Small town USA

A few weeks ago, we drove through a very small midwest town. It was so small that it is completely forgettable - except for the scene at the center of town. And that was so unique that I can't get it out of my mind.

Questions spring up and remain unanswered. Scenarios form and fade, possiblities (and impossibilities!) nag at the edges of my mind.

So, I'll set the scene for you... and maybe you can figure it out.


Benches - for extra seating? for friends and family?

A manhole cover... don't those usually lead to city sewers?

Restricted parking sign... is this area only for the people who live in the building? Is everyone else unwelcome here?

The blue trash container... why is that there?

Yes, there is one more piece to the puzzle. It's the centerpeice of the scene... the part that makes the picture impossible, unthinkable, unforgettable!

Ok, I won't keep you in suspense. Here it is... downtown, small town, mid-America.


Do you have any answers?

Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. Proverbs 16:19

Today is "W" day

Ok, so I'm trying out something new, it wasn't working, and poof! the thing posts on my blog. Argh!

If you happened to be there at the moment it left my view (by mistake!)... sorry. I was just playing and hit the wrong... ummmm... something!

I was attempting to figure out how to place a drop cap and have the rest of the word in the right place. Now, I'm afraid that every mistake will fly out onto my blog. It's one thing to make mulitple mistakes in the privacy of my own office. It's another thing entirely to display my ignorance to the world.

hat shall I do?




ill it work this time?




And then, there is the real question...

hy do this at all?




Because, on a gloomy day...

hy not?




And, look! I did it!

hatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Colossians 3:17

Shades of autumn

There is just something about autumn.

The smell in the air...

The culmination of all the efforts of the previous months - planting, growing, harvesting...

The colors of dying plants exiting with panache...




It makes winter bearable.

Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high, who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth! Psalm 113:5,6

Dominoes

During our little cabin in the woods getaway, we played dominoes. As I look back... I think I was being prepped for the eventful trip home. All I could think of was a "domino chain" of prayer.


We left the wilderness late Friday morning filled with happy feelings and too much good food. By mid-afternoon, we were sitting by the side of the road 20 miles from Iowa City. A wrecker had just loaded up our cargo trailer, complete with broken axle, and was headed to a trailer repair shop 10 miles west.


This is when I started thinking dominoes... Did the wrecker owner pray that morning for increased business?


When the family that runs the trailer repair shop gathered for their noon meal that day, did they ask of God that He would provide them with business enough to pay their bills?

Was the U-haul dealer praying as we pulled into his driveway? Were his needs met even as he met our need?

I hear the sound of a tumbling chain of tiles as I imagine all of the requests that are lifted Heavenward every day. Amazing when you think of it. God... arranging people and circumstances, everything flowing together. Amazing.

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching his understanding. Isaiah 40:28

Time out

We are on vacation. Honey Creek Resort is home this week for me and my dearly beloved, my sister and bro-in-law, and my mom. It is a rustic area with cabins that have all the comforts of home.... dishwasher, comfy beds and flat screen TVs.. that's right.. more than one!

So, we have been enjoying nature in our own various ways -

we girls observing turkeys outside the cabin... No, not Rod and Joe, real wild animals!


the guys busy trying to shoot birdies.... Oh goodness no! This kind!


We're having a great time enjoying the beauty of rest and nature.

Wish you were here!

And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever. And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places. Isaiah 32:17,18

Boy, was I wrong!

Even though I didn't know that I was wrong... apparently I was... very wrong.


My husband, whose name is not Frank, is nonetheless frank... and honest. He said, "I love those muffins!"

Another friend, who saw my previous post, called me and said, "I want that recipe!"

No, I didn't rummage through the garbage. I remembered the original poster's clever blog name, and I will give you the opportunity to get the 3-ingredient recipe for yourself. Click here to go to The Bake-Off Flunkie. Find the recipe on October 4th.

Enjoy! It is easy... and it is only 3 ingredients... and I did get 47 of these little gems.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9

Breakfast, dinner and dessert

Food! Filling the eyes, dancing on the tongue, satisfying a need somewhere way deep down...

Friday - the decor for the men's breakfast - apples! Walls of apples standing on the tables... How is that standing? It's gonna go! What in the world?


Saturday - Chinese! A lazy susan filled and overflowing with dishes of beef, pork and General Tso's Chicken (I don't know what battle he won with this recipe, but I know why!!!). For an already festive group, this was the fortune in the cookie!


Today - a new recipe, Chocolate Pumpkin Muffin Tops. Only 3 ingredients! Quick and easy! And, a one time wonder... as in I made it one time. I wonder if this crumpled up recipe will hit the wastebasket from here?


Tomorrow all this delight has to end, or I'll be wondering how I will afford my new bigger wardrobe!

It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4