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I am the gate.

All who come in through me will be saved.

Through me they will come and go and find pasture.

[Jesus]

John 10:9 (Contemporary English Version)

A Pasture of Sheep

At Jeff & Chris’ Place

When looking at these sheep, I had a few questions for Google and learned the following facts about sheep.

As of January 1, 2012, there were 5.35 million sheep in the United States.

Sheep are produced in all 50 states. However, the highest sheep-producing states are located west of the Mississippi River, where most of the larger sheep ranches reside. The eastern part of the country supports a greater number of smaller, pasture-based operations.

There are more than one billion sheep in the world.

China has the largest sheep population in the world – 130 million.

Australia is second with 115 million.

There are 34.2 million sheep in New Zealand, or approximately seven sheep for every human.

Sheep make a bleating sound.

A baby lamb can identify its mother by her bleat.

In the 15th century, Spain’s thriving wool trade financed the expeditions of its conquistadors, including the voyage Christopher Columbus made to the New World. Indeed, Columbus came from a family of wool traders.

President Woodrow Wilson grazed sheep on the White House South Lawn. The wool obtained from the sheep was sold to raise money for the Red Cross during World War I. The flock included “Old Ike,” a tobacco-chewing ram.

One pound of wool can make ten miles of spun yarn.

Female sheep are called ewes, baby sheep are called lambs, and male sheep are called rams. A group of sheep is called a flock.

According to animal behaviorists, a group of five sheep is usually necessary for sheep to display their normal flocking behavior.

A sheep will become highly agitated if it is separated from the rest of the flock.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake. Psalm 23:1-3 NKJV

The way to become wise is to honor the Lord.

Psalm 111:10 (Good News Translation)

A Skunk

In Our Bird Feeding Area

I know it is springtime when there is a skunk in our bird feeding area about the time I go to bed.

It was not impressed when I opened the small garage door to get a picture, and because I was looking at it from the backside, I did not linger.

The next night it was facing me, so I was a bit braver with the picture-taking.

Here it was scrunched up and bouncing on its legs like it wanted to scare me away.

It made me smile, because that is exactly what Keebler (Roy and Deb’s pet skunk) does when we play with him in the house.

Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words.

Learn how to apply them.

Ephesians 6:15-18 (The Message)

A Delightful Sight

For My Eyes

There is little to match the beauty of driving home at sunset.

Delightful!

Irresponsible talk makes a real mess of things, but a reliable reporter is a healing presence.

Proverbs 13:17 (The Message)

Cardinals

This cardinal pair has been entertaining me for the past few days.

Sometimes I see both of them. Other times I see only one.

Because I saw both of them fairly often, I was suspicious that there was some courting going on in the branches of our dogwood tree.

I don’t often see them at the suet.

Then a few days ago I saw him feeding her, so went for my camera.

Then they went their separate ways for a few minutes.

I think she was playing hard-to-get.

They are back together again.

It is difficult to focus on birds when there are so many branches.

This was as good as I was able to capture their courting ritual of him feeding her.

Seek your happiness in the Lord,
and he will give you your heart’s desire.

Psalm 37:4 (Good News Translation)

Longhorn Steakhouse

With Five Grandchildren

We still owed birthday dinners to Jordan and Nate from last year. It seemed that whenever it suited us, it did not suit them. Josh, Jenna, and Jana’s birthdays were more recent.

When I texted them that we were going to Longhorn Steakhouse for lunch this past weekend and could take anyone who was available – all five replied that it suited.

That was amazing!

Jana tasting her strawberry lemonade.

Jenna ordered Coke, but wanted to taste the lemonade.

The four of us enjoyed delicious, warm, wheat bread while we waited for the guys. (They drove separately.)

Time to check out the menu.

Jenna, Jana, Josh, Nate, Jordan, and Cerwin.

Josh and Nate

My salad

Jenna and Jana got steak and mashed potatoes. Both said the potatoes were the best they ever tasted.

My dinner

The guys got a variety of steaks and potatoes. I think this is Cerwin’s plate.

Heading to our cars.

Finally – we are caught up on birthday dinners for the first time in ten months.

What fun! I love spending time with our grandchildren.