Nothing To Say

Yada, yada, yada!

I have something to say to a fellow blogger, Dorky Dad.

This is post number 202 for my blog!! (and I still don't have anything to say.)

Yada, yada, yada!

It hasn't rained anymore since very early this morning. And then, it was just a light, smathering of rain that increased the chances of nothing beginning to show any signs of becoming dry.

Weather conditions have improved to the point of us chancing a little road trip this week end. We are driving 150 miles to the West, all the way to Lubbock for a wedding. It is semi-family or we probably wouldn't be tempted...a niece of our S-I-L (the s-i-l who supplies a lot of 'fodder' for my blog). Also, tomorrow is the daughter's birthday...number 48!

More than attending a wedding, we will have a chance to be with the S-I-L, our daughter, and our 3 grown grandchildren. We haven't been together since Christmas.

Posting on this blog will come to a halt until Tuesday. By the time I get back, I'm planning to have in my possession a different photo editing program to install. I thought while I was in "the city", I might as well go to Best Buy or Circuit City...don't get to frequent those stores often!

It will be good to get away from the bad-news box and focus on happy events!

Wishing all my readers a relaxed, happy week-end! Will resume posting on Tuesday!

I'm wondering about P. Champagne! Does anyone know?

Rain

"Rain, rain, go away. I want to go out and play!"

It is raining again this morning. I hate to complain because I know when it stops, we are going to get dry and hot!

But this is summer!

We're supposed to be out working in our yards. Neighbors should be gathering in the evenings to exchange gossip and the goings-on in our town. Kids are supposed to be riding their bikes up and down the streets.

Nothing is as it 'should' be!

Mushrooms are growing in our lawns. This is NCentral Texas! We're not supposed to have mushrooms. When you step outside early in the mornings, there is a foul, sour odor that slaps you in the face. The inside of the house is musty.

All of this reminds me of early marriage in Huntsville. (the hell hole) At that time, I had long, thick hair. When I washed it, it would absolutely sour on my head before it dried. (before I had a hand held hair dryer) Also...no clothes dryer! Clothes would mildew on the line before they dried. Leather shoes would mildew in the closet!

In spite of it all...I survived and it gave me "fodder to blog about".

I'm wondering how all the erratic weather conditions over the state is going to affect the economy of the state. And, how it will affect us, personally.

My heart grieves for the farmers whose wheat fields are standing under water.

The watermelon and cantaloupe production will be way down, if they make at all.

It's times like this that we need to hold on to our faith and remember that "The Anchor Holds".

Re-Connection

The question is not "Where's Waldo?"

The question is...."Where's Inspired?"

view larger image

The 50 Year Re-Connection Reunion of the Class of 1957 was a hugh success!
This was the first reunion that this class has ever had. The few that have come to
Homecomings have always gotten together but the whole class has never been
together until this past week end.

We were all reminded of how much we cared for each other while in school.

Now that we've all made contact, my hope is that we'll continue to be 'in touch'. With instant communication of today's world, it shouldn't be all that difficult.

My "pearls of wisdom" for the day....Don't neglect your past relationships. As you grow older, they become more important.

Self Examination

I learned something about myself this week-end of which I had never given much thought. I am an IDEALIST!

idealist
(n.)
One whose conduct is influenced by ideals that often conflict with practical considerations.

idealist
(n.)
One who is unrealistic and impractical; a visionary.

During a conversation with a few of my old classmates, discussing one of the top news topics, I expressed my opinion and was quickly told that I am an idealist.

Of course, I know the definition of "Idealist" but have never thought about the personality traits of an idealistic person.

I got home and started a little research about "just what kind of a person is an idealist".

This is what I found:

All Idealists share the following core characteristics:

Idealists are enthusiastic, they trust their intuition, yearn for romance, seek their true self, prize meaningful relationships, and dream of attaining wisdom.

Idealists pride themselves on being loving, kindhearted, and authentic.

Idealists tend to be giving, trusting, spiritual, and they are focused on personal journeys and human potentials.

Idealists make intense mates, nurturing parents, and inspirational leaders.

Idealists, as a temperament, are passionately concerned with personal growth and development.

Idealists strive to discover who they are and how they can become their best possible self--always this quest for self-knowledge and self-improvement drives their imagination. And they want to help others make the journey.

Idealists are naturally drawn to working with people, and whether in education or counseling, in social services or personnel work, in journalism or the ministry, they are gifted at helping others find their way in life, often inspiring them to grow as individuals and to fulfill their potentials.

Idealists are rare, making up no more than 8 to 10 percent of the population. But their ability to inspire people with their enthusiasm and their idealism has given them influence far beyond their numbers.
http://www.gamebanshee.com/forums/299219-post42.html

http://www.advisorteam.org/the_four-temperaments/temp_idealist.html

After reading about the personality traits of an Idealist, I didn't feel quite as bad about being tagged as one. I don't know whether the person that tagged me meant it to be as complimentary as this description but I'll take it anyway!

I can see that being an idealist could be dangerous in the realm of solving political and societal issues and thank goodness we're in the minority! I guess that idealism comes under the heading of "wearing rose-colored glasses". This is how God made me so I believe I'll just say "Thank You!"

More details on the 50th Year Reunion later.

The Check List

Time is drawing nigh for the big week end! Not one person has called or e-mailed to give their "regrets". I'm taking this as a good omen. I didn't want to arrive and need something that I forgot to take, so I've prepared a check list that might help me. If I've forgotten something that you deem important, please let me know before morning.

Thank you for your help!


Preparations for Class Reunion
Check List

Start diet. (check)
(Must lose 10 lbs. before morning.)

Hair cut by Wilma. (check)

Backyard Pedicure. (check)

Comodyne Towelette Tan (check)

Pack Make-Up bag with items not regularly used:
Mary Kay line eraser (check)
Mary Kay Glitter Eye Shadow (check)
Mary Kay concealer (check)
Mary Kay glitter dusting powder (check)

Handouts ready:
Names, addresses, e-mail of all attending. (check)
Lyrics to “Graduation Day” (check)

Guitar (check)
Boom Box (check)
Karoke Machine (check)
50's Cassette Tapes (check)
Brook Benton CD, especially for J.D (check)
(It's A Rainy Night In Georgia)

Prizes:
Coming longest distance (check)
(This will be Rudy and Lila from Visalia, California)
Special guest (check)
(This will be Harold and Joyce from Tulsa, Oklahoma)

I will edit this post with any suggestions you might have! Thank you again!

Well....I see that I still have things to add to the check list!

Paul Champagne:
You forgot heartburn medication ... because you know that no matter how prepared you are, things will still not go off as planned ... Good Luck.

Message from e-mail!
I read your blog but not into posting! but here goes for suggestions..........Camera, school annuals for the entire 12 years, old Tom-Toms, favors etc from banquets, snapshots from school days, magazines from Spring 1957, and the list goes on and on. We all contribute to the momentos. Bob swears that we are moving every class reunion!

Telephone call from S-I-L!
Be sure to take clean underwear in case you're in a wreck!

Wilma's comment:
Don't forget your swimsuit...probably a bikini.. Hope you have fun.

Tag....You're It

Tarrie from "The Other Side" tagged me with the meme "8 Random Things About Me". I kept thinking, "what in the world could I say that would interest young adults". And, I say young adults because I believe I'm the oldest person blogging in blogosphere! I've looked and searched but so far haven't found another blogger within my age range.

I wrote my 8 random things and then thought, "Surely, I could have said something a little more interesting"! How utterly boring! But, I have them written and I'm not going to change anything. What you read is what you get. So...here they are:

1. It took me 15 years to finish college. “Well, duh!” you say. No, it wasn't because I was dumb as an ox or lacking a brick to make a load. The fact is, I wasn't interested in getting a degree. I got married at the age of 18, followed my husband to a hell-hole of a place called Huntsville, Texas where he was a junior at Sam Houston State Teachers College. By the time he graduated, we had a new baby and that was my life. I was completely happy being a new wife, a new mom, and being a help-mate to my husband in his new job. It wasn't long before he started nagging me to go to school and get a teaching degree. Just to keep him off my back, I enrolled in college. I would go a semester, lay out 2 semesters; he would start his nagging again and, just to keep peace, I would go back for a semester, and lay out a semester. This went on for years. Finally, I had enough hours banked up that I began to see a light at the end of the tunnel. I thought to myself....”Hey, I might as well get this over with so he'll be a happy camper!”
At the age of 32, in 1973, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.

2. I am Bi-Lingually Certified. A lie that was passed around among teachers was that if you were bi-lingual, you could write your own ticket for any place you wanted to go for any amount of money you wanted to make. I, along with about 20 other gullible teachers, swallowed this propaganda, hook, line and sinker. Twice a week for months, we struggled to gain a 'teaching proficiency' in Spanish. All we ever got out of it was the label “bi-lingually certified” on our employment records. Along the way, I did return to school to get an MR certification to be able to teach in the Special Education Department.

3. I love children. Now that I'm retired, I love working with children; NOT in the public school, but in Christian Ministry. Times have changed. There are those that try to say that today is not all that different from yesterday. But it is. There are too many children that have no one to listen to them. They have burdens, concerns, worries, just as adults and in too many cases, everyone in their little lives is just too busy to give them the time of day. I post often on my volunteer work with the kids.

4. I came back home after 43 years. When I married, I knew I had to leave my hometown and follow the guy I married, even though I didn't want to leave. All the years that we were away, I planned on coming back home. It was always on the 'back burner' of my mind. Thank goodness, I married a hometown guy or I would never have made it. I strongly feel that there was a Divine Intervention in our marriage. After all, my Hometown is one of those places that is most attractive from your rear-view mirror! (unless it's where your roots are!)

5. I have two daughters, two wonderful sons-in-law, 5 grandchildren. Those of you that follow my blog, read about them from time to time.

6. I will be observing my 50th wedding anniversary in December. I confess. It hasn't always been an 'easy' 50 years. There have been the ups and downs, the problems, and all the junk that gets in the way of a marriage. But, I am a strong advocate of toughing it out. It pays off in the end.

7. I have been fighting Glaucoma for the past 3 years. My vision has deteriorated significantly in the past couple of years. Even as I make this post, I have to edit, edit, edit. My eyes do funny little tricks. Sometimes I see things that aren't there, and other times don't see things that are there. I have to use 3 different eye drops twice a day.

8. This week end, I am going to my 50th year class reunion! Every living member of the class of 1957 has committed to be in attendance except for 2. Several of these people I haven't seen since the night we graduated, 50 years ago! It's going to be a blast from the past! I'm sure there will be some pictures and text posting of this big event!

Now, I have a real job ahead of me! Tagging 8 people who will play this game. I have some great bloggers on my blogroll that I will tag. The only problem is that they don't post very often! Maybe this tag game will get them motivated.

The Rules: Players start with 8 random facts about themselves. Those who are tagged should post these rules and their 8 random facts. Players should tag 8 other people and notify them they have been tagged.

crabby old man: my writing partner on Burning Zeal. He is a Viet Nam Veteran whose blood runs red, white, and blue! He is so loyal and true, that at times he makes me ashamed of myself for my apathy. He loathes Jane Fonda with a passion! He and his wife have been our friends for over 30 years.

JRR: one of the funniest political bloggers I've read; but the guy doesn't post but every 2 or 3 months! (the brother of joyful journey)

joyfuljourney: our pastor's wife. She's 38 and has 2 small children. A wonderful writer but way too busy.

icjesusnu: A children's minister...my friend and confidante, my inspiration...

tothepointnorville: a Christian-political blogger. Very profound in his 'real postings' but tries to add some light-hearted material along the way. He hasn't had time to blog for the past couple of months due to preparing for change in location....from Ft. Worth, Texas back to his hometown and mine. We've been acquaintances/friends since elementary school. We're looking forward to having him back home with us.

And, if you're counting, that's only 5, not 8! The only other bloggers I "know" are the ones on Steel Magnolia's blogroll. I feel like a "party crasher" by following her blog list. But reading all those blogs has brought a whole new element of interest to my life.

Thanks, Tarrie, for the tag! Writing these random things has brought back a lot of memories. I could actually write a book if I really got started!

Don't let anyone ever fool you! You CAN teach an old dog new tricks!!

Finding Your Talent

1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully, administering God's grace in its various forms".

I admire Charlie Daniels. For years I've enjoyed his music. He has a great fiddle-playing talent as demonstrated in the well-known "The Devil Went Down To Georgia". He has also gained notoriety for his down-home, good-old-boy attitude. In recent years he has become a symbol of conservative country values.

Yes, I liked him even before he became a conservative, political writer.

I have often used Charlies Daniels postings on my Griping, Whining blog "Burning Zeal". I've used his words because he says what I believe but don't have the ability to write them down as he does. In his down-home, conservative way, he can get his point across!

My Burning Zeal writing partner, Crabby Old Man, sent me Charlie's most recent post from his "Soapbox" website. This post is so out of the norm for Daniel's that I felt like it needed to be posted in "For Love of Home".

Are you still looking for a talent in your life? I've been so guilty of saying "When God passed out the talents, he skipped me!" That's not true. I may not have a great musical talent, or art talent, or some other very noticable, outstanding talent such is observed by society; but I do have a talent. I know I do. I've just got to decide exactly what it is!

I hope you enjoy the following post of Charlie Daniels. And, as you read, contemplate on what your talent may be.

Unique

"When you look at identical twins sometimes it's amazing how alike they look. It's even hard to tell one from the other. But as they grow older their individual tastes and talents tend to lead them in different directions, different professions, different preferences in mates and so on.

It is my firm conviction that The Creator never made two people exactly alike. We're all different in one way or another, no matter how deeply our similarities run.

Everybody has that little difference that makes them unique.

Too often we confuse the word talent with the ability to entertain, play a musical instrument, write or paint or sculpt.

Actually, talent is one of the biggest words in the English language, a three hundred and sixty degree word covering a multitude of aptitudes and capabilities.

For instance, my daddy could walk up to a standing tree in the woods and tell you what length telephone pole or bridge piling it would make or how many board feet of lumber was in it.

Lots of people had the skill to do something similar but daddy had a downright talent for it.

We think about a doctor who does delicate operations as having a skill for it and, he has, but did you ever stop and think that only a minute percentage of mankind has the ability and the nerve to hold the life of a human beingin their hands for hours at a time. It's a God given talent.

The guys in our road crew have a talent for transforming a bare expanse of wood into a stage, complete with sound and lights and instruments and transforming it back into a flat expanse of wood when the show is over.The guys who drive the vehicles have a talent for sitting behind the wheel of a bus or truck and driving hundreds of miles night after night with their human cargo fast asleep in the back, confident in the fact that the drivers are going to get them where they're going when they're supposed to be there. That's talent.

The people who work in our office have a talent for taking an offer from a concert promoter and turning it into a full blown show, arranging travel schedules, hotels, bus and truck parking and publicity. That's a talent.

The guys who work at Twin Pines Ranch all have an eye for horses and cattle. While I can hardly tell one cow from another, they can pick one out of the whole herd, tell you how many years in a row she has had a calf, how old she is, and how productive the bull standing next to her is. That's a talent.

Did you know you have a talent? You may not play an instrument or transform a piece of canvas into a work of art but you have a talent nevertheless. It may be taking care of the indigent, comforting a teething baby or knowing just when to set the hook when a big largemouth bass is nibbling your bait.It may be just being able to be at the right place at the right time with a kind word or a big hug. Maybe you can bake the best cherry pie in town or plow the straightest furrow in the county. Not everybody can. It's a talent.

Did you ever get on a big jet plane and look in the cockpit at all those instruments and wonder how in the world those two guys sitting there would ever be able to adjust all those thingamajigs, get that humongous piece of metal in the air and get you where you're going? I could never do that.

Don't ever let anybody tell you that you're worthless or that you can't do anything right. Follow your dream until you find the thing that you can do right, the one you can do better than most people. That's your talent.

You're a child of a God who loves you. Go find the talent He gave you and be happy."

Pray for our troops.

What do you think?

God Bless America

Charlie Daniels

June 18, 2007

Filling the Coffer

June 17, 2007, Fathers Day, is behind us once again. In a few days, we'll be experiencing the summer solstice once again...the longest period of daylight within the year. It's difficult to comprehend that after that the days will become shorter and shorter and fall will soon be upon us.

I know. I know! Summer isn't officially here yet but in the past that hasn't kept the sweltering heat away. Last year in May, we were having temperatures of 100 plus, every day. Energy bills were out of sight. Now, here it is creeping toward the end of June and our air conditioner hasn't been on over half a dozen hours.

I LOVE getting our electric bill! A person would think I had a love affair going with an envelope each time we receive the bill. I caress it and kiss it and hold it near to my heart!

We have had 'some' to a 'lot' of rain almost every day for over a month. Vegetation is lush and green...not to mention grass-mowing that is impossible to keep up with.

Flowers are beautiful, the best part being that they haven't had to be watered. That means low water billings, also!

This has definitely been a season of filling the coffers!

Silent Lessons

Silent Lessons Our Fathers Have Taught Us

There's so much to say about the role fathers play
so many lessons they teach till we're grown.
But oh, the many lessons they teach without words
with the actions & love they have shown.
For the times they go to work when they'd rather stay home
and spend extra time with their kids.
But we learn someone loves us enough to provide
and we are taught by the work that they did.
How precious are the times when our fathers speak the Word
and we learn what God's truth is all about.
But how vivid are the times we see them living that truth
and the lesson is seen without doubt.

How valuable is the balance of discipline they teach us
when we are pained by our childhood mistakes.

Yet those times we're forgiven, and no punishment comes
shows us a clear picture of grace.
Oh, the precious love our fathers give to us
sometimes in words eloquently spoken.
But that love is also felt when they enter a room
and just stand there with the silence unbroken.
Our fathers shoulder so much to bring us to adulthood
...so many sacrifices we often don't see.
But all their silent lessons help make us what we are
for our futures and all it may be.

© Sheila Gosney

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

Ephesians 6:1-4

Hometown Pride

The old rock church...

The following article was printed in the June 14, 2007 edition of "The Knox County News".

Munday --- Keep Texas Beautiful announced Munday as a winner of the 2007 Governor's Community Achievement Award (GCAA) for outstanding community improvement on Tuesday, May 22. The honor recognizes Munday with one of the most celebrated annual environmental and community improvement awards in Texas.

The nine winners, based on population categories, were selected by Keep Texas Beautiful and will receive a share of one million dollars from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to be used in landscaping state rights-of-way in their communities.

“These communities have made outstanding efforts to clean and beautify their environment,” Debbie Johnston, Keep Texas Beautiful President, said. “Texans should be proud of the work put forth by the citizens, businesses, and local governments in these communities to improve their neighborhoods, schools, parks and public spaces. They are helping to make our state the most beautiful in the nation!”

The winning communities were chosen for their achievements in seven areas including community leadership and coordination, education, public awareness, litter prevention and cleanup, illegal dumping enforcement, beautification and property improvement, and solid waste management. Munday will receive a $65,000 prize from TxDot, which will be used to complete a landscaping project in the community.

Major projects during 2006-07 were the continuing cleanup activities, completion of the downtown streetscape project, the development of Centennial Park, the Centennial Celebration, and the acquisition of the rock church for a community theatre.

The GCAA program has recognized outstanding communities for 38 consecutive years, with the Texas Department of Transportation providing prize funds since 1985.

Munday will formally receive its award on July 12, 2007 in San Antonio during the 40th Annual Keep Texas Beautiful Conference.

An artist conception of the restoration of the old rock church into a community theatre.

Waste Not, Want Not!

In July, 1959, hubby began his very first “real” teaching job. He was hired as the Vocational Agriculture Teacher in a little town east of Wichita Falls, Texas. Yes, back then, they were simply known as Vo-Ag Teachers. Now, they are Agricultural Science & Technology Instructors. Big deal!

We had a new baby and were sitting on top of the world, with a salary of $3200 a year! We lived very thriftily, not requiring a lot of money and, I might add, not spending money on foolish whims. H was consumed with his new job, and I was consumed with a new baby. That was our entertainment.

It was during this time that pizza mixes from the grocery store became popular. The one that we always wanted to get was a brand by the name of Chef-Boy-Ardee. It was always so appealing, in a bright yellow box with that cute chef on the side... but we never would get one because we didn't have a pizza pan! (foolish whim!)

One afternoon, H came in from school and told me he had a surprise for me. He had taken the lid from an old aluminum container, cut the handle off, smoothed down the rough edges and made me a pizza pan! Oh, my goodness! How could it get any better than this? The next time we went to the grocery store I proudly picked up a box of Chef-Boy-Ardee Pizza Mix and carefully placed it in the shopping cart.

That was 48 years ago...and guess what? We're using that home made pizza pan to this very day! (now a family heirloom that our children will undoubtedly squabble over at our demise!)

My mom always said....”Waste Not, Want Not!” and, that's pretty much the philosophy we've followed for 50 years....not to say that we have never wasted, but we've not made it a habit. Yes, in our more lucrative years, we fell into the pattern of "buying now, paying later" and adding "stuff" to our growing collections. But that old adage of "waste not, want not" always hung in the recesses of our minds, and finally came to the forefront before we created any permanent damage. In the end, it has paid off for us.

“Do today what others won't, so that you can live tomorrow the way they can't.”

Just a wee bit of wisdom to be passed on for the day!

Need a Hero?

Most of you are acquainted by now with the son-in-law that is loyal to his wife's 'aging' parents.(us!)
You know...the one that calls almost on a daily basis just to check in and make sure that all is going well....the one who has a brain filled with all kinds of trivia.
It seems as though he has a favorite scripture from the Book of Ruth.
♪
Ruth 1:16-17 (KJV)
(16) But Ruth said: “Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.
(17)Where you die, I will die, and there will I be buried. The LORD do so to me, and more also, is anything but death parts you and me.
♪
He requested that I enter a post using this scripture as the pivotal point. After thinking about it for a while, I was unsure as to which way to go with it. There are several applications that could be made for a person's daily living.
♪
So many times, this scripture is used as a wedding vow, though biblically, it had nothing to do with marriage; a great love, yes....but not between husband and wife.
♪
It could be approached from the angle of having great faith. Ruth had faith in heroic proportions. When she said she would go wherever Naomi went, she hadn't a clue to what this would entail. She was leaving everything familiar and facing the unfamiliar...a dark and uncertain future.
♪
The scripture can also be approached from the angle of having and demonstrating extreme loyalty to her mother-in-law.
♪
No matter from which perspective this scripture is approached, there are few brighter examples of supreme heroism than the sweet figure of Ruth.
♪
Our prayer should be that “God work in each of us to bring forth the love and faith that marks a true hero!”
♪
Need a hero? Choose one that will lead you in a life of honor, loyalty, bravery, faith and truth!

The Lead Dog

Butch, the Beagle is the Lead Dog around our house. The date of his birth was September 20, 2000.

♥

Our grandchildren gave him to us for Christmas that year just as he turned 3 months old.

♥

A Beagle is the last breed of dogs that aging grandparents should have. They are hard-headed, strong-willed, energetic dogs. They are difficult for amateurs to train and that's how he became The Lead Dog around our house.

Instead of us training him, he trained us !

♥

The old adage of 'when the children leave home and you're lonely, get a dog' could be true in some cases. We weren't exactly lonely but we got one anyway. And, really and truly, Butch has become our pride and joy. We've had to stay young and be on our toes to keep up with him. If he ever got outside the backyard fence, you could see that little hound dog running like the wind, with his ears flapping, his tail on point, and his nose to the ground. The hunting instinct would take over immediately. Thank goodness that hasn't happened often!

♥

A couple of weeks ago we had a bad storm in the late afternoon. We were going from door to door, window to window, seeing what we could see when suddenly I noticed that Butch had lost the use of his right back leg. He could hardly get around. It frightened me so bad that I encouraged H to drive him to a vet in Abilene, 75 miles. It appeared that he had had a stroke.

♥

We got him all loaded up in the pick-up and while I was waiting for H, Butch started playing around and attempting to crawl around and over the seat...completely normal. We put his leash on him and started walking him around and he seemed like the normal little Butch that we've always known. So we forgot about taking him in to the vet.

♥

For two or three days, he seemed pretty o.k. and then, gradually we began to see a change in him. His tail stopped wagging, dropping in down between his legs. It became harder and harder for him to walk. He stopped jumping up into his favorite sleeping chair. The only thing that didn't change about him was his appetite. He still wanted to eat.

♥

The afternoon that I noticed him out in the backyard, trying to poop and losing his balance, was just the last straw. The next morning H drove him to Abilene to the Ridgemont Animal Clinic.

♥

During the 4 day stay there, after x-rays and blood tests, it was determined that Butch has arthritis. If he does alright on the medication that was prescribed for him, he will be taking it the rest of his life, with annual blood tests, to make sure the medication isn't affecting other organs of his body.

♥

He is still the 'apple of our eye', our pride and joy....just not the energetic, get into everything, dog we've always had.

♥

When all is said and done, Butch is still the Lead Dog around our house!

The Grapes of Wrath

We made a quicky trip to see our daughter and SIL....leaving yesterday morning early and returning home this afternoon.

☼
Their farming area in West Texas is normally dry to arid. What's the difference you ask? To me, dry is just without moisture for long periods of time; arid is PARCHED, without moisture for even longer periods of time!

☼

But this year the weather patterns have been as erratic there as they have been in our area. Early this morning, everyone was awakened by lightning, claps of thunder, driving rain and wind. Yes, and you probably already guessed....some HAIL!

☼
After arising, and drinking our coffee, we were discussing the early morning storm. One thing led to another and then the conversation turned to how the terminology used by meteorologists has changed over the years, specifically terms for the 'size of hail'.

☼
Not long ago, the terms were nickle-sized, dime-sized, quarter-sized. Now they are golf-ball and base-ball size. Daughter laughed and said she heard a weather report in Houston where the hail was described as 'lemon-sized'. We all got to laughing and threw in our fruit versions of hail.

☼
I made the comment that that the next time I posted about the weather on my blog, I could write about grape-sized hail. SIL, said.....and you can title it “The Grapes of Wrath”!! (hence the name of my title!!)

Remants of the storm at daylight

Daylight view from the patio.

This week has been busy, busy, busy. It would seem logical to assume that after a busy day, a person would go to bed and sleep restfully for at least 6 hours. But that doesn't seem to happen to me. I might sleep 3-4 hours and then I'm wide awake!

It's at these early hours that I do my most profound 'thinking'. In anticipating an upcoming trip to see our children this weekend, I happened to think about an e-mail the son-in-law sent the other night about his favorite Bible scripture...Acts 4:20.
"For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard".
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Considering all I've seen and heard this week at VBS, I cannot but speak. My job has been a crew leader of 6 children. These same children have been in my group all week. Basically, what I do is just listen. If you know children at all, you know they love to talk and share. I (along with 15-20 other crew leaders) have heard some of the most heart-rending stories from many of these children...burdens they carry about illnesses in the family, broken relationships within the family, death. You would be astonished to know how often these little ones think about 'death'....everything from death of a pet to death of mom or dad or grandparents.

♫

My Little Crew!

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It is God's mandate to us, as Christian leaders, to show and teach the little ones the hope in a life
of following Jesus. Without hope of a better life, what is left for them?
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"But Peter and John answered and said unto them,
Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken
unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."
Acts 4:19-20, King James Version

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We can't contain what we've experienced in Jesus.
We can't help but tell about what we've heard.
No ruler, no threat, has been able to completely stop the
voice of God from being heard through his people's witness.
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Sharing our faith happens out of the overflow of our experiences
in Christ and our relationship with Christ.
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When we share our faith in this way, the authenticity of our
witness can be rejected or ridiculed, but it can't be erased.
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We have experienced God's work in our lives.
How dare we keep silent?
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We can't!
♫
Phil Ware
Today's Verse
Devotionals

This is the third day for our 'church-merged' Vacation Bible School.

Last year at this time, we launched a community effort to minister to our young children. This effort has been blessed, and blessed again!

We clearly could not reach the numbers of children with each church having it's own little VBS. Joining forces, we have the work power, child power, and God power of the early Acts churches!

Pictured above are two of the many, many workers preparing for the day. At this writing, I can't say how many adults and older teens are involved in this year's VBS effort, but God knows! And, they will be blessed.

Monday, there were 87 children enrolled. Tuesday, there were 92 enrolled. And today, the enrollment reached 106!

I hope to post a few more pictures by the end of the week, especially some from the Worship/Praise time. Our leaders are simply awesome. What a team!

What a blessing it is to have a united front in our churches!

First Day!

Today was the first day of Vacation Bible School! It was reported that 87 children were in attendance.

We had a wonderful time, but those of you that have any dealing with Vacation Bible Schools know how tiring it can be.

Anyway, dear and dedicated readers of my blog, there won't be much activity on "Love for Home" from this end...until the end of the week!

First day is always the 'lightest' in number so at least 100 chilren are expected tomorrow. You'll be hearing more about this next week!

God bless us all!