VETERAN'S DAY

SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES



We saw this huge cloud of smoke last month on our way home.

Such an ominous sight to see!

Come to find out some local farmers were burning their fields.
So glad to know it was a "controlled burn."

DO YOU SEE WHAT I SEE?



Look closely, please. This is not just a black rectangle. There's something to see, but you must look even closer.

See? I told ya. Geckos!

I believe these are Leopard Geckos. Don't quote me, though.

In the evenings, these little guys "party" on our front porch and on our kitchen window. I opened the door to take this picture and was once again AMAZED at how many were on the wall. I was fortunate to snap these 3 before they scurried away into the cracks and crevices like the others.

Too bad they don't eat roaches.  :(

They're pretty well camouflaged. How many do you see at first glance?
How many on second glance?

I'd be interested in your answers. Feel free to leave a comment below.

I WANT TO LIVE HERE




Can you imagine!?

HUMMINGBIRD



This hummingbird is a little wet.  It swooped in for some nectar and a chance to dry off after the rain.

Here's a better angle without the bush in the background.

BURNED. "YEE-OUCH!"

 

This past Monday I decided to make a new recipe.  I wanted to make Carnitas (small pieces of roasted and shredded pork), and I found a delicious recipe on-line.  The first thing the recipe called for was to cook the pork in an oven safe skillet on top of the stove for an hour.  After the hour was up it was time to pop the skillet into the oven for 30 minutes at 400 degrees.  Everything was going wonderful until after I took the pan out of the oven (with oven mitts) and placed it on top of the stove.  That's when I decided to take a picture so I could post about this recipe on my blog. 

Being the creature of habit that I am - I reached out with my left hand (because the camera was in my right hand) and grabbed the handle.  Yes, you heard right.  I grabbed it.  I actually lifted that skillet and moved it to the front burner in hopes of getting the perfect picture . . . without shadows.  It couldn't have been more than 2 or 3 seconds later that I felt a searing pain in my fingers and thumb.  It dawned on me that I had just grabbed a stainless steel skillet handle that had been fired up to 400 degrees while basking in the oven for the past 30 minutes, thus my "Kodak Moment" no longer seemed important.

The pain was intense to say-the-least.  All I could think was how blistered and raw my fingers were going to be, and how many weeks I was going to be in pain with a useless hand.  (I tried not to think about the PREVENTABLE trip to the doctor and the bill that could have been avoided if I had only been THINKING.)  I immediately ran cold water over my fingers, but it wasn't cold enough, so I put a frozen ice pack in my hand, and headed for the computer.  In my on-line search I found out ice is NOT a good option for a burn.  It only damages the skin more.  But, I also found someone who recommended an unusual remedy for burns.  I try to keep this item on hand.  I even stop at our local health food store so I can get the best.  Thankfully, we had plenty in the pantry, and I wasted no time liberally applying this truly miraculous product to my fingers. 


 

The pain was still intense, but I didn't know what else to do. So I soaked a sterile pad in the stuff and laid it on my fingers, then wrapped it up with a gauze bandage and tape. Before the day was out, ALL of the pain was completely GONE.
[This picture was taken Tuesday - the day after I got burned.  It's hard to see, but look closely and the long, skinny red lines running the length of each finger are there.]



I had ONE blister on my ring finger.  The rest of my fingers were red, and the skin on each was tight and sensitive, but they looked amazing considering they had just been FRIED.

[This picture was taken today (2 days after the burn).  I tried to get a close-up of the blister, but as you can see it's already healing nicely.]

I kept the bandage on Monday and Tuesday, and took it off today, and if I didn't point out where my fingers were wrapped around the handle and burned - I don't think anyone would ever know.  I am so amazed and thankful.  I am using my hand to type today.  Of course, the one thing that concerns me now is to be sure that my blister does not get infected so I have to be careful what I do.  I expect a full recovery before the week is out.  We shall see.



God made a fabulous product for so many different things that ail a body.  I don't ever want to be without this sweet smelling miracle in a bottle.  I highly encourage everyone to keep some on hand - just in case.  I promise you won't regret it . . . and get the good stuff while you're at it.

In closing, I would just like to say that if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes (and felt it with my own hand) I really don't think I would believe my own story or pictures.  I've been burned before to a much lesser degree, and those burns NEVER healed like this burn.  Some may say I didn't really get burned that bad, or that 2 or 3 seconds wasn't long enough to do much damage.  Okay.  Sure.  I can sympathize with the skeptics, and I appreciate their right to unbelief.  But, as for me and my hand, we believe.  :)

CENTER FOR THE MISSING

None of us ever want to imagine harm befalling our children, but in this ole sinful world that we live in . . . it does happen.  Just turn on the local news station and there will be at least one case of a child gone missing - whether a runaway or an abduction. 

The kits are an easy way to keep a record of your child's information which would become vital in the case of an emergency.  Your child's name, date-of-birth, social security number, physical description, current photograph, medical and dental record information, and fingerprints can all be recorded in this kit. 

ALL ITEMS ARE COMPLETED AND STORED AT HOME.  You control the information, and if it is ever needed, you will be able to provide this information to authorities to help reunite a missing child with your family.

I think it is better to be prepared for the worst.  Once a child is missing there is no way to get a copy of his/her fingerprints then - unless he/she is found.  Also, if the information is previously recorded it will relieve you of having to overcome emotions that may leave you confused and shocked, to say the least.  Simple things may be hard to remember. 

Maybe you would like to contact the Center for the Missing and order your National Child Identification Program kit to help in protecting your child or children.  I would like to encourage you to do so.  Don't wait.  It's confidential and you control the information.  Just go to the link below to order your kit TODAY!

http://www.childidprogram.com/order-now

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."  ~ Benjamin Franklin

FACTS ABOUT FINGERPRINTS

Fingerprints are composed of a unique combination of ridges that make patterns of loops, deltas and arches, as well as ending ridges, broken ridges, island ridges, forks, dots, bridges, spurs, eyes, bifurcations and other distinguishing marks. Fingerprinting is the only notably unchanged and infallible means of identifying individuals. In 80 years of fingerprint classification, no two identical sets have been found.

Unique fingerprints are formed seven months after conception. Although the size of each finger will continue to grow from pre-birth to childhood to adulthood, the relative position of ridges (with their loops, deltas and arches) will remain the same.

A perfect fingerprint will yield 175 to 180 points of information. Twelve points (less than 10 percent of a fingerprint) are required to convict in a federal court, and as few as five points may be used to convict in many jurisdictions. In other words, a far-from-perfect print will still yield positive identification information.

PREVENTION TIPS NATIONAL CHILD ID PROGRAM

Prevention always starts at home.

Use the following tips to help educate children on safety and awareness.

CHILDREN SHOULD BE TAUGHT TO:

Know his/her full name, as well as your name, address and telephone number, including area code. Children should know how to use the telephone.

Never say they're alone when answering the phone - instead, offer to take a message or say their parents will be back shortly.

Never answer the door if they are alone. Never invite anyone in the house w/out permission of a parent or baby-sitter.

Never take candy or gifts from strangers or anyone else without asking a parent first.

Never play in deserted buildings or isolated areas.

Move away from cars that pull up beside them if they do not know the driver.

Know that no one should touch any part of his or her body that bathing suit would cover.

Avoid shortcuts through empty parks, fields, laneways or alleys.

Run home or go to the nearest public place if they are being followed and yell for help.

Tell you if someone has asked them to keep a secret from you.

Tell you where they are at all times or leave a message at home.Give up money, jewelry or clothing rather than fight.

Know they can talk to you and call you to pick them up at any time.

PARENTS SHOULD:

Avoid clothing and toys with your child's name on it. A child is less likely to fear someone who knows his/her name.

Check all potential baby-sitters and older friends of your child.Never leave your child alone in a public place, stroller or car, even for a minute.

Always accompany young children to the bathroom in public places.

Always accompany your child on door-to-door activities.

Point out safe houses with the Block Parent sign where children can go if they are in trouble.

Create an environment where a child feels safe to talk to you. Let him/her know that you are interested and sensitive to their fears.

Teach children that the police are their friends and that they can rely on them if they are in trouble.

Keep an up-to-date color photograph of your child, as well as a medical and dental history, and have your child fingerprinted.

Stay involved in your child's life by communicating daily to prevent your child from running away.

3 MOST VIVID CHILDHOOD MEMORIES

I thought I'd share my three most vivid childhood memories today, and maybe some of you will leave a comment and share at least one of yours.  I'd love to hear them.  :)

Stone Soup

1.  My 1st grade teacher was an older lady with shocking short white hair.  She was thin, and always had a smile for me . . . and that smile was always painted with bright lipstick.  One day she brought a HUGE pot to school, and put in in our classroom.  She also brought a large, clean rock.  That day our class made a delicious pot of Stone Soup.  We ate that soup, and I have never forgotten it.  What a difference one teacher can make!

2.  When I was in the 3rd or 4th grade my cousin and I were playing outside when a bird flew overhead and pooped on her.  I started laughing because I thought it was funny, and she got mad.  She got so mad that she blurted out that my dad wasn't really my dad.  I asked my mom about it, and that's how I ended up going to a judge and being adopted. 

3.  When I was a little girl we had two Teddybear Hampsters.  The female had 8 or 10 babies one winter.  I can't remember exactly how many, but I sure do remember how tiny they were.  Well, it was cold and we had one of those old-time register heaters for warming up the house.  Mom set the hampster cage on top of that heater one night before we went to bed, and covered it with a towel.  The next morning those hampsters were all dead.  The metal cage got hot from sitting on that register, and they had "cooked" during the night.  I remember we buried two large matchboxes with the "mom and daddy," and the rest were tiny match boxes for the babies.  My mom has always been an animal lover, and I know she just felt terrible about what happened.  What a sad, but vivid memory.  :(

WE ARE FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE

Click on the links below, and check out these incredible videos. I think you'll be glad you did. The people in them are pretty incredible!

Swan Lake

http://www.nzwide.com/swanlake.htm

Nadia Comaneci's Granddaughter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dqz3cUcSmhE

POISON CENTER NETWORK

March 18-24, 2012 marks the 50th anniversary of National Poison Prevention Week (NPPW), which is a great time of the year to join the efforts of the Poison Center Network to reduce the number and severity of poisonings in your community and help raise awareness for your local poison center.

Cathy's Story - A Poison Tragedy (by the American Association of Poison Control Centers)

Fifty years ago, in 1962, three year old Philip was rushed to the nearest hospital, 30 minutes away. Tragically, he had ingested a bottle of rat poison. Though all attempts were made to save his life, he lived only a few more hours. Fifty years later, his sister, Cathy Seifried of Kingwood, Texas, is still grieving. According to Cathy, her brother's death, a tragedy in itself, had long-lasting effects on her entire family as grief, sadness and remorse took its toll. "I had good parents," says Seifried. "They managed to function and go through the daily motions . . . but, as a family, we were broken."

Today, Seifried focuses her efforts on supporting poison control centers. She feels that had her family had access to the education, outreach, and support that today's poison centers offer, her family might have avoided terrible heartbreak and devastation.

This week the nation celebrates the 50th anniversary of National Poison Prevention Week and it is a great time to help spread the poison prevention message. There is much work yet to be done. Poisoning is the leading cause of death from unintentional injuries in the United States - ahead of motor vehicle crashes and guns.

Just one phone number, 1-800-222-1222, will put you in touch with your local poison center anywhere in the United States. Calls are answered by experts in poisoning treatment and prevention 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Calls to poison centers are free and confidential. Callers have access to poison advice in more than 150 languages and all calls are free and confidential.

What can we do to prevent poisonings?

•Keep medicines and cleaning supplies locked up and away from children. Children act fast. Unfortunately, so do poisons.

•Always use your glasses to read your prescription bottle, and only take medicine with the lights on. These simple actions can prevent accidents.

•Ask visitors to keep purses and luggage containing medicine out of reach of children at all times.

•Install carbon monoxide detectors and check batteries at least twice a year.

•Keep the 1-800-222-1222 number accessible and programmed into your phone. Your local poison center can send you magnets and stickers with the number. Call the Poison Help number even if it's not an emergency. When in doubt, check it out.

•Support legislation that funds local poison centers. In 2011, federal budget cuts reduced funding for poison centers by 36 percent. Poison centers, which handle about 4 million calls a year, are now in jeopardy; further cuts will make it difficult for poison centers to continue providing life-saving services.

"Philip has been gone for fifty years," says Seifried. "I know there are many other stories just like his. For their sakes, please get involved with your local poison center in promoting poisoning prevention and the Poison Help number.  We can make a difference."

Order FREE prevention material from the link below. Don't forget to ask for your Mr. Yuk stickers. Yes, they're still available!   :)

http://www.poisoncontrol.org/

GOT . . . FRUIT FLIES?

 

Commonly known as Fruit Fly.
Technically known as Vinegar or Pomace Fly.
Scientifically known as Drosophila Fly.

Several weeks ago I started noticing fruit flies hovering over the fruit bowl on the kitchen counter. I didn't think much about it at the time. I had seen them there before on occasion, and when the fruit was gone so were the flies. All that has changed as of this week.


God made Fruit Flies to find fermenting fruit.

 A small swarm of Fruit Flies has taken up residence in our kitchen, and I have seen one or two in our bathroom and bedroom buzzing around. Need I say that I am not happy about it? Well, I'm not. I've been Googling Fruit Flies, and found some interesting facts about them . . . including ways to get rid of them. (Check out the link below for an excellent "how to" video.)

 http://video.about.com/pestcontrol/How-to-Get-Rid-of-Fruit-Flies.htm

I wanted to know just how they got into our home. I already knew they can "hitch a ride" in our fruits and veggies on grocery day. What I didn't know was that they can enter a house through window screens, or crevices around doors and windows.


Once they are inside, they will reproduce!

 They lay their eggs on the skin of very ripe, fermenting, and unrefrigerated fruit. Known for persistence once indoors, they don't need fruit to keep reproducing. They can breed inside slow-draining plumbing, or a sour sponge or mop.

The fruit fly population usually peaks in late summer and fall due to the abundance of harvested fruit. The good news is that these little pests don't live very long.



The key to prevention of infestations (swarms) is sanitation and removal of potential feeding sites. Here are 10 Tips to help win the war against the Fruit Fly -


1.  Dispose of any rotting fruit and vegetables.

2.  Empty and clean garbage and recycling cans.

3.  Take compost scraps outside.

4.  Replace old sponges, mops, and dishrags.

5.  Clean dishes immediately - especially juice glasses.

6.  Check potato and onion storage bins frequently.

7.  Set out vinegar traps in problem areas.

8. Give the kitchen a thorough cleaning.

9.  Fix slow drains and keep plumbing and garbage disposals free of organic matter.

10.  If you do your own canning, ensure the jar lids are sealed completely.

Allow me to introduce my new little friend.  :)

Homemade Fruit Fly Trap

You will need:  1/4 cup of vinegar, dish liquid, and a small bowl or jar.  

Pour the vinegar into the bowl or jar. Add several drops of dish liquid to the vinegar, then place the bowl in the area where you've seen the fruit flies, and wait for it to do it's job.

Fruit Flies are attracted to the smell of the vinegar, and will attempt to land on its surface. However, they'll be in for a surprise - since the dish liquid breaks the surface tension of the vinegar, the Fruit Flies will fall in and drown.  

Guess what?

I GOT FRUIT FLIES!  (39 to be exact.  :)

Fruit Fly traps - so cute!

 

LEAP DAY

Today is Wednesday, February 29, 2012 - Leap Day - and it only happens once every four years.

Did you know people born on Leap Day are called "leaplings" or "leapers?" I didn't, (at least not until I Googled it today). Those born on a Leap Day will celebrate their birthday on February 28th or March 1st. Most opt for March 1st. Dinah Shore and Jimmy Dorsey were celebrity leaplings. In 1988, Time magazine claimed that Superman was born on February 29th. How about that?

The Guinness Book of World Records keeps track of certain Leap Year Phenomenon. A family in the United Kingdom has had three consecutive generations born on February 29th. Also, a Norwegian woman, named Karin Hendriksen gave birth to three consecutive leaplings: in 1960, 1964, and 1968. Sweet!  :)

Here's an interesting video explaining Leap Days and Leap Years much better than I could. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

GOD GAVE THE INCREASE

Below are pics of the oranges growing on two trees in our backyard.  Several years ago, hubby buried some little seeds from an orange he had eaten . . . and trees began to grow. I am so glad he planted them.  This is the first year we've had an edible and sizeable harvest. Praise God!

"Cutie" took this picture right after a rain this month.

 

It's still amazing to me when I look out our kitchen window, or step onto the back porch, and I see our beautiful tree with so many oranges. I'm so glad hubby had a vision, and that he listened to his heart and planted those seeds by faith. God has surely blessed him with juicy fruits!

Our Camelia's are blooming, too!

BIRD MIGRATION

We had LOTS of birds in our area this morning.  The field was nearly black with birds when I first noticed them.  Too bad I didn't get to my camera fast enough.  O'Man managed to take this video, but it was after most of the birds had flown away.

Here's another video.  Don't be fooled, those aren't leaves flyin' around. ;)

WORLD'S BEST JUGGLER

Hubby showed us this video when he returned home from work today.  We were impressed.  I don't know about all of the "frolicking" he does in this clip, but nonetheless, as far as juggling goes, "THIS GUY IS AMAZING!!!"



Watching Francis Brunn juggle reminded me of Psalm 139:14 which says, "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well."

MR. YUK

After finding out Mr. Yuk stickers are still around I was prompted to look up this 1970's commercial and revisit a childhood memory.   Do you remember this?

NEW CRITTERS AND HAPPENINGS AROUND HERE

The past week was full of critters at our house. Between the hot temperatures outside, and major cleaning on the inside, things been gettin' stirred up.

One of the first of our "visitors" to show up were the ants ... BIG ANTS. We put out some yummy, sweet poison for them, and boy did they take the bait.

I am happy to report that all but one or two of the big ants are gone. However, they must've told their lil friends where the party was. Now we have crazy ants flitting across our countertops at lightning speed here and there ... EVERYWHERE! It's enough to make a body go cross-eyed. They don't slow down enough to even notice the bait. I didn't try to capture them on film - too small, too fast, too CRAZY!

Next on the list are geckos. O'Man found a whole bunch of their eggs in our garage where we had some old boxes stored. He decided to keep them (the eggs - not the boxes), and try to incubate them so he could watch them hatch. He prepared a container, and set the eggs on the dirt.  It wasn't long after that one of those eggs went to shakin'. Sure enough we had a cute little baby gecko in our midst. It appeared to be stuck in its shell. Perhaps it was just tired? Whatever the case, O'Man, kind soul that he is, lent a helping hand by flicking away part of the shell. That was all it took, because that little lizard lit out lickety split with no word of thanks. (Try sayin' that 5 times fast. I dare ya! ;)


Awww, ain't it cute?



Adding the eggs to the container - "Ooooh, exciting." (yawn)



All hatched and ready to run. O'Man let it go so it could find food, but not before it saw him and cried, "Ma-ma!"

The last critter was in the backyard Sunday morning. I happened to see a cat pawing at something and then jumping out of the way. It did this a couple of times when suddenly it dawned on me ... he was fighting with a SNAKE! I called my hubby.  He watched for a few seconds then started to go out the door.

"Wait," I screeched. "What are you gonna do?"

"I gotta find out what kind of snake that is," he said.

"Well, put some sturdier shoes on first," came my swift reply. "Don't go out there with just your sandals. What if you get bit?"

He didn't listen. Just went anyway. (That's a man for ya. ;)

By this time we had attracted a small crowd at the door, and was eagerly waiting to see what was going to happen next.


Daddy shoulda put his boots on, huh?

That devoted cat was still swattin' and jumpin' and jumpin' and swattin'. Then it stopped.

"Hey," I said, "I bet it killed it!" (I'm always happy to see a DEAD snake :)

Our fluffy little hero kitty seemed to be sniffing its prey, when all of a sudden it shot into the air again!

By this time my hubby was next to the cat and started laughing. What in the world? We couldn't figure out what was so funny. He quickly turned and headed back into the house announcing that the cat had been "fighting" a banana peel, of all things!

In between his fits of laughter he managed to tell us that he noticed the poor kitty was cross-eyed. Obviously, the cat was having a hard time seeing. Every time it swatted at the peel, the cats' claws sunk in just enough to make it "strike" back - thus causing us to think it was a snake.

Afterwards, I couldn't help but think which of us looked more silly, the cat that couldn't focus ... or us. Haha!



"Focus. Focus, dude."

"Take that, you rascally kitty!"

A SHREW IN OUR BACKYARD

When bagging up leaves in the yard today our son came across a small toad and a shrew.  Yep, you heard right.  It was a shrew.  We've lived in this same house a long time and we have never seen a shrew around here.  It was quite an exciting discovery.


It's actually kinda cute, wouldn't you say?

Getting ready to make its "Great Escape" off the driveway.

"Shrew is the common name for small, mouse-like insectivorous mammals.  They are characterized by a pointed snout, minute eyes, and small ears. Although their external appearance is generally that of a long-nosed mouse, the shrews are not rodents and not closely related.  Shrews have feet with five clawed toes, unlike rodents, which have four.

Shrews include the smallest known mammals, and also ones with the highest heart rate.  Shrews also have sharp incisors and a reputation for having a savage disposition, killing larger animals and eating incessantly to stay alive. Some are known to be venomous, which is unusual among mammals, and unlike most mammals some species also can use echolocation.

Shrews provide a valuable service for human beings, as they consume pest insects and slugs that can damage crops. Beyond this, their small size, savage reputation, and unique behaviors have captured the interest and imaginations of people, adding to the wonder and mystery of nature."  (New World Encyclopedia)

REVAMP YOUR "SHOULD DO" LIST

I got to thinking one day about all those people on the Titanic who passed up dessert at dinner that fateful night in an effort to cut back.

How many women out there will eat at home because their husband didn't suggest going out to dinner until AFTER something had been thawed? Does the word 'refrigeration' mean nothing to you, dear lady?

How often have our kids dropped in to talk, and sat in silence, while we watched the television?

I cannot count the times I called my sister and said , "How about going to lunch in a half hour?" She would gas up and stammer, "I can't. I have clothes on the line. My hair is dirty. I wish I had known yesterday. I had a late breakfast. It looks like rain." And my personal favorite: "It's Monday!" She died a few years ago. We never did have lunch together.

Because Americans cram so much into their lives, we tend to schedule our headaches. We live on a sparse diet of promises we make to ourselves when all the conditions are perfect!

We'll go back and visit the grandparents when we get Junior toilet trained. We'll entertain when we replace the living room carpet. We'll go on a second honeymoon when we get two more kids out of college.

Life has a way of accelerating as we get older. The days get shorter, and the list of promises to ourselves gets longer. One morning, we awaken, and all we have to show for our lives is a litany of "I'm going to," "I plan on," and "Someday, when things are settled down a bit."

When anyone calls my 'seize the moment' friend, she is open to adventure and available for trips. She keeps an open mind on new ideas. Her enthusiasm for life is contagious. You talk with her for five minutes, and you're ready to trade your bad feet for a pair of Rollerblades and skip an elevator for a bungee cord.

My lips have not touched ice cream in 10 years. I love ice cream. It's just that I might as well apply it directly to my stomach with a spatula and eliminate the digestive process. The other day, I stopped the car and bought a triple-decker. (If my car had hit an iceberg on the way home, I would have died happy!)

Have you ever watched kids playing on a merry go round,

or listened to the rain lapping on the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight,

or gazed at the sun into the fading night?

Do you run through each day on the fly?

When you ask, "How are you?" Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done, do you lie in your bed

with the next hundred chores running through your head?

Ever told your child, "We'll do it tomorrow,"

And in your haste, not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch? Let a good friendship die?

Picked up the phone just to say, "Hi"?

When you worry and hurry through your day,

it is like an unopened gift . . . thrown away.

Life is not a race. Take it slower.

Hear the music before the song is over.

Now, go on and have a nice day. Do something you WANT to . . . not something on your SHOULD DO list. If you were going to die soon and had only one phone call you could make, who would you call and what would you say?

And WHY are you WAITING?

SUNSETS

Ever give much thought to a sunset? A sunset is - 1) the setting of the sun below the western horizon in the evening 2) an atmospheric glow and coloring near the horizon as the sun sets



This was the sunset on our way home. I love how the sun's rays radiate out and upwards through the sky!

Seems to me that days can go by without my ever taking time to look outside my window, let alone pay attention to a sunset.  

However, this past week, since we had the rain, I've been noticing sunsets. I must confess that it's not because I decided to start looking out my window, but because I was already outside during those times.

Somewhere along the way, I put to sleep my desire to be outdoors. What a shame. God is good, and with His help I am happy to report that things are looking up for me.

As of late, God has re-aweakened my desire to see sunsets, plant morning glories, watch birds (we saw a Pileated Woodpecker and an Eastern Bluebird yesterday), rake leaves, and to enjoy the rustle and gentle touch of a breeze. "Thank you, Lord."



Pileated Woodpecker

Eastern Bluebird



I've been holding my breath far too long.

It feels good to finally be able to exhale and . . . BREATHE DEEPLY. 

"Ahhhhhhhh ..."