When we moved from Florida to the mountains a few years ago, one of the appealing facts we were given about weather here in the mountains was "long spring, short summer". And for the first couple of years, that proved to be true.
This year, however, is turning out to be a direct contradiction to that forecast.
Spring was very slow coming, at least to our mountaintop. It finally got here.......we finally got leaves on our trees, grass growing (at least in the few places it actually grows), and some flowers blooming.....and we were enjoying having our meals on the porch, relaxing in the recliner on the porch with a good book (or for a nap!). We have really enjoyed these couple of weeks of spring, and now summer is here already??!! What's up with that??
Temperatures here on the mountain have been in the 90s for the last couple of days. That's just crazy, especially in May! It's hotter here than in our previous "hometown" in Florida!!
I'm not sure what meteorologists would say is the cause of this unusual (and unwanted) heat wave. I'm sure some would credit it to "global warming". But since I'm not on that bandwagon, I will just say that I'm not particularly enjoying it. This is the weather I expect in August, not in May. So, last evening we broke down and turned on the air conditioning. I really hated to do that so early. But there's no point in sitting around sweating when all we needed to do was flip a switch, and wonderful cool air would be flowing through the ducts. Gotta love central air conditioning!!
I don't know how long this heat wave is going to last. Not long, I hope. I have really been enjoying spring and would like to have it back!
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Remembering
Today is Memorial Day.
What is Memorial Day all about?
Originally, it was a day set aside to honor the lives of those who died while in service to their country. To memorialize them. To remember them. It has evolved into a tribute to veterans, but we have Veterans' Day for that. To honor all men and women who are currently in the military. But frankly, I think we should be doing that every day.
It also seems to be recognized by many as the official start of summer vacation, or as a much needed day off work.
But it is so much more than that.
I'm thankful for all the men and women who serve in our Armed Forces. Voluntarily, I might add. I'm thankful for all who have served our great nation since its inception. I honor them and their service. I honor and appreciate the sacrifices they and their families have made.
But today is about remembering those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. It's a day to remember that freedom isn't free.
So, as you're enjoying your picnic or your barbeque or your watermelon today, remember why you have the day off!
The patriot's blood is the seed of Freedom's tree. ~Thomas Campbell
What is Memorial Day all about?
Originally, it was a day set aside to honor the lives of those who died while in service to their country. To memorialize them. To remember them. It has evolved into a tribute to veterans, but we have Veterans' Day for that. To honor all men and women who are currently in the military. But frankly, I think we should be doing that every day.
It also seems to be recognized by many as the official start of summer vacation, or as a much needed day off work.
But it is so much more than that.
I'm thankful for all the men and women who serve in our Armed Forces. Voluntarily, I might add. I'm thankful for all who have served our great nation since its inception. I honor them and their service. I honor and appreciate the sacrifices they and their families have made.
But today is about remembering those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. It's a day to remember that freedom isn't free.
So, as you're enjoying your picnic or your barbeque or your watermelon today, remember why you have the day off!
The patriot's blood is the seed of Freedom's tree. ~Thomas Campbell
Monday, May 23, 2011
Monday Morning Randomness
So far it's a typical Monday morning. I'm pretty much in a fog. I think I have previously established that mornings are not my thing. Monday mornings are the worst. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's some culturally ingrained truism that Monday morning should be awful and I should really hate it. I have no idea. But, like most Mondays, my thoughts this morning are all over the place!
I'm remembering the great time I had in Greensboro with Brandon, Stephanie, and AJ. The joy I felt when he asked Jesus into his heart. My pride at seeing him get a good hit and score a run at his baseball game. Knowing that I would have been just as proud if he hadn't done that.
I'm thankful that Al and I are both back home at the same time! That doesn't happen a lot around here. It's one of the quirks of our lifestyle. We've gotten used to it, knowing this is just the way it is. It's part of "running with endurance the race that is set before us" (see Hebrews 12). It's not exactly the lifestyle we envisioned back when we first got married. But it's just the way it is.
I'm feeling sorry for Al this morning because his back has "gone out" again and he's VERY uncomfortable. I'm praying it gets better soon. I'm praying for his mom who is still in the hospital, hoping to go home today.
And I'm listening to the landscape guys. They're here again this morning, repairing their repairs. Because we live on the side of a mountain (literally) there is a retaining wall right behind our house. And because of all the snow we had last winter, there was a "landslide" of sorts at the end of that wall. A lot of dirt washed off the bank and ended up in our driveway. So a few weeks ago the landscape guys built an extension to the retaining wall (which is concrete) using railroad ties. Then they put rocks above the railroad ties. That was supposed to hold the dirt in place.
Well......when we got home on Saturday we discovered that the whole thing - railroad ties, rocks, all of it.....was in the driveway! So this morning they are out there picking up all the rocks and working on another plan. I think this one may involve a lot of mulch. I'm not sure. Al is dealing with that. I'm just listening to the sound of rocks being thrown back into a dump truck.
I'm not sure if this is Plan B or Plan C or what plan we are on now. I just hope this one works!
I'm remembering the great time I had in Greensboro with Brandon, Stephanie, and AJ. The joy I felt when he asked Jesus into his heart. My pride at seeing him get a good hit and score a run at his baseball game. Knowing that I would have been just as proud if he hadn't done that.
I'm thankful that Al and I are both back home at the same time! That doesn't happen a lot around here. It's one of the quirks of our lifestyle. We've gotten used to it, knowing this is just the way it is. It's part of "running with endurance the race that is set before us" (see Hebrews 12). It's not exactly the lifestyle we envisioned back when we first got married. But it's just the way it is.
I'm feeling sorry for Al this morning because his back has "gone out" again and he's VERY uncomfortable. I'm praying it gets better soon. I'm praying for his mom who is still in the hospital, hoping to go home today.
And I'm listening to the landscape guys. They're here again this morning, repairing their repairs. Because we live on the side of a mountain (literally) there is a retaining wall right behind our house. And because of all the snow we had last winter, there was a "landslide" of sorts at the end of that wall. A lot of dirt washed off the bank and ended up in our driveway. So a few weeks ago the landscape guys built an extension to the retaining wall (which is concrete) using railroad ties. Then they put rocks above the railroad ties. That was supposed to hold the dirt in place.
Well......when we got home on Saturday we discovered that the whole thing - railroad ties, rocks, all of it.....was in the driveway! So this morning they are out there picking up all the rocks and working on another plan. I think this one may involve a lot of mulch. I'm not sure. Al is dealing with that. I'm just listening to the sound of rocks being thrown back into a dump truck.
I'm not sure if this is Plan B or Plan C or what plan we are on now. I just hope this one works!
Monday, May 16, 2011
This is a re-posting of a previous post titled "Laughter". The original has disappeared for some reason, and the subsequent post ("Full Disclosure") makes a lot less sense if you haven't read "Laughter" first. So thanks to my friend Melissa who was able to send me a copy of my original post. Here it is:
Yesterday was one of those days when I was completely uninspired about what to make for dinner. I thawed out a couple of chicken breasts, but had no brilliant, creative idea about what to do with them. I finally decided to bread them with some panko bread crumbs (for crunch) and pan fry them. Seemed like a semi-healthy thing to do.
It must have been pretty good. As he was finishing up his chicken, Al's comment was something like, "this is pretty good. What do you call it?" I think he was expecting some fancy-schmancy answer like "chicken a la something or other". But when he asked "what do you call it", my reply was "chicken". To which we both erupted in uncontrollable giggling! Uncontrollable giggling by people who have passed 60 is a sight to behold!!
Later in the evening, he said to me......"when I take the Jeep in for the oil change tomorrow, why don't you go with me?" And this is why........"we can go to McDonald's and get a frozen strawberry lemonade." Now that is definitely the way to a woman's heart......a trip to McDonald's!! Result of that conversation (after I had said something like "oh be still my beating heart! McDonald's?? Really??!!!").........more uncontrollable giggling!!
I'm so thankful for the gift of laughter! What a blessing! And I'm looking forward to my McDonald's date later today. I really am. (Giggle!)
"A joyful heart is good medicine." (Proverbs 17:22a)"
Yesterday was one of those days when I was completely uninspired about what to make for dinner. I thawed out a couple of chicken breasts, but had no brilliant, creative idea about what to do with them. I finally decided to bread them with some panko bread crumbs (for crunch) and pan fry them. Seemed like a semi-healthy thing to do.
It must have been pretty good. As he was finishing up his chicken, Al's comment was something like, "this is pretty good. What do you call it?" I think he was expecting some fancy-schmancy answer like "chicken a la something or other". But when he asked "what do you call it", my reply was "chicken". To which we both erupted in uncontrollable giggling! Uncontrollable giggling by people who have passed 60 is a sight to behold!!
Later in the evening, he said to me......"when I take the Jeep in for the oil change tomorrow, why don't you go with me?" And this is why........"we can go to McDonald's and get a frozen strawberry lemonade." Now that is definitely the way to a woman's heart......a trip to McDonald's!! Result of that conversation (after I had said something like "oh be still my beating heart! McDonald's?? Really??!!!").........more uncontrollable giggling!!
I'm so thankful for the gift of laughter! What a blessing! And I'm looking forward to my McDonald's date later today. I really am. (Giggle!)
"A joyful heart is good medicine." (Proverbs 17:22a)"
Snake on the Porch
We had a little excitement here on the mountain Friday. Molly was barking like crazy! It's really not unusual (or particularly exciting!) that she was barking....she barks at many things.....chipmunks, birds, anyone who dares drive up our road, and the list could go on! But this barking was different. It was sort of bark growl bark growl bark growl. I went out to the porch to see what was going on. And my breath caught in my throat. She was barking at a snake.
Thankfully, Al was home. I was really glad about that......dealing with snakes is not my favorite thing! I called him down in the office. He came up and took care of the snake. His comment about the snake started me thinking. It was "what is a snake doing up here" or something like that. We very rarely have snakes this high up the mountain. I can think of no good reason why there would be a snake on my porch. So I began to think about that snake and why it might have decided to venture up this way. Which led me to some deeper thinking. (Trying to figure out how my mind works and the twists and turns it takes is a challenge for another day.)
Just a few minutes before the barking began, I had been on the porch sweeping, completely oblivious to the fact that a snake was hanging out under the recliner I was planning to plant myself in with a good book just a few minutes later! That was really what I began to consider. How oblivious we often are to the "snakes" in our lives. To THE snake, that "deceiver, the serpent of old" (Revelation 12:9) and his sneaky attempts to disrupt our lives, to deceive us, to mess with our minds. How busy he is in our personal lives, in our homes, even in our churches.
I'm going to be a lot more cautious on the porch this summer. I'll be looking for snakes under every chair before I get too comfortable!
"Be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8 NASB)
Thankfully, Al was home. I was really glad about that......dealing with snakes is not my favorite thing! I called him down in the office. He came up and took care of the snake. His comment about the snake started me thinking. It was "what is a snake doing up here" or something like that. We very rarely have snakes this high up the mountain. I can think of no good reason why there would be a snake on my porch. So I began to think about that snake and why it might have decided to venture up this way. Which led me to some deeper thinking. (Trying to figure out how my mind works and the twists and turns it takes is a challenge for another day.)
Just a few minutes before the barking began, I had been on the porch sweeping, completely oblivious to the fact that a snake was hanging out under the recliner I was planning to plant myself in with a good book just a few minutes later! That was really what I began to consider. How oblivious we often are to the "snakes" in our lives. To THE snake, that "deceiver, the serpent of old" (Revelation 12:9) and his sneaky attempts to disrupt our lives, to deceive us, to mess with our minds. How busy he is in our personal lives, in our homes, even in our churches.
I'm going to be a lot more cautious on the porch this summer. I'll be looking for snakes under every chair before I get too comfortable!
"Be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8 NASB)
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Full Disclosure and Lessons Learned
Regarding my previous post (titled "Laughter", which seem to have mysteriously disappeared, apparently because of some "issues" with the Blogger platform), in the interest of full disclosure I should point out that not only did I get a McDonald's frozen strawberry lemonade, I was also treated to lunch. At Bubba's. Yes, that's really the name of the place.....Bubba's Good Eats. It's a fairly new eating establishment in town. I had the blue plate special. It was good. Then, after a trip to the car wash, we went to McDonald's. (That husband of mine really knows how to show a girl a good time, doesn't he??!!) I had a frozen strawberry lemonade. Next time I'll order something else. Enough said about that.
The lesson is this: just because something looks good or sounds good doesn't mean it is good!
Another lesson this week came by way of a bird that flew into the living room window. This is the second time recently that a bird has flown into that window and died as a result. And it can't possibly be because the window is so clean. Trust me. It isn't!
A few weeks ago a cardinal flew into the window. This week it was an indigo bunting. Both occasions made me sad. Not only because they are such beautiful birds, but just because one of God's creatures met such an untimely and unnecessary death.
But thinking about those birds led me to remembering a beautiful hillside on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. And to remembering these words of Jesus: "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?" (Matthew 6:26-27) and "Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God......you are more valuable than many sparrows." (Luke 12:6, 7b).
The lesson I need to remember is this: God loves those birds. He made them. He cares for and provides for them. Even more, God loves me and cares for and provides for me. And for you. And that's an important lesson to remember!
The lesson is this: just because something looks good or sounds good doesn't mean it is good!
Another lesson this week came by way of a bird that flew into the living room window. This is the second time recently that a bird has flown into that window and died as a result. And it can't possibly be because the window is so clean. Trust me. It isn't!
A few weeks ago a cardinal flew into the window. This week it was an indigo bunting. Both occasions made me sad. Not only because they are such beautiful birds, but just because one of God's creatures met such an untimely and unnecessary death.
But thinking about those birds led me to remembering a beautiful hillside on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. And to remembering these words of Jesus: "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?" (Matthew 6:26-27) and "Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God......you are more valuable than many sparrows." (Luke 12:6, 7b).
The lesson I need to remember is this: God loves those birds. He made them. He cares for and provides for them. Even more, God loves me and cares for and provides for me. And for you. And that's an important lesson to remember!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
What's Next?
As we wait and hope and pray for a buyer for our house (and the right sales price!!!!!!), the question keeps coming up......where do we go from here? I know how I would answer that question. BUT.....that's not the right answer. That's not even the point!
Jeremiah 29:11...."I (God) know the plans I (God) have for you." So, where I want to go from here is not the issue. It's where does HE want us to go. And we're waiting for that answer. We know what we want. But we also both want our wants to line up with God's plan for us. So we wait. And we pray. And we anticipate what might be next for us in this journey.
My prayer is that we will both hear the same answer! That we will hear it clearly. That there will be no doubt or confusion about it. That we will know that we know!!
Until then, we keep waiting.
For a buyer.
For clear direction.
For God to reveal the next step.
For God.
"For Thee I wait." (Psalm 25:5)
"I lay my requests before You and wait in expectation." (Psalm 5:3 NIV)
Jeremiah 29:11...."I (God) know the plans I (God) have for you." So, where I want to go from here is not the issue. It's where does HE want us to go. And we're waiting for that answer. We know what we want. But we also both want our wants to line up with God's plan for us. So we wait. And we pray. And we anticipate what might be next for us in this journey.
My prayer is that we will both hear the same answer! That we will hear it clearly. That there will be no doubt or confusion about it. That we will know that we know!!
Until then, we keep waiting.
For a buyer.
For clear direction.
For God to reveal the next step.
For God.
"For Thee I wait." (Psalm 25:5)
"I lay my requests before You and wait in expectation." (Psalm 5:3 NIV)
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Last Words
I've been trying to write this post for a couple of days, but it has been hard. Mother's Day is a hard day for me......has been for the 10 years since my mother's passing. Because we have lived in so many places around the country, it was rare in my adult life to actually spend the day with my mother, but I always looked forward to spending time together on the phone. I looked forward to finding the perfect card and a special gift and being sure they were in the mail early enough to arrive in SC on time.
In recent years, Mother's Day has been a mixed bag for me. I miss my own mother. I rarely get to spend time with my own sons on this day.......one of the consequences of the fact that we live so far from each other. It's a time to travel down memory lane, which results in lots of smiles and some tears as well.
One memory that always surfaces at this time of year is hearing the doctor say that we would never have children. I remember the Mother's Days when I so wanted to be a mom and it seemed that would never happen. That's a painful memory, but one that is more than balanced by the fact that obviously he was wrong and God had another plan. Two plans! Two sons! The joy I felt when that same doctor told me the pregnancy test was positive has never diminished!
Motherhood is not an easy job. And I haven't always been a candidate for "world's best mother". I've made my share of mistakes. Bad decisions. Lost my temper. Said things I have regretted. But through it all, I have loved being a mother. I love my sons. And the "daughters" they brought into my life. And the grandsons who now bring us all so much joy!
As I travel down memory lane at this time of year, there are so many things that make me smile. Sometimes even giggle a little bit.........
The hamster named Roscoe who met an untimely end when Brian jumped off the top bunk and landed on him.
The big bows my mother always put in my blonde curls.
The sweet smiles and hugs of my own little blonde boys (who aren't so blonde anymore!!).
Baby Dedication services......for our sons and for our grandsons as well.
Long distance calls from the UK when Brian was in the Air Force.
Hearing "I love you, Mom", no matter what day of the year I hear it!
And the last words my own mother spoke to me. We knew her time was short. We had left Minnesota, flying down to SC and hoping we would get there in time. We arrived on Saturday around midnight. She left us on Monday morning. But when we got there, she opened her eyes, smiled a faint smile and said the last words I ever heard her say......."I love you."
In recent years, Mother's Day has been a mixed bag for me. I miss my own mother. I rarely get to spend time with my own sons on this day.......one of the consequences of the fact that we live so far from each other. It's a time to travel down memory lane, which results in lots of smiles and some tears as well.
One memory that always surfaces at this time of year is hearing the doctor say that we would never have children. I remember the Mother's Days when I so wanted to be a mom and it seemed that would never happen. That's a painful memory, but one that is more than balanced by the fact that obviously he was wrong and God had another plan. Two plans! Two sons! The joy I felt when that same doctor told me the pregnancy test was positive has never diminished!
Motherhood is not an easy job. And I haven't always been a candidate for "world's best mother". I've made my share of mistakes. Bad decisions. Lost my temper. Said things I have regretted. But through it all, I have loved being a mother. I love my sons. And the "daughters" they brought into my life. And the grandsons who now bring us all so much joy!
As I travel down memory lane at this time of year, there are so many things that make me smile. Sometimes even giggle a little bit.........
The hamster named Roscoe who met an untimely end when Brian jumped off the top bunk and landed on him.
The big bows my mother always put in my blonde curls.
The sweet smiles and hugs of my own little blonde boys (who aren't so blonde anymore!!).
Baby Dedication services......for our sons and for our grandsons as well.
Long distance calls from the UK when Brian was in the Air Force.
Hearing "I love you, Mom", no matter what day of the year I hear it!
And the last words my own mother spoke to me. We knew her time was short. We had left Minnesota, flying down to SC and hoping we would get there in time. We arrived on Saturday around midnight. She left us on Monday morning. But when we got there, she opened her eyes, smiled a faint smile and said the last words I ever heard her say......."I love you."
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