remembering

Pouring rain this morning. It is dark and cozy here in the living room.

With a steaming hot cup of tea in my hands, I sit and reflect.

Freedom isn't free.

Thank you to all who have served in our armed forces.

road trip it is

An overwhelming majority of you (lol - that would be 4 out of 4) recommended that I hit the road on my upcoming trip rather than fly. So, okay - you win! I'm hitting the road three weeks from today.

I've got my trip pretty well planned out - just need to call some folks and let them know they are having some company. Hope they don't mind!

And to add to the fun, my sister Suzi will accompany me back to Tennessee. There is nothing like a road trip with a sister. Suzi and I did this 3 or 4 years ago and Lori (and Richard and Daniel) and I enjoyed a road trip 6 or 8 years ago. My, how time flies! Fun times!

~~~~~
I was just perusing our Sunday School lesson for this Sunday. We will be talking about natural (or general) revelation which is defined as what God reveals to us about Himself through creation.

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.
Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words whose voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the ends of the earth.
Psalm 19:1-4

We certainly appreciated and enjoyed the revealed glory of God these last few nights while watching the full moon.
And my new camera made it even more enjoyable. :)

There are no words to proclaim how Majestic He is and how wondrous are His Works. I'm so grateful for eyes to see the beauty He bestows on us!

decisions, decisions

I was raised by gypsies.

Actually, they didn't become full-fledged gypsies until their nest was empty. Prior to this, a two-week vacation in the station wagon with four kids satisfied their need to wander.

Once the four of us were out of the house, Mom and Dad hit the road. Big time. Saudi Arabia for three years, Egypt for 6 months, Romania for three years and shorter stints in Brazil and Jamaica. They also visited several foreign countries during this time period.

When Dad retired they bought a fifth wheeler, then a motor home. The cris-crossed this beautiful country every summer for several years. And had many unique adventures.

It is no wonder then, that when the temperatures start to climb and the days lengthen that I want to travel. I haven't been camping for three years (sob!). And although we had a wonderful trip a few weeks ago, I'm itching to go again.

For you see, in less than four weeks, a grand daughter will make her debut. And Lord willing, I'll be there.

Now, for the decision. Do I fly or drive? I really want to drive. The freedom of the open roads, not being locked in to a schedule, the ability to stay longer if needed or shorter if not. Flying would take less time. Driving would be more fun (but I might have to borrow a car from a neighbor....).

My wanderlust was additionally fueled by these web pages I came across yesterday. How to avoid fast food while traveling and how to live in your van. :)

I need to make a decision here in the next few days. Input?

This charming tin-roofed farm house is about 1/3 to 1/2 mile from our house. My amazing new camera captured this from our front porch - no way the old one could have done this! The farm house is for sale. Want to be our neighbor?

blogged down

When I first began blogging, it seemed like I had more than enough ideas to write about. Several things would pop into my head - ' I should blog about that!'.

These past several months, blogging has become more of a chore and it seems as though I have nothing new to say. I took a three week break several weeks ago thinking that would help.

It didn't.

I mentioned to a few people that I was contemplating quitting blogging. They kindly protested.

And then last week Pat got a very nice retirement gift from his company in the form of two generous gift cards. One, for Best Buy.

We went to Best Buy on Saturday. Our mission was to hunt for a laptop (we have two desktops - no laptops). We looked carefully, couldn't decide and then we wandered by the camera section.

We are now the proud and grateful owners of a Canon Power Shot SX 20 IS. It is way smarter than I am (not saying much..). It is a wonderful camera and already I am improving my photography skills and the quality of shots I take. But I have a lot to learn.

Unfortunately, I couldn't upload anything this morning. Erghh.

You'll have to take my word for it.

Back to the blogging issue. I've decided not to quit, but will be cutting back. Instead of 6 days a week - I'll be posting 3 or 4. If there is no post up by 10 a.m. EST, there will be no post that day.

Hopefully, that will improve the content.

It is a beautiful day outside - to nice to stay inside - I'm heading out to water, prune, plant and take pictures!

quotables

From our Sunday school lesson:

If you have a choice between the Word of God and GOLD, choose the Word of God. ...The benefits of knowing and doing the Word of God are greater than all that money can buy.

So if you are tempted to read the stock page * before you read the Bible in the morning, remind yourself that this is not shrewd behavior. It's like the child who chooses the penny over the dime because it's bigger. Adults look on and shake their heads and try to teach children how to see what is really more valuable. That is no doubt the way the angels in heaven look down at childish businessmen who study the stock page before they study the Bible. There is a difference however: the benefits of the Word of God over the benefits of gold are far greater than ten to one.

*or - particularly convicting to me - check email or facebook...

From Why We Believe the Bible by John Piper

brouhaha

There is a little tension in our neighborhood. It doesn't involve us, but we have been made aware of it (I believe this is called gossip).

Not wanting to be involved in this has reminded me to meditate on these verses:

Proverbs 26:17:

"Like one who seizes a dog by the ears is a passer-by who meddles in a quarrel not his own."

and

I Thessalonians 4: 11-12

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.


Wisdom from the Word. I especially appreciate the admonishment to work with your hands. The garden needs weeding (always).

Weeding will keep my hands busy.

Kneeling while weeding will put me in a perfect position to pray.

pre-school pomp

It was hard to suppress a smile as the four year old pre-school graduates walked (solemnly) to the familiar cadence of Pomp and Circumstance.

They were dressed in fine array with felt 'mortar board' caps complete with elastic straps under their chins.

They marched up onto the steps of the platform in the front of the sanctuary. They carefully positioned their toes on the masking tape placed on the floor - a piece for each student - presumably with their name.

The teacher got their attention and gave them permission to wave to their families. And wave they did. There were almost 40 kids and probably 200 people in attendance (Emilee had a rather large contingent of 9 - her brothers gladly took some time off of school to attend).

The pre-schoolers sang 4 songs and recited 26 Bible verses - one for each letter of the alphabet (Zion heard and was glad was the verse used for Z in case you were wondering). They did a great job.

The ensuing slide show informed us about all the activities of the year. The kids got to dress up as Pilgrims; as cowboys/girls (they even had a real life cowboy with a real life horse come to school!);princes and princesses (complete with a Rapunzel-type tower!); and were able to attend school one day in their pajamas (teachers too!).

It was great fun. We made the six hour round trip without incident (no hail, no floods) and took some extra time to stop in and visit a former neighbor of Mom and Dad's. While we did that Kimmee Sue helped herself to at least 8 or 10 of Dad's Fig Newtons, which he keeps in the car in case he goes hypoglycemic, but she seemed none the worse for the over-indulging.

The trip was fun, the kids were cute, the time with family was sweet.

Now...I know what I want to be when I grow up.

A preschool teacher.

Or maybe just a preschooler.

You fill up my senses

The sweet sound of birds in the early morning.

The smell of the roses, the lavender and the red clover.

The beauty of the distant hills and the fog resting in the valleys and the sun slowing breaking the day.

The rich taste of the fresh picked strawberries and crisp lettuce and flavorful garlic and tangy radishes just plucked from the garden.

The feel of a thick carpet of grass underfoot.

All around me this morning are delights to the senses. Thank you GOD for creating all these beautiful things and many more.

Thank you GOD for the ability to enjoy them.

'Morning by morning new mercies I see.'
~~~~~
This morning Mom, Dad, Kimmee and I head to Nashville for my niece Emilee's graduation - from preschool. Should be fun!

bffs

Many of us moved to the Northwoods in the late '70's - early '80's. Our motivations for doing so were varied, but many of us expressed a need to get 'back to the land' or 'out of the rat race'. We fled cities and suburbs and headed for the woods, thinking them a peaceful, safe place to raise our families, even though we sacrificed higher paying jobs to do so.


We were young, we were poor (relatively speaking) and we were far away from our families. So, in a sense, we became family to each other.

Of the 50+ people that attended our open house last week, many were in that group. We shared Christmases and Thanksgivings and birthdays. We went camping together and babysat each other's children. We had Bible studies together, planned VBS and Nesbit. Shared memories that bonded us together so that we were as close as family.

It was really a unique situation. Something that we can never recreate or recapture.


These gals and I were in a Bible study together for several years. Tears, laughter and growth. The joy of the LORD is our strength. How I love and miss these girls!

These two were with me at many critical junctures in my life. Ann, on the left, is the hostess with the mostest, and not only gladly let us stay at her home for several days but hosted a party for over 50 people. And did so exceptionally well.

Nancy (one of Daniel's second moms) and Ann were both with me shortly after I miscarried my baby in 1987. Ann met my emotional needs as grief stricken friend. Nancy, a nurse, took care of my physical needs, as well as my emotional needs. They each were there for me; using the gifts God had given them to minister to my breaking heart.

You can't buy friends like that.

As we chatted with dozens of people last week, we realized - again- how very blessed we are. To have so many wonderful, caring, compassionate people in our lives is a treasure indeed.

You don't have to flee to the woods to find friends like this...but I am so thankful to have known each and every one of these folks. They mean so much to me.

And now that we are in Tennessee and close to Mom and Dad, we are grateful to be living close to loved ones. But we are always on the lookout for new friends. Those special people that you build relationships with one adventure (or misadventure) at a time.

We have found some. And again - are so grateful.

~~~~~
Had to post a little bit of Northwoods ingenuity here. When your microwave wears out - give it new life as a mailbox! Waterproof with plenty of room for the day's mail!

still basking...

...in the wonderful glow of all the love we felt from family and friends during our recent trip.

We had the least amount of time with our graduate, Daniel. For his required internship in youth ministries he is serving as assistant resident director at Crown. He had many responsibilities the weekend of graduation and while we didn't see as much of him as we wanted, our hearts were filled with gratitude (graditude?) as he received his diploma - with honors!

Daniel and his girlfriend Laura (who is famous btw, having recently appeared on America's Funniest Videos as she prepared to SKYDIVE).
Can you tell which one of these is the youth pastor? Jon had a perfectly good head of hair when we first arrived at his house, but for some reason unknown to the rest of us, shaved it off (he does this periodically). Kristi is beautiful as ever and Josh is in a rare contemplative mood.

We wished our other beautiful daughter-in-law could have joined us, but since her mother's birthday fell on graduation day with Mother's Day to follow, Michelle understandably went to be with her mom.
Our three boys (bad grandma - how could I have cut Josh out of the picture?). We couldn't be more proud of and grateful for these three young men. They are fun, funny, generous, loving and they love the LORD. Each of them has had storms to weather along the way and have done so with grace and faith.

They are the best. And way too far away. Love you all!

the details

We're home.

What a wonderful trip.

Here are some of the particulars:

• 2, 730.1 miles
• 49.5 hours in the car
• 6 different beds in 12 nights
• saw 3 sons, two daughters-in-love, 1 grandson, 1 sister, 1 brother-in-law, 2 nephews, 1 cousin, and aunt and an uncle and well over 60 friends
• lots of good eats
• lots of laughs and hugs
• good fishing
• drove through one flood, one hailstorm, and two days of high winds
• our car did not fail us (some weather stripping came loose and we had to repair the sway bars, but we made it!)
• God showed His faithfulness, His loving kindness and His blessings to us over and over again.

Many thanks to Mom and Dad for keeping track of things here on the home front. They brought in the mail, mowed and bought us some groceries so we wouldn't have to run to the store as soon as we got home. Thanks!!!

Now for bills and other paper work and cleaning and laundry and yard work. I cut our lettuce all the way down before we left. In the ensuing 12 days, it not only grew...it bolted! Everything grew and looks lush and overgrown. Amazing!

More stories and pictures (couldn't get the picture loading feature of blogger to work this morning) of our trip next week.

on the road again....

this retirement stuff is pretty nice...

53 friends dropped by to see us last night. It was so wonderful. We hugged, chatted, smiled, laughed, cried (I cried when my friend Kim's husband Greg walked in - I miss her so much!) and reminisced.

Our emotional tanks are very full and we feel so loved.

Thanks so much to Ann and Randy for all the work they did to prepare for last night. Thanks to my favorite brother in the LORD for bringing all the table and chairs. Thanks to Ethel for bringing her amazingly yummy cheesecake (I'm assuming here....didn't get any) and lemon cake.

Thanks to all who brought goodies and admired the pictures of our very handsome/adorable grandson (this was an obligatory part of the evening).

We are so blessed and have the best friends in the world.

Thanks to all who came and thanks be to GOD for His many blessings!

Ahhh, the Northwoods

We arrived at our home town late yesterday afternoon.

The days before went by way too fast as we spent time with all our children and our irrepressible grandson Joshua (what a cutie and so smart!).

Daniel graduated with honors on Saturday and we are proud and oh, so, grateful. Three boys through college. Phew. For a homeschooler - double phew.

The trip to the Northwoods was uneventful and peaceful. It is good to be back home.

Our hosts Ann and Randy are giving us the royal treatment. We got here in time to be in a Bible study with 'old' friends. So nice.

Tonight, Ann and Randy have invited several friends over for an open house. If you are reading this and are in the Northwoods and didn't get an 'invite' (it was all by word of mouth) come on over!

We have had quite a trip these past 8 days. 1700 miles - so far - slept in five different beds. We have much for which to be grateful.

This morning, I ventured out for a walk. Past our old house. Down the road I walked every day for at least 20 years. Breathing the fresh northwoods air. Seeing deer - no doubt descendants of the deer we unintentionally fed at our bird feeder and garden.

Feeling very contented and blessed. Thank you LORD for a wonderful family and great friends.

busy celebrating

Too busy enjoying this sweet boy to spend much time on the computer (ignore the hairy leg in the background - I don't have any cropping capabilities here):



We are in Minneapolis area right now celebrating Josh's birthday, Pat's retirement, Tim and Suzi's anniversary and Daniel's graduation (which is today!).

We are with all three of our boys, one daughter-in-law, one grandboy and my sister, brother-in-law and nephews, and Daniel's girlfriend Laura last night for supper. So good to be together!

Have a great weekend and a wonderful Mother's Day!

walk in the woods

Just a few minute's walk from Nathan and Michelle's home is a delightful path leading through an old growth woods filled with wildflowers. We liked it so much we had to walk there again and again.

wild geranium

old oak with several burls

trillium

phlox ?

honeysuckle

We have had a delightfully relaxing time here. Yesterday we visited Pat's aunt,uncle and cousin; then we stopped by our old alma mater and saw the President, Doc and Steve. Dinner out with Michelle's folks last night. Fun, fun, fun.

And today the fun continues. We are heading to Jon, Kristi and Josh's place!

checking in

We are enjoying a leisurely stay at Nate and Michelle's (except for Pat,who is working out on their elliptical right now).

We took a nice long walk through a beautiful woods decorated with wild flowers. And I didn't have my camera. I'm heading back with the camera later today!

They cooked a wonderful meal of grilled chicken, sauteed veggies and char broiled potatoes for supper. We feel pampered. And relaxed.

Just like one should when one is on vacation.

white knuckles thru' music city

Should we go or shouldn't we? That was the question throughout Saturday and early Sunday morning.

We went for it, deciding that the predicted flash flooding would keep us in southeast Tennessee until Wednesday.

The trip was great. Except for Nashville to Clarksville. Torrential rains, flooded roads,visibility around 20 feet. We took the last rain to Clarksville. :)

Pat took care of the driving; I prayed and told him which lanes to choose (he appreciated this).

I -24 east of Nashville was closed due to flooding - thankfully for us, we were headed in the opposite direction.

We are currently in Mattoon, IL.

God is good - Nashville - not so much.

This morning's news made me realize just how dangerous the situation was and how grateful I am for God's protection. Please continue to pray for those in that area. Especially my brother and his family.

all my bags are packed, I'm ready to go

typing this by an open window - the birds are singing and the fragrance of the lilac is fabulous

So. Thanks for the nice retirement wishes everyone. Now we are on to our next adventure.


We spent some time looking back yesterday - marveling at God's goodness and His grace. So thankful for His provision for our every need. Since He is the same yesterday, today and forever, we are confident of His goodness and grace through our retirement years.

Today, we look ahead. LORD willing we will head out tomorrow. The next two weeks will be spent rejoicing with family and friends.

And now that we are on a fixed income, of course I will continue to practice and hone my frugal skills.

Including on this trip. Oh, we will celebrate and have some big parties (hey Northwoods peeps, open house at Randy and Ann's on the 10th at 5:30 - come when you can) and Daniel's graduation (praise GOD - three children through private Christian schools - only HE could have done that!). But while we are on the road we will do some/all of the following to save some pennies:

• properly maintain the car - check tires and fluid levels
• bring our stainless steel travel mugs - can be filled with water at rest stops or coffee/soda at gas stations at a reduced rate (and no waste)
• pack a cooler - carrots, apples, yogurt, cheese, hardboiled eggs, juice, water, milk
  
• also bringing bananas, crackers, cereal
• re-read these tips
• and these tips
• use gasbuddy
• use our AAA discount
  

We probably do other money saving things without even thinking of it. How about you?

Any tips for our trip?