Dance of the Peacock

Click here to enjoy the show of this stunning white peacock!

His stance is fanciful, his look is proud!

His display is glorious, his voice is loud!

He must be seen, and must be heard!

His desire is strong; and will not be deterred!

He steps and struts and swirls about

As he spreads his fan and gives a shout--

His mating call, his dance of pride,

To display his love and woo his bride.

We watch in awe as he turns and calls,

With graceful feathers that rise and fall.

His winsome beauty was meant to attract.

His Creator made him thus, and that’s a fact!

He began as a peacock, and is still that today.

His species didn’t evolve as others went away.

Males attract females, and their pairing produces

More peacocks with feathers, not monkeys or gooses.
 

Here's two more peacock pics from my friend, Sandy. She took these pictures in Hawaii.

The Circle of God's Help

I just read something this morning that made me stop and think about the way of life for those who ask God for HIs help: He is the giver of true joy. It starts with hope. When you get hope, you get joy. When you get joy, you get strength. When you get strength, you get more hope . . . and so it goes, on and on, as you look to God for His help in your life.

Want more of this? Look to God more often. Focus on Him throughout your day. Deepen your relationship with Him. It's a "delicious" circle (instead of a vicious circle.)

Like a Good Cup o' Coffee

Tepid coffee just isn't very satisfying, and I want to be satisfied to the last drop.
So glad I have a microwave!

Thinking further on this one:
That's how it is with my relationship with God--
I want to be satisfied to the last drop!
I'm not satisfied with just a "tepid" relationship with God.  I want full and deep satisfaction, which requires keeping it hot, not just luke warm!

Think On These Things . . .

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing: Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace with be with you." ~ The Apostle Paul (Philippians 4: 8-9)

Greatest Day in History!

The Thrill of Bluebonnet Hill

Contrary to the well-known song "Yellow Rose of Texas", the bluebonnet is the official state flower of Texas. This time of the year we see the bluebonnets, but only for a short time, so it's a BIG deal when the bluebonnets are in bloom.

Everyone finds the closest bountiful field of blooms, and goes to take pictures with their loved ones sitting or laying on the ground among the blossoms. It's tradition and must be done if you're a real Texan!

So, this past Saturday we went for a "stroll"--or should I say "roll" (actually, we drove in our Corvette with the top down--the car top, not mine) down Bluebonnet Trail in Ennis, Texas. It was beautiful--both the weather and the scenery! It always delights me to see people enjoying the beauty of nature in this way. Lovers snuggle, children romp, and parents just try to keep everyone in the picture, always trying for just the right pose.

I love this tradition!

 

Here We Come -- Ready or Not!

(This is part 3 of our move to Dallas, Texas. To start at the beginning of the story, click here.)

    Sunday, April  11, 2010:    Texas, we have arrived!

  We are soooo glad to finally be here! Man, was that a long drive!



 It feels great to be out of the car and into our new homeland!

For the first few days we will bunk in with some family friends.

Tomorrow (Monday, April 12, 2010) Larry starts his new job with Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in Dallas.

        It's good to be "home"!

That's all for now, folks. It took me way too long to get the photos and the text to align properly and then stay where I wanted it!

When the Rose Will Bloom Again

I penned this today in honor of a FB "friend" (Paula Knight  and  husband Glen) for whom I have been praying almost constantly during the last few weeks.  Paula's struggle with pain and multiple life-threatening crises ended today when God took her Home to be with Him.

April 2010 (continued)

What a month this was four years ago! (If you haven’t read the beginning of this saga, you can click here to start at the beginning.)

Our daughter Sherry arrived on the last Tuesday of March, and organized a huge “clean out our house” project (also known as a mega garage sale). From the time she arrived until she left, we pretty much stayed busy from early morning till next day early morning, except for a few hours of sleep in the early hours of morning each day. It was exhausting, but highly productive and successful!

As I write this, on the first Friday of April, 2014, I realize that it was also on the first Friday of April, 2010 that our pre-move garage sale began. Long before the published start time, people were already parked outside, waiting for the garage door to open, to get “first dibs” on the treasures within. After two very full days, the garage was nearly empty, and the remaining treasure trove was carted away by two people who had stood by (prearranged) waiting to receive the unsold bounty—for free.

The next day was Easter Sunday and we gladly enjoyed a Sabbath rest, complete with a family dinner that was enjoyed by a family (including our son Jim and daughter-in-law Patti) so happy to celebrate Easter together!  Getting both of our kids together with us under one roof is a rare treat, since our three families live in three different states, all across the county!

On Monday I had the fun challenge of helping Sherry pack as much of my chosen stuff as she could fit into her suitcase to take home with her. (I think we even added another suitcase to her load to cart home.) Monday was also Larry’s last day of work as a Bank Examiner for the State of Oregon.

On Tuesday, not long after we said g’bye to Sherry, my friend Maggie (from California) arrived to spend the next 2 days with me. Wow! Straight from a week’s visit with my daughter into a visit with one of my best friends! What a way to close out life in the gray and rain of the Pacific Northwest!

Thurday, April 8, 2010 dawned bright and early as we began our journey to our new life in Texas! That’s it for now, y'all!

To be continued . . .

Choices Reap Natural Consequences!

I guess this means if I choose to have my wisdom teeth pulled out, I also have to endure the painful consequences!

Hmmm, I wonder if there's any way to escape that.....

Seen yesterday in an oral surgeon's office

Having my wisdom teeth (both upper) pulled out seems like a BAD dream! (There goes half of my wisdom), and if "today" is all I have (and my wisdom teeth haven't bothered me at all ever), then why get them pulled out???

4 Years Ago

On this date in history, our daughter Sherry arrived at our house in Beaverton, Oregon (from Montana) to help us get ready to move to Dallas, Texas.   What a whirlwind that began!

 

She began her visit by systematically taking me on a guided tour through my house, gently (but somewhat firmly) suggesting I get rid of 2/3 of my stuff!  You see, her purpose in coming was to help me with a garage sale, which I didn't want to bother with, because there wasn't much I wanted to give up.  Larry had tried suggesting we have a pre-moving garage sale, full-well knowing the resistance he would get from me.  His next "suggestion" was to invite Sherry to come for a visit, knowing full-well that one of her favorite specialties and expertise is garage sales.  He also knew that I couldn't resist an opportunity for a visit with Sherry.

 

She gladly accepted that invitation and came.  My home became "her" home and my stuff became "her" stuff for a whole week!  She watched me try to resist her suggestions, and she hugged me when I cried.  She reassured me whenever I struggled with decisions to say "goodbye" to relatively unimportant possessions, and "high-fived" me whenever I succeeded in giving in to her advice. She also wisely backed off whenever she realized I just couldn't let go of some things.  

 

By the end of the week my home contained a mere skeletal amount of what had filled the closets and cabinets before she arrived, but our piggy banks were full, and boxes to be packed would be fewer!  I think we sent Sherry home exhausted, but my heart was full of gladness and gratitude for the week spent with her.  

To be continued . . .

(Click here to continue reading)

Peace & Joy

I can't help but feel at peace when I place myself in this boat.

Ahhhhh, the joy of being in such a tranquil setting!

Who knows the location of this picture?