There is not a photo in the world that can totally capture the joy we have been experiencing with our family and friends. Thought I'd share a few snapshots. Hope you are staying warm and well! Jeff's group is passing around a stomach bug... well 2 out of 4 have had it. Pray I do not get it when I see their girls tomorrow!
A Pileated woodpecker graced our backyard on the 26th. I was able to catch him on the still camera. I was too afraid he'd fly away if I reached for the Flip Video. Bryon came over to play Christmas night. He and Bob had great fun exploring his new digital camera. Elayna lost her two front teeth this season. Yes, she knows the song! Here is a group shot at the Krohn flower show. It is very, very difficult to get a photo of these two sitting still enough not to blur the photo. Perhaps they were appeasing the adults, knowing the presents were right behind them? HOPEFULLY I will get a few photos of the four ladies in their PJs with their dolls in "sleeping gowns." Enjoy the holidays!
Anyone out there willing to send a Christmas card to a male prisoner? Here's the deal: never send your home address or last name. And do not use MY home address or MY last name!!! If you want a return address you can use Ministry Letters ATTN: your first name P. O. Box 282 Batavia OH 45103 I will let you know if he answers.
I have been writing two men that George Thompson asked me to write over a year or so ago. Josh Cline has a cell mate. Here is what Josh wrote: "Gary Oliva is 61 yrs old, locked up now 14 months, is a Christian and is looking at a possible 10 yr. sentence. With all that he has gone through, much of his family has turned away and nearly all his friends. He gets no mail, no one responds when he tries to write. He served in the Navy during Vietnam. Would you be willing to slip him a Christmas greeting - or support him via mail also? If you or if you know someone who could write him every so often ... it would bring me joy knowing he is being given some hope and love. I just want to try and help him out a bit. We could be leaving here at the same time - likely into March." If you want to write address is: Gary Olivas,311 5th Ave E., Springfield, TN 37172 So use your own good judgment and send off just one more Christmas card if you see fit!
There will be four Grandgirls stylin' in new jammies come Sunday evening. This Grammy is tired! One will have hot pink fleece bottoms and Girls Golfing flannel top, along with an 18" doll night gown in the same flannel. Another will have shocking orange fleece bottoms with orange polka dot flannel top,along with an 18" doll night gown in the same flannel. The third will have gray fleece bottoms and pink animal print flannel top, along with a "Cabbage Patch" doll nightgown that hopefully will fit the stuffed animal she adores. And finally purple and green plaid fleece bottoms with solid green flannel top trimmed in purple flowers, along with a "Cabbage Patch" doll nightgown that hopefully will fit the stuffed animal she adores. Each sports a patch pocket on the bottoms. I already wrapped the first two before I got a photo. Someone asked for a photo today, so here you go. Of course, they will look cuter with little girls in them!!
One friend stated she had been chained to her sewing machine. It was not that intense for me, but I am tickled that the projects are completed! As this winter evening draws to a close I think my Christmas sewing is DONE, unless of course, I take up new projects next week!!!
Our night drop is forecast to down into the single digits, I pray your evening is cozy and restful. May your hoped for gift list be fulfilled in magical ways!
We had a grand time at the baby party for Rowan, Jeff and Jenny. Here are a few snapshots. Certainly none for a nice portrait! He is due January 15th! So far, everything is fine with both mother and child. Daddy (Jeff) is learning and getting excited as the weeks count down!
Today we wrapped gifts for our family celebration next Sunday. Our tree is in the basement family room as it is the only place large enough to accommodate all 10 of us when there are gifts and tree and four girls involved.
While on retreat last summer, I came across a book called "Feathers on the Wind" by Fr. Edward Hays. I could not find what the Lord was trying to show me. I did like this quote from Hildegard of Bingen: "There was once a king sitting on his throne ... It pleased the king to raise a small feather from the ground and he commanded it to fly. The feather flew, not because of anything in itself but because the air bore it along. Thus I am a ... feather on the breath of God." I did not copy the quote.
While we were visiting the Smoky Mountains I tried to recall the quote when I saw a tiny feather sitting on some pine needles and I sensed the Lord telling me to let go, relax. (I kept the feather and have it yet today.)I had to go back to the Transfiguration Spirituality Center and find the book to retrieve the quote! Once back in Cincinnati, this time I borrowed the book from Transfiguration and Bob decided he wanted to read it. Recently, after reading what I had posted on this blog, he read this portion to me entitled "Polish Boomerangs." "The Poles invented the boomerang - no joke, I'm serious! Before the invention of the bow and arrow, somewhere around 22,000 B.C., the people of what is now Poland made boomerangs from the tusks of the great mammoths that roamed the land. The purpose of this bit of trivia is not to present the Polish people as ingenious and creative - which they are - rather, it is to awaken us. "What once took hundreds or even thousands of years to migrate across the world now takes only a few years or even days. To be alive today REQUIRES A VIRTUE THAT ALL FIND DIFFICULT: THE CAPACITY TO CHANGE. We no longer have the luxury of a slow evolutionary embracing of new inventions or ideas.Those who resist change in their daily lives will experience a good deal of suffering and stress as the speed of progress and development continues to accelerate. If we wish to taste peace and happiness, we will have to learn the virtue of elasticity. A brief 2,000 years ago Jesus proposed that virtue with His image of new wineskins. Be rigid, like old leather wineskins, and you will be burst open by the new wine of change." Several years ago when we began taking regular walks out of doors we began keeping feathers we found and placing them in a straw wreath. This is a photo of our second wreath!
The year 2010 has taught Bob and I repeatedly that we must stay flexible, and like Macrina said, "we must pray not to CONGEAL." In memory of Elizabeth Edwards I thank her for the quote she taught me in her book "Resilient." "AND WHEN THE WIND DOES NOT BLOW MY WAY, I WILL ADJUST MY SAILS." Happy Advent 3 - stay flexible, adjust your sails and go forth in joy! Let God blow upon you and like that tiny feather be borne along by His power.
Last evening I went to the Sisters of Charity Convent on the FAR western side of town to hear one of my favorite authors, Macrina Wiederkehr, OSB. What a great little time-out for this Grammy! Even got to spend the night. I left the sewing and the wrapping and the lists to hear her lead us in a "condensed" retreat/meditation covering the "O! antiphons"...which are names for God taken from Isaiah's prophecies. O Wisdom, O Lord, O Root of Jesse, O Key of David, O Dawning Light, O Servant King of the Nations, O Emmanuel. She told us to pick our favorite from among the list and immediately my soul soared with the name Adonai, bringing to mind the song by Avalon.
"One single drop of rain Your salty tear became blue ocean One tiny grain of sand turning in your hand A world in motion You're out beyond the furthest Morning Star Close enough to hold me in Your arms
Chorus: "Adonai, I lift up my heart and I cry My Adonai You are the Maker of each moment Father of my hope and freedom Oh, my Adonai
"One timid faithful knock Resounds upon the Rock of Ages One trembling heart and soul Becomes a servant bold and courageous You call across the mountains and the seas I answer from the deepest part of me
"Adonai, I lift up my heart and I cry My Adonai You are the Maker of each moment Father of my hope and freedom Oh, my Adonai
"From age to age you reign in Majesty And today You're making miracles in me
"Adonai, I lift up my heart and I cry My Adonai You are the Maker of each moment Father of my hope and freedom My Adonai"
Woven in with her teaching Macrina introduced us to several chants and at one point had us walk around the sanctuary singing and worshiping. She warned us that we are not to fear sickness and death, for those come to everyone. We are to fear becoming rigid. She said, "You know, the people who you know will never do anything unexpected." My favorite chant of hers goes "O, ever-changing God, protect us from congealing (She said, "like Jell-o!") Ever flowing, ever flowing, Ever flowing, ever flowing. Til we flow into a Sacred Stream, Til we flow into that Eternal Drink Which is You." So use this moment to draw near to our Ever-flowing God. Praise Him with your favorite name or attribute. Rest as we await His coming. Macrina reminded us "We await the One we already possess."
For years this hymn would come up in my soul, then I was compelled at a Joyce Meyer conference to find out where it was coming from. Well, it turns out I learned it from a Haven of Rest record album! Looking on You-tube, this was the best version I could find. So if you think singing in the shower is just for kicks, listen to this! If this is not your favorite version, check it out on You-tube and tell me what one speaks to you most clearly! The lyrics are: 1. O Love that wilt not let me go, I rest my weary soul in thee; I give thee back the life I owe, That in thine ocean depths its flow May richer, fuller be.
2. O light that foll’west all my way, I yield my flick’ring torch to thee; My heart restores its borrowed ray, That in thy sunshine’s blaze its day May brighter, fairer be.
3. O Joy that seekest me through pain, I cannot close my heart to thee; I trace the rainbow through the rain, And feel the promise is not vain, That morn shall tearless be.
4. O Cross that liftest up my head, I dare not ask to fly from thee; I lay in dust life’s glory dead, And from the ground there blossoms red Life that shall endless be.
Be certain among the many things on the To-Do list this season to rest your weary soul in God and give Him back the life you owe! You will be better for the effort! He promises.
This time of year there are traditions and distractions galore. Yet, we are called to be waiting for the Lord. I also like to remember that I am called to wait ON the Lord as His maid servant. I can only focus upon Him when I choose to make Him the object of my love and attention, my purpose and my eternal goal. This video, though often carrying titles in another language, helps me remember why we celebrate the fact that Christ was born and God is now among us.
I love the internet! My favorite instrumental CD for Christmas music was worn out. I went on-line and bought a brand new copy for less than I originally paid and have it here to worship with. Keep your eyes upon the One Who is like no other!
Last Sunday evening we attended the healing service at St. Tim's. During the service there was a delightful time to re-collect ourselves before the Lord. Advent is the season of waiting for God. As I read last night, not just the childhood God of Baby Jesus, be the adult God who has promised to always be with us. I found three themes for my prayers, one friend awaiting biopsy results, one friend waiting to see the doctor and my own chronic illness symptoms that wear me down at times. While sitting quietly I heard this poem:
Cancer and its cohorts Come marching down the road In step crunching the gravel Grinding at the souls of God’s people.
As XXX awaits his test results, As XXX prepares for his doctor appointment and biopsy
And the angels of the Lord Stand in the road Swords of fire and light Drawn at God’s command Shielding His children from despair By the Blood of the Lamb And the Presence of God Shouting refrains of “Hope in the Lord!” “Trust in the Rock of your salvation.”
The laying on of hands and time for silent prayer and resting before the Lord were terrific! Monday morning the hymn "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" was rolling through my soul. I listened to several recordings of it as I continued to lift my two friends in prayer.
I sent the poem I heard along to both men. One was told he does not need a biopsy and is being treated with medication. One had test results positive for cancer. His surgery is scheduled for late December. His spirits seem good and he continues to focus upon walking with Christ.
My symptoms are rather like riding ocean waves: wild one day and calm the next. Through it all, God keeps us and encourages us to walk with Him. Invite Him into everything. He is just waiting for your invitation. Are you waiting for Him?
Today as I went out to walk the dog we both bundled up in coats and I wore a scarf and heavy gloves. We walked straight into an 8 mph wind and the temperature was somewhere in the 30's. What a change! Again I knew for certain that late autumn is here when I saw an empty, brand new, county truck sporting a shiny snow plow in front, practicing it's salt run in our neighborhood. We will be oh so grateful that he practiced when we need his services! I almost canceled my walk as my face was frozen by the time we reached the stop sign. Turning the corner, however, the wind was no longer a direct sinus hit so we continued. I am delighted that I no longer need to ice the pies. Okay, I confess, I tried a sliver today. Usually, the pies would be forgotten until Thursday, but all this icing and checking to be certain they're chilled, and smelling that heady spice aroma... I had to try a sliver. Yummy! if I do say so. Wish Betty was here to share a pie. The turkey is finished, sliced and the pans almost finished up. The dishes from all the cooking make me miss the kids even more! Bob is a huge help, but he does work at the lab much of his time. So turkey done, dressing done, sweet potatoes baked and mashed, turkey broth has been simmered and strained for gravy and hearty soups. Today I make yeast roll dough and Waldorf salad. Clean the house, choose the serving spoons and forks, clear off the counters for a buffet feast, and try not to get too tired to enjoy the celebration! The wind chill inspired me to feed the birds both seed and suet cakes. How ever do they survive this weather? I am again grateful for the changing seasons and the slowing down that the earth models for us. Now if I can just slow down the pace of my DOings and focus more on the joy I glean as a human BEing. Lord bless us and help us draw nearer to You! Won't be long before Ellie and I are making snow angels again!
"Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving."—Colossians 4:2 The verse for today sums it all up! When I took the pies out of the oven on Saturday we knew for certain that Thanksgiving Day is galloping towards us! The aroma from the spices was heady stuff. Traditionally, I make the pies early and store them on the icy cold garage floor, sealed in Tupperware, waiting for the day. As the weather this year would have it, the garage floor is cold, but yesterday we hit the high 60's and today the forecast is 70! So now I am using ice blocks to keep those pies cold until the temperature drops to a consistently cool level.
The drought here is scary and the "Indian Summer" just seems like a continuation of the long dry summer, with only a few cold days sprinkled in for hope. Imagine my surprise today on the way home from the gym when I saw a county truck sporting a new snow plow and a load of salt! "They" say ...you know, those crazy weather forecasters? ... "they" say that the day after Thanksgiving we are to have rain mixed with snow. That is really hard to comprehend today. But "they" are also calling for heavy rains on Thanksgiving day and personally, I give thanks for that. We already lost one holly bush to the drought and Lord knows how many trees in the woods behind us.
Here are some photos from a recent walk in the woods. We took a trail at Eastfork State Park that we had never taken before. It led to this creek which was almost totally dry. The little pond looked like it might be able to refresh a few animals. If I had been thinking more quickly I would have whipped out the new tiny video camera that Bob bought me for my birthday and I could have recorded the four huge horses and their riders that came past us. Frankly, we were just interested at the moment in getting out of the way, not spooking the horses and keeping the dog calm while they passed us. Bob commented later, "How many times do you get to just walk in the creek bed and stay dry?"
I said earlier I might never get caught up. Well, I got caught up until the Christmas sewing list was made. I did not blog though. Maybe I'll be more consistent in 2011? I want to be like Dan.
I better get back to arranging how to seat eleven people on Thursday! Be blessed and give thanks for the wonderful life you live. xoxo, Molly D.
Time just keeps marching on and the blog sits here waiting for input...like #5, "Need more input!!" We had a tremendously busy spring and now summer is here. This is the first cool day in weeks and weeks. Most of the past few weeks have looked like this
Of course, the day for Ellie's 5th Birthday party turned out sunny, but blazing hot! Here is Emily helping with a party game of "step on the tail" .. tails of streamers flapping in the breeze.
The Gardening Retreat at the Convent of the Transfiguration was also blazing hot. I just love this photo of CAT with the statue in the garden We were all drenched, but enjoyed our work in the garden and time of fellowship. I hope to write more over the July 4th holiday. Enjoy your summer and keep SMILING!
Today was the last game of the season for our four year old granddaughter. You have never experienced the full gamut of soccer until you have seen the four year olds play! It was high humidity and upper 70's. There were red faces every place we turned as they raced up and down the field. The game was followed by a party in the park with cupcakes and trophys! High living.
This morning I should have had my camera ready. I decided to perfect a recipe for mocha cheesecake. I had prepared the filling just right. I went to get the chocolate crumb crust from the pantry. It had one of those plastic covers. As I was beginning to carefully lift the cover I realized a couple flower petals had fallen on the plastic when it was on the counter earlier in the week. I stepped to the sink to shake the petals off so they would not fall into the crust when I lifted the plastic. BAM! when I tipped the pan, I had lifted the plastic just enough that half the crust fell out into the dishwater! I was so surprised!! I had to drain the dishwater as it was no longer fit to clean anything with half a crumb crust in it. I had no chocolate crumbs to make another crust. There was nothing to do but store the filling until I bought another crust from the store. So instead of SHARING the cheesecake at Seasoned Saints dinner group this evening, Bob and I now have an entire mocha cheesecake to ourselves! THESE are the times I wish Dan and Betty lived closer to help eat this up! Any neighbors reading this, come on over!
We had a lovely dinner recently at Andy's Mediterranean. This is Bob standing at the entrance. The owner gifted him with an extra lamb kabob. I had my usual chicken dish with yogurt (which, I just realized, I cannot spell) :-) Hope you are enjoying your weekend.
As we age it turns out, Mom was right! Time does seem to go faster the older you get. We enjoy several clocks at our home that ring and play music and one even has a cuckoo bird! Yet my newest favorite clock is this yellow and white one designed by Harry Allen for Real Simple magazine. It was featured on the cover of the April edition. What an eloquent expression of the gift of this moment! The minute before is past and the minute to come is future. All we have is right now.
Before that my favorite was the one we learned about when we toured Spring Grove Cemetery one early spring morning. There are generally two terms used in describing time. Chronos is the time of physics and kairos is an ordered but unmeasured kind of time outside space-time. The simplest forms are ‘physical time’ for chronos and ‘metaphysical time’ for kairos. According to our Spring Grove Cemetery tour guide, this clock never had any hands, “Because time has no meaning in a cemetery.” Eventually we are all guaranteed to move into this sort of kairos timelessness, should the Lord tarry. And, of course, I have to mention Salvador Dali's "melting clocks" in his painting entitled The Persistence of Memory, 1931. For those who are unfamiliar with him, he was a famous Spanish Painter of the Surrealist school. This link should show you the painting. http://tothewire.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/the_persistence_of_memory_1931_salvador_dali.jpg?w=300 We briefly visited the gift shop of his museum in Florida. I purchased the key chain for Bob of the "melting clock." You see, no matter how old we get time our age is not nearly so important as our love and relationships. So the years march on, the skin begins to sag, but our love will go on forever. Consider yourself loved if you have read this through. And remember, time is just the tick of a minute hand between past and future!
Well the post dated May 15 was actually begun then and finished today! Some time some day some how I might get as good as Dan ( my blog model) and blog more frequently. Until then, here's to the latest that gets typed out!! Currently, Bob and I are reading the David and Claudia Arp's book, 10 Great Dates for Empty Nesters I am also reading the book Betty suggested by Anne Rice Christ The Lord, Out of Egypt and the totally unrelated Randy Wayne White book Ten Thousand Islands. I love using that library card! Study group has decide to start Watchman Nee's Sit, Walk Stand in mid June. I continue to finalize plans for the Convent Gardening retreat June 4-5. Tonight we go to Andy's Mediterranean for dinner (Chicken Shwarma here I come!) Exercise for me continues at the YMCA. I've done a few baby hats for preemies. Finished Anthony & Mona's wedding blanket. Won't show it as I have yet to mail it! All I need to do to finish a silent auction blanket is join the strips. That is needed by August for the Kids 4 Kids Silent auction. Working on yet another hat pattern for the class at Hobby Lobby. The Ohio Gloom is now into day#? (feels like 187)Rain, Mist, fog and GRAY. The forecast is for partial clearing tomorrow, then more rain. Enjoy your Wednesday!
Looking out the window today, I realize that the flower photos I posted recently are way out of date in terms of what is growing NOW!
The hill with the daffodils is covered mostly in shade as the trees have filled out. There are still photos from Bob that I want to show off from early Spring! And just today we went through photos from New Mexico! Three large folders: Chaco Canyon, The Indian Pow Wow Gathering 2010 and Various photos of interest. How does Dan Cooksey stay up-to-date? I have been immersed in trying to bring the pieces of Ellie's quilt together. The basement looks like a flurry of fabric and pink! But the pieces are into strips. This morning I hope to bring the strips into the quilt top. Then need to design the sides, cut and sew them on. Yikes! How many years has it taken me to do this? I cut the first fabric in Albuquerque in 2009!
I often share feelings with a friend about knowing this is not our home. Aliens on earth, passing through. This morning was rainy and then it rained some more, and then there was a downpour. I had to return a book to the library in Batavia. As I drove away after jumping out in the rain (in my trusty Cabela's raincoat) I noticed something alien in the middle of the street. About 6 inches long and looking VERY out of place.
I turned around in the next intersection and snapped these photos. Where was this crayfish going? Where had he come from? When he began to approach the storm sewer he turned back towards the middle of Third Street! Sort of made me wonder how many other alien species live in the village! Gave my morning a "What's up with that?" moment.
Well, I got through Election Day just fine! It was extremely slow as very, very few voters showed up. There were 3 precincts represented in the school gym. Our table was the busiest precinct. We only had about 120 voters all day long! That's 6 AM to 7:30 PM. Sad that Americans do not cherish and use their right to vote!
There was one gal who had us chuckling all day. First, let me tell you the State of Ohio recognized 6 different political parties this year: Republican, Democrat, Socialist, Constitution, Libertarian and Green. If a voter was unwilling to associate with a political party, they were given an "Issues Only" ballot Many voters changed "their politics" in the last primary in an effort to influence the "other party." In response to that the Secretary of State created form 10-W that any voter "changing their politics" is now required to complete before being given a ballot. This lady came in as she was listed an not having a political party, we asked her if she would like to choose a party this year. She reviewed the list, and stated, "I have issues, but I don't want to vote on them!" She finally chose a party and we gave her form 10-W to fill out. It is also called "Statement of Person Challenged as To Party Affiliation."She started to fill out the form and with a twinkle in her eye asked, "Now I'm Challenged, too?" When the paperwork was finished she was instructed to step down to my end of the table and receive her ballot. When I handed her the ballot she moaned, " I'm too tired to vote!"
Every Spring I participate in an experiment I call "Death by Gardening." As the body ages the work seems to get harder every year, but I just can't help myself. Monday Bob purchased some bedding plants for me at our local grower. I was recovered enough today from Tuesday at the polls to get the plants in the ground. The bad news is that 2-3 hours of gardening does me in physically. PLUS there is a cold front moving in and the temperature is forecast to drop about 40 degrees. That is bad news for those with fibro and arthritis. The good news is the front is supposed to bring rain and that will be terrific for the plants. I will try to send some photos as the plants get established.
The gray feral cat showed up again last evening and this morning. Ellie was delighted to meet him. He is starving and his bones show. Of course, I fed him. I hope to catch him for the neuter clinic. Saturday is crochet group "JTIS" Journey Together in Stitches at the Convent. Bob caught a foul ball tonight at the Reds game! More later!
I will not be sending a post on Tuesday. It is Election Day in Ohio and I will be working the polls. Hope you will go vote! All the photos in the post were taken by Bob! Flowers, flowers everywhere! Thanks to Sam for sharing these rhizomes two years ago. This year they finally bloomed! This is just one of the stalks and there are five blooms on it! When we lived on Danny Drive I learned I had to cut the irises that bore the most blooms or wind and rain would take them down in a hurry. What a nice thing to enjoy as the rains continued from Saturday through Monday! There are other colors out there blooming and some are closed so tightly I cannot tell what color they will be!
One of our very most favorite things to do is to hunt for wildflowers at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This spring we did not plan a trip there as we were traveling to New Mexico and later California. We did make a point to explore the green space around our subdivision as well as some of the State Park Natural Preservation areas. Bob was the most faithful about exploring the green space. He would trek out into the bare woods and see what was blooming. We found many of the same flowers that we find in the Smokys! Have not found a Lady's Slipper yet, but he has not given up hope.
The trout lily is always first on our lot. The leaves are speckled and thus the name.
The blown back petals on the trout lily always make me smile after the trials and turmoil of winter. Somehow they seem flippant in the face of frost and freezing weather.
The daffodils we planted on the hill come next. No, those are not native, but we so enjoy them. One day was breezy and mild. When I looked at the hill it was as if the flowers had become synchronized metronomes all over the hill, blowing and waving, tracing the path of the wind. With just a few more days the entire hillside and woods exploded with green growth and flowers. Before we knew it looking for flowers was a daily affair! We almost did not make it to the nature preserves to check for flowers. But those tales can be told another day!
Saturday was Bob's first day back at work. It was rainy and overcast most of the day. I was blessed in the morning when I heard the racket from a pileated woodpecker who occasionally visits our yard. I was unable to get his photo, but I found this one for your enjoyment.
The day was filled with traffic at the feeder on our deck. The Blue Jay was quickly sent away by the Red Bellied woodpecker. If you look closely at this photo below you can see a smear of reddish hue on its belly, hence its name.
I was delighted to see the chickadees, sparrows and the usual population of cardinals. My biggest surprise of the day came with the landing of a male Rose Breasted Grosbeak. It sat on the feeder for a very long time, not feeding, but looking at me and seeming to enjoy being in our yard. I took it's photo, but all I got was it's back. When Bob got home from work he was blessed to see it, too. He managed to get this photo of it's forward view. Do you know the female looks almost like a large sparrow with a large beak? I thought the day was delightful, but the Lord of Creation was not finished yet! Bob went to sleep fairly early. His weekend to work involves 12+ hour days. I was reading in bed when there was a noise in the yard. Just as I was thinking "Cat fight?" the Great Horned Owl made its call. This bird was frequenting the yard about 9:20 some evenings before we went on vacation. Bob has actually been awakened by the Owl. Here it was 9:26 PM and the familiar call was made. I thought, "Sorry, Owl, Bob is asleep already," and I went back to reading my book. 9:44 PM it was back and this time it called TEN times before the night quiet returned. What a day full of birds! This morning in church a friend remarked, "I forgot how tied I am to the earth and the geographic changes as we traveled." I realized, that I, too, have ties to the earth. The birds usually get first place, but they often lose out to the flowers. Fill a feeder and wait for the fun to begin!
We have traveled from the high desert of New Mexico (as depicted in the photo at Chaco Canyon and the land around that area) to the lush spring green of the Ohio River Valley.
What a change in altitude, attitude and location. Except for the moisture in the air, the weather temperatures have not altered much. But just look at the vegetation!
Earlier this spring I tried to move a shell that I thought was lying next to a columbine volunteer by our front steps. Much to my surprise the plant was growing through the shell. The Lord never fails to surprise me with His growing things. Just think! Our Creator made every thing in these four photos. And we have not even gotten to the topic of snow covered mountains and underwater glories! Enjoy your day with the Savior, Molly D.
