Laveda D. Rockford

  Pharez: A Christmas Story Part 2 As the light grew more intense, fear arose among the shepherds. Pharez averted his eyes and lowered himself into a submissive pose while raising his arms up in an effort to protect himself. Then they heard these words, “ Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” Pharez relaxed and looked up again and saw the most amazing sight, an angel of the LORD. The glory of the LORD shown all around him. it was the most beautiful sight Pharez had ever seen. “Am I dreaming,” thought Pharez, but at that moment, he heard the voice again. “For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Pha

Pharez: A Christmas Story Part One   Pharez was awakened from a deep sleep. “Pharez, it is time. Wake up, my boy, she is bleating,” said the old man. Pharez rose quickly and followed the old man. The night was dark except for the brightness of the moon and stars. Pharez knew these hills and valleys like the back of his hand. As they grew closer, he heard the bleating of his ewe. He had been staying up every night waiting for this to begin, but last night he was too exhausted, and the old man offered up his services for the evening watch. Pharez followed the old man into the lambing cave with a mixture of trepidation and excitement. This could be the one. Pharez stooped down to comfort his ewe. He spoke softly while rubbing her belly, “I’m here, settle down, it will be alright.” The frightened look in the ewe’s eye softened some when she heard his voice. After all, sheep know the sound of their shepherd’s voice. The ewe gave birth to a little lamb. Pharez inspected the lit

  THE CASE OF THE BLACK PEARL RING: THE VISION The Yahreh series is a continuation of crime dramas that happen and are solved during the years leading up to and after the birth of Gina and Wade’s son Yahreh. Gina and Wade named him Yahreh after Yahweh Jireh. The Lord will provide. The following excerpt is the explanation of how Wade knew that they were going to have a son. Wade is telling Gina about the vision that he had and what it means.   The Case of the Black Pearl Ring by Laveda D. Rockford Screenplay excerpt   *** WADE: THE VISION: “I was talking to the LORD when all of a sudden, one who was like a man stood in front of me. I was fearful at first and the man said, ‘Do not be afraid, your prayers have come up as a sweet savor unto the LORD. I was sent to tell you of a mystery that will soon come to pass. You will have a son, and he will do mighty things. Though you will not be with him when these things come to be, you will witness them from on high.” Wade pau

  HAPPY HOLIDAYS I have not been feeling well for the last few days, but I am getting better. And today, I have done a few things around the house and finished adding a couple more decorations. My Mother, Aunt Bonnie and I like to have our house decorated for Christmas before the Thanksgiving festivities. Not only because we love Christmas, but because it gets colder as the days grow shorter and all of us do not like the cold. But we love this time of the year. Bonnie has been in the kitchen dishing up delicious dishes for a gathering tomorrow. I am disappointed that I will not be in attendance because I am being cautious for mine and everyone else’s sake. Take a look at what our kitchen looks like today. From the green and red apples, roasted pecans, and pumpkin, with a fresh turkey getting ready for its dressing. Fun times in the kitchen this time of the year. And that is not all. We have three trees, well, actually four. I let my Mother use the little tree that I was gifted wi

THE FENCE It took quite a while to have my fence ordered and installed. I am pleased with the completion except concerning the caps. When the cooler weather moved in, wind beat down on this beautiful fence and caused some of the caps to fly into the air looking for some other place to rest. I had to go out during the rain and reinstall them onto their perch. After discussing it with family, it will be an easy fix. So, after all said and done my heart sings today. What a beautiful day it is. The weather has cooled some and the sun is shining bright which makes me happy. Here is a photo of the fence. Isn’t it beautiful? I just love it.   And talking about the fence, the reason I had a fence installed is because I love flowers. A flower garden is something that will be a joy to see year-round. I have purchased some items that will go into the flower garden for winter interest though they will not be included this season. They need to be cleaned and painted before I place them. How

  ELOQUENCE I may not speak with eloquence about a seed or thought, but I know that what I do matters. I may not be the most beautiful woman in the world, but I know that who I am matters. I can speak about many things that other people can understand because I do not think more highly of myself than others. I learned how to treat people and not because I am all that, but from the ill treatment of others toward me. I learned from hard knocks that to become something better than what you have experienced is more eloquent than being like the ones who have hurt you. This is called the school of hard knocks. It is easy to enter and become a student, but it is extremely hard to graduate on. Graduation means that you have learned something. And what I have learned is that not all people are the same, but we all hurt the same. Whether it be feelings, physical or emotional, it is how we grow into something better than what we have been taught. I have learned how to stand in the world of ha

  CHRYSANTHEMUMS IN BLOOM: The Fall Garden Daisy As you know I have been planting a new flower garden in my backyard. In the design I have incorporated perennials with spring, summer, and fall interest. Once it is in place, the maintenance should not be difficult. Anyway, that is the goal. Chrysanthemums are in bloom in my area and at the peak of their cycle. Whether pink, white, yellow, or brown, the chrysanthemum is the autumn flower power. It not only is pleasing to the eye, but it also welcomes the cool evening air as a best friend, not withering at the sudden cold evenings like some of the other flowers. It was built for these cool nights. I have not planted the Chrysanthemums yet, but hopefully soon. I was asked if I needed to take them inside over the winter, but from personal knowledge, I know that Chrysanthemums function as perennials in my area. I am still waiting on the fence to be built and hopefully soon. It will be a neat background for my design while protecting it

  AUTUMN PLANTING Last Wednesday was my birthday and I celebrated with my Mother and Aunt Bonnie by traveling to a few garden centers and purchasing plants to use in my garden design. Today was a very strenuous day. Wearing a straw hat while temperature soared into the lower 90’s, I continued the quest that I began in the early morning hours. It was nice this morning and made digging in the garden sweet. One thing that is funny about the past few days is the rain. We have not had much rain lately and I had been concerned about the toughness of the lawn where the garden would be. Well, God came through again. While riding home from Joplin on Wednesday, it started raining. We wanted to go through Nevada and pick up a tree that was purchased but we thought better of it. I did not want a muddy mess in the vehicle, so we settled down for the night listening to the rain and watched a movie.   It rained off and on for three days which made digging up the lawn a little easier. Do not t

  BEGINNING TO GARDEN In case you have not read my update about moving into town, I told you about the backyard and the birdbath that I have the pleasure of using in the backyard design. I have been very busy with my day job and taking care of the house and yard. Not to mention the time I like spending with my mother and aunt watching movies. Yes, you could say that we watch more than we should, but my mother does not walk as well as before and watching a movie together is the way we can spend time together doing something that we all enjoy. So, I have not had the chance to start the yard projects until now. Here is a photo of the birdbath with three Lavandula angustifolia, also known as Lavender, plants surrounding it. I thought it was an honorable day to plant these beauties. Their fragrant leaves fill the surrounding air with their lavender scent. I cannot wait to see them blossom next year. The fragrance is sweet from its fragrant leaves brings thoughts of future blooms destined

  DÉCOR AND MORE I have spent the last three to four weeks moving me and my mother into a family home that we are sharing with my aunt Bonnie. After all, my mother still has stage four cancer and we three together will be able to assist with any unforeseen obstacles. Three women sharing expenses is going to save all of us quite a bit of dough. It is never fun when you move. But the joy of it is when you get to display your treasures in just the right spot. Each of our rooms are decorated accordingly and I had to share this photo of the top of one of my bookcases. I displayed one of my paintings with additional scenery. Yes, you may think that I am silly for thinking of something like that, but you have to find joy wherever you can.   It just so happened that our community and little part of the world we live in has a one-hundred-mile garage sale and since we had to move, we had plenty of items to sale. We were very excited to sale the first item and it just kept going. All day

The Sheer Essence of Love   Love is an emotion that can be seen through the sheerness of time, It cannot be coerced or prodded.   Love is a feeling that can be hidden from the world, Behind the façade of ones will.   Love can be given and received, But it cannot be taken, And never be deceived.   Love can change people, And effect history as no other feeling can.   Hatred destroys, love restores, Love gathers good things for its possessor, While hatred tears apart the own hearts way.   One is full of darkness, while the other full of light.   You can feel the weight of one, and the height of the other.   On any given day I chose to feel love over, All the gastness of hate.   Love is felt in the sheerness of time, Delicate, yet strong, Reaching out from its possessor, Filling the void where it belongs. The essence of love is the sheer evidence of God in one’s life. The essence of love is Godly, the sheer essence of love.  

ROCKFORD SMILE: PAINTINGS BY LAVEDA D. ROCKFORD I thought it would be nice if I shared a short video of the paintings that I have completed. Oil painting is one of my stress relievers. I chose the thumbnail of the roses because it was my first attempt at painting. I will always love that painting! I hope that you enjoy this short video. God bless and have a blessed week! Love always, Laveda D. Rockford © 2022 Laveda D. Rockford

  TWO BOOKS BRING TWO SCREENPLAYS YAHREH | Screenplay Wade Hamilton accepts the assignment that leads him into an investigation that changes his life. He learns a new way of looking at things, and the ability to see beyond his own understanding. Combine that with the help of his team, and the criminals are rounded up and he closes the case that brings Gina into his life. THE CASE OF THE BLACK PEARL RING | Screenplay After Gina and Wade open their own private investigation company, they find out the world is not as small as they thought. Wade travels across the country only to find the answer that they are looking for in their own backyard. When his old team members join the investigation, the list of criminals get longer, and the team acquires new technology that help them get a positive result with an unexpected ending.   The Yahreh Series is an exciting crime drama that continues through many investigations. When the second screenplay ends, the team begins a new adventure

DESIGNING THE GARDEN I have been excited because I will have a new plot of land to work with soon. A blank slate of ground except for a lone birdbath off-center that I must incorporate into my design. I have looked through my flower gardening books and produced some promising ideas. After having realized that I only have a small amount of time to care for a garden, I have decided against having a maraud of flowers even though I want to be surrounded with beauty. And instead, I will have flowering trees and shrubs and watch the seasons change with brilliance and splendor. To explain the beauty, I will describe it as only a writer can. In late winter, the warmth spreading across the resting snow-covered ground will surprise the eyes with green foliage breaking through to feel what little warmth the late winter sun can give. Its beautiful flowers begin to bloom when the flowering dogwood begins to arise from its winter sleep. It blossoms about the same time as the tulips that will b

  A BEACON OF LIGHT On this day, many years ago, a small number of undesirables were discussing the terrible conditions they found themselves in. Each day was a new discovery in a new land that was their home. Their thoughts finally landed on “freedom’ which led to the birth of a new nation. Since then, the pursuit of happiness was guaranteed for every American. A country where men and women want to enter. We have grown from infancy into adulthood with trials and victories as a child would do. Every nation is riddled with error and justification. America is no different. But history leads us into the future if we do not forget the old adage “history repeats itself.” Wars are won by learning from history. Life becomes better and inventions enter the mind and are born on hardships of history. An innovative society gains respect and freedom when its citizens have the freedom to explore their desires for a better way of doing things. Exploration found this country, riding across th

  THE SWELTERING DAYS OF SUMMER In summer, wildflowers thrive, making swaths of color across undisturbed fields. Fields resting for future harvests.   The coneflower is blooming yet still cautious, its petals bending down, not reaching out into the summer heat.   When seasons change, there are always adjustments to be had. For some, the season causes dormancy and rest, while others find it exactly right for shining in the sun.   One thing that I can say for sure is that it is not the end of the world. Life goes on, seasons change, and some remain the same.   Thinking of the sweltering days of summer. © 2022 Laveda D. Rockford

  FATHER’S DAY Father’s Day is this weekend and I have been thinking about the significance of this day. We have had a loss in the family last year and even though my uncle has passed on, I know that I will see him again. How do I know that? Because he believed and actually taught an adult class at the church that he attended for many years. He believed in God and Jesus Christ as his Savior. Was he perfect? No, who is? But he was one of the best guys that I knew. His quiet, sweet, patient heart is something I will remember until we meet again. He is with my Father in heaven. My Father that I speak of is God the Father. And why is that important? Because the Father that I speak of was compassionate enough to send His son to die on a cross for our sins. My Dad is still living and is placed in a special position in my heart. I wish that I could see him to wish him a happy Father’s Day but that is not possible at this time. But know that I think of Him often. I shared these photos of

  THROUGH WITH WINTER SHORES   A long-weighted time on winter shores, longing for spring, A glimpse of it here and there, Through sunshine and rain.   Oh, that spring would finally arrive And bring with it such fun fair, Awe, that it fills the air, From drab to a colorful hue when it’s there.   Beautiful blossoms and scents fill the air, Soft breezes dry the silky fare, The awe of spring is here.   Insects, bugs, and crawly things, Flit through the garden, Looking for things, And then a beautiful sight to see, In a garden so fair, The big, bright, beautiful wings of a butterfly, flying there.   It captures the scent of nectar so pure, The color of flowers for flight, The butterfly so delicate and the flower, Its perfect delight.   What wonders I see in the late afternoon sun? When butterflies decide to drink some, Flittering here and fluttering there, Oh, what a sight!   Through with winter, into spring, and hot days o

  WORDS FROM THE HEART My heart is grieved over the recent act of one person against so many innocent children. My heart cries for that community. The mothers and fathers of such innocence, how do we comfort them? The only words of comfort that I can give comes from the book of Romans. Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil. Romans 2:6-9   We, as Christians, can have comfort in knowing that the innocent of the young are being comforted in the loving arms of our Lord Jesus Christ. My prayer is that all people will gain a righteous eternal life and see their loved ones once again. As I placed flowers on the graves of our loved ones this weekend, my thoughts were, I miss you, but