A Bit of Randomness

It's been awhile since I rambled, so here goes. The biggest thing lately, literally, has been the new patio, of course. DC worked all day today filling in the gaps with dirt. He'll have fun formulating the new landscaping, more than likely in the spring. But who knows, he may start this fall.

I am quite amazed that the foliage around the old patio survived the process. Our hibiscus plants haven't done as well as usual this year, but not because of the work. But I love this blossom - when it first popped out, it almost looked like a tulip. I love the sun shining through the full blossom.







Last week, on Wednesday, my two friends from high school and I got together again. This time we went up to a place above Estes Park to eat - called the Baldpate Inn. It is in a glorious location and has wonderful food. The menu is the same every day - soup, salad, muffins, and pie. Of course, they change every day and all are delicious. It's a very rustic place, and is a Bed and Breakfast as well as a restaurant. The name is taken from a mystery novel called Seven Keys to Baldpate. If you go to the link earlier in this paragraph, you can read the most interesting thing about the inn.




Every summer young men and women go to the Inn as interns for their degree in Restaurant and Resort Management. They stay in rooms above the dining room and have a great location for their learning experience. Our waitress was a beautiful young woman from Spain. When it was time for dessert, she brought over this handsome young man - her brother. They both had scholarships from their country to spend the summer here working on their English. I wish I had a picture of both, but I did surprise the young man, whose name is Jesus, with this shot. His name tag caused the bright flash. They were delightful young people.






On the way back down to Estes Park, the sun was shining and it was pouring down rain and really small, soft hail. I wanted a picture so badly, but opening the window for a picture resulted in my getting very wet. Soon, it cleared up completely and I got this lovely shot of Long's Peak.





Last Sunday night the kids in our church treated us to an evening of music and joy. They'd been working all summer on this mini musical. Feisty has been excited the whole summer about being in her first play ever. The director and her daughter are so talented and energetic. The younger woman made all of the costumes and they always do a fabulous job on the props. I directed the children's musicals for years when our kids were little, so I appreciate the work that goes into these productions so very much - and enjoy them immensely.

The play was called "Arkeology." Feisty was a pink poodle and Care Bear was a monkey. It was so much fun especially watching Feisty - she didn't miss a note or a motion. Of course, Care Bear did great, too, but she's a veteran now. It occurred to me that it won't be long before the twins are up there, as fast as time goes.



















Here are the lyrics to my favorite song in the entire performance. I especially love the four lines I have highlighted in red and italicized. What a blessed truth.

All who sail the sea of faith
Find out before too long
How quickly blue skies can grow dark
And gentle winds grow strong

Suddenly fear is like white water
Pounding on the soul
Still we sail on knowing
That our Lord is in control

Sometimes He calms the storm
With a whispered peace be still
He can settle any sea
But it doesn't mean He will

Sometimes He holds us close
And lets the wind and waves go wild
Sometimes He calms the storm
And other times He calms His child

He has a reason for each trial
That we pass through in life
And though we're shaken
We cannot be pulled apart from Christ

No matter how the driving rain beats down
On those who hold to faith
A heart of trust will always
Be a quiet peaceful place

Lyrics by Scott Krippayne


And last but not least -- some fun stuff with the littles -- I can't really call them babies any more, but keep forgetting that. They are bonafide toddlers - heading for their TWOS. Can you believe it? Emma talks the most. Katie has become quite the little entertainer. I have them two days a week now and am having so much fun watching them change every week. Remember "laptime" at the library? Today Emma sat in my lap as I helped her with the activities. Katie, on the other hand, was in the middle of the floor the whole time jiving around and being totally uninhibited. It was so much fun to watch.

This is one of their favorite new tricks - throw everything out of their beds during naptime and nighttime. Yesterday I went in after their naps and found them nose to nose in their little mesh beds, chatting it up. Everything on the floor.




They LOVE brushing their teeth - I have to pry their brushes out of their hands for bedtime. Or when we're ready to go to church --




They LOVE corn on the cob ---

Which of the four are these two little cuties??

I'm enjoying the beginnings of autumn here in Colorado. The air is so wonderful. The leaves are changing. I just finished the Civil War trilogy by Lynn Austin - fabulous books. I'm excited to read the latest Nicholas Sparks book, The Last Song (does anyone know why they made a movie before the book even came out?) and the latest Faye Kellerman book, Blindman's Bluff.

Then next week, I'm giving myself a fabulous birthday present - a trip to the Women of Faith conference. Can't wait!

Have a great week-end. How could it be the end of another week already??

Thursday Thoughts

I want to thank all of you for your prayers for Feisty. Your prayers are having an affect on the situation. School starts one week from today and, if all things continue as they have the last few days, Feisty is going to be ready! Praise the Lord - and all of you who are such faithful prayer warriors.

Thanks also for your concern about the dog incident. I want to talk to the young father who is not doing the right thing with this rottweiler puppy. As much as I was angry at the dog, I do realize that it is the fault of the owner that the dog is not under control. I am just amazed at how calm Care Bear was shortly after the incident. Feisty has always had an unhealthy fear of dogs, and I'm sure this has not helped.


Yesterday was a great day for me. I know I have written before about my four high school friends - we used to get together every 3 months for lunch. One has moved back to Nebraska, and we have lost track of one. The one who moved back to Nebraska has bought a cabin here in Colorado, not too far from here. The three of us were at her cabin yesterday, and we spent 5 hours catching up (well, two of us had 7 hours, because we rode together up and back). Our jaws were tired, but it was wonderful.

I love the way the rocks come up out of the water in this lake.

Today DC and I took a trip up to the Social Security office to start the process of my hopefully getting some benefits when I turn 62. I am quite confused, but supposedly I can get something, or maybe not. We'll see! But the thing that really blew my mind - we stood in front of a window with a hole cut in it to talk through - in a large room full of others waiting for their turn. There were about 8 windows, and we were at the very first one - the thing that blew my mind was when they asked us for our SS numbers - we had to verbally tell them our number and other personal information to ensure that we were who we said we were. They wanted our birth dates, our mothers' maiden names, and I can't remember what else. But I kept thinking - I sure hope nobody's listening closely or can read lips! With all the commotion about identity theft, I found it quite inappropriate to have to say these things out loud in an open area. What do you think?


I had a strange realization today - how often we can accomplish what we want to do with technology that would amaze our grandparents, if they were still alive. I went into a bathroom where the light was off - suddenly it came on without any help from me. Of course, the flusher went off by itself, the water faucet came on when I waved my hand underneath it, and the hand dryer started by itself (other places of course have the "wave" towel dispensers). I go to the grocery store, buy my things, check them out by myself, pay by swiping a card, put them in bags (that if you forget to do, you get reminded by a disembodied bossy voice!), grab the receipt, and go home. Then, of course, there's the GPS telling me where to go and how to get there - and getting really upset if I choose to go a slightly different way. Isn't it amazing when you think of it? I know that there are many other examples of things that we can do now without the aid of a "real live person." Can you think of some?


I have been studying Ecclesiastes with Chuck Swindoll's study guide for the last few months. I have found many verses that I really like. These two have struck me this week:


Ecclesiastes 7:14: When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future.


Ecclesiastes 7:29: This only have I found: God made man upright, but men have gone in search of many schemes.


Oh, my - timeless words, apropos to today.