Shades of Fall

I love the colors of fall; they please me--one and all!
The orange and yellow delight me; the red and gold excite me!
Mixed with the various greens—what incredibly brilliant scenes!
I enjoy all those beautiful hues, for each of them I can use.
They blend with my hair, and make me aware that I am an autumn girl.
Born in September, so I’ll always remember that I am an autumn girl.

A Sense of Wonder

I love the wonderful, sense of imagination and curiosity so alive in kids!

This weekend, while hosting our other set of "grandkids", the youngest one (Kylan) discovered the loft in our den. It's small, but very exciting to an eight-year-old. Such a place held mystery and wonder that would not be satisfied until he could fully explore the secret delights of the unknown. Even though we explained that there was no way to get up into the loft, he could not let go of the determination to get up there. He thought, and probed, and suggested possibilities of how to get up there, until at last we relented and hauled in from the garage an extra tall extension ladder.

Just a small loft, but oh the wonder of it all, in the eyes of a child!

Why say "no" to such harmless fun!

Also, while playing in the den, he noticed the small space between the regular inside door and the outside storm door, and immediately decided to see what it would be like to get between the two doors with both doors closed. So, although he appears to be on the outside looking in . . . he is actually sandwiched (pancaked, rather) between two doors.

We should never lose the sense of wonder that is naturally built into a child, dontcha think?
This "grandma" evidently hasn't totally lost hers, and is enjoying that fun this weekend.

(Yes, one can still climb ladders after the big 6-0.)

The Birthday Girl Turns 60!

You know what? The BIG 6-0 really isn't all bad! It got me lots of attention and very nice birthday cards, and some nice presents thrown in too!It was a lovely day, a lovely party thrown by my husband, with many lovely guests attending! The fun went on all afternoon and on through the evening.

Even right through the morning of the next day (Labor Day), I was still reliving the event--the sights and sounds of my birthday were just too special to set aside quickly. Wow! This birthday girl is still a happy girl!

My New Job

Today was a good day! My new job is going well--a little tough at times, but it's a work in progress. I just realized I haven't talked about it here since I wasn't blogging at all for awhile.

On July 27th I began a new job as Office Manager for a start-up company. I already knew my two bosses as neighbors (one present and one former), so I don't feel like a stranger in the company. The "big boss" is someone I've been working for part-time since last January--working in his home office right behind my house. He kept telling me the day would come that he would be ready for me full-time. Sure enough--it finally happened!

I do the bookkeeping and all administrative tasks. The office is much closer to my house than where I was working before--about half the distance, and the people I work with are very easy to get along with. It's a good opportunity for me.

God is good -- all the time!

September!

Hey! Where did the "summer" go? -- Actually I'm still waiting for it, hoping it will arrive and stay for awhile! Well, perhaps it skipped us this year--sure seems so. Oh well! No -- it's not well! It's not good, and it's not okay that summer seems to have bypassed us this year! Today I wore fall colors to commemorate the unofficial start of fall, but it also made me sad to admit that it's time to move on and quit waiting for summer.

On the one hand, I'm sad, I'm disappointed, and I'm weary -- sad, disappointed, and weary because of unmet expectations in our weather and woefully inadequate summertime season. On the other hand, I'm tired, and sad, and heartsick over the way people so carelessly treat each other in this world of the weakened human condition. Where is the sensitivity to other's feelings and needs? Where is the sacrificial kindness toward our "neighbor" and "friend"? Where is the giving beyond ourselves and the extraordinary, unselfish act of denying one's own desires and preferences for the unselfish good of another?

"On the other hand...there is no other hand!" (Where did that phrase come from? Who will be the first to give the right answer?)

Do I sound a little down tonight? It was a rough day at work, after a rough situation last night with a neighbor and friend. Should I have handled it differently than I did? Shouldn't I be more capable of handling the tough stuff more perfectly by now? Could I, should I, would I, if I had it to do over? Will I ever be perfect in all my ways, and always careful with my tongue?

Yes! Someday I will be all done needing to say, "I'm sorry." But, for now, I must keep on trying to do it right.

Curve Balls

Life sometimes throws us a curveball! The wierdness of our individual personality quirks is something we all must face from time to time. Sometimes things just come out of "left field" and leave us wondering, "What just hit me, and where did it come from?" Well, it could be "testing" of our character and maturity that has been developing over time, or it could be simply an attack by the enemy of our souls!

It's all about continuing growth! Wow! My head is so full right now of all that has transpired in the last three hours! Testing is hard, and "victory" is not always sweet! Responding correctly to someone who is determined to "win", determined to be "in control" -- no matter how unreasonable or how ridiculous the point of view is . . . is definitely a fiery trial! No matter what the outcome is ("win or lose") . . . it's still painful!

The only sweetness is in the realization of: "I was victorious in what I have learned -- what I have been taught by God!" However, I still feel attacked and wounded! At this moment, only God's grace can make me smile, as I sense that He is pleased with my growth.

Wow!

40 Years Later . . .

A week ago we celebrated 40 years of marriage!

Today I am reflecting on how good God is, and how good God has been to us during the last four decades of life together. He is always good and His plan for His children is always right! No matter what circumstances surround us, we can rest in His goodness and trust that His plans are for our good and not for our harm. The key is simply to trust Him, even when we can't see Him or hear Him.

Faith is not in seeing or hearing -- it is in believing that God is always good to His children, no matter what!