Bonds of love

About two years ago we purchased an arbor. Beautiful it is... tall, sturdy, powder coated to keep it safe from our winter winds and snow. We placed it near the fork in the driveway.

A few weeks before that, I received plants for the yard. One was a vine - the card said that the floriography of this honeysuckle vine was "devoted affection; bonds of love." We planted the vine at the base of the arbor and waited for the two to bond.

Today, walking back to the house from the mailbox, I could see honeysuckle blossoms floating in the breeze, above the powder coated steel.


Some sights are food for the soul... a gift from God.


This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. Psalm 118:23

The wonder of computers

Like... I wonder why it's behaving like this? I wonder where that program went?

My computer is doing strange and awful things. When I figure it out, I'll be back. You gotta love technology!


I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Psalm 91:2

Decisions... now!

Imagine this - you are alone, hundreds of miles from home, family or friends... and your vehicle dies. Not just needs a tune up or new tires... a 355,000-miles-under-the-hood DEATH!

The decisions are staggering - involving thousands of dollars that you might not have to spend if you were car shopping at your leisure; circumstances forcing you to make a choice based on "what's here", not "what else?"; facing days of walking an unfamiliar town while incurring motel and other living expenses.

My dearly beloved lived this last week in Geneseo, IL, (pop. 6,400).


But what appeared to be an unthinkable difficulty for us, was simply another opportunity for God to show Himself mighty.

Blogger would be declaring "overload!!" if I tried to describe each obstacle that presented itself - and was wondrously cared for. Every detail of this situation became a beautiful picture of God caring for His own.

How? you ask... Let me summarize:

• we now own a '07 pick-up with 27,000 miles - at a bargain price.
• the old dead vehicle is home and, as-is, provided a generous trade-in amount toward the "new" vehicle
• only one extra day was lost wandering the little "Mayberry" town in mid-America
• the transporting of vehicles and trailers, and lo-o-o-ng hours of driving (for my son and husband) ended with everyone safe at home - exhausted, but safe

An amazing, faith-affirming, wonderful week. May God be praised.

... they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet... Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men. Psalm 107:28-31

Natural beauty

I finally cut my hydrangea blossoms yesterday and hung them upside down to dry. They are so beautiful that I have to share.


I hope the color remains after they're dry. Each flower head is huge and the color range is wonderful.

God certainly does know what He's doing.

...Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like unto one of these. Matthew 6:28,29

Neighborhood dusting

Just when I think every strange thing that could happen on our little acre has happened, something new happens.

This morning, while applying my face paint, there was a tremendous roar that shook the house. (It should be noted that I know house shaking noises! I have lived through earth moving equipment in my driveway. [see previous post] I have even survived 5 teenagers with stereos and opinions!) Certainly I was hearing the prelude to a plane crash.

Before I could get to a window, the roar happened again. By the third round, I saw it, grabbed my camera and ran outside.


A crop duster? In and around all these houses?

He refused to stand still and pose, (doesn't he know I blog?!?) so this is the best close-up I could get.


If I ignore concerns about what substance is being sprayed on the field right next to my house, I imagine that noisy, swooping, soaring ride must be quite a thrill.

Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. Psalm 103:13,14

Disappearing history

When we bought this house, the part the kids liked best was the barn. It was big, and old and had enough corners to keep everyone happily exploring for years. They built "forts", made dirt cakes, and decorated the basement with auction furniture.

It lived a glorious life long before we arrived, evidenced by piles of old straw and rusty stanchions. We added goats, dogs, rabbits and vacuum cleaners. (I'm sure the bats came with the territory.)

About the time everyone here outgrew the need for forts and animals, our old barn caught fire and burned to the ground. The last few years, the surviving basement stonework has been taken over by persistent undergrowth. Monday, that all changed.




We've been expecting this for several weeks, but the rumble of these huge machines in the yard was suddenly a harsh reality. Memories tumbled into deep holes. Tangible evidence of children at play disappeared under tons of earth.

The barn is gone.


We've talked about possibilities for the new space... a soccer field, a garden plot (that was not my idea), wide open green grass... nothing is definite at this point.

In our hearts, it will always be the barn.

We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old. Psalm 44:1

Repeating history

Two things I thought I would never do again... can green beans and sew clothes for myself.

But here I am... repeating history... and trying to remember, Was I this bad before? Was I less picky?

There are no answers to those questions. History is gracious enough to leave an indistinct footprint when it comes to trivial things.


When kids were underfoot at my house, the end of summer meant that hundreds of jars filled with beans, tomatoes, juices and relishes lined the pantry shelves. Last Wednesday, I canned 6 pints and wondered... Why am I doing this? The answer was quick - Because you just bought a pressure canner and you can't stop now!

As for sewing... purses are so easy. They don't have to fit!!! The blouse I made this week, has been redesigned, adjusted, ripped out, eased, and re-sewn. I think I like it. I'm not sure.

But, next week is another week, and I already have more fabric and there are more beans in the garden. So I'll do this all over again. Now that I have my feet wet, maybe I will enjoy the swim.

Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgement, and righteousness in the earth: For in these things I delight, saith the Lord. Jeremiah 9:23,24