Wednesday Wisdom: Springtime

Spring renewal always lifts my spirits. I'm reminded that my life has also been made new. The same Creator that causes the seasons to demonstrate the change from death into life has brought about the same change in me!

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Cor 5:17 (KJV)

Friday: Grandchildren Fun, Part 2

(Part 1 is found here.)

After everyone finished riding their bikes (or "Freddy," as the original owner of that Little Tikes orange-haired "thing" that Lili was riding - picture can be seen in above link - was named by Lulu many years ago) they went to the backyard to swing and slide before Fen had to leave.

A very laid back Lili

Sweet Pea and Polly swinging

Sweet Pea is big enough to push herself now!

Fen belly surfing on the slide

Tigger getting ready to hit the slide waves

Pepper enjoyed playing outside with the children, too.

The next day it was raining so the girls decided to watch a movie in the morning while curled up in a chair or on the couch with a blanket for each. That's a wooden train track that Fen and I built the day before on the floor below them. They played with it for a while during their visit.

In the afternoon they had a tea party. I wear hats a lot so the girls borrowed some in order to be properly dressed for the occasion. They used my toy china tea set that I got as a Christmas gift many years ago from my own grandparents. I'm happy that I saved it (and that only 1 piece was ever broken and mended) so that my grandchildren can also enjoy it. They gave each other (and me) nicknames, but I won't tell you the given names because it would provide too much information. Instead, I'll just tell the titles they bestowed upon each other.  :)

The Duchess

The Lady

The Princess (I'm sure you're all shocked by this. Every generation has one. Lol!)

And the Guest-of-honor

Their "guest-of-honor" really wasn't too thrilled with the proceedings but she tolerated them as long as we kept her well supplied with food.   :)

I was dubbed the lady in waiting, which was appropriate because that's exactly what I was doing!

The Princess and the Lady having another cup.

Tea set in original box. It has a rainy day theme which was appropriate!

We had a wonderful visit and all were sorry when they had to leave to go to a friend's house so that I could go to church to do my job. Our playtime was over much too soon!

Friday: Grandchildren Fun, Part 1

One day last week a little boy arrived at my house around 8 a.m. expecting his cousins to be there. Was he ever disappointed (and a grouch) when I told him that they wouldn't arrive until mid-afternoon! As the day dragged on, the usual playmate (that would be me) didn't satisfy, and the usual toys didn't either. Notice the rather bored expression below.

Hours passed; life went on; chores were completed. That's when Fen commandeered my empty laundry basket for his own use. Hmm. What can a bored little boy do with his Gram's laundry basket?

Pretend to be a turtle! Sometimes he would poke his head out of his "shell" but most of the time he'd keep everything tucked inside and peak at me through it.

Later, the girls arrived and the fun began! Notice that they are wearing the shirts I made them. Click here to see pictures of the shirts without the owners. I know you can't tell which is which from this photo. Did you correctly guess which girl is Superstar, Sassy, Diva, or Huggable? Here's a clue: that's Sassy holding Huggable.  :)

Miss Diva Sweet Pea had a new birthday bike she was wanting to ride so everyone headed outside to enjoy a beautiful pre-Spring day. All the granchildren had a ride, including Little Lili.  :)

Birthday Girl and birthday bike

A happy Fen riding bikes, er "trike" with his cousins

Big sister Tigger showing little sister Sweet Pea how it's done

Polly is getting too big for the bike she got for her 5th birthday!

Um, Gram? This ride of mine doesn't seem to be taking me anywhere!

Tigger taking the time to help Fen with his ride

Next week I'll post pictures of the rest of the girls' visit.

Free Friday: Return to Vacation

Oh, I wish!

It can't be done so I'll just return to the pictures of vacation. If I'm really delusional --er-- blessed I might even start to feel a bit warmer than I do right now just remembering the desert. Well, I can dream, can't I?

This year Lisa and I decided to take the power plant tour since the guys were there to share the experience with us. It was very enjoyable and very educational. (But don't tell The Bear because he just thinks we were on vacation!) These are some of the turbines that provide electricity to most of the southwestern United States.

And not only is the facility functional, but it has its artistic elements too. (There I go again with all that educational talk!)

I shot this picture blind. No, really. I couldn't see a thing with the blazing sun shining directly in my eyes so I closed them. I thought it turned out surprisingly well under the circumstances.

After we finished our tour we walked across the Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge, the same one you saw behind Dan, Lisa, The Bear, and Pastor Dad in the previous picture, and the same one casting a shadow across the face of the Hoover Dam in this picture. (I'm feeling warmer already! How about you?)

The turbines we saw are housed in the building on the bottom left of this photo. And that's Lake Mead in the background.


A few days later we went to Red Rock Canyon to descend and ascend the rocks. What a workout!

Down we go!

And up and over we go! Pastor Dad wanted to know if I was coming. I explained to him that it's very important for the photographer to stop and take pictures and gulp air so I made sure I took lots and lots of pictures. (I won't bore you with all of them.)

Sometimes it is important for the photographer to have a picture taken of herself just to prove that she really was there. Or maybe she just needed to sit for awhile and gulp air.

Some folk didn't seem to require much rest. (And some folk were in danger of breaking his their necks a great deal of the time. Not to mention any names or anything, but even big sister looks like she's delivering a stern lecture.)

The park itself is full of diversity! Not only are the formations different from place to place but even the temperatures differed by several degrees depending on how much sun the locations receive. We saw our first snow of the season near an area overshadowed by some high hills.

Brr! Now I'm cold again! And it's time to wrap up this segment of the travelogue from our December Vegas trip. One more post ought to finish it. That's it until our next Free Friday!

BB Boatin'!

Pastor Dad and I have had a wonderful week attending a conference in a nearby state. As a matter of fact, the state is so nearby that we didn't need to travel to be a part of it. The conference ended last night but we were not able to be part of the finale since we had services at our own church to attend.

On the following day the host pastor and wife traditionally entertain those who haven't returned to their own homes by showing them some of the local sites. Pastor Dad and I decided to participate this year as a way of getting better acquainted with other ministering couples. 

This year the tour consisted of a tour of the Ohio River aboard the BB Riverboats boat Belle of Cincinnati. It was a lovely day to be cruising on the river

The sun was shining and the temps were so warm that I never put on the jacket that I'm carrying.  And that gleam in my eye is the result of taking a day off to play!  Well, okay, it's really just a glare on my glasses, but I prefer to think of it in a positive way.  :)

After the boat cruise we crossed the river and had a late lunch / early dinner at the Montgomery Inn Boathouse Restaurant.  Mmm!  Mmm!  No pictures of this part of the tour but all the men were wearing bibs if you can picture that.  If not, picture me hitting the "Publish Post" button now and going upstairs to get my leftover ribs out of the refrigerator before the Bear or Pastor Dad beat me to them!  :)

Did You Miss Me?

Or did you even notice I was gone?

Matters of life and death have kept me away from you recently.

The "life" matters have been a whole lot more fun.

• Three of our children had birthdays in May. (Oh, yeah. I blogged briefly about those.)
• One of our children and her husband graduated from college in May. (Oh, yeah. I blogged about that also.)
• I didn't tell you that I orchestrated a major church banquet for both men and women in honor of Mother's Day and the upcoming Father's Day.  And then I panicked when my planned guest speakers (a husband and wife team) cancelled 3 days before the event. :( Not to worry! The Lord worked everything out because He obviously had other plans. And His plans turned out very well indeed.
• Well, okay, then. Did I tell you that my father-in-law, son-in-law, and grandson have birthdays on three consecutive days in June? And did I mention those were last week? I thought not. We celebrated Fen's second birthday yesterday (and his other grandma hosted a fine shindig for him!) and we celebrated Fen's daddy's birthday today. Whew!
• Did I also mention our church had Vacation Bible School last week? No? We did. I taught a class of kindergarten age kids. I'm still recovering. :)
• I won't tell you about the Mother's Day lunch menu that . . ., well, I'll stop there. Let's just say that all of the guests were fed anyway. :)
• It wouldn't be right not to tell you that many hours during the month of May were spent downstairs because of tornados and major storms. You have no idea what it is like to be in such close quarters with a scaredy-cat dog in such moments!I'm not sure all the bruises have healed yet.
• Then we had a major, MAJOR rainfall of about 4 inches within a couple of hours this past Friday that turned just about every street within a 5 mile radius of home into raging rivers. I watched 2 or 3 cars sliding off "the hill" on loose gravel that had washed down from somewhere and onto the road. I headed my car in the opposite direction only to lose visibility within minutes due to bucket loads of water hitting the windshield. What I did see was a lightening strike to a nearby telephone/electricity pole. I didn't stick around long enough to see the fire department respond.
• My family and I participated in an event last week called "Cross the Bridge for Life" to benefit our local crisis pregnancy centers.

Yes, "life" has been busy. We had something going on every Sunday in May and most of the other days as well. Both June Sundays have similarly been busy, as have the weekdays.

But that "death" part was what really threw us into a tailspin. The departure of souls into eternity added actions that cannot be comprehended as mere dates on a calendar.

• Since Easter (which was 7 weeks ago: today is the recognition of the Day of Pentecost) Pastor Dad has preached 8 funerals. Not all of the dearly departed were members of our church, but all were somehow connected to it. Pastor Dad takes that "pastor" part very seriously and visits not only his flock but their loved ones as well, consequently he gets asked to participate in many funerals. These last few weeks have been very grievous one.
• I sang at a funeral for the first time. It wasn't my singing debut but it was my funeral solo premier. Oh, my! I thought singing solo in public in general was stressful, but it's nothing compared to that of singing at a funeral! And I'm aware that it isn't "about me." But I was acutely aware that it would not be a good time for a major mess up or melt down.

As you can see, a manic May is quickly becoming a jump-to-it June. I've been here, but I've just not been here much of late.

Early Warning Systems

Nothing is a greater object lesson of the need for early warning systems than the events of recent weeks. Just look at the horrendous destruction in Japan due to earthquakes and tsunamis. Here in southern and mid-America we've been hit by floods several times over the past three months due to tremendous storms. Cars and houses have been damaged by water or tornados or lightening strikes.

We are safe on this High Hill but we are also being effected by the storms. I'm not sure when the last time was that we had a full night's sleep. We have two weather alerts and one or both of them have sounded an alert every night recently. The first is an alarm hooked up to NOAA radio. The second is a terrified dog afraid of thunder storms. She alerts us to their approach long before we can actually hear anything.

We can ignore these alarms or we can take precautions accordingly. It's our choice. I, for one, tend to take both alerts, including the dog, seriously. She might be only a cowardly canine or she might have God-given instincts that could save our lives. I'm not willing to chance that her senses are false alarms.

We could also turn off the weather alert beside the bed and go back to sleep. We've been tempted to do that a few times, but that would kind of defeat the whole purpose of having one, wouldn't it?

Where am I going with this?

Well, did you know that most in America have access to spiritual warning systems but they rarely avail themselves of them? Most have a Bible and live near a local church but do not see the need for either. They are like the individuals who ignore the warnings of a weather alert. The Bible tells us to flee from the wrath to come but most people just ignore it and spiritually go back to sleep. Or they ridicule the preacher who tells them that the storms in life (this one and the next) are coming. To them, he's like the dog whose foolish yapping disturbs them. Oh, sure, they'll attend Easter services to keep Mama happy, but they'll tune out the day's message: death is coming; seek shelter in the Savior that conquered death!

I wonder how many paid lip service to Earth Day last week by honoring the so-called "Mother Earth" while totally ignoring the Father God in Heaven who sent His Son? When it comes down to a question of which one is worthy of worship, it just makes sense to honor the one who will ultimately redeem creation rather than the creation that requires redeeming from its continual groaning and travailing (cf. Romans 8). The creation can't be redeemed no matter how many trees we plant or cardboard boxes we recycle. There's nothing wrong with recycling supplies but to think it will save the earth is a mockery in light of recent weather-related tragedies! The earth is dying. People are dying!

Heed the early warning systems. The storms are coming!Flee from the wrath to come!

Don't turn off the message of the resurrected Jesus and go back to sleep. The results promise to be disastrous.

A Voice From The Clouds

This has been a hard week. Things too numerous and private to relate.

Through it all the clouds are constantly weeping. The weather alert periodically sounds telling of floods, warning all to get to high ground. Well, I live on the high ground. An alert sounds and I am reminded of spiritual high ground. How I wish I always lived there, too!

I read Luke chapter 9 today. If you're following my Bible reading plan you know this means I am behind. I'm ashamed to say that often when I'm in the valley I neglect the very things that can help me safely navigate through it. But even thought this chapter was read later than scheduled it sounded the alarm.


The Twelve Are Sent To Preach
Hmm. My husband has been sent to preach. A great many of the difficulties we've faced this week are the result of the ministry. Okay, Lord, you've got my attention.

To paraphrase this passage, He tells his disciples not to worry about their daily provisions and to figuratively wipe their hands of those who would not listen but to take the good news elsewhere.

There is a lot to be gleaned in this message about those who don't want to listen. They hinder ministers by wasting their time and keeping them from preaching to others. We must wash our hands of some people whether we want to or not.


His Identity Is Questioned
One of the incidents that broke my heart this week involved a case of mistaken identity. My identity. Mistaken identity can ruin a reputation. Mine wasn't "stolen" but was used in a wrongful way. It has been cleared up now and I'm hoping to move beyond the hurt and restore the fellowship.


Five Thousand Are Fed
Those who were listening to Jesus did not have enough to sustain themselves so He provided it. Forget for a moment that this was physical food.

I don't have what I need to sustain myself either or even to meet the needs of those with their hands out asking me to feed them (and I'm not joking about feeding my teenager's voracious appetite; I'm referring to all the needy souls I've encountered this week who have asked me to bear their burdens and to feed them words of encouragement). I'm very heartened to see that the Lord can make an overabundant meal out of meager supplies because I personally have so little to offer. I pray He multiplies the meager crumbs I gave them.


His Identity Is Confirmed
Peter and the others had just returned from an evangelistic tour and Jesus asked them afterward who they thought He was. This sounds backwards to me. Perhaps we're so busy ministering that Jesus needs to ask us sometimes, "Excuse me! Do you know WHO I AM?" Yes, You're the Messiah.

Oh, I see!


The Burden of Ministry
The load is heavy. Self-denial and sacrifice are weighty matters. I don't want to be told that it's not all about me. But it isn't. And the next paragraph confirms this. And it hints at things to come for those who can crucify their own desires daily and make it all about Him.


The Mountaintop Experience
After Jesus told them that following Him would require self-sacrifice He took them up on the mountaintop and gave them a sneak-peek of His glory, the very glory He would eternally share with them if they would deny themselves in the temporal life! Peter, like usual, said the wrong thing. In his astonishment he had no clue what his proper response should be.

I often catch glimpses of Jesus' glory only to put my foot in my mouth, too. Even in the mountaintop experiences I fail to see what is being required of me. I want to build houses on the mountaintop (Oh, please Lord! Can I just stay here basking in your glory?) when the Lord is allowing only a glimpse of things to come. (But Lord! I don't want to go back down in the valley! I want to set up housekeeping on the spiritual mountaintop!)



The Voice From The Clouds
While he (Peter) thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud. And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. Verses 34-36a.

I don't know about your world, but ours has been overshadowed by a heavy cloud. I feel certain that in the midst of the fog there is a voice both rebuking and encouraging.

Jesus stands alone. Jesus always stands alone. He is the way.


Get Back To Work
And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him. . . . verse 37 through the end of the chapter.

It isn't time yet to share in His eternal glory so we must get to work down in the valley. Pick up that cross daily, but do it encouraged by the glimpses of glory seen on the mountaintop: a glory that will be shared eternally.

Weathering Moods

Sunday

Mood: A few happy moments, but mostly dominated by several hard experiences resulting in the shedding of tears.

Weather forecast: A few moments of intermittent sunshine but otherwise mostly cloudy with a chance of rain. Flooding in low-lying places.



Monday

Mood: Gloomy and somewhat agitated.

Weather forecast: Mostly cloudy with light, blustery winds.




Tuesday

Mood: Lifting somewhat, happier disposition.

Weather forecast: Milder temperatures, occasional appearance of sunshine.


It may seem that our moods are mirroring the forecast, perhaps even being influence by them. This is not true. External circumstances have determined our moods no matter what the actual weather. I just happened to notice the similarities.

We're praying for warmer, sunnier days. Might we already be feeling a change in the air?

Business or Pleasure?

On the last leg of my trip to Vegas I sat next to a couple who were on a weekend vacation away from their teenaged children that were having their own vacation with grandma. On the way back I sat between 2 men who had attended a convention in town. The discussions initiated by my seatmates were interesting to me, however I fear that my answers to their questions tended to bore them.

The lady on the going-to-Vegas trip was somewhat stunned that I wouldn't be staying on The Strip. No, I would be staying with my daughter. She wondered why I didn't stay on The Strip and go visit my daughter each day. I tried to explain that Lulu's birthday occurred a few days after her husband's scheduled departure for the other side of the world and she didn't want to be alone: I was coming for her. For me, the opportunity of providing my daughter some small pleasure was the business at hand. This was also pleasure for me, but not the kind that the lady understood. How could she? Her kids were still living with her and she was traveling to get away from them. I, on the other hand, was going to see my child who just happened to live in Las Vegas. The sights and sounds of the destination held no particular enchantment while the daughter and son-in-law who live there did. Well, would I at least be taking in some of the shows? I explained that would depend upon what my daughter wanted to do. I was sure we'd have lots of fun, but how do you explain to someone that not all travelers to Vegas are there for the casinos and shows?

On the way home, the man to my left was sorry to leave. He said his company's convention meant business during the day and pleasure all night. I didn't ask him to elaborate because I could tell by his wistful backward glances toward Sodom Vegas that he was not happy to be on the plane home. My other seat companion was retired military and was more sympathetic to my own plight. He was returning to his wife and family after a camping trip.

So what did we do on this trip? We did a bit of sight-seeing:


Lisa ("Lulu") at Hoover Dam



The new bridge in the background that connects Nevada and Arizona, bypassing the road over the dam itself.

And we went hiking at Red Rock Canyon. The calico hills were gorgeous and the temperature was a bit warmer than it was at Hoover Dam which was surprisingly c-o-l-d.

 



Lisa taking a break in a rock cavern



At one point on the hike I realized that even if I wasn't a casino-goer I was a bit of a gambler as we had descended down rock walls which would then require scaling rocks on the return trip to the surface. Just what did I think I was doing risking my neck like that? After we'd made it back to the trail heading to the car my body decided I needed a quick sit down session. Have you ever surpassed your target heart rate to the point that you're gasping for breath and feel that you're on the verge of either passing out or vomiting? I was there. And neither of those options sounded particularly appealing so I took an emergency breather untiil I could breathe normally again. Lisa kindly mentioned that the elevation is higher than what I'm used to and that the thinner air was making me light-headed. I don't know if that's true or not (I haven't checked the almanac) but it was kind of her to say so. Actually, I think the fact is that I'm 51 years old and have no business acting like I'm the same age as one of my own children! After that day of exertion we both slept late the next morning so I think we got quite the work out.

 

We drove most of the rest of the 12 mile trail, stopping occasionally to take pictures and enjoy the beauty of God's creation.

 



The beautiful colors of the calico hills



The desert is a beautiful place

 

In the Zone

The Bear had a basketball scrimmage tonight at a school quite a distance from our house. We left plenty of time to get there and were the first to arrive.

I settled at the top of the bleachers. I wanted to rest my back against the wall.

I was there by myself for awhile. Parents that I knew chose spots nearer the court. I waved, but I didn't join them.

As the varsity and jv teams alternated halves I watched from my perch. Most of the time our guys were "in the zone."

Suddenly, so was I. Somehow I found myself in the Valley Girl Zone! About 25 teenaged girls rushed to the top of the bleachers and joined me.

So . . . like . . . what's it like in the Valley Girl Zone? Groan! I would gladly have given up the prime real estate if only there had been a way to make an exit. But there wasn't. I was surrounded by a group of girls who like said the weirdest things, and like had the weirdest haircuts, and like really, when is this going to be over?! because they were like so hungry!

Oh, and they smelled like each and every one of them was wearing Bath and Body Works scents. Different scents.

Between the silly girl talk, overpowering aromas, and the rain that began falling outside I developed a sick headache. So even though it was dark and rainy when we left I let the Bear drive part of the way home. I think he felt like he was truly in the zone tonight, too, because he was stunned and thrilled when I handed him the keys. Then I just zoned out for awhile.

You can do likewise now because we obviously made it safely back home to our own comfort zone. And I'm mighty glad that we did. Like fer shur.

Thankful Thursday

(Orange zinnias and decorative grass taken 10/10/2009 at the Cincinnati Zoo)

I love autumn! I also love winter, spring, and summer. I know! I'm so fickle! Or maybe I'm just thankful for each season that God gives as it comes along.

I remember reading or hearing a sermon by a famous preacher (Swindoll, perhaps?) that compared the earthly seasons to our journey of life. I was too young at the time to understand just how true that analogy is but I've lived long enough now to experience it first-hand.

Each season has its own trials and blessings. As a child progressing through the Springtime and as a young woman enjoying the Summer season I could never fully imagine the joys that come with having grown Blessings (that's my children) and my little Grandblessings (their children). If I had failed to grow older I would never have experienced this beautiful Autumn season of life.

As I contemplate my life's Autumn season a few things immediately come to mind for which I am thankful. Here are a few just for starters:

1. My parents and in-laws are in reasonably good health.
2. My life's partner has been with me since the early Spring season of our lives and he helps to divide my burdens and multiply my blessings.(Here the word "blessings" does not pertain to my children, although I can see how the multiplying of those blessings could apply here, too.)
3. My house has not been emptied of the sound of my own Blessings' feet. How nice not to have an empty nest yet!
4. We have a house on the hill (literally!) that shelters us from the elements.
5. My body's heater hasn't gone too haywire yet. (Note to you Summer girls: no blankets needed to keep you warm at night.)

And some that pertain to this literal autumn season:

1. The impatiens that survived the drought of summer (and picking by a certain grandblessing) are still showing off near the sidewalk. :)
2. The red geraniums are looking especially vibrant against the backdrop of fallen leaves.
3. The cups of coffee and hot tea are particularly appreciated now.
4. The beauty of the trees has not been as spectacular this year due to the lack of moisture but some of the maples were as gorgeous amongst their dull-colored neighbors as cardinals are beside winter-plumed birds at my bird feeder.
5. The summer chores are over and the autumn ones are under way but the shorter days and longer nights help to slow my body's busy pace just a bit. This might be mere perception, but it helps me transition toward sleep instead of thinking I must complete more chores before day's end.
6. The dark evenings mean more time spent snuggling with a good book instead of working in the yard.

Every season has its beauty and every season has its work. Some seasons require longer days and more stenuous labor to complete the tasks at hand and some allow more time for rest and reflection. I'm positive that the Lord that created us and the seasons designed us to enjoy everything in its time.

What Was On the Agenda Today

I checked the agenda when I got up this morning. The thing that was originally planned for today looked like it might also be overruled by the Lord:

The forecast called for rain. But it didn't come!

The sickness bug was still with me when I went to bed last night. But it was gone and I could breathe again!

So the Bear and I packed up the gear - which meant grabbing our swimsuits and a beach towel - and went swimming at my parents' pool!

I'm guessing that the Lord didn't really want me cleaning flower beds and a junk room yesterday but that He did want me going swimming today.

There's some faulty logic and theology in that sentence but I think we can agree that all good gifts come down from our Heavenly Father. This day was one of those gifts!

I Can Hardly Believe It!

As much as I'd like to make this purely a "touchy-feelie" post I just can't do it. There are some situations that I'm having trouble getting my mind around today.

For instance, most likely you have heard about the terrible flooding hitting Tennessee this weekend but I can hardly believe that . . .

1. Pastor Dad and I drove those same interstates a mere 24 hours prior to the time they were closed! If we had taken our time (as we at first thought about doing) and not pressed onward with a mega-marathon drive on Thursday between mid-TX and Memphis, TN we most likely would have been stranded on I-40 between Memphis and Nashville on Saturday like some of our friends have been. We made it home Friday evening after driving 11 hours on Thursday and 8 hours on Friday. (Photos of the devastation in the area where we had driven only hours before.)
2. Friday morning when we got ready to leave Memphis we began having car trouble and thought we might need to make other arrangements to get ourselves home! Prayer and Pastor Dad's assessment of the situation allowed us to make a temporary engine fix that made it possible to get home without leaving ours there and renting another one. Our car still needs repairing, but at least that will take place here and not there.
3. I am overly drawn to Facebook and Twitter this weekend. I have lots and lots and lots of friends and loved ones living in Middle Tennessee and I want reassurance that they are all safe.
4. Karen and Lulu were born in Cincinnati but raised in Middle Tennessee and that Princess and The Bear were born in Middle Tennessee but raised in Cincinnati. We do humorous things sometimes ourselves but in this case we feel it was God who showed a sense of humor!
5. the area where we lived for 14 years that suffered from severe drought several of those years now has more water than it can handle. I wonder if our prior residence is high and dry! And is the mall that was built on the 100-year flood plain now flooded?
6. The Bear (my baby boy!) is 15 years old today! The years have flown by much too quickly. I comfort myself with the knowledge that he may not always be my little boy but he'll always be my son. For that, I am abundantly grateful and feel abundantly blessed!

So, in conclusion, to my loved ones in Tennessee: I'm praying for your safety and your recovery from this unexpected storm.

And to my son: I love you very much and pray you have a very Happy Birthday!

Zoo Antics

Some of you probably heard rumors of what happened to Karen yesterday and some may still be wondering so I shall now try to tell the tale from my perspective. I hope it reminds you to pray for my daughter and unborn grandchild.

Like these flamingos, it was a day of family togetherness for Karen and her girls, little Fen, the Bear, and me. Our zoo membership expires soon and I wanted Tigger to have a chance to see the new manatee acquisitions. (It wasn't a good day for manatee pictures. The water was somewhat blurry.)

The napping polar bear will give you some clue as to just how unseasonably warm it was in Cincinnati yesterday. We all felt like this guy looked: hot and droopy. We envied him his pool.

The girls got to see a couple of animals up close and personal, including this young penguin. The only problem with being up close and personal with a bunch of animals is that they . . . well, they smell like a bunch of animals. It smelled like a zoo yesterday. Naturally.

As our day was winding down we made our way to the zoo train station where we parked the strollers and got in the long line. There was little to no shade there and we were a bit uncomfortable. Little Fen was getting restless because he'd been riding or being held for a few hours and he wanted to get down and play on the pavement. I wrestled him while we waited for the train to return, pleased that we would be in the next group to board. We were the second family in line.

As we heard the whistle blow that signaled its return, Karen turned to me and said, "I don't feel well. I'm going to buy a Sprite and sit down for awhile." I asked if she felt nauseous, had a headache, or what. After vague answers I asked if she felt faint to which she replied, "Yes."

I quickly thrust Fen into the Bear's arms as Karen stumbled. She didn't fall to the ground and she didn't sit down. She just sort of landed in my arms. My cry for help made the woman in front of me offer her services as a nurse. Karen hadn't totally lost consciousness because as the nurse asked questions she responded somewhat.

A zoo paramedic soon arrived with an ice pack to put on the back of her neck and some bottled water. Between the heat, animal smells, the exertion of pushing strollers up and down the hills, her pregnancy, the sinus trouble she's been fighting, and standing in line in the sun, I think her system had an overload.

And even though her visit at the zoo didn't end with quite as much exuberance as it began, I'm happy to say that once she got in the shade and had a large cup of ice-cold Sierra Mist she was back to being herself, even if she didn't visit any of the animal exhibits that were on our way to the exit. The Bear and I made sure the girls got to see everything though. They were already worried about their mommy and taking them to see the animals seemed the best way to act naturally and calm their fears.

She's a bit embarrassed by the whole episode but I told Karen she wasn't the first - and she certainly won't be the last - person to faint at the zoo. The paramedic who responded acted like he did that kind of thing all the time. And I'm pretty sure he wasn't a zoo vet.

Spring Fever

Click on image to enlarge
The weather was so nice today and I just couldn't stand staying in the house so after the inside chores were completed I headed outside to work in the flower beds. Our yard has several beautiful oak trees but the downside of oaks is that the raking takes place in the autumn and in the Spring. Many of the leaves fall off with the pre-winter storms and the rest get pushed off by new growth the next year. So I did the Spring raking. Need any bags of leaves for your compost bins? See me.

It is important to get the oak leaves off the flower beds because underneath are plants waking up for the new season. Such is the case with these blue hyacinths. The picture is from last year, but I saw the buds for the ones that will be blooming soon, sending their fragrance wafting through the open windows. Mmm. I can't wait!

And in my spring fever mood I decided to play around a bit more with some of the digital elements that I recently downloaded. Vicky and I are going to be at the same conference in a few weeks and she has promised to show me the ropes. But you know how impatient I am. I just couldn't wait to experiment. :)

Happy Spring!

Since When Are These In Such High Demand?

I was reading an article about the snow that is blanketing the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. And, yes, I know that this is a serious situation. I'm currently smack-dab in the middle of it, so I'm aware. However, something I read struck my funny bone.

The wallop of back-to-back storms is causing certain items to disappear from grocery shelves. According to the article one of those items is Brussels sprouts.

O-o-k-a-a-y.

I happen to like Brussels sprouts. Really. But if my family is a fair representation then it is safe to say that most people do not.

I know that there were other events recently besides snowstorms that precipitated (pun intended) a raid on the stores, but since when are Brussels sprouts an hors d'oeuvre served while watching the Super Bowl?

If you have such a recipe, please share. I obviously need to find a new way to present them since what I'm doing now isn't working!

Lovely Weather We're Having! Not!

This photo was taken yesterday afternoon when the snow had just begun to fall, which was approximately 24 hours after we'd arrived home from our "winter tour" in Florida and Texas:



This photo was taken this afternoon:

And to think that in another month my favorite greenhouse will be opening for business! Maybe some of my trees will be showing the signs of spring by then. I can hope, can't I?

On second thought, it is lovely, but I'm ready for some warmer loveliness.