check: Staying calm, not letting all the troubles, trials and tribulations change the psychological make up of mind and body is tough.  It of takes a lot of  work.

Maybe the reason so much is written about being at peace is because all the people who publish advice they are giving to themselves.  That is, ye complaineth too much!

Human beings are advice givers, not necessarily advice takers. For many Christians to admit to not being in perfect peace or not remembering to trust God is a shaming confession, even a terrible sin. What you will discover, however, in a group of honest believers is that an admission will lead to others having the same problem.

Being at peace is not impossible. There are times when a whole lot of stuff is swirling around yet in the core of my soul I am at rest.  The flesh, however, is weak and that means my body can still react physically to stress.

What to do about physical reactions to stress? Doing nothing changes nothing.

> Time Outs. 
Pray
Make a card of Bible verses that speak to your soul about peace.
Look at beautiful, peaceful photographs. 
Close your eyes and take deep breaths. 
Walk. 
Get a joke book and read it, humor is free medicine. 
Carry a pocket-size book of short, inspirational devotions.
Stretch and shake your limbs to release muscle tension.

But you have to do something. Stress and anxiety consume the soul with a negative impact and bring harm to the physical health of your body.

There is a good reason why Jesus says to not hate, pray for your enemies, forgive, and give everything over to Him. It is healthy. Carrying around burdens and cares blocks out all the blessings He has to give you.

It doesn't go away or get better or happen less without effort. That's a fact.

Sunday, March 4, 2018

Is Universal Salvation True According to the Bible


Blog Post by Mary Katherine May


Image by Mary Katherine May
Q: Is Universal Salvation True?

There are some Christians who believe that in the end every person, whatever they have done, even people like Adolph Hitler and Idi Amin, will be in eternity with God.

The logic is that Jesus Christ who is all love will not judge and punish--and I believe that true. There are, however, consequences of actions.


Definition: In Christian theology, universal reconciliation (also called universal salvation, Christian universalism, or in context simply universalism) is the doctrine that all sinful and alienated human souls—because of divine love and mercy—will ultimately be reconciled to God. (source: Wikipedia.org)

A loving, just God will allow those who have performed heinous actions without remorse to finally have consequences for what they have done.

BUT believing in universal salvation as we understand the concept, or not, according to Scripture is not in the saving equation for which Jesus died and was resurrected from the dead.

What do the words of Jesus Christ tell us?

First: Jesus came to save the world. (John 3:16)

Second: All will be resurrected and stand before Jesus. (Acts 17: 31)
"For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising Him from the dead."
Third: Resurrection of Life and Resurrection of Evil (John 5: 25-29 NRSV)

“Very truly, I tell you, the hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself; and he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not be astonished at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and will come out, those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation."

I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:8 NKJV

God bless your day. Amen.


Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Doubting Thomas A Biblical Idiom


Source: Wikipedia.org
Iconostasis of Transfiguration
church, Kizhi monastery,
Karelia, Russia
Doubting Thomas: A Biblical Idiom
Blessed are those who have not seen but still believe.
Blog Post by Mary Katherine May of QualityMusicandBooks.com

One of the tricky parts of learning a language foreign to you is that in everyday conversation you will not pick up on common sets of words which have cropped in that mean something to people comfortable with local vernacular language. These are known as idioms.

Idiom: a group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words.

Doubting Thomas is an idiom based on the biblical story that took place after Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit, rose from the dead.
Doubting Thomas: A skeptic who refuses to believe without direct personal experience (source: Wikipedia.org)
 In everyday life, holding back on believing something without firsthand experience that is trustworthy is most often a very good policy.

When it comes to the spiritual realm of Christian faith, however, belief and faith without trust are impossible.  I will qualify this statement with the fact that I believe spiritual experience, though unexplainable and misunderstood by those who do not believe, does provide assurance of the reality that Jesus Christ lives.
John 20: 24-29 NLT   One of the twelve disciples, Thomas was not with the others when Jesus came. They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.” Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed. Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me. 
1 Peter 1: 8-9   Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
The facts are present and true:  Jesus was crucified.  He died.  His tomb was empty because he didn’t stay dead. He appeared and walked, talked and ate with his disciples. 

It is quite ironic that people who believe in ghosts, psychics, reincarnation, and a whole lot of other stuff refuse to believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the love of God, the Father. 

Monday, January 8, 2018

God Holding People Accountable Judgement VS Consequences

Blog post by Mary Katherine May of QualityMusicandBooks.com

You hear it on the news all of the time. People demand justice. Great offense is taken at any and all disrespect.  The fact of the matter is a whole lot of lousy stuff happens for which justice never, ever comes.

God's justice, however is a given fact.  For those whose desire for wrongs to be made right, be assured that one day, justice will come.

     There are those who have perpetrated such great evil and shown no remorse for what their behavior caused that without consequences for their actions God would not be just. This is not God judging, but a result of a person's behavior. 

     A loving God is also a just God. IF ultimately all are blessed and forgiven without seeking forgiveness then Jesus died for no reason. Then there is no need to be good, to be a Christian, go to church, and more. 

That all are saved is called Universal Salvation, or Universal Reconciliation. You will not find it in the Bible. From ancient times the consensus of the Christian Church is that Universal Salvation is a heresy. 

Most certainly, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ did reconcile all people to God. All people, however, don't seek reconciliation for themselves. Jesus Christ explains it himself:
“Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out: those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned. John 5: 28-29
Scripture also tells us that it is NOT our place to judge. Only God knows the true character of each person's heart.

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we are called to love. Love our neighbor as we want to be loved...cared for, respected.

Friday, January 5, 2018

Does Church Size Determine Quality?

This blog post by Mary Katherine May.
Rick and Mary May operate the webstore QualityMusicandBooks.com.

Large churches and mega churches have resources to do many good things. Small and medium size churches have up close and personal ministries that megas can't touch.

Church size is not a good, better, best thing. Quality comed in hearing God's calling and living it out to its fullest potential.