Time Began in a Garden

"Now the Lord God planted a garden in the east, in Eden." Genesis 2:8

Friday, August 31, 2007

ARRIVED SAFELY @ FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA

Our host and
hostess were
there to greet
us with a warm
welcome! (Hugs
included.)

Thanks, Mark
and Debi!










What's for supper?

















Good choice!















Please scroll down....















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AND AFTER DINNER...

Two barefoot
strummers.
So glad Brad
brought two
guitars !







Checking out
today's pictures.















Got some good
ones, I think.














TFT: "How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony.
It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard,
down on the collar of his robes.

It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore."
Psalm 133



Have a wonderful Holiday Weekend!

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Thursday, August 30, 2007

MOVIN' ON DOWN THE ROAD

Music as we travel. What a deal!
















Another photo opportunity....I am having fun!











Almost there!

















TFT: "I will exalt you, my God and King
I will praise your name forever and ever
Every day I will praise you,
And extol your name forever and ever."
Psalm: 145: 1-2

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Wednesday, August 29, 2007

BRINGS BACK MEMORIES

Looks a lot like Wayne's Grill where we had lunch or a soda after school (circa 1949)!













Or the drive-in where we went for an "Orange Slush"
What to order? No tough choices here. What else? A hamburger, fries, and strawberry shake!
















It was good!


















TFT: "Sons are a heritage from the Lord...
Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are sons born in your youth." Psalms 127: 3-4

And I might add: Daughters-in-law like mine are a real blessing too

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Tuesday, August 28, 2007

GET YOUR KICKS!

Those of you who know me well understand my excitement over anything connected with Route 66!

And you also know why. (Anyone interested in the reason, just let me know and I will be more than happy to clue you in!)


Well, I certainly did "Get Some Kicks" as we traversed the road west. Especially through New Mexico and Arizona.






Our driver knows all about all of this, and was always willing to pull over to the original old road and let me take it all in. Remember, this was the "Super Highway" not so very many years ago.












Lunch time.....

















And did Curtis pick the right spot!














continued tomorrow.....

TFT: "My son, do not forget my teaching,

but keep my commands in your heart,

for they will prolong your life many years

and bring you prosperity.



Let love and faithfulness never leave you;

bind them around your neck,

write them on the tablet of your heart.



Then you will win favor and a good name

in the sight of God and man.



Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge Him,

and He will make your paths straight."

Proverbs 3:1-6

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Sunday, August 26, 2007

GOT ALL MIXED UP!

We got home late last night..A wonderful time, but really tired.
Checked to see when I had indicated that I would be posting again.
Can't believe I put the 21st! I meant the 28th. Hope to be back on line then.
Please check back.

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

GOING WEST

Good Lord willing, I will be leaving early tomorrow morning for a trip to Arizona and a week with family.

Will be "based" in Flagstaff and plan to have a wonderful time together.

Curtis, Brad and I will be traveling there in Curt's van and I've been reflecting on this trip as we approach the day of departure.

Curt will be driving, and as he has made this trip several times before, will also be the navigator, for he knows the way to our destination.

Surely takes all the pressure off of me, and I plan to relax and enjoy every mile along the way.

Some thoughts:

I think I am so looking forward to every mile of the trip because:

Brad and I will be in the hands of one who knows the way.

I will be in the company of two who love and care about me, and I know they will be there for me
every moment of the journey.

There are those of our family who will make the trip ahead of us, and I am quite sure will be waiting anxiously for our arrival.

For certain there will be lots of hugs, joy and laughter when we all arrive safely.

And we will spend a week together.

Made me consider another journey I will be taking one day, and think I am looking forward to that trip because:

I will be in the hands of the One who not only knows the way, but is The Way.

And that One loves and cares about me, and will be there for me every moment of the journey.

There are those who have gone before me, and will be waiting anxiously for my safe arrival. (and I
wouldn't be a bit surprised if one of them will be "Waiting on the Far Side Bank of Jordan" just for me)

I'm quite convinced there will be lots of hugs, and joy and laughter.

And we will spend eternity together, never more to part.

Now that's what I call a REUNION!

I am attempting to carry on Mother's constant prayer that "The Circle Will Be Unbroken".

I live in that hope.

And while I am hoping and praying, I'm going to try to remember to sit back and enjoy this ride called Life...and try to always remember to keep Jesus in the driver's seat.

Praise be to the Lamb who was slain and is worthy of our honor and glory and praise forever.

Please check back on the 21st. Hope to have pictures!!!

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Tuesday, August 14, 2007

REACHING FOR THE SKY

These sunflowers have grown to be almost 12 feet tall. They seem to be eager not only to turn to the sun; but to reach out and touch the very sky above.

TFT: "Reach up...and take your Father's hand and say what my daughter Andrea used to say to me, 'I'm not sure where I am, Daddy. I'm not sure which is the road home. But you do.. and that's enough.' " Max Lucado

"For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do no fear: I will help you." Isaiah 41:13

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Monday, August 13, 2007

IT JUST APPEARED

One day last week when I stepped out my back door, I noticed this little "umbrella stand" under my patio table. I didn't know who had put it there. Actually, I had a pretty good idea.

Upon further investigation I found out that my hunch was correct. You see, Jerry is a collector of a lot of things. He said he happened to see this in his pile of scrap metal and decided that maybe it would work to hold my small umbrella. This umbrella is made to be carried to the beach and anchored in the sand....a beach umbrella, no less :)

It works! And if I want to tilt the umbrella just a bit...well, you get the picture.

Saturday, someone put 6 red, ripe tomatoes on the table on my front porch . Now this took a bit more detective work, as it could have been any one of 3 of my wonderful neighbors. Tracked it down to Nella. They are sooooo delicious.

What a neighborhood! And just think if I had my place all fenced in, complete with gate and lock, these nice folks couldn't slip onto my property and leave me such delightful surprises!

I looked up "neighborhood" in my handy pocket Webster. "A section or small region that possesses a specific quality". I think that specific quality around here is good old fashioned "neighborliness".

TFT: Once upon a time, a long time ago, an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. The conversation eventually came around to the inquisitor asking Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?".



And then Jesus told him a story, a parable, if you will. We call it the Parable of The Good Samaritan. And when he was finished with the story, Jesus did what he so often did, answered a question with a question.

The "expert" got it right....for he answered his own original question to Jesus this way, "The one who shows mercy".

Jesus replied, "Go and do likewise". (Luke 10: 25-37)

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Friday, August 10, 2007

IN THIS HEAT


A few days ago I posted a picture and commented on the bravery of these men who are working on the roof of the church.
Walking around on that tile roof has got to be a bit shaky..
But today, I want to speak to their perseverance.
They continue to work in this terrible, exhausting, and even dangerous heat.
Watching them caused me to stop and consider all those folks who brave this scorching heat in order to perform tasks that make our lives better.
When I finish this post, I am going to write a short note to my mail carrier to let her know how much I appreciate her.
TFT: I understand it's 110-120 degrees in Iraq. Just thought I would mention it.

Thursday, August 09, 2007

GOT IT ALL BACKWARDS!

There are 3 separate posts for today. And they are in the wrong order!

Please scroll down to the 3rd one first; and then work your way UP in order to get the story in the proper sequence. Hope the rest of my day is a bit less topsy-- turvy!

continued

It was absolutely delicious!
Rosalie has just published a wonderful cookbooki, "Rosalie Serves Italian". Will be having book signings soon; here on The Hill and around St. Louis











And yesterday, she certainly served us up a fine example of her outstanding Italian cooking.













TFT: Food, Fun and Friends. Life Is Good!

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continued

The table was set....


The salad and sauce were made, and the pasta was cooking.


And we were ready to enjoy.

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JENNIE AND ME (story starts here)

Off on another adventure!














We went to Rosalie's home on A Hill in Troy, Mo., and what a welcome we received!

They had spray painted signs and poles and driveway just for our visit.









Jennie had met Rosalie at DiGregorio's a few weeks ago, struck up a conversation with her, and made plans right then and there for a busload of us to go over for a grand Italian meal.









(please scroll up)

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Wednesday, August 08, 2007

IN SYNC

"Nothing can give you quite the same thrill as the feeling that you are in harmony with the great God of the universe who created all things."
James Dobson

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Tuesday, August 07, 2007

SOMETHING NEW

The August sun calls for putting up the umbrella!


















TFT: Psalm 121
Assurance of unfailing protection

"I lift my eyes to the hills;
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip;
He who watches over you will not slumber;
Indeed, He who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you;
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm;
He will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going,
both now and forevermore."

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Monday, August 06, 2007

BORED WITH BOUQUETS?

I hope not, because wanted to share these in the bathroom.















I think bathroom bouquets are such fun!













TFT: "Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery that it is. In the boredom and pain of it no less than in the excitement and gladness; touch, tasste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it because in the last analysis all moments are key moments and life itself is grace." Frederick Buechner

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Friday, August 03, 2007

BOUQUETS SANS FLOWERS

The marvelous bounty of the season lends itself to enjoying it's beauty as well as it's taste. Steamed it and added a bit of EVOO with just a sprinkling of salt and pepper....divine!
Still life, anyone?
A closer look. The colors and textures are incredible.


TFT: "There is only one thing greater than happiness in the world, and that is holiness, and it is not in our keeping;.....

But what God has put in our power is the happiness of those about us, and that is largely to be secured by our being kind to them." Henry Drummond http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Drummond

Doesn't sound so terribly complicated...or even difficult, does it?

Fresh veggies are from Jerry's garden. Grown organically and picked daily.

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