All Together

For a couple of days, we were--

All Together.

As one family was leaving,

someone had the idea that we ought to take a family photo!

(Wish we'd thought of this in advance so as to clean up/dress up, etc.)

Hastily we gathered, handed a phone to a relative, and this is the result.

Of the four of us siblings, 

our family was the one 100% present.

Wonder when that will happen again?!?

The Eye of the Coach

 We had a rare and wonderful opportunity

to watch one of our grandsons compete

         in the regional gymnastics meet near our home.

 

 I took a lot of photos--

many blurred because of the motion.

 When I got home and took a closer look at them,

I was struck by a common thread--

the eyes of the coach were constantly on our grandson!

The thought came to me almost immediately--

the eye of my Heavenly Coach

IS constantly on me.  

"His eye is on the sparrow..."

I draw great comfort and confidence from that realization.

The realization of my Father's watchful eye will remain

long after the photos fade.

Family Time at Sauder Village

 Between getting ready for the photo and the actual photo, 

 one child went missing!

Didn't realize it until it was too late.

 ...so much that DIDN'T get documented in pictures,

 but all held in the heart...

 The rain forecast didn't materialize and we had a wonderful time

 at the Sauder Village complex.  It's a perfect place for family fun.

So much to see - so much to learn - so much to do.

Christmas Extended

 Our Christmas-ing continued on Tuesday

 when our daughter and son-in-law and their six children

 came to spend a few hours with us.

Great-Grandpa joined in playing "Would You Rather",

 and Silas said HE would rather talk like Elf than laugh like Santa!

 We sure had fun!

All of us from 1 to 90!

Some persistently (but unsuccessfully) attempted to solve the Nine Square Puzzles.

A few good conversations were had, too!

The time together was short but packed with people, pizza, pop, potato chips and pineapple!

Moments to Remember

 ♪ Though summer turns to winter
And the present disappears
The laughter we were glad to share
Will echo through the years

When other nights and other days
May find us gone our separate ways
We will have these moments to remember....♪

Thanksgiving found my husband and I going two different directions.

It was a most unusual holiday.  

The photos above come from two different locations,

but all reflect the reality that Thanksgiving is a state of the heart.

It doesn't depend on place, menu, or ANY circumstances, for that matter...

Seeing my husband walk in the door five hours earlier than I expected this morning

is my most recent reason to be thankful.

My heart is full.

My Sane, Not-So-Simple and Sacred Week

Rare and wonderful days earlier this week were spent with

our daughter and five of our eleven grandchildren.

I took the older two shopping for school supplies and was slightly staggered

by how much they are required to bring along with them to school

and the cost of it all... 

 

The weather couldn't have been better for outside fun!

 Believe me, we packed it in!

 Wednesday, I had an appointment with the surgeon who inserted my new hip.

At the same appointment, I was given the date of September 23rd

for a knee replacement.

While I wait, I am doing some exercises to strengthen muscles

and returning to the Fast-5 lifestyle to drop some pounds 

I've accumulated since my fall & subsequent surgery in March.

So WHY did I bake this Zucchini Spice Cake tonight?!?

Answer:  Because I was gifted (again) with some wonderful garden vegetables,

including zucchini!  Along with the veggies were two pieces of cake like this and the recipe.

I couldn't resist and plan to pass it along to a few friends who might be encouraged

by receiving it.

This morning I led a hymn sing at a nursing home.  It's always a blessing,

and as usual I came home a bit hoarse and very happy.

 Now, I'll relax the rest of the evening and read this book.

I don't agree with everything in it, but it's very thought-provoking.

 A lot more happened this week including time spent with Mother in the nursing home

and dinner that night with Dad at Bob Evans and coffee with a friend.

This, my friends, is my sane, not-so-simple, and sacred week at a glance.

Good Reads

After reading Brenda's review of this book, I found it available in our library.  I began reading it and quickly began reading passages out loud to my husband.  End result?  I ended up reading it while we shared the front seat of our car during the Memorial Day weekend and finished it (aloud) last night.

It is an inspiring book at many levels.  In some ways it reminded me of the classic, Pilgrim's Progress.   I found myself trying to make various parts of it allegorical.  Forcing that didn't work all the time though...

It was a story about love, marriage, sadness, humanity, courage, wild flowers, nature, and England.  All at the same time.

It was a good read.

Memorial Day took us to our sons' home.  I left with a thankful heart AND a couple of books .  I began to read this one but after reading only a couple of entries, I texted him to see if he woud mind if I mark in it.  Then I asked if I might possibly purchase it from him.

Miss O'Conner's prayer journal (written when she was only 21 or 22), expresses many of the spiritual passions and agonizing desires of my own 65-year-old heart.

I can only read it slowly.  Sentence by sentence.  Sometimes only one word before pausing.  Marveling.  Praying.  Crying.  Yearning.

A unique feature of this book is that there are pages of the journal in Flannery O'Connor's own handwriting at the end.

Though a short book, I haven't finished it yet.  I may NEVER finish it...

It's good to be reading again.  For awhile it had been difficult to pick up a book and read.  I seemed to have no stomach for it.  I hope to find more worthy books--good reads.  (That term is so subjective, I know.  Still, I am open to suggestions.)

 ...Just a few photos from our Memorial Day...

Happy Trails

 Two of our grandsons are visiting with us for a couple of days.

 Some of our activities are chronicled on our family blog.

 THIS one was just too beautiful not to share further!

 A nearby wetlands/prairie habitat trail

 was the perfect place to walk off a little extra energy this evening!

 All of us enjoyed it --

 especially me.

These purple coneflowers are some of my all-time favorite flowers

and they were plentiful along the path tonight.

Happy Trails to Me!