Xanga

Green

The result of many days of rain.

 It was nice to wake up to sunshine the last few days.

 The leftover dampness is still here – especially in the early morning.

 Dew in the grass.

The fuzzy-leaf mint tea is about ready to cut.

 The curly-leaf mint tea has also grown tall.

 There is lots of green in our memory garden.

 Hosta

Daylilies

 Fern

 I am fascinated with unfurling ferns in spring.

 Mayapples are covering our woodland floor.

 New growth is beginning to show in the ivy.

Alfalfa in my brothers’ field next to our yard.

I love all the green.

No one who trusts God like this—heart and soul—will ever regret it. 

Romans 10:11 (The Message)

Remember…

the corn ring I bought several weeks ago?

This is what it looks like now.  The squirrels loved it.

~~~

Remember…

the male grosbeak who visited our feeder the other day?

Today the female was here.

I took several photos so she could model her pretty feathers.

She was curious and modeled beautifully.

Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master. 

Colossians 3:17 (The Message)

Wednesday

May 6

Wednesday morning I left Cerwin with three little boys, while I went to TFC’s International Office to do my part in the current Candidate Training School (CTS).

I was sure that he would have fun with these guys – Ian, Jared, and Jesse.

Their dad is on a business trip, and their mom went on a mystery trip here as a birthday gift to herself.  She also took her babysitter, Barb, along as a special thank-you gift to her.

 I am becoming comfortable in training new staff by webinar.  I use a PowerPoint to give instruction on good communication through newsletters, PowerPoints, and display boards.

 After I was finished, Bunny O’Hare, Director of Chaplains, added a few comments.

 Scott Weidner, TFC President and CEO, closed the session by giving them a break – breakfast for those on the west coast (USA and Canada), coffee break for those in the middle of the country, and an early lunch for us and those in Quebec.

 Shortly after I got home, I encouraged the boys to look out the window.

Cerwin was doing prep work for the construction crew who is coming in a few weeks to install new windows in our house.

Our windows are forty-two years old, and Cerwin thought this is a good summer to do that job since the government is offering a rebate for installing windows this year.

 After school, Cerwin went to Jere and Kristen’s house to get Josh and Jana.

 While taking those pictures, I noticed my niece Chelsey going home from feeding her pigs at a neighboring farm.

  You will notice that our area is very green from many days of rain.

Photo by Ian

The children chose this variety of foods for supper – mostly from Schwans:  chicken fingers, cheese-stuffed soft pretzels, funnel cake sticks, mozzarella sticks, and smores.  They love when I allow them to choose this kind of meal.  These items are usually snacks for the grandchildren, and not a meal.  However, grandmas can be talked into things now and then.

The three little boys were in pajamas when their mom got home at 8:30 p.m.  She had a wonderful day – mostly in the Hershey, Pennsylvania, area. 

Quiet down before God, be prayerful before him. 

Psalm 37:7 (The Message)

Rain

Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday…

Rain has been part of every day since last Friday.

We had one of the most relaxing Saturdays in months – mostly because we kept our calendar clear for six days, planning to deliver TFC’s chapel to Racine, Wisconsin, last week.  The chapel is ready to go, but delivery has been delayed until some paperwork is finalized and approved at the truck stop.

There is nothing nicer than having an occasional Saturday with nothing to do. 

Sunday was truly a day of rest this week.  The only busy creatures around our house were the birds.  They seem to keep the same schedule seven days a week – rain or no rain.

It’s nice to see the male goldfinches in their brilliant, yellow, summer feathers.

Mr. Cardinal never seems to stay at the feeder long enough for me to get a photo, no matter how careful I try to be in not frightening him.

The squirrels continue to work on the corn wreath.  The lack of corn has made it lighter, making it difficult for the squirrel to sit inside the ring anymore.

The next time I looked out, it was on the ground, making it much easier for the squirrels to remove the corn.  I decided to leave it there until the wreath is free of corn.

The rain is making our valley very green.

Our azalea bush is in full bloom.

The dogwood on our patio looks pretty in the damp weather.

The rain is pouring as I enter this on Wednesday evening.

Thank God!  He deserves your thanks.

His love never quits. 

Psalm 136:1 (The Message)

Logan’s Roadhouse

Friday Evening, May 1

Renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me. 

Psalm 51:10 (Amplified Bible)