Bridged

 Traveling home from Alabama,

I took photos from a moving car

 of two parallel bridges

while crossing a third!

I've never been comfortable

crossing bridges, and this time 

was no exception.

It DID bring back memories

of the early 70's song,

Bridge Over Troubled Water...

My husband won my heart

when we were dating and I was going through what at that time

seemed like "troubled waters".

He hand delivered the album to me

without any words, as I recall now.

When you're weary, feeling small
When tears are in your eyes, I'll dry them all (all)
I'm on your side, oh, when times get rough
And friends just can't be found
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
♥️

Friday's Friends and More

What an incredible experience to meet Deanna face-to-face!

After reading Creekside Cottage for several years now,

I felt like I already knew her, but our conversation confirmed it!

How I thank the Lord for our mutual love for Jesus--

a fast and firm bond of faith that made our short time together so precious.

This was followed up by a meeting with friends from our college days.

Craig and Sylvia were incredible hosts, treating us to a fantastic lunch

and chauffeuring us around beautiful Amish countryside and towns.

We'll never forget this day!
(I hope THEIR photos turned out better than ours!)

Well, this one did turn out better than mine....this is Sylvia & I.

The rest of these photos are various sights from a Thursday afternoon walk
around the area of our downtown Lancaster PA hotel and convention center.

Small courtyard behind the former home of Charles Demuth

In front of one of the many art galleries

A fountain outside our hotel

More Demuth courtyard

Hubby in entrace to Demuth courtyard

Hydrangeas & hosta in front of one of the 1700's structures

Trees - always my fascination.  This one in front of Art Museum

Grounds surrounding the Museum of Art

I took the time to play this one!

Folded paper - so creative, I thought

A sweet flower shop

On the Road Again

 Traveled across Ohio and into Pennsylvania

 through beautiful country and tunnels (!)

 to arrive, register, and find our "home" for the next few days in downtown Lancaster.

 

 We found ourselves a place to eat before the first session of the

 US National Conference celebrating the 250th year of the United Brethren in Christ denomination.

We sat at a table beside this window...

 

Today while my husband is in business sessions,

I shall enjoy quiet time - reading and journaling, and possibly scouting out

the blocks surrounding the convention center (if the heat doesn't psych me out)...

View from the 11th floor of the Marriott.

St. Louis

 On a cloudy Thursday afternoon, I drove the 6 hour distance from our house

 to the heart of St. Louis.  Our two daughters and three of their girls were there for a volleyball 

tournament our oldest granddaughter was participating in.

 A fancy hotel it was --  in the heart of the city.

 The two youngest slept on the floor; the rest of us in the two double (yes, no queen or king) beds.

 I only stayed overnight.

The rest of them will be there through the weekend.

I enjoyed the "girl time".

It was rare and wonderful.

Westward Ho

It was dark with morning's unique darkness 

as we started our three and a half hour journey westward.

Gradually I was aware of the sun rising behind us.

Its orangeness emerged.  Shyly at first.

Then boldly brilliant.

I saw it in the car's mirror at my right side.
I turned awkwardly to see it behind us
and turned frequently to watch its progress.

Before long, I became aware that its emerging whiteness shined

on objects in front of us -- to our left and to our right.

 Everything it touched was highlighted. 

Beautified.  Enhanced. Nothing remained obscure!

It was stunning really.  And I was reminded that God

 through His prophet Isaiah said to His people:

 Arise, shine, for your light has come,
    and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
 For behold, darkness shall cover the earth,
    and thick darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will arise upon you,
    and his glory will be seen upon you.

Isaiah 60:1-2 

 Lord, rise upon ME!

Let Your light shine on ME!

Let your glory be seen upon Me!

A Morning of Leisure

 Scenes from a beautiful Friday morning

 spent on the streets and shops

of the quaint town of Grand Rapids, OH.

 Leisurely we strolled sidewalks and and the graveled river walk path.

 Pleasant shop owners

 and visual pleasures greeted us at every turn.

 Since his retirement, my husband work a few hours each week at a local

hardware store.  We enjoy the extra hours we now have to spend together.

 Grand Rapids was HIS idea --

 and definitely a fine one!

 

 The only cost involved was for gas to travel

and the price of lunch.  A most DELICIOUS lunch!

We chose a seat at the window so that we could engage in a bit of "people watching"!

A perfect way to spend a part of an early autumn day...