tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72559451265202645922024-03-13T12:38:24.358-04:00The Green Grass Grows All Around- Main Stomping Groundlarkswinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945496247329378715noreply@blogger.comBlogger444125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255945126520264592.post-26353380915017584252013-06-05T13:18:00.000-04:002013-06-05T13:18:00.227-04:00Kayaking the FlintFinally made it out on the first kayak trip for this year... Almost June! How could that be??<br />
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The rainy spring brought the water level up a couple feet from previous trips. We could see signs that it had dropped several feet the days before. It is hard to get bored with this strectch of river. Each trip offers new sightings or different experiences.<br />
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As Hubs paddled up to fly fish, something big flew out of the tree and across the river.</div>
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I paddled to the area I thought I saw it fly to.<br />
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And I found it... and it was acutely aware of me...</div>
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And he flew away again... just a bit further downstream.<br />
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And I followed ...<br />
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And I followed . . . <br />
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He made me day!<br />
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<strong>A wise old owl sat on an oak; The more he saw the less he spoke; The less he spoke the more he heard; Why aren’t we like that wise old bird? </strong></div>
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<strong>Edward Hersey Richards</strong> </div>
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larkswinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945496247329378715noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255945126520264592.post-77731965073374271822013-06-03T13:24:00.000-04:002013-06-03T13:24:00.056-04:00Making Mud HolesMaking mud holes for some, made for simple pleasures for me.<br />
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The Man has been into lawnmower racing. Without the racing. So far he is just REALLY into junk lawnmowers that he, and a couple friends, are trying to make into something much more supreme than a junk lawnmower. <br />
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For me, this is a little trying, since all the <strike>"junk"</strike> "treasures land up in an area of the yard I thought I had deemed as "mine." And they also end up right outside the back door.<br />
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But I have held back from ranting and squaking much about. I have learned alot along this parenting path, and one thing is, this season will soon be over too, so enjoy his deep interest in something and all the little lessons he is learning along the way.<br />
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The other day, they were working and welding and tinkering until they got the lawnmower running. Then it all shifted to another part of the yard.<br />
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Back in the corner it is wild. <br />
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An old Mayhaw tree that never produces mayhaws. Scrub oaks and trash trees that seem impossible to keep up with.<br />
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A week earlier, The Man and his friend spent the afternoon clearing out part of that section. When the tinkering and thinking changed to the sound of the motor, they were found back in this corner. This was weeds and scrub oaks and such a week earlier.<br />
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Add a flowing hose and some teenage boys and you now have lawnmower bogging...<br />
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Except for the occasional text . . .ugh<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Now, to be sure, the lawnmower WAS shared with the gentleman watering the mud hole. That picture happens to be on The Man's phone and he happens to be at a pool party. :))</span><br />
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I left them to their mud. It seems when the pickup truck was taken back, to test the four wheel drive, the fun ended. And the 4-wheel drive did not work. While I have very little belief in the chance that that lawnmower will EVER make racing status. It sure has kept those hands from getting too idol.<br />
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Nothing like simple muddy fun. Glad to have these wonderful moments...<br />
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Smile!<br />
larkswinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945496247329378715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255945126520264592.post-89328715888480357312013-05-04T18:34:00.001-04:002013-05-07T08:12:45.152-04:00Eagle Project Done!Well, sorta.<br />
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The work is done!<br />
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Let's make that the MANUAL LABOR work is complete. We still have to finalize paperwork, write thank you notes and The Man then goes through an interview about the project, about scouts, about his thoughts.<br />
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THEN... he gets pinned Eagle Scout.<br />
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But right now, the biggest hurdle is complete.<br />
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15 boys<br />
10 boards for a jig<br />
8 paint brushes<br />
7 bags of concrete<br />
6 cans of paint<br />
2 blowers<br />
1 auger/tractor<br />
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and LUNCH!<br />
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The Man stepped up to the plate and led this group of fellas in painting handicap spaces at Chehaw Park Zoo. They were long overdue. In fact, we originally thought we would have this project complete this time last year. But this project required a little more research, a few more hoops to jump, phone calls to make and more conflicts in calendars than had been first anticipated. <br />
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Besides the zoo, the park also has a campground. We loaded up Friday night, all the supplies, the camper and two scouts and camped for the evening. <br />
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The scouts and hubs were able to set up and were ready as the first scouts arrived.<br />
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Safety meeting and directions being given . . .<br />
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One of the older Scouts waiting to get busy...<br />
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First hole dug, getting ready to set the first post . . .<br />
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Troop 15 serving the community. Good job guys!<br />
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Time to eat. Time to go. They all did a great job, serving their community on a Saturday morning. As the scouts worked and painted, visitors were in and out. I noticed several groups that had need of the closer spots, proving these 7 parking spots were in great need of identification. To quote the park representative, they are now obnoxiously apparent. <br />
<br />larkswinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945496247329378715noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255945126520264592.post-11378381325188590192013-04-26T17:18:00.003-04:002013-04-27T16:21:10.529-04:00Pixie Dust and MagicI have found myself often in that spot of utter busyness which feels as if nothing is really getting accomplished and yet it there is constant activity. Sometimes it is as much my mind going in too many different directions, and that feeling of just blah in the spirit, as it might be physical busyness. Lately much more emotional and mental than physical. <br />
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Sometimes though, something taps on the window and begs to be let in. Sometimes I just stumble on that that feeds the soul and taps into the joy that is inside, maybe deep and covered with all the other, but it is there. That happened to me recently. Nothing earth shattering or explosive. Rather subtle. <br />
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Just reading and there it was.<br />
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I had mentioned a few blogs ago, the journeys of a couple young men on the Appalachian Trail. As I started reading various journal entries on the trail site, and reading Duffle Miner's mother's writing of his adventure (that is his trail name), the first tapping into the tank of excitement was felt. Then there was the mention of "Trail Magic." Trail magic is the love of strangers for hikers on the trail. Trail Angels reaching out with food, or even a full spread breakfast cooked on the trail. Beverages or a cooler left with iced down Mt. Dew. Sometimes even shuttles into town and back. Angels loving their neighbors, even if the hikers are only passing through.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(not the AT; Muir Woods path)</span></div>
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At the same time as learning of trail magic, I stumbled across a book, Wonderstruck (by Margaret Feiberg). Her words and descriptions, her desire for "Pixie Dust" from God tapped deeper into tank of excitement and joy. I needed both these worlds, they fed what I desired, even though I did not know I even desired it until I stumbled across it. I didn't realize I was missing it either: God's wonder and amazement.<br />
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I saw it, but wasn't soaking it in, relishing in it. From Wonderstruck, she said her pixie dust prayer was like the "Mary Poppins of all prayers, asking for pixie dust is hard to do without a frolicsome smile on your face, a playful cheer in your spirit, a holy anticipation of how God may answer." I tried it, she is right.<br />
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As I realized I desired Pixie Dust and Magic. Or maybe I desired Pixie Dust and WANTED to be a Trail Angel leaving Trail Magic along life's path for others... At any rate, I did start to notice pixie dust all around. Busyness had been creating blind spots.<br />
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She mentioned something else, a few pages back, "Scripture affirms that God speaks through the chattering and clattering, crunching and scrunching, pittering and pattering, yet I've been unresponsive." BINGO. There is was again- what busyness does if allowed. Reminded me of my post ,recently, of things missed. Pixie Dust was there, and if I was lucky enough, I have a picture or two, so the whole gift was not missed.<br />
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The weekend is here. And it is a busy one - physically. My son heads up his Eagle Project. Leads his troop in creating what may seem just functional and practical to most - identifying, cleaning, repainting, handicap parking spaces at the zoo - but in actuality, it just may be trail magic for someone else on this life's journey. And while he is doing that and as my husband and I support and help him, I hope not to be too busy, or too worried or too "thinkee" to miss the pixie dust moments that are sure to be there. I don't plan to stumble on them, I will be watching and waiting with joyful anticipation.<br />
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And before I stop rambling, some pixie dust from earlier this year...<br />
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5 whale spouts, amazing! Especially for someone who can claim this to be the first time experience.</div>
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Wishing you a pixie dust kind of weekend!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Asking God to unleash his mercy and grace and goodness and love is like boldly looking into the eyes of God and saying, 'Surprise me!" The wonder is that he does" Margaret Feiberg</span></div>
larkswinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945496247329378715noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255945126520264592.post-34589698669782933672013-04-18T17:39:00.001-04:002013-04-18T17:39:59.545-04:00More Than Meets the Eye<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Do you ever look back through your pictures, and notice things you didn’t notice before?</div>
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I do. Items that were not even seen at the time of the snap and the flash (unless you are a really good</div>
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photographer – no Flash!)</div>
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I did not notice in this picture of city wear and tear, that bit of bling in the midst. Do you see it? In the<br />
window? A modest chandelier.<br />
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Then there is this one:<br />
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My youngest, my husband and I were waiting on orders of baked oysters at a local beach pub, and The<br />
Man asked hubs to join him a game of pool. I was playing with the camera on my tablet. Never noticed<br />
while we were there, the words in chalk on the wall. The Will with a heart under it. Hubs name is Will and that is him(the blur) readying for his next shot. And we did not write that.<br />
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And my favorite picture right now:<br />
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I took this focusing on The Man and his friend at scout weekend. I love it because they had no idea they<br />
were being focused in on, and I love it because I was oblivious to the reflections behind them. Of the<br />
wind cutting across the reflection, adding layers to the picture.<br />
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These all make me wonder, what all do I miss in life? What is before me that I totally look around or fail<br />
to see, fail to enjoy? <br />
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Or are these examples of gifts in life? When the picture was snapped, I was enjoying what I<br />
was capturing, when I looked again, I still enjoyed, but found new little treasures.<br />
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I guess a picture is worth a thousand words . . .<br />
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Smile!
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larkswinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945496247329378715noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255945126520264592.post-52956430778507770362013-03-07T20:47:00.002-05:002013-03-07T20:47:51.245-05:00Journeys Journey’s seem to be all around me. Earlier this week my sweet friend’s journey, here on Earth came to an end. Came to an end all too young (42) and there seems to be a vacuum effect with the spot she has left. While mine and her interactions were sporadic and random, a text message here and there, facebook kept the pace of happenings and interactions and I loved her dearly. I cannot imagine what those that were much closer to her are feeling this week. My heart is broken.<br />
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I was sorting the mail this afternoon and in it was an envelope, handwritten, with the return address of one of the former youth in our church. It is actually the second one we have received this week, from a second former youth member (as well as friends of one or more of our children).<br />
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I pulled the other envelope from the stack and opened both. Both made me remember a third “former youth” and a road in front of him.<br />
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A journey ahead for all.<br />
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The first letter was raising funds for competition, under what is formerly known as Campus Crusade for Christ. The competition is in Belgium, where there will be mission type opportunities too. He says in the letter, that in addition to competing in pole vaulting, there is a goal of deepening his relationship with God and sharing his faith. A big change from the campus of UGA.<br />
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The second letter was raising funds too. This one is closer to home, but quite a journey in a huge way. In fact, this letter is what made me remember the young man that heads out tomorrow on his journey. Basically the same as the young man sending out fundraising letters: hiking the Appalachian Trail.<br />
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Six months from Springer Mountain Georgia to Mount Katahdin Maine. Two young men, on similar journeys, starting a month apart, taking time to test their endurance, search their souls, digging deep in self discovery, perseverance with a goal of achievement and finding a direction for when they return home.<br />
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The Dillon (letter gentleman) has traveled some. Lived in a couple cities – worked at an ice cream shop to cover rent and surfed in his free time, living life to the fullest in an easy going simple way. The friend that traveled this path with him, discovered he was ready to go back to school and finish his Batchelor’s degree. I will be excited to see what discoveries Dillon comes home with and what direction he goes next.<br />
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Our young friend Josh begins his tomorrow, with a college friend, and countless strangers. Josh is a post graduate trying to figure out his niche in this great big world. Transitioning can be overwhelming. I have been excited for him as this date as inched closer. I have enjoyed hearing how his preparations have progressed as he readies for this journey. For Josh, this has been a goal since he entered Boy Scouts. <br />
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And then I thought of our Traveler. Four years ago she was preparing for college graduation with big plans for living in the Netherlands. Graduation came, plans crashed and she struggled to regroup in her post graduate setting. She moved to a big city and has traveled extensively. Over the past year, her dad has had several phone calls asking for his thoughts on her ideas about finding a career – most the time about going back to college. <br />
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I noticed a bit ago, she had posted last night about figuring out what she wants to be when she grows up. I have to smile, I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up.<br />
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As I type this about the journey's of five others, I do know this: the journey, no matter how well thought out and planned for, will take on a life of its own. It is best to embrace each moment and fill it with as much joy and love as possible and grasp the teachings that come with it. All the other details will work out, even if bumpy and even if in the end there are tears. Candy showed all of us, that were looking, how to do that. As she battled cancer, which is never what anyone wants on their journey, she lived. She lived with a level of faith, contentment and joy that was apparent in her smile and the peace of her journey.<br />
larkswinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945496247329378715noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255945126520264592.post-22635565782062103382013-03-03T19:51:00.001-05:002013-03-03T19:51:37.306-05:00TP 235 Part II: Ross Alley FriscoRoss Alley in San Francisco was a great spot for the letters and character theme that Carmi has been hosting. I knew China Town needed to have a quick run through, if not for any other reason than Ross Alley. We found the sign and hung a right.<br />
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Past the arrow...</div>
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And past Superior Trading Company....</div>
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To the birthplace of the fortune cookie. Did you know that the fortune cookie is not a traditional Chinese treat? But an "American" Chinese treat? Created right here in the United States, right here on Ross Alley in San Fransisco.</div>
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But that was not our only stop in this alley. I had read about a gentleman, a barber, that had a very short appearance in the Prusuit of Happiness movie with Will Smith. And I read that if you asked the gentleman to play his instrument, he would. And he did. His name is Jun Yu and he did have a cameo in the movie. I had read NOT to have him give you haircut, so I did not ask my husband to take that chance. But I did ask him if he would play us a song. FIRST though, he takes the bow and with that cute smile works his way thru the bullet points that list the movie title, Will Smith's name, the channel it aired on, the date and time. Then he will play a Mozart piece on his ehru (kinda squeeky violin sound, made on a tin can looking piece that plugs into the wall). Sometimes those side steps in life take you to a spot with a little bit of sunshine and humor, if we let it. We experienced letters and characters that day!<br />
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This character has given me a smile thinking about that alley and the sounds and the sites. <br />
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Life has its bumps, and my excitement to be back blogging was challenged (and this post almost skipped) this past week by a friend's fight against cancer turning for the worse. As her family stays by her side to be a part of every awake moment there is left, I have thought about her life and what a great, while random and sporadic, spot of sunshine she has been in my world, and many others. She made fighting cancer look so easy, but what she really did, was live life in each moment with a combination of contentment and forward moving. Enjoying what was around her, but going for the adventure, whether the beach or Aruba or cheering on her son and his basketball team, she has remained involved and living life big.<br />
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So I thought, hey, don't step away from sharing the fun and enjoyable moments in my life and from sharing the thoughts and feelings. As I visited Carmi's blog to see this week's theme, I was glad it was still letters, and I was saddened to read of his family's loss and mourning. Yesterday he posted a single shot of how there can be a bright spot in the midst of the grayest of times. So I moved forward with the post, because the bright and pleasant moments are important too.</div>
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It felt good typing out this post. Go live and smile and make the most of all things this week. Even the squeeky moments in life!</div>
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Check out <a href="http://writteninc.blogspot.com/">Carmi's Blog</a> and maybe listen to Jun Yu play his ehru (I am a sorry video taker) :)</div>
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Smile!</div>
larkswinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945496247329378715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255945126520264592.post-72443634537992886322013-02-19T15:07:00.000-05:002013-02-19T15:07:00.100-05:00PT 235 - Letters, Words, Characters . . . <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Amazing what a vacation can do for having something to blog about. </div>
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It also helps to have a day off and not be sick - southern pollen is a killer, be forewarned should you be visiting.</div>
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Back to the theme!</div>
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Carmi, the host <a href="http://writteninc.blogspot.com/">(here)</a>, has provided a theme of Letters, Words, Characters</div>
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I thought the Balclutha was quite fitting for this! I knew the roman numerals were picture worthy!</div>
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The Balclutha is a ship on display as part of San Francisco's Maritime Museum, set around Hyde Pier. This ship is now in her 4th career - being a museum. She started out as a cargo ship that ran between San Francisco and England. She was used for awhile just on the West Coast - forgive me, I don' t recall exactly what function she served - I think it was Salmon and I believe it was between Alaska and California. Her third career was carrying timber from California to Australia. Another one of those things in life that make me go hmmmm... I would never have dreamed that Australia would need timber all the wayyyyyy from California. But they did!</div>
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While standing on board, listening to the docent share the history and some of the stories of the ship, I realized something: The bigger the boat, the less I notice the motion. Hubs has been telling me, if we had a bigger boat, I would not get sea sick. Maybe hubs will have even a bigger boat one day!</div>
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Play along or take a journey through all the posts on Carmi's site...</div>
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Smiles!</div>
larkswinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945496247329378715noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255945126520264592.post-64623509105929650572013-02-18T17:37:00.000-05:002013-02-18T17:37:05.722-05:00Go West!What a grand way to begin a new year ~ with a vacation!<br />
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We took a real one.<br />
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By real, I mean: not work training; not for a child's play or activity; not to help out with maintenance and upkeep somewhere else.<br />
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Not that any of those reasons are not good, and do not make for a good trip or vacation. They are. But to just play? Just the Hubs and me? Priceless!<br />
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The furthest West I have been is Colorado. And this trip took us further to California. And did we make the most of it.<br />
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The first two nights in Carmel with my husband's Aunt and Uncle - unbelievable hosts; and the next 3 nights in San Francisco. I won't bore you with a lot of words, but I just HAVE to share some of the pictures of the beautiful sites we saw.<br />
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Having never seen the Pacific, I don't know if I had given much thought to the possibility that it might be different than the Gulf and the Atlantic.<br />
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It was! I was amazed at the blue. The deep blue that it is. Absolutely breathtaking.</div>
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I am amazed, even though I do not know why, that the Gulf, the Atlanta and the Pacific can each have such different shades of color in the water that laps at each shore. There is no reason why not, especially when we think how each individual is unique. But it still amazed me. And amazed I wanted to be.
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Our first Pacific stop was Carmel Meadows. A little neighborhood with a beach access. We found out later, when we made it Paul and Sue's, that we had not been far from Betty White's home.</div>
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Now that would have been a treat too.</div>
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But the treats were not over for the day. As Paul and Sue spoiled us with their tour of the area (day 1 of the tours), we were all treated by an unanticipated show of nature.</div>
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We stopped at Monastery Beach, right around from where we had first touched the sand of the Pacific.</div>
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We were about to walk back to the car when Paul spotted something. </div>
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We turned and watched and after a minute or so we saw it...</div>
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A whale siting on our first day, without having to board a whale watching vessel. Not bad, not bad at all!<br />
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And it wasn't just one, there were two.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NqySElnJgo4/USKpibszAwI/AAAAAAAACpA/nZ1URgk-5FU/s1600/wm+grin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NqySElnJgo4/USKpibszAwI/AAAAAAAACpA/nZ1URgk-5FU/s640/wm+grin.jpg" uea="true" width="640" /></a></div>
... And a smile for the road.<br />
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Our first day was fueled by less than two hours of sleep - we had an ordeal with a flight canceled and trying to get to Atlanta for our morning flight - but I think regardless of the fatigue, this was a day fully appreciated and we were fully washed with treats. As dinner cooked, we watched the above sunset from the porch of Paul and Sue.
A wonderful ending to an amazing day!
Smiles!</div>
larkswinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945496247329378715noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255945126520264592.post-3967239837860053582012-11-01T17:55:00.003-04:002012-11-01T17:57:34.181-04:00Fencing the Chattahoocheee <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A recent, quick, 24 hour camping trip to the country found this fence.<br />
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Beyond the flowers and the rails, on the edge of a town called Fort Gaines, is a hillside...<br />
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At the bottom of the hillside, is the Chattahoochee. You can't see much of it, but it is there.</div>
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<a href="http://lifeaccordingtojanandjer.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" qea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mZ5nBV89Omc/UJLvsgHNvbI/AAAAAAAACnY/CKNrfijhoBQ/s1600/farm-fence-icon+copy.jpg" /></a></div>
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Go fence jumping...just click above.</div>
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Smiles!</div>
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larkswinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945496247329378715noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255945126520264592.post-3905531989485401272012-10-31T20:41:00.001-04:002013-01-31T19:30:40.435-05:00Memory NudgersI started today with my simple spider and web head piece and stockings with glued on roaches (I had on regular clothes too, I promise) and headed to work. My decorations were subtle, but those that noticed smiled and seemed to just enjoy the playfulness of the day. Only a few of decorated ourselves for this 31st day of October.<br />
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I took a few minutes to check out a favorite site, and a recent post touched on a memory. <br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>Picture from TheKitchn.com</em></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>Tootsie Rolls!!!</em></span><br />
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These are homemade, you can check it out at <a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/look-diy-tootsie-rools-179473">TheKitchn</a>...<br />
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My Grandfather's birthday was October 31st. I remember tootsie rolls being among one of his favorite candies (and butterscotch). I still have a tootsie roll cardboard bank that he gave me when I was a child.<br />
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Halloween was always spent trick or treating the neighborhood, followed by a quick treck to my grandparent's house at the end of the evening - just a mere four blocks away.<br />
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My brother and I would always go to the door, ring the bell and get to giggling at the thoughts of "tricking" my grandpa, by him not knowing it was us. I am sure he always knew, and I am pretty sure we were always the last. And we always received the count - many times in the 100 visitor area. Our neighborhood was rocked with door to door candy beggers.<br />
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We would visit for just a bit, after collecting our candy. Then headed home, many times in the first flurries of the first snow for the season.<br />
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Tonight, as we prepared our plates at Wednesday night supper (in the South, many churches still have Wednesday night supper followed by a quick presentation), they had a dessert table set up. Ice Cream and toppings. I usually skip on the ice cream, but just could not as I noticed the caramel topping. <br />
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Another memory nudged of my Grandfather. Really, of my Grandparents - Grandma did the fixing, but I truly believe that Grandpa set the structure: ALWAYS vanilla ice cream and ALWAYS caramel topping.<br />
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So today, an easy day to remember to remember, had some subtle memories nudged beyond that of costumes and tricks and treats.<br />
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It was a good day and the vanilla ice cream with caramel syrup hit the spot!<br />
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My brother and myself, probably 1978ish...</div>
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My Grandfather, many years earlier, on a vacation to Texas</div>
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<br />larkswinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945496247329378715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255945126520264592.post-33830632259782568622012-10-04T21:33:00.000-04:002012-10-04T21:33:19.918-04:00Hopes For OthersI have been working on a project lately. It is another blog. But not a blog for me.<br />
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A couple months ago, I shared the journey our niece and her son are on (and his dad – they divorced quite a few years ago, and I don’t want to come across as disregarding his part and his pain in this journey, but I notice I mainly refer to my neice). You can read that post <a href="http://thegreengrassgrowsallaround.blogspot.com/2011/12/captain-americas-kryptonite.html">Here</a> or you can read his story <a href="http://captcurt.blogspot.com/">here</a>.<br />
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In reading online one day, I came across a foundation. Noah’s Hand’s of Hope. How beautiful some people are!!<br />
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They, too, are traveling this road that Leigh’s Syndrome is taking them down. In the process they have set up this foundation. In addition to accepting volunteers and donations, one can submit a child’s name. They support the family in many ways. From the child that is fighting the disease, to their siblings and to the family as a whole. Prayers, cards, calls, gift certificates. This foundation really touches suffering families in every corner of their lives.<br />
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I submitted Curt’s name and received a quick email from Kate. What a sweet person she is! One item was missing from the form though: a blog or a caring page or some way for the committee to verify Curt does exist and that his condition is real and this journey is true. A way to protect the foundation from being lied to.<br />
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It is sad that there are people out there, that will spend so much of other peoples energy scamming groups that are doing a wonderful act of reaching out to others.<br />
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The blog is up and posts are being made. Writing a post as if from a 6 year old is not all that easy. Our niece is busy with caring for him and two jobs and dealing with all the emotions that come with this journey, so extra time for her, well, needs to be spent loving on her Super C!<br />
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And while it has been a little odd and hard to post another's journey, there has been an award, other than having a way to share Curt’s story with distant friends, but in a way I would not have considered. <br />
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His mom told me she looks daily to see what is new with her and Curt. <br />
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Now I don’t share anything she has not approved or provided, but it seems that seeing the pictures and reading your story with someone else’s words can work. Can maybe give you another perspective? Maybe...<br />
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Another friend of the family said she had read it and oohed on how much more positive it was than the bits of a story here and a bit there.<br />
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It is so easy to hear the hurdles and miss those simple blessings that get lost in the less positive aspects of any day.<br />
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So while I struggled with the “should I have started it this way” I was encouraged to keep the pace.<br />
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You can visit Curt’s Corner <strong><em><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://captcurt.blogspot.com/">here</a></span></em></strong> to read his story and maybe follow along with them. And if you will, include them in your prayers?<br />
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Also, there are few links on the side bar. One is Noah’s Hand’s of Hope, what a wonderful example of reaching out to others during one’s own time of crisis.<br />
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Another is the Tiny Sparrow Foundation. I stumbled upon it one day and was amazed by the photos. This not-for profit recruits volunteers that set up photo sessions with families whose children are terminally ill. Amazing pictures that will tug at your heart.<br />
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<br /><em>He tends his flock like a shepherd:</em></div>
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<em>He gathers the lambs in his arms</em></div>
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<em>and carries them close to his heart;</em></div>
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<em>He gently leads those who have young</em></div>
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<em>~Isaiah 40:11</em></div>
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larkswinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945496247329378715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255945126520264592.post-3958711510482093452012-09-28T08:29:00.004-04:002012-09-28T08:31:36.138-04:00Fences: Andersonville <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Living in the Deep South means many Civil War sites that can be visited. Not too far from our town is Andersonville. An area dedicated to the a part of Civil War history, to one of the largest Confederate military prisons during the Civil War. The prison was only in operation for about 14 months, but during those 14 months, such saddness, such inhumane conditions. . . more than 45,000 prisons came through this site, around 13,000 died in this camp.</div>
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Now, it is Andersonville Village. A state park with so many accounts and history of that time and that spots dark details. But they do a great job and sharing history that was beyond the fences of this one prison. There are battle reinactments, but there are also reinactments of what life was like during this time. There military funerals, still today. And many ceremonies honoring various aspects of our military history.</div>
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We visited on a quiet day, walking with the boys through the sections and stories of the once was prison. Reading about the hunger, the loss, the desperate attempts of escape. Realizing how different our world is, in some ways at least.</div>
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Joining in with "FENCES"</div>
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Thank you Jan and Jer</div>
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<a href="http://lifeaccordingtojanandjer.blogspot.com/">http://lifeaccordingtojanandjer.blogspot.com/</a></div>
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larkswinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945496247329378715noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255945126520264592.post-24742766892115152262012-09-24T20:10:00.001-04:002012-09-24T20:10:27.538-04:00TP 214: GroundedGrounded. Now that is a theme...not grounded as in grounded for life, but grounded as in the ground beneath our feet, or I suppose our back. Now that is an idea, lying on your back, watching the stars, getting stove up if you happen to be over the age 40. Or maybe I am just not in good enough shape. But now I am off on a tangent. I need to stay "grounded" here ...<br />
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In honor of our first fall like weather, here is my "grounded."<br />
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Visit Carmi here:</div>
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<a href="http://writteninc.blogspot.com/2012/09/thematic-photographic-214-grounded.html"><img border="0" hea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VBisX6qyoyc/UGD2GCdHMDI/AAAAAAAACjU/HmFOUODn0QE/s1600/TPhalf.jpg" /></a></div>
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Smiles!!</div>
larkswinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945496247329378715noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255945126520264592.post-9554546464790931302012-09-07T10:52:00.001-04:002012-09-10T16:09:11.305-04:00Fences: Upon The Suwanee River<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I enjoy going back through my picture files and seeing how the kids have all changed and grown over the years. I am not sure I like that I have grown thicker and older. But, hey, such is life. Glad to be here.</div>
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I also realize how many quick trips we do take. This particular one to was to visit family in Florida. As we drove through Suwanee, could not resist the stop. And the oldest was in a silly mood and actually had some fun with picture taking along that <em><strong>green fence.</strong></em> Who knew a few years later that would be watching a reality TV show about loggers on that particular river?</div>
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"Fences" is hosted by:</div>
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<a href="http://lifeaccordingtojanandjer.blogspot.com/">Jan and Jer</a></div>
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larkswinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945496247329378715noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255945126520264592.post-45168554126453009582012-09-04T17:15:00.004-04:002012-09-10T16:10:38.204-04:00TP 211: Weathered and Worn, The Last of It's Kind<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Several years ago, a true vacation was just not possible, so we did a couple day trips. </div>
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Not a true staycation, because we did leave town, but not the state. This particular adventure was to check out some sights listed in various <em>Cuirosities of Georgia</em> type books.</div>
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About an hour from home, was the last remaining wooden confederate flag pole- dubbed "Old Woody" in the books. Now, I am not that into civil war and am not into flag poles, but thought that we would include that stop in with several other stops.</div>
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As we drove around the small town's square, I was unable to locate the flagpole that the book was describing. I parked the car the my sons and a nephew got out to walk around the old courthouse. </div>
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How hard could it be to find an old flag pole?!?</div>
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No luck, so we entered the courthouse to ask one of the employees.</div>
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Funny thing, they had no idea! Had never heard about it and did not know their town square was listed in several books. I guess we were the first to show or the first unable to figure out a wood flag pole from a not wood flag pole. </div>
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As we talked to the ladies in the office, someone walked up that did, indeed, know about the pole and explained why we could not find it: it's encased in concrete to keep it from rotting!!</div>
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We headed out to find the pole on the corner. We had walked right by it before and had missed the marker covered by the holy shrubs next to it.</div>
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As you can see, my oldest was none to happy to have to pose for a picture by <em>"Old Woody."</em> </div>
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While it remains the only standing wooden flag pole from the confederacy, it has only stood the test of time by the casing of cement covering the wooden core. Guess it was getting too weathered and too worn and just did not stand up to the newer aluminum and steel poles used now.</div>
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Our trip was not quite complete though, that was just a silly stop along the way. We continued our journey to find the Cohelee Bridge: the most southerly remaining "kissing bridge" (covered bridge if you will).</div>
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What the weather and age has not done, artist have.<br />
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No more wooden bridges these days, and I don't believe we need covered bridges to go "kissing" in either. I am glad it has remained. I am glad it shows the workmanship of days gone by, when people built and made things that were to stand the test of time.<br />
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And just so you know, I did not make the boys JUST looke at a flag pole and an old "kissing bridge," after burgers we checked out some Indian Mounds too. </div>
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Now that is something that they don't make anymore . . . </div>
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Thank you to the host: <a href="http://writteninc.blogspot.com/2012/09/thematic-photographic-211-weathered-and.html">Carmi!</a></div>
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larkswinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945496247329378715noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255945126520264592.post-78227503993702389372012-09-01T14:24:00.002-04:002012-09-10T16:11:04.157-04:00TP 210: Parrellelism at the St. Pen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The curves and the arches and the old and the flaking is what I am sure caught my eye in the picture. We were moving my step-daughter to Philly and decided to take a tour of the St. Pentitiary. A very intersting trip.<br />
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The arches, while curved, also offer the parrellelism that is the theme this week. I guess you could say it represented a parrellelism in life too. This site once housed beings in this cramped space. While it was dark and a spot of transgressions, well, look at those arches! Towards the bottom center of the picture, are some sort of cabinets. I am sure in their day they were beautiful. The stone work and architecture has, for the most part, stood the test of time. As have some of the stories and lessons from this structure.<br />
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And think, at one time, behind those doors dotting the walkway, lives lived in the confines of this building, stifling and tedious and not always warranted.</div>
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Meanwhile, outside the doors, the walkways, the walls, there was a parrellel life being lived. Kids playing, adults working, games being played, laughter and most importantly freedom.</div>
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I guess life is always full of parrellels...</div>
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Hosted by <a href="http://writteninc.blogspot.ca/2012/08/thematic-photographic-210-parallelism.html">CARMI</a>, go by and check out his site.</div>
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Smiles!!</div>
larkswinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945496247329378715noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255945126520264592.post-25941090179276493192012-08-30T08:09:00.001-04:002012-08-30T08:09:06.537-04:00Isaac and Our Little Corner<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have a weird pleasure. I enjoy bad weather days. I don’t want a bunch of them. But sometimes I just need them. I have stipulations though: No tornadoes, no flooding, no homes or people hit by lightening. All that in check and what a glorious day that can be.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Meanwhile I know people that freak out with the slightest breeze. Rain is ok, but they tremble at the thought of lightning and thunder.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So I watched Isaac churn his way north, and waited to see if he would come East or go West. I did feel some guilt over my desire for a tropical storm, knowing East or West it was going to come in where people least needed it. And yet, there are areas that need the rain so bad, that kind of rain can’t get there without coming ashore.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As the first feeder bands came through, there was a spring in my step and I thought about why and what I enjoy about bad weather days. The first reason I have always known:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Appreciation</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Appreciation for the rain that is needed to keep things going. Appreciation for the sunny day that preceded or will follow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Change in Pace would have to be another reason, slows things down, or in some cases, speeds up the step, if you are in the rain and wind.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This thought led to something else, and I saw it unfolding. A change in temperament. People hold doors, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>speak more, and seem more helpful. I was having this thought as I was heading into work. I noticed some moving of large moving bins by one of the warehouses, as I came on base. I noticed a couple sitting in odd spots but did not think much about it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">At my desk, I began opening my email and one was an all user notification, letting us all know there would be visitors soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">4,800 was the count.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">4,800 individuals that represent the Marines, Air Force and the Navy. The largest sector, of the group, being the Marines.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The email suggested that employees that normally use the gate closest to that warehouse consider one of the other gates or at least be mindful of the increased foot traffic that would be about the next day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">At the end of the day I headed home, taking my normal route to the back the gate, past that warehouse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What hustle and bustle. All the doors of the warehouse were open, revealing a clean, spic and spanned floor of that very large warehouse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That strangely placed container that I noticed earlier, had its doors open too, exposing mini shower stalls inside. As I made my last turn, a row of 20-30 port a potties stood, that were not there that morning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">4,800 people would be sleeping and showering and conducting their days around this warehouse. Granted it’s a big one, but can you imagine?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a huge room with that many folks?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The next morning my curiosity over road the suggestion (ok, ok, the request) that we employees use another gate. I was not the only one. Our cars filed in in a single file line. As I followed the detour that did not take us RIGHT in front of these visitors temporary dwelling, I was glad to see those tan containers had been lined up blocking the potties and giving some privacy to the women and gentlemen displaced by Isaac’s arrival.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I meandered through the new path, I looked over and in front of that warehouse was row after row of tan /camo clad beings standing at attention. Perfect.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">4,800 representatives and reminders that there are many who have chosen a path that requires them to be willing to put their lives on the line for the rest of us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Willing to go where they are told to go without question. Not an option of how’s or what times or what gate they will choose to go to work or go home by, but by what they are ordered to do. By which they adhere to a discipline many of us would shake our heads at.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The past couple days have had increased foot traffic. Small groups of tan camo and blue camo clad bodies dotting the installation. I did not notice the blue’s and tan’s mixing. I suppose each unit stayed with their comrades.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This morning as I entered, there was a pick up on energy. As I made my turns, I looked to see the troops stand at attention but what I thought I saw, in the dim light of dawn, was the troops sitting. As I made another turn and was closer to their area, I realized what I saw was not sitting troops, but their packs and pillows all lined up. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">While our area has been blessed with only Isaac’s feeder bans, and rain (still has not lessened our -13” deficit), I got to enjoy all those things that bad weather gives me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thoughtful and prayerful: So many have experienced with this storm the parts that no one wishes to experience. Fear, loss, unknown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yet, it is moving so slow more will suffer – praying for those still in Isaac’s path.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Appreciation: For the rain and for the visitor’s reminding me how glad I am that I have more than 20 sq ft to call home tonight. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gratitude: Grateful to be reminded of our freedoms and the price many have paid. Thankful to be able to watch the bans move through, seeing the grass green back up, thankful that sirens are not ringing and the water is far from topping it’s banks here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Enjoyment of the simple pleasures: a smile, a “hey, it is about to pour,” a sit and visit until the rain passes. The Frisbee’s and football’s being tossed in the air while Marines, Airmen, and Sailors waiting to see how long they will stay here, or how quickly they will head back “home.” I did not see the first disgruntled face. It was enlightening to see many work to provide a safe haven for those that fight for us to have our safe havens.</span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Two nights, and now with their bundles, they will load up on buses. Marines, Air Men and Sailors, heading back to Pensacola. </span></div>
larkswinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945496247329378715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255945126520264592.post-54818086376591656492012-08-22T15:27:00.003-04:002012-09-10T16:11:40.603-04:00TP 209 - From Behind<div>
Maybe behind the eight ball...<br />
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An early dinner of raw oyster, and a game or two of pool, on a quiet night in a fishing town. </div>
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larkswinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945496247329378715noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255945126520264592.post-55048870055119678332012-08-21T14:50:00.001-04:002012-09-10T16:13:10.111-04:00On The Road and From Behind: TP209<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So the theme with Carmi, this week, is "from behind."</div>
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I have to say, I have quite a few to choose from already in my files.</div>
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No need to go snap any new ones.</div>
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And I might have enough to post several under this theme.</div>
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It seems that there is always an opportunity, driving down the road, </div>
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to snap a picture of two...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7NfOuOuz6Js/UDK_8JiA4VI/AAAAAAAACb4/XCI6DZhnROE/s1600/DSC_1499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" mda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7NfOuOuz6Js/UDK_8JiA4VI/AAAAAAAACb4/XCI6DZhnROE/s640/DSC_1499.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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While the road above is a paved highway, the touch of country fit in just right.</div>
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And below, a dusty trip down a dirt road into, hopefully, a simpler, slower pace; at least for a day or two.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1IBw07dK95g/UDLADQNX2KI/AAAAAAAACcA/4bot-9FoA70/s1600/airstream+dusty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" mda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1IBw07dK95g/UDLADQNX2KI/AAAAAAAACcA/4bot-9FoA70/s640/airstream+dusty.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And sometimes, one is before the behind (hmmmm...)</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X9I0m_NW8PU/UDLCXa0IwDI/AAAAAAAACcI/45yKUSB8rg8/s1600/DSC_0235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" mda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X9I0m_NW8PU/UDLCXa0IwDI/AAAAAAAACcI/45yKUSB8rg8/s640/DSC_0235.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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And one thing that is necessary to get the "from behind" shot,</div>
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is someone behind the camera behind the shot!</div>
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Happy Tuesday All!</div>
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Click <a href="http://writteninc.blogspot.com/">HERE</a> to follow check out some more</div>
larkswinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945496247329378715noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255945126520264592.post-15108581490445060692012-08-17T08:32:00.000-04:002012-08-30T17:55:35.215-04:00FencesI came across a meme, that had pictures that made me smile - fences. <br />
Who would have thunk? <br />
So I am playing too!<br />
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A fence I fancied at one of my son's cross country meets...<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gMd7Uxg3id4/UCw_NdP8Z5I/AAAAAAAACa0/oOJ_H-q8HEQ/s1600/DSC_0188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" mda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gMd7Uxg3id4/UCw_NdP8Z5I/AAAAAAAACa0/oOJ_H-q8HEQ/s640/DSC_0188.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"Love your neighbor as yourself, but don't take down the fence."</span></div>
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Carl Sandburg</div>
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Check out Jan and Jer here:</div>
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<a href="http://lifeaccordingtojanandjer.blogspot.com/">http://lifeaccordingtojanandjer.blogspot.com/</a></div>
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Fences and barns and macros, oh my!</div>
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<br />larkswinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945496247329378715noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255945126520264592.post-33860196008686474822012-08-16T13:08:00.003-04:002012-08-16T13:08:55.524-04:00The Journey...continued<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Funny how life can be hoppin’ at times and it is GREAT when life is hoppin’ with the good stuff, rather than troubles.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After I had posted the Journey post, I received a call from a friend. The church had some stacks of extra <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>bibles and she was picking them up for A Place For Hope. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unable to find a custodian to help her with the bulk of the piles, she came across Demolition D (I think he is going to like this college schedule with long breaks between classes). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As he helped my friend move the Bibles to her car they chit chatted away. Somehow the story of the tablet came up and he shared the story with her. When he finished the tale, she said she asked him, “Is it like really overwhelming to receive that kind of gift?” She said his answer was, “that is not what overwhelms me, what overwhelms is realizing how much God loves me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With that, she said they both parted ways both with tears in their eyes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is seeing, he is absorbing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On another note, Hubs received a call from Ocho. He moved almost two years ago, but did not have a place for his desk/hutch. He had forgotten about it until he was picking up some other items recently.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well, he signed up for classes at the local college! He was calling to ask if he could get the desk soon (I have used it to collect STUFF – a.k.a. the catchall; so it needed the “stuff” moved first). Way excited to move my stuff and help get his desk moved to his now abode.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe the last couple years have just been a rest, now it’s time to take a new step, maybe discover a new direction.</span></div>
larkswinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945496247329378715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255945126520264592.post-24301344833081266712012-08-16T08:20:00.001-04:002012-09-10T16:15:30.384-04:00TP 208 - Grey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A color theme this week: <em>GREY...</em></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-olBKlUji4zI/UCw5bq9EhUI/AAAAAAAACaM/uJBtVA2bUK4/s1600/DSC_0172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" mda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-olBKlUji4zI/UCw5bq9EhUI/AAAAAAAACaM/uJBtVA2bUK4/s640/DSC_0172.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Decided to skip the dark grey skies</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K3BQjMTb_6g/UCw5jguvvhI/AAAAAAAACaU/yq5qSUFL8ho/s1600/DSC_0176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" mda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K3BQjMTb_6g/UCw5jguvvhI/AAAAAAAACaU/yq5qSUFL8ho/s640/DSC_0176.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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and opted for a different scene of grey ...barnacles. </div>
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Are they grey? or are they blue? To me they are grey. </div>
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At least for today.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ksr8rVg1hqo/UCw5nxGhinI/AAAAAAAACac/cXBuI3LCiEY/s1600/DSC_0185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" mda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ksr8rVg1hqo/UCw5nxGhinI/AAAAAAAACac/cXBuI3LCiEY/s640/DSC_0185.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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How about a fish or two? I think that grey will do, too.</div>
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Wanna play? Wanna surf through the thoughts and images of other's playing in the grey?</div>
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Visit Carmi <a href="http://writteninc.blogspot.ca/2012/08/thematic-photographic-208-grey.html"><em><span style="color: black;">here</span></em> </a>. . .</div>
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<br />larkswinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945496247329378715noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255945126520264592.post-67088957231801587212012-08-15T12:58:00.001-04:002012-08-15T12:58:39.256-04:00The Journey<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I do believe the best part of parenting might just be watching the growing that our children experience. I do not necessarily mean physically.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I mean the mind and the spirit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My husband I were talking, probably 3-4 years ago, about the kids. I said that it would be fun to see who they would be in 5 years. I think it will be fun to see who they are in 10 years. While I realize there will be moments in those years, that maybe we will not like what we see, I think if it is part of a growing of their character, or their spiritual life, it will still be interesting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have watched Traveler take on traveling at a completely new level and pace. We THINK we see her trying to fit in as much as she can, because she is getting tired. Maybe a desire for a more even paced life? We see her not being satisfied in her customer service based job and her seeking something else, and what appears to be, maybe, her figuring out a little more who she might be – not just being different than where she came from, but what her passions may be. Or at least what they are not?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ocho, at 22, has settled into a pocket of life that we had not thought he would. And that pocket, while none of our business, leaves us wondering if he will wake up dissatisfied with life and feeling cornered in. He had always been well rounded with his interests in the past and now he is in a routine of work and home and local playing and partying – but no exploring, not appearing to pursue or live his passions or utilizing and building the strongest parts of his personality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the same time, his life has an easier pace than Traveler’s and maybe he is saving up his energy for the next phase. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Man has had a busy summer. He continued working on yards this summer and seemed to come to the decision, a few days a month in the heat and decent pay, was better than working 5-6 days a week, stuck inside, earning the same as the day a week. He turned 16 , started his Junior year of high school and has started driving. He has settled nicely into the independence so far. We will see what challenges will arise as far as time management goes – that seems to be a struggle for him. While he has always seemed to spin, in his lucky go manner, where ever he is, I have noticed, he is much more aware of what is happening around him then he has ever let on to. He is much more aware of the dynamics in relationships than I would have thought. And he just might be a little more head strong and sure footed in his decisions than I would have given him credit for before. I think I had him pegged <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>being a little more innocent and naïve – I am watching and listening and learning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And then there is Demolition D. . . 19!! He just turned 19. He has always been my strong willed child. He has challenged parenting – not necessarily in rule breaking, but …obstinate, stubborn, argumentative, arrogant. And yet, he has taught me so much, that I wouldn’t change a thing (I think). While he was rather closed off with me, he wasn’t with others. He seemed to take in much of what my husband (his step father) offered as a role model; the Youth leader at church; and many others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He had an amazing thing happen the other day…he works part time at church as an audio/video intern. Taking care of the sound, uploading sermons to the website, and I don’t know what all else, but there is more. His boss told him he needed to check his office box Sunday morning between services, that it could not wait – said with a certain level of sternness that left Demolition D a little nervous. In his box was a thin box and a note , saying to read the note first.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">An anonymous note, typed, other than the one sentence on the outside – that handwriting being a woman’s writing and a little shaky looking.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Inside, a typed note, "Dear . . . .I saw you the other day and God [told me, nudged me, laid it on my heart] to do something nice for you."... "I have learned over the years to listen [and act]"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What a lesson, someone KNOWING God’s nudge.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Someone following through with the nudge.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Note,"I have asked around and have been told that young people like these...I will leave the receipt in the Church office if you wish to take it back or exchange it."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the box was an Apple I-pad (4 maybe??)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My child hugged me with tears. He is not a hugger.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In his personality, this was seen as a gift because “someone saw what his does around church.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, dear son, this is gift because someone felt God speak to them. God speaking about you. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Yes, I know, but it is nice to that someone see’s what I do.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still not seeing, this is not about “earning” and “doing” on his part. This is about God’s whispering to someone to reach out, to demonstrate a form of giving, on giving and loving, but not giving to be seen, giving to follow God’s direction, to share God’s love.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I guess I see what you are saying”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He continued to bubble over with words and in the middle of jabbering away, he asked me what I was thinking. I told him I was just wondering, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that at 19, could he see this as an expression of God’s love? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of God’s community? Would the ability to recognize that come later? He thoughtfully cocked his head and said he was not sure. I smiled. I understood completely. I was able to share with him, that there were many times God ‘s love and care had touched me and protected me over the years, but I did not recognize it until just recently, and what a wonderful feeling, when my eyes opened to see all those gifts of love given over the years. Not always were the gifts or the love material or monetary . Many times it was just the presence of someone following God’s direction. Someone saying a kind word or just listening. Sometimes someone was guiding me through a very dark time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am amazed that it took me that long to knit together all those moments and touches and see the wonderful path God has led me down, but our sight is sometimes funny like that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I feel privileged to have been able to see this gift and see his reaction. I wish opportunities like this for each of our children. Maybe not necessarily in the material way, but in any way that touches them to their very soul. That they see the true gift is from God and that when we follow God’s nudging, we are a part of such wonderful world of love.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our sermon, on this same day, was titled, “Who do you say I am.” For me, God is my mainstay, my guide, my challenger, my comforter (especially when I miss the next step or am in the midst of a storm), a light, my guide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May each of our children have the experiences that allow them to answer that question too, who do they each say God is to them...</span></div>
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larkswinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945496247329378715noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255945126520264592.post-75823971664219001872012-08-05T18:46:00.000-04:002012-09-10T16:15:57.383-04:00Sunbeams<br />
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">“<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">May God grant you always...A sunbeam to warm you, a moonbeam to charm you, a sheltering Angel so nothing can harm you. Laughter to cheer you. Faithful friends near you. And whenever you pray, Heaven to hear you.”</span></span></em></div>
larkswinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945496247329378715noreply@blogger.com3