Crystal Lake

Yesterday Kali and I went down to the lake to shoot a few pictures. I had been wanting to do photos on the dock for some time, but had just not gotten around to it. First of all, we had trouble getting into the locked gate at the lake. Then, once we got our car down to the lake we found that we couldn't actually get to the dock without getting soaked. We had not realized with all the storms, that the lake level had come up that much. Kali pulled her jeans' legs up and waded in until the water was just above her knees - and she still wasn't to the dock yet. We ended up going back to the house, putting on a swim suit, and heading back to the lake. It was overcast to start with, then the sun came out really bright. Anyway, we got a few good shots - I think.

Loving Hearts, Helping Hands

I spent yesterday with my mom at the residence she lives in. A group of volunteers came in and provided a fall craft for the afternoon. They come each month and spend an afternoon with the residents, help them make a lovely craft called a "doorbob" that they can hang on their doors, and provide a snack and a lot of fun. Everyone seems to love the time they share together. Here are some photos showing the craft that most called, "Something to Crow About."

My mom really loves living here. She loves the staff and has made some wonderful friends with both staff members and residents. Mom stays so busy. I can hardly ever get her by telephone - but that's alright. It means she is busy doing something and that is what I wish for her. A life she enjoys, fun stuff to do with friends, and all of her needs met. She has definitely earned it!

A Woman of Virtue

These are just a few of the wonderful ladies that live in the same residence my mom lives in. My mom is the first one shown here. All these ladies are wonderful, loving women. They are always so glad to see me when I go visit. Frequently, I ask my mother to tell me if these ladies have children, if they have visitors, what interests these women have. As you can tell, they all love to have their pictures taken :). Looking at these photos reminded me of the scriptures that were used at my grandmother's funeral. They seem fitting for these women, so I thought I would list them here.

Proverbs 31:10-30

(New International Version)

A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her

and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good not harm,

all the days of her life.

She selects wool and flax

and works with eager hands.

She is like the merchant ships,

bringing her food from afar.

She gets up while it is still dark;

she provides food for her family

and portions for her servant girls.

She considers a field and buys it;

out of her earning she plants a vineyard.

She sets about her work vigorously;

her arms are strong for her tasks.

She sees that her trading is profitable,

and her lamp does not go out at night.

In her hands she holds the distaff

and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

She opens her arms to the poor

and extends her hands to the needy.

When it snows, she has no fear for her household;

for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

She makes coverings for her bed;

she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

Her husband is respected at the city gate,

where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them;

and supplies the merchant with sashes.

She is clothed with strength and dignity;

she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom,

and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed;

her huband also, and he praises her:

"Many women do noble things,

but you surpass them all."

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

God Gave Us Clovers So We Could Remember His Love

Those of you who know us well, know that for the past nine years Kali and I have been extremely active in 4-H. I started two new clubs and was a leader for seven years. Kali has been in at least eight different clubs, plus County Council. Several years ago, in honor of 4-H, my dad potted some clover in a little clay pot and gave it to Kali. We brought it home and sat it on the porch, thinking to plant it later. Overnight, the kittens knocked it over. We scooped it all up and put it back in the pot and sat it off to one side of the porch. Next, a strong storm came through and spread the clover and potting soil all over the flower bed next to our porch, so badly that we could not put it back into the pot this time. The little clover pieces on the ground shriveled up and died. I didn't think anymore about that clover until a couple months ago. I noticed, in that little space between our porch and deck, that there was clover growing inside an old pot just lying there on the ground. As I've watched it, the clover has just kind of spilled out of the pot and is overflowing onto the ground.

Where am I going with this? It reminds me of all the times I've let my life get out of hand because I didn't do what I was supposed to. Because I didn't tend to my life, my spiritual life, the way God wanted me to. Then, when I least expect it, God gets my attention and He fills my life up full, and overflowing, just like this little bit of clover. God expects me to tend to my spiritual life, just like my earthly dad expected Kali and I to tend to this little pot of clover. Thankfully God doesn't give up on me, the way we gave up on the clover. He's always right there...loving me and caring for me.

The Wedding Chapel

These beautiful shots were all taken around the Wedding Chapel, which sits on Lake Alice on the University of Florida campus. The chapel was locked, so we couldn't go inside. The architecture is streamlined and simple, yet elegant. To the left of the building is a little bridge going over a retention pond and a stream leading out into the lake. This was an area with tall, beautiful trees and lots of flowers. There were a couple squirrels playing around the trees. For a minute, I thought this little guy was going to jump on me. It was kind of touch and go there for a bit :) I got my pictures and went back across the footbridge. A really peaceful, quiet, calming location, if you overlook the squirrel :).

Lake Alice, University of Florida

Yesterday, we had to run errands in town, and we decided to stop at Lake Alice and look around some. We stopped on the eastside of the lake and took these shots. You can't actually see a whole lot of the lake where we stopped. Even though it was 97 degrees outside, there was a great breeze blowing through the trees which made it really pleasant. We had a nice visit, got to see a couple squirrels a little closer up than we would normally want, and saw some really beautiful scenery.

Later on I will post some photos of the Wedding Chapel that was right next to us.

Hurricane Season in Florida

So, here we are in Florida, doing what we do in Florida at this time of the year, watching the hurricanes. We have hurricane season until the end of November. That's still almost three months of season to go. We've already had to leave our home and head to a hotel once this season. Excuse me for giving you another BC comic today - it's currently my favorite strip to read. You'll notice they are watching the hurricanes in BC'land as well :). I thought I'd also add the current screen from the National Hurricane Center. At one time yesterday there were as many as 6 tropical storms building on this screen. Thankfully, that number is down today. Gotta love it!

And, I am glad to say my friend Debra, who lives in Pascagoula, Mississippi, did well with Hurricane Gustav. Deb is a true survivor of Hurricane Katrina, having lost almost everything she and her husband had to that storm. During Gustav we stayed in touch by emails and prayer. Deb had a housefull of family and thankfully, all went well in Pascagoula. Love ya, Deb!

Spring Flowers

Earlier this year, a dear friend took my daughter out of town a little ways to this beautiful field of flowers. We had fun playing in the flowers while Pam took photo after photo. Before Pam was able to edit the pictures her computer crashed. Now, months later, Pam has finally been able to retrieve those shots and now has some posted on her blog. These were my favorite ones - although it was very hard to decide :). You can see more of Kali's pictures, and others that Pam took, on her blog. You can find it at He Keeps Me Singing.