Spontaneity

(typing on my phone) It struck me tonight as it has the last couple days, that it's been a while since I last blogged slash vented. No news is good news? Well, I don't particularly want to be "that" guy, so here I am typing in the dark from my friends east coast apartment. They've been quite generous with their home and especially in squeezing me in between their travels. I am their first house guest since they've relocated from the west coast...and I've tried to be good. Erik and I were housemates for a couple years and he is one whom I trust. It's been good to get more acquainted with his petite wife. Although DC is not where they want "home" to be, they are making the most of it and have found a great little starter church which has helped them find some new friends. Tonight, after a delicious fajita with home made tortillas dinner, Erik helped me realize/see something in a new way. "Ever feel like the world is against you?" I asked. And he stated rather profoundly that the world is against us. The ground is cursed. We will sweat from our brow as we labor in vain....the Lord is for us and in His strength we have hope and perseverance to be examples of Him. Basically, I don't need to point out how rotten the day to day grind is with it's henderances, but instead glory in the days that are less troublesome and difficult. Welcome to the sinful world. Remember the promises of peace that lay ahead. Isn't it interesting that a spontaneous little trip could reveal more than I expected?

Hope Unseen

The youngest of seven and quickly becoming a good friend of mine, hails from a great family. One of his brothers, Scotty, who was injured during the war, has written a book to be released in two weeks (Sept 18). It will be sold everywhere. The complete story is here. (I can't figure out how to make the link show up directly.) I have met Scotty and am very impressed by his independence. Please tell your friends to check out this story and his book, Hope Unseen, by Captain Scott Smiley.

Must watch both

Pause the music player on the right and watch these two videos. They have both brought me laughter... and a few dance moves.





And then there is the cover of the remix... impressive

Jailed.

Cute they may be, but adolescence led them to bad behavior. Constant corralling interrupted my gardening aka mental processing time. The girls pushed the scope of their free range. Numerous warnings unheeded. The moment their toes hit the sidewalk the race began. While I may not be faster than the four of them, I am a tad smarter. Once in the house, I screened them in and returned to my garden glancing over my shoulder catching them standing at the door yearning to be released. A rather pathetic attempt, but picture worthy nonetheless.

Is it weird.....

..... that my chickens like BBQ chicken? I've been experimenting with different foods trying to get them to eat table scraps...for some reason, I thought they liked it, but so far they have only liked watermelon. Today, as the sun peaked out from some ominous clouds, I sat on the dry lawn and ate BBQ chicken leftovers. Peeling it off the bone, I thought, "It's stringy like worms... maybe they'll like it?" Ruth got the first taste and the others eventually stole it from her. They were fighting over something that they didn't even know if they liked it or not. Silly. "They really didn't eat that much," I thought as I picked up chicken bits around the yard. Maybe they just don't like my cooking? (it was a little on the dry side).

Above, Grace (the blond) and Kevin plop down to soak up some rays. I wonder if I look as ridiculous while sunbathing myself?

The cumulus clouds were threatening, but I rallied myself to go pick some blackberries. The sky was beautiful as the sun set. Some sunsets are just better than others and tonight was no exception. Meandering through the field I thought of the verse in Matthew 16 that says, "He (Jesus) replied, "When evening comes, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,' and in the morning, 'Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times." I think it's cool that the saying we have today "Pink sky at night, sailors delight, pink sky in the morn', sailors be warned" seems to have originated 2000 years ago.

The moon is virtually full. The air cooling from a surprisingly warm afternoon. One gallon of blackberries washed and stowed for winter.