Sweet Forgiveness

On Tuesday mornings I go to Ladies' Prayer and Bible study at church. Today's plan was to pick Bethany up in town and take her along while her car was in the shop, then return afterward to pick up Troy from preschool. There was also the possibility of a friend coming over for lunch after the study. My day's plans were thwarted when in my haste to get out the door I discovered that my car keys were not on the counter. I had the sinking feeling they were in my husband's coat pocket so I made a quick phone call which confirmed my suspicion. I felt the frustration creep in. I wanted to be angry but I knew that James had not purposely taken my keys. For some reason God saw fit to keep me home today and although I hate having my plans rearranged, it is much easier to just accept the fact and get over it. After talking with Bethany, who will be here soon for Troy's car seat, I think we have worked out how to accomplish today's necessary tasks. Maybe Josh will stay here to play while Beth's car in in the garage and Troy will arrive here with Bethany after school is out. I called the church secretary with my prayer request and also my dear husband to tell him I love him and it really is okay. Another test of forgiveness...

So anyway, yesterday we took a ride out to get some maple syrup. The little store was packed with a group on a field trip, so we looked at the animals (two goats, two sheep, a bunny rabbit, and several ducks and chickens), and then, because we were freezing, decided to walk down to the sugar shack where the sweet steam from boiling sap makes the air smell like pancakes. Mr. Everson welcomed us in, told us a little about the syrup making process, and showed us his barrels of maple syrup waiting to be bottled. The cold nights this March have made it a good year for collecting sap. We purchased a half gallon of syrup for ourselves and a small bottle for Troy's daddy (His birthday is tomorrow...), some maple cream for toast, and a package of maple sugar candy. Yummy! It was a bright sunny day, perfect for a ride through the countryside.

Forgiveness

"But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses."

Mark 11:26

There are times in life when God calls us to forgive; not to forgive just once, but to forgive repeatedly. Often a new day brings a renewed need to forgive as old offenses return to torment the heart and soul once again. When the hurt cuts deep and my heart is bleeding, I run to Jesus. He not only understands my pain, but He forgives me for repeated offenses and calls me to do the same.

Family Ties

Today is the first day of spring. Although we woke up to snow on the ground, spring is still in the air. I even saw some crocuses popping out of the ground. Soon it will be time for bare feet and playgrounds...

One spring, back when I was a little girl, just five years old, a new family moved into the house two doors down. They had three children, a girl about 7, a boy of 5, and a one year old baby girl. My earliest memories are the boy and I riding circles in the street on our tricycles. That summer Al and I picked flowers in the back yard for his "mummy", cooked mudpies in a spot of dirt, and shared a good many afternoons driving our tricycles through the back yard where he was confined to play. In the fall we started kindergarten and our mothers became close friends. They shared coffee in the afternoon while their little girls played together and I'm sure shared a good many secrets as women often do. There were pets in the house two doors down; first a shaggy dog named Laddie, and later a white German shepherd named Bianca and a black and brown collie named Ace of Spades. Al and I not only went to kindergarten together but first and second grades too. We shared the same bus stop and when the roll was called at school my name always followed his. His father had a wonderful voice and often played the organ and sang. I loved to listen. In June of 1972 my mother's friend died tragically and suddenly. It was a terribly sad day etched forever in my memory. Without their mother to care for them the family was packed up and moved to Canada where they lived with relatives for the next two years before returning to the neighborhood home. By then circumstances had changed somewhat and the children were discouraged from spending too much time at our house, but our friendships had been forged in steel and nothing ever stopped Angel, Al, or myself from being together. I have so many good memories; 4-square in the street, hide and go seek in the dark, campfires in our backyard, walks about town, and late night knocks on my bedroom window. In August of 1979 a cousin came to visit my friends and ended up staying indefinitely. Eventually he and I were married and the friends two doors down became family. As a child I'd never known her as "Aunt" Sharon, but I had known her, and my husband never did. Now sometimes when I look at my daughter or see her smile, I catch a little glimpse of Aunt Sharon in her lovely face, and once in a great while I have to smile myself when I notice my son reminding me a little bit of Al.

Thursday...

Today was Thursday. Thursday has become my busy day. Both Josh and Lucas come to visit and on normal weeks I pick Troy up from preschool at noon. Next week I will add something new; Creative Writing Class for Ben and Hannah. It should be interesting working out the drop off and pick up details...

Lucas is growing fast. He is much stronger and bright-eyed than just a few weeks ago. He loves my ceiling fan and smiles at it numerous times throughout the day. He is full of smiles and cooing and loves to be held. He wiggles the entire time he drinks his bottle so there is no putting him down and propping it up, instead the grandmother sits and holds it for him, and she doesn't mind.

Josh is full of ideas and keeps us entertained with his funniness. This morning he was on Hannah's lap and leaned over so tenderly to give her a kiss on the nose. It was really all so sweet until he sneezed mid-kiss. It sent me into gales of laughter. He is saying a lot of words for an almost 17 month old boy. I am looking toward warmer, drier weather when I can take the little ones out for a walk.

Looking for Leprechans

I fully expected to catch myself a leprechan this evening. Unfortunately his mother's plans were changed when the daddy didn't have to go to class tonight. (That's okay, it was the daddy's birthday...) I did however find that a leprechan of some kind or other left his hat hanging on a chair in my kichen. He must have smelled the corned beef simmering in the crockpot, but he didn't bother to show up for supper. Too bad cause we had plenty to share.

Out and About

Troy is not here this week. The college his dad works at is closed for spring break. It was a beautiful day for a ride in the sunshine so Ben, Hannah and I decided to go to the mall. I checked out a cool toy store and decided to buy something. I'm still a kid at heart, I love toys, and I have little grandsons, so I bought some Cutting Food to play with Josh. Sara and Alysa checked it out after school and it passed the kid test. (I knew it would.) I hope Josh likes it too. He should be here tomorrow night and we'll check it out.

I rarely ever go to the mall and I didn't have much to spend, but there was something I wanted to find in JC Penney. I wasn't sure which department to look in so I wandered through the women's department, into the men's and on into housewares. As I went I looked at the salespeople and listened for a familiar voice. I rounded the corner into home furnishings and heard the voice I was searching for. It was my cousin, Diana. We both smiled, gave each other a hug, and chatted for a little bit between customers. She doesn't live too far from me but I rarely see my cousins so it was fun to fnd her there.

On the way home we stopped at Wendy's for some lunch. Lunch at Wendy's is pretty standard when we head out to the mall. I had a Chicken BLT salad and a drink. Ben chose a Number 6 meal, Spicy Chicken, and Hannah went for the dollar menu, a bacon cheeseburger, fries and vanilla Frosty. I taught her well.

Sunday Scripture

O LORD God of hosts, Who [is] mighty like You, O LORD? Your faithfulness also surrounds You. You rule the raging of the sea; When its waves rise, You still them.

Psalm 89:8-9

Living by the lake is an adventure. Although my boating excursions are now but distant memories, the water side remains fresh and ever calling. Some of my favorite Bible stories are those of Jesus out on the sea with His disciples. Lake Ontario helps draw a realistic picture in my mind when it comes to storm clouds billowing up over the water or the waves foaming angrily at the shore. Boating usually results in my getting seasick making it necessary to lie down in the bottom of the boat and close my eyes. I don't suppose Jesus got seasick even if he was asleep on a pillow in the bottom of the boat. My poor swimming skills keep me ever respectful of the danger of deep water and without a life preserver I'm never quite at ease. I'm thankful for my heavenly life preserver, the one who can still the waves with a simple command and keep me safe in His hand.

More Stuff about the Birds

Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

Matthew 6:26

Another trip down to the bay. We didn't have any bread for the birds this time, just a camera to take a few photos. These must be the best fed birds in the area as there is always someone there with a loaf of bread or a bucket of corn. As I watched this woman feed the swans and geese, I couldn't help but think of the scripture that tells of God taking care of even the birds. They aren't a bit worried about the economy or if anyone will show up tomorrow with something to eat. Can I trust Him like the birds do? Of course I can, but will I?

Stuff

It's been a tired kind of week. I'm not quite sure why unless it's the time change. I should be adjusted by now, but I still feel slightly thrown off. I've decided that my hair needs to be pinned back in order to look decent and I really should used the blow dryer if I am going to keep it tame. Today it is a bit on the wild side. I still think it needs to be "fixed" but I'm not sure who will do the fixing or when.

Both my little grandsons were here today. Pretty special! There are toys scattered around the house, hiding under the furniture, just like the "old days". Troy has gotten out the plastic sailboats in hopes of sailing them on Teal Lake but the wind is a bit too stiff for me this week. Maybe we'll go out sailing next week if we get a warm day.

I need to make a grocery store run again. I've pretty much run out of salad which I am getting slightly tired of. It's been two weeks and I have lost just five pounds. I think the bit of being gluten-free has made the bigger difference in my old jeans fitting. Maybe I can stick with being gluten-free this time. And, I'm not done eating salad either even if I did enjoy two gluten-free waffles this afternoon.

Naughty Dogs and Tossed Salad

Jasmine decided to return home this afternoon. When I came back from picking Troy up from preschool, there she was sitting in the yard. Where does she go and who does she see? I have no clue, but this time around I didn't spend any time worrying about where she was or if she would come back. I am happy she's here but I'm not holding my breath thinking that she won't try this again. She is just plain naughty!

For the past couple weeks I have been rearranging my eating habits again. I hate to see the scale continue to creep upward and I know that cutting gluten out of my diet is to my advantage, so almost two weeks ago I stopped eating breads, cereals, potatoes, rice, chips, and sugars. I stopped drinking coffee and started drinking green tea with honey instead. I have lost several pounds and am able to wear jeans that have long lain unworn in my dresser drawers. I am enjoying lots of vegetables, big salads, scrambled eggs, lean meats, cheeses, and an occasional banana or bowl of applesauce. So far, so good...

The Winter is Past

For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over [and] gone; The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing [of birds] is come, and the voice of the turtle (dove) is heard in our land;

Solomon's Song of Songs 2:11-12

Although the rain is not yet over and gone, I am hopeful that the winter is past. I have heard the singing of birds more often and have even seen a robin hopping about in my yard. The ducks and geese are again considering the backyard as a possible home and voice their opinion as to my presence when I go out to look at them. These Canada geese have not been tamed and taught to eat bread from our hands like those down at Irondequoit Bay, instead they are fearful and fly off when I appear. That is okay with me, I really do not want them setting up permanent residence in my yard. I much prefer to visit them at the lake. I do, however, enjoy their honking as they fly overhead. They are another sure sign of spring.

A Soggy Weekend

Late yesterday morning Hannah and I headed out to Webster. Ben was gone to help James on a job and we were alone so we decided to do some shopping and stop to visit Grandma and Grandpa. Years ago I stopped at my parent's home often but now my visits are few and sporadic. I thought it was time we stopped by.

I had an interesting photo opportunity on the way to Mom's, a woman out walking four Dalmations, but I was too chicken to stop and ask if I could take her picture and not determined enough to sneak one. It did make me smile though and maybe one day I'll see her out walking again on a sunny day and feel more brave.
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The snow has melted and the water was slowly seeping away. The backyard lake was just a few puddles scattered here and there. I thought the ducks and geese were out of luck if they had picked our backyard as a home, but I was wrong. The rain started falling yesterday afternoon, on into the night and this morning we are once again the not so proud owners of a small lake. As the draining process begins again, the ducks and geese are smiling.

The Fickle Month of March

If not for a very small child in my care today, I would have gone out for a walk in the wonderfully warm weather; it was around 60 degrees! Instead I stayed in, read books to Troy, baked some yummy chocolate chip cookies, and held a bottle for a hungry Lucas. I did, however, step outside into the balmy temperatures this afternoon to take a look around the yard and to call my three-legged dog who has once again gone missing. I let her out this morning and she hasn't returned. (She is nothing short of annoying!) Our backyard "lake" is draining nicely. I don't think the ducks will be moving in this year. I found some flowers beginning to sprout in my gardens. The crocuses are pushing their way up into the sunshine and so are these little snowdrops. I guess spring is on it's way afterall!

Chocolate Chip Cookies and Story Books

It is a good day for baking cookies. We have lots of milk in the fridge and nothing tastes better for a snack than milk and cookies. In the past two weeks I have made double batches of both peanut butter and molasses cookies. Both batches disappeared very quickly and without much help from me. I indulged in just one peanut butter cookie and had not even a bite of my very favorite molasses. I have determined to change my eating habits, but I still love to bake and watch my friends and family enjoy the results.

It is also a good day for reading stories. Troy has already had me read Huge Harold. Bill Peet is one of our best loved authors. He has written so many wonderful children's books and the pictures he drew for them are classic. I think maybe after lunch we will read a few more stories, maybe the one about Hubert's Hair-Raising Adventure. If only I could find some crocodile tears, like Hubert, I could make my hair grow faster too. Next week I will visit the library and find some more Bill Peet books, maybe Jennifer and Josephine or Smokey.

Bits and Pieces

Lucas didn't stay today, but was here long enough for some cousin time with Josh. James took my van keys to work this morning. I borrowed Bethany's rental car when she went to work. Josh went with me to pick Troy up from preschool and the three of us enjoyed lunch at The Candy Kitchen. Troy and Josh shared a kid's meal of apple sauce, grilled cheese, chips and chocolate milk. Josh smiled all the way home from lunch because he had a friend in the backseat with him. It was cute. Today was a beautiful day. I tied Sofie outside on her leash for a little while. When I returned to check on her, I found that her collar had come undone and she wasn't tied at all. Thankfully she was still there. I'm tired of cheap dog collars. Tonight I am tired. Probably from all that stressing over my hair.

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

Do not let your adornment be merely outward--arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel-- 1 Peter 3:3

I am posting an old photograph this morning. Fourteen years ago I had short hair, but my husband loves it long and so I have let it grow. The problem is in knowing what to do with long hair. I tie it back; that is the only thing I know how to do. Yesterday I thought it would be nice to have it trimmed up a bit; cut the layers back, and give it a fresh look. I have decided that even some experienced hairdressers truly do not know how to cut hair. I can't go back and complain to someone I have known since high school, even if we never were best friends. I will have to deal with the bad cut, and it is bad, and wait for my hair to grow. I have never been good at the "grin and bear it" thing, at least not when it comes to my hair. On the positive side, I have been losing some weight. Maybe I can deal with the hair better if I am not also dealing with a double chin...

A Bad Hair Day

Hannah and I got up a little early this morning and headed out to Webster for some shopping. We stopped in Walmart first for cat food, laundry detergent, soap, toothpaste and other various and sundry items. From Walmart we went to Wegman's for a few grocery items and then stopped for gas before going to Dave's house to pick up Lucas. We still had a little over an hour before noon, when I have to get Troy from preschool, so I thought maybe I could squeeze in a haircut. I've been wanting to get it cut for weeks now. (The top photo is from a week or so ago. It's my wild hair.)

The shop wasn't too busy but the hairdressers weren't in much of a hurry either. By the time I got in the chair it was 11:15. Not too bad, but I am a little indecisive when it comes to what I want done with my hair. We decided on trimming up the layers (what little there were...), taking a little off the length, and cutting my "bangs". We chatted away as she cut. I watched the clock and eventually became a bit concerned at the time. It was apparent the cut would not be done soon enough for me to pick Troy up on time. Since I know the hairdresser from high school we decided that I would take my half-cut hair, run back to town, and retrieve Troy (Hannah went in to get him), and then I would return and have my haircut finished. Of course, by the time we returned Lucas had decided he was hungry, so I made him a bottle, and Hannah took Troy into the grocery store to find him a yogurt and some pretzels.

Finally my hair was done, I paid for the cut and we headed home. I don't like my hair. It looks chopped. I wet it down and blew it dry. I sprayed it with a half gallon of "Instant Freeze". I am afraid to go near the wood stove. I think it looks a little better but now I can't relax. If I lay down or lean my head back with hair this crunchy, it might break off.

The Bad Biting Birds

Yesterday afternoon was cold and brisk, but the sun was shining, so we decided to go for a ride along the lake. I stuffed the last few slices from a loaf of bread into my coat pocket, just in case we should happen upon any hungry birds. James had not been down to feed the birds at the bay, so we decided it was a good place to stop. The wind was bitter and the birds were biting. The swans fascinate me, even if they are intimidating. There is something exciting about the threatening way they look me in the eye, as if they are about to attack. They are the least intimidated of all the water foul at the bay and think nothing of walking right up next to us. I wounder how swan tastes?

Rather than heading back toward home we drove further along the lake toward Charlotte (pronounced Shar-lot) and the "Port of Rochester". I am looking forward to returning to these places when the weather warms up in a few weeks. By April we'll have to take the long way around as the bridge at the bay outlet will be removed for the summer. Maybe one day we'll take a tour of the Charlotte Lighthouse. That's it in yesterday's photo.

Sunday Scripture

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Galatians 2:20

A Special Book

About ten years ago my friend Judy wrote a children's book. Her sister Nancy did the illustrations. Every time I read it I have to smile because this picture looks so much like I remember Judy. My copy of the book is signed by the illustrator but not the author. I bought it from Nancy on Amazon.com. Maybe someday I will have it autographed by my friend too.

A Heavy Heart

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9

Prayers are not always answered in the way we would hope. Sometimes a situation seems distant and far off until a friend's tragedy jars us back to reality. How is it that God has knit the body of Christ together in such a way that another's tragedy hits so close to one's own heart? Today my heart is heavy for our pastor and his family. He is on his way home to Philadelphia to be with his nieces and nephew who lost a brother in an unexpected turn of events. We had prayed the past few months for this particular nephew who was recently released from prison, and his sudden death jolts us awake from sleep. The legacy he leaves is marred and tarnished; the world is happy to see him gone, but left behind are hurting souls who desperately need to know the love and forgiveness of Christ and a God who wants so much to save them. Left behind is an uncle who shared the gospel and had hopes that his nephew would surrender his life to Jesus. Left behind are tears and sorrow, but through it all there is a Father in heaven who cares deeply and knows each heart. He doesn't make mistakes. He knows the future before the event occurs and nothing takes Him by surprise. I know He answers prayer and in Him there is always hope, even in the saddest of situations, but it still makes my heart cry.

You are a Holy God, An all consuming fire

You're robed in majesty, Bright shining as the sun

Your ways are not our ways, Your thoughts are high above

You are the fountain Lord, Of mercy truth and love (and we cry)

Holy, Holy is the Lord God most high

Holy, Holy is the Lord most high

Dilapidated

Tonight I am feeling tired and achy. Maybe after some ibuprophen, a warm bath, and some comfy jammies I will feel better. Tomorrow is another day. I intend to get a good night's sleep and have a productive Thursday. Maybe we'll bake some more cookies; the double batch of peanut butter ones we baked on Monday has been devoured. I was a good girl and only ate one. Funny but the milk seems to have disappeared along with the cookies.

I don't want to make it sound like I had a bad day, actually my day was very nice. I had some great "Grandma time" with Lucas and Rachel came to visit for a little while. We had to laugh at the baby who found the ceiling fan to be very entertaining. He looked up at it and smiled several times during the day. Who can ever know what a two month old finds so wonderful about a ceiling fan? I had to wonder if God ever watches me, shakes his head, laughs and says, "Now why does she find that so interesting?"

It Was On a Monday

President's Week is over and the kids are back to school. Troy showed up bright and early this morning. I decided to get something accomplished today and had everyone bring their sheets and blankets downstairs where I tossed them, one bed at a time, into my machines. After five loads of washing and drying, we all have clean beds, even the boys! I also set about to mop the kitchen floor. Although I know this is not a waste of time, it is not a job I look forward to. My linoleum is old and full of dents, dings and gouges. I often feel like a good washing won't help but it always looks better when it's all said and done.

Troy and I drew some pictures together this morning; cars, trucks and animals. He found my filling of vehicles with furry friends quite amusing. We even tied a dog to the roof of an automobile. Our other morning activity was baking peanut butter cookies. I don't do much baking anymore but I knew Troy would like it. He helped dump ingredients and turned the handle on my sifter. Once I rolled the dough into balls, he criss crossed every cookie. He was very pleased with himself and took a dozen cookies home to share with his family.

Sunday Scripture

The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.

Psalm 18:36

Babies and Such

Being a grandparent can be a busy job. Not only are there small children who need tending, but there are adult children who need assistance. Dave and Leta have had some car trouble, so on Thursday morning I picked up Dave and the baby at their house and dropped Dave off at work before returning home with the baby. (Leta was working.) Yesterday I dropped two girls (Hannah and Sara) off at church for the Junior's Winter Retreat and returned home with Lucas. Lucas was returned to Mom and Dad for the evening, aound six o'clock, and I picked up some Chinese food on the way home. This morning Bethany called. It was her turn to watch Lucas during the retreat, but she and Adam were stranded up in town with a broken down vehicle. I went up town to retrieve Beth and Josh, took them to church where we collected the baby, and then went to Wegmans because Josh was out of diapers. Lucas stayed with Aunt Bethany for the afternoon where he produced four stinky diapers while I was home in my quiet house taking a nap on the couch. Soon Bethany will arrive with the little bundle who James and I will return to his adoring parents when we go to get Hannah from church.

The other day James and I were talking and realized that if our children all had children when we did, we would have fifteen grandchildren by now! And I thought the past few days were busy!

A Cousin Convention

I have had a different kind of week and enjoyed it very much. Although there is no school and Troy has not been here, my house has been full of children since Tuesday. I had both my grandsons here today and Sara and Alysa. Little Lucas is cousin to each of the others and though Sara and Alysa aren't actually Josh's cousins, they like to refer to him that way. He's like family to them and they are like family to us.
The girls are very kind to the little ones and love to take a turn holding the baby. Today they shared some time giving him his bottle.

I can't say my house has been spotless, there have been "jewels" scattered across each room most every day, but I have to smile when I recall the years not so long ago when my house was decorated with toys every day. I thought my kids might never grow up; now I know how fast it actually happens. I don't want to miss one day enjoying these little people.

Baby Love

Lucas and Alysa.

Feeding the Birds

No school this week. After Ladies' prayer and Bible study, I took the kids (Ben, Hannah, Sara, and Alysa) down to Irondequoit Bay to feed the birds. Aside from the few pieces that Sara and Alysa ate, the birds consumed a whole loaf of sandwich white bread. They were hungry.

These geese look like regular farm geese. I don't know if they are a domesticated breed or indigenous to the area. I like them. They are prettier to me than the Canada geese.

The seagulls are noisy, grabby birds but not typically frightening, the swans on the other hand are quite intimidating. One was close enough that I thought he might try to take a piece out of me. I was wearing my winter jacket and didn't think it would hurt (although it might...) but I didn't want to lose my cool and make a fool out of myself by screaming or jumping around like an idiot. I backed off and tossed him some crumbs.

The seagulls are still walking around on what little ice is left near the shore. They put up a fuss and make all kinds of noise when there is food around. My favorite thing is to catch a photo of them in flight. With the wind blowing a little bit today, they were able to hover in the air quite nicely.

The Canada geese will hang out here at the shore for the entire year. As long as there is food and plenty of room to build a nest, they will stay. I've been hearing their calls the past few mornings when I am waking up. Spring can't be too far off when the geese are flying.

I missed getting a picture of the mallard ducks. They are a little more timid, I guess, than the other water foul and stay in a section of water where they are protected and things are a bit more calm. For the price of a loaf of bread we enjoyed a little time at the bay. The girls thought it was fun even if the swans were scary.

George Washington

Today our country "observes" George Washington's birthday, whatever that means. Usually it means the banks and libraries are closed as well as schools, but other than that I'm not sure anything special happens in too many places. I just happened to have, in my collection, a photograph of young George and thought today the perfect time to post it. As you can see he has a cherry branch in his clutches.

This was actually one of the neighbor boys when my brother was small and next door to our house grew a cherry tree. Each summer we would pick the sour cherries and eat them or try to sell them door to door. Once in a while Mom would decide to bake them into a pie. One year, I think I was in junior high, I was up in the tree and decided to jump on one of the branches. It couldn't handle the stress and the whole thing snapped off leaving a gapping hole. For several days I was known to my brother by the name George.

Following are a few quotes from our first President and founding father, George Washington-

"It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible."

"Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."
"To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace."

(Maybe today I'll make a cherry pie...)

Another Day in the Park

Ben, Hannah, and I went out for another ride this afternoon. We stopped in Target to pay my bill and grab a few things then wandered around in Kohl's for a while. Afterward we decided to make a return trip to Webster Park. Following a week of warm, rainy weather, we knew the shore would look drastically different from Monday. Much of the snow and ice has melted away and in places the shoreline is now visible, but great chucks of fringed ice remain glued to the breakwater.
Farther down Lake Road, just over the bay outlet bridge, we stopped to check out the pier at Irondequoit Bay. I was surprised to see a man in a black wetsuit hop out of a car with a boogie board under his arm. He seemed almost in a hurry as he strode across the sidewalk and down to the water's edge. He placed the board into the frigid water, climbed on, and paddled away toward the the lake.

I really wanted to go out to the end of the pier, but the wind was bitter, my hood wouldn't stay on, and my face was frozen. Ben and Hannah did have winter jackets with them but, of course, had left them in the van. (Can you tell they're still best friends?) We made it out as far as the bend in the sidewalk, turned around, and ran halfway back.
A large population of water foul congregates on the bay side of the road. Photographers find it fascinating and so do bird watchers. We hadn't brought along any bread for the birds, but there was someone there who did. She sat up on a rock, put a piece of bread in the palm of her hand, and held it up for the birds. Every once in a while one brave gull would swoop down and grab the prize. For those who weren't so bold, she tossed chunks of bread onto the rocks or ice.
Something else out on the ice caught our eyes this afternoon, a couple of emergency workers practicing an ice/water rescue. I'm sure they were dressed warm and waterproof, and know what they are doing, but it still looks scary to me. After a week of temperatures in the 50's or above the ice is extremely dangerous. There were no ice fishermen to be seen.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day, James!

I love you!

More Family Artwork

This is a painting done by my grandmother. I asked my dad if he had any information on it but he had little to offer aside from the fact that it once hung in my grandparent's kitchen and he had always liked it. He once told my grandpa that he wanted to have it someday, but Grandpa didn't remember and gave it to one of my cousins. John did offer to give it back to my father, but Dad said no, he was happy to have it in the hands of someone who cared. So, it is still in the family, well loved and taken care of, and my cousin was kind enough to take a picture and email it to me. There are two other paintings as well but this is definitely the prettiest. Grandma didn't consider herself to be the artist that her two sisters were, but I think she did a wonderful job.

The Return of Teal Lake and a Warm Snuggly Baby or Two

It's definitely one of those Winnie the Pooh days; blustery is almost an understatement. Between the melting snow and driving rain, we have collected up quite the backyard puddle. The consolation is in knowing there is now a working drain and once the present water table drops, our backyard lake will disappear.

It has been a busy kind of day, not only do I have Troy, but I also have two small grandsons. I'm back to the days of diapers and bottles. My floors are decorated with toys; cars, plastic farm animals, play dishes, and Fisher Price toys. Ben is reading a story to Troy and Lucas is asleep on my lap. Josh is taking his nap and the kitchen is waiting to be cleaned up from lunch. If I didn't have to check on the fire I'd just stay here with this warm cozy baby asleep on my lap.

Baby!

Hello?

Galatians

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the [life] which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20

Tuesday mornings is Ladies' prayer at church. We gather together to pray for various things including friends, family, our church members and pastors, and the nation. A few weeks ago I decided to get back into the habit of meeting with the women for prayer. This morning I arrived just in time for the closing prayer... The time had been changed to 9 am rather than 10, and I had missed the announcement in the bulletin. I was disappointed at being too late for prayer, but I was not too late for Bible study, which just started up again today. We are going through the book of Galatians.

Although time was short after the study, I was already in Webster and in need of groceries, so I decided to take a run through Wegmans. I had about fifteen minutes to rush through the store and fill my cart with necessary items. (Kind of like being on a game show...) By the time I reached the checkout, the clock read 11:40 am. YIKES! I had to be back in Williamson to get Troy from preschool by noon and I knew by looking at the lines that I'd never make it. By some stroke of luck (or the grace of God, see Galatians), a new register opened up and I was the first to go through. I had just the right amount of cash in hand when it came time to pay and afterward flew out the door to my van, raced down the highway, and arrived to get Troy before the teachers locked him in for the night. On the way home I asked him if he thought I had forgotten him, but he just smiled and said "no".

A Walk in the Park

The sunlight streammed through my windows this morning. It was too nice to stay inside. Cold enough for ice to be frozen and warm enough to enjoy the weather. I called my friend Sherri and we agreed to meet at the park for a walk. It didn't take long for Troy and Caleb, who know each other from church, to take off laughing and sliding across the frozen ground. It also didn't take long for them to find out that under the ice was a rather large puddle of water. No need to worry, it wasn't deep, just wet.

Issac came along on his sled. He seemed happy to slide along over the ice and snow and managed to stay in the sled in spite of Sherri's fear that he might flip homself out. He flashed plenty of smiles and didn't complain even when the snow, unbeknowst to us, began to collect on the seat behind him.

We couldn't go home without visiting the lake side of the park. There has been quite a melt off in the past few days but the shoreline still looks like a foreign land. If I was still a little girl I would imagine I was in Antarctica living on an iceflow by the edge of the sea. Troy and Caleb not only had fun sliding down the icy slopes but also found a snow cave to play in. By the time we left for home, they were both wet from tromping through puddles.

The seagulls were enjoying their ride on the floating ice paddies. We didn't feed any this trip and they never even acknowledged our presence.

It was a fun couple of hours and I think both boys thoroughly enjoyed themselves. I did too, even if I did have to wash Troys jacket and snowpants when we returned home.