Putting on a Front

For several weeks now, I've slowed down

to see the progress on this new house.

While plain siding is the finish 

on the sides (and I presume, back) of the house,

the front is covered with
 brick AND stone AND Shaker-style shingles!

I call this "putting on a front".

The Urban Dictionary describes this phrase as 

'putting on a fake or false personality not keeping it real."

Putting on a front is currently the style on houses these days.

When it is being fake in personality or personal appearance,

it's less desirable, I think...

It is right, therefore, that we not just be called Christians, but that we actually be Christians.

Ignatius of Antioch

Hunter Moon

The window to my world 

is a small one, 

but large enough to frame the

Hunter Moon this October 

Sunday morning.

Absolutely and Especially

 We made time to

walk a local trail yesterday.

 I posted photos on my Facebook page.

"Still you find beauty with foliage and plants 
readying for their Winter naps!" 🍁🍂

a friend commented.

"Absolutely!" I responded.

Looking back on my reply to my friend later,

I wished I'd responded with a DIFFERENT word...

ESPECIALLY!

Yes!

ESPECIALLY I find beauty with foliage 

and plants readying for their Winter naps!

Don't you?!?

Coffee, Me, and Thee

Maybe it's just me.

Maybe I'm just "old-school".

The coupling of coffee and church,

latte and the Lord,

is starting to trouble me.

"We have the coffee, now we just need you

#midweek in the house!!! Tonight @  7 pm"

read a recent announcement..

Okaaaaaaaaaaaay?!?

The Perk,

Higher Grounds,

Common Ground,
HeBrews,
Connection Cafe,

you name it.

Personally, it leaves me cold.

And I like my coffee hot.

Sigh.

"Get with the program," I tell myself.

Now it Begins

Soybean harvest.

The beauty of it in my community

exceeds my ability to describe. 

 As the sun set last night,

I reflected on the pleasure
of our evening drive.

Oh, the peace of it all!

In spite of a late start, 

the Lord is blessing the labor

of our neighbors--

supplying their needs
just as He is ours.

Lest I Forget...

 It was just a little over a 24-hour getaway,

but oh, the delight!

 Three friends at a lake cottage!

(This was the sunrise...)

We played Qwirkle...

we talked.

We visited a thrift store where I found these two treasure...

The book is a Bible study I wrote years ago.

 One of the friends gave me the Sister Wendy book. 

 At home, it now sits next to my recliner with an older book of saints.

I even returned home with two dozen farm fresh eggs!

Simple, delicious meals,

a surprise meetup with friends from long ago,

and personal quiet time from 4:00-7:30 in the morning

were all parts of a wonderful, much-needed respite.

Thanks, Betty!

Unexpected

 The brilliant colors that greeted us last evening

at our local County Extension Garden

were UNEXPECTED!

 

 All shapes and sizes teamed

to make our autumnal stroll a pleasant one.

 It was an unexpectedly pleasurable way to relax at the end of the day.

While the vegetable garden was nearing its end,

there were still surprises to be found!

What a simple and satisfying way to spend our time together!

Contrasts

I accidentally posted the story

behind this photo on my other blog.
I'm too exasperated/impatient to repeat it here.

Suffice it to say,
THIS day was quite a contrast to the Pony Parade experience!
Contrasts are what make life interesting.
Routines are what keep it sane.
I do life best with a balance of both.
At MY stage of life, I'm finding it takes more routines
to balance the contrasts....

Pony Parade 2019

 Here's our Saturday (last) in photos - no particular order...

 The sky was fair,

 temperatures perfect

for simple, country fun.

 The local feed and grain company

sponsors an annual Pony Parade.

 We try not to miss the noon meal benefiting a community

ministry to handicapped individuals.

 Homemade ice cream (churn powered by a REAL horse)

 an auction of donated items and baked goods,

 and plenty of camaraderie

 and plain old fun attract folks of all ages.

 It is extra special to have shared the event the last three years

with my dad who lives with us.

It's quite the colorful and charming experience!