tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44072930686126703222024-03-08T11:04:18.651-05:00 This Pilgrim's ProgressJosiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09743962903897476020noreply@blogger.comBlogger208125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407293068612670322.post-67966994063841748392014-06-21T11:58:00.000-04:002014-06-21T12:00:51.240-04:00The Sharp Knife of a Short Life<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/EufaligPigU" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
This world is not my home, I'm just passing through...<br />
True. But it doesn't shelter us from the pain of deep sorrow when, to our way of understanding, a life here is cut too short.<br />
We are grieving with you Jamie & Val and family.<br />
Zion? You posted a song on Judah's home page from The Band Perry - one of the lines is so poignant... "the sharp knife of a short life". I used it as a title for this post. I hope you do not mind.<br />
We are a moment indeed. The Lord has reminded us.<br />
Together with all the saints who have been inspired and touched and grown by Solmusic, we will lift high the Name of Jesus and we will praise Him in this storm.<br />
<br />
Praying this song today for the blessing of His comfort and peace:<br />
<br />
<b>Sovereign Over Us</b><br />
<i>by Aaron Keyes</i><br />
There is strength within the sorrow<br />
There is beauty in our tears<br />
And You meet us in our mourning<br />
With a love that casts out fear<br />
You are working in our waiting<br />
You're sanctifying us<br />
When beyond our understanding<br />
You're teaching us to trust<br />
<i>Chorus:</i><br />
Your plans are still to prosper<br />
You have not forgotten us<br />
You're with us in the fire and the flood<br />
You're faithful forever<br />
Perfect in love<br />
You are sovereign over us.<br />
<br />
You are wisdom unimagined<br />
Who could understand Your ways<br />
Reigning high above the Heavens<br />
Reaching down in endless grace<br />
You're the lifter of the lowly<br />
Compassionate and kind<br />
You surround and You uphold me<br />
And Your promises are my delight<br />
<i>Chorus</i><br />
Even what the enemy means for evil<br />
You turn it for our good<br />
You turn it for our good and for Your glory<br />
Even in the valley, You are faithful<br />
You're working for our good & for Your glory.<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<i>Chorus</i></div>
Josiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09743962903897476020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407293068612670322.post-50406506360267197582014-05-01T17:53:00.000-04:002014-05-01T23:53:01.632-04:00Jackson Pollock Cover StoryWhile we were enjoying a three hour songfest upstairs, our two resident artists were downstairs - transforming the playroom & bathroom with enough colour and pizzaz to rival <a href="http://jacksonpollock.com/" target="_blank">Jackson Pollock</a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2zdtmeByPjM6QIdZESrtRanKBhIfM41Bxh45qOL2184BLTYaC1zA-qDVEnZZfHS00JxZ-JhNfu6FDaw3mDJ9tO0ap-ebODAuTm3g6nTp9vuNDAUpCBH7jtAMjMveKt2L6yGuI_2XG80N/s1600/IMG_1634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2zdtmeByPjM6QIdZESrtRanKBhIfM41Bxh45qOL2184BLTYaC1zA-qDVEnZZfHS00JxZ-JhNfu6FDaw3mDJ9tO0ap-ebODAuTm3g6nTp9vuNDAUpCBH7jtAMjMveKt2L6yGuI_2XG80N/s1600/IMG_1634.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndYLyblMYyg0iSw8sKgxgAzjrdv4ovIui3RdBXr9Y0y9LJCEPUrLYP1ejKIEcULMqJna6OWO23p2MkUo5AtejqVrSWzCksBrnB6z7vpSDhKRNXLKbe2MlQYl7vPVDdTNk1QIaUrJaHZK_/s1600/IMG_1635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndYLyblMYyg0iSw8sKgxgAzjrdv4ovIui3RdBXr9Y0y9LJCEPUrLYP1ejKIEcULMqJna6OWO23p2MkUo5AtejqVrSWzCksBrnB6z7vpSDhKRNXLKbe2MlQYl7vPVDdTNk1QIaUrJaHZK_/s1600/IMG_1635.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzCz9EvFVLMudev-4A6unK0JQl77f9WsJoInPjphW0RdJTmdVxPFmg7iBkyOdR7VpGuAMIQbfCSQrjAUn8PDk6-3g7CSntcAcFJk0WWTn4mgw-3b5r-hF_pSCQvCDKyLEer1_jwfp_ivc/s1600/IMG_1636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzCz9EvFVLMudev-4A6unK0JQl77f9WsJoInPjphW0RdJTmdVxPFmg7iBkyOdR7VpGuAMIQbfCSQrjAUn8PDk6-3g7CSntcAcFJk0WWTn4mgw-3b5r-hF_pSCQvCDKyLEer1_jwfp_ivc/s1600/IMG_1636.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGNw7om3VWeLdy1cv4foIadC1wtmWNz9ywpIClgCmeOP0bjYrbHbty3IxE5EQGQ4aIbvNkSNjRrXxWm0osH2fM2A5Q_c_ko1nTOK5T4FqVo92aol4rIoFDhskgK3910wZYgNpTbsyNtxz/s1600/IMG_1637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGNw7om3VWeLdy1cv4foIadC1wtmWNz9ywpIClgCmeOP0bjYrbHbty3IxE5EQGQ4aIbvNkSNjRrXxWm0osH2fM2A5Q_c_ko1nTOK5T4FqVo92aol4rIoFDhskgK3910wZYgNpTbsyNtxz/s1600/IMG_1637.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8zeYCBefZn525sqGH0N_US_3H0ludB-QH9a-9hemvzp6PfPWiJqpqwIjuz3NKquKUmSiLsK7Eo9IU-J-UDBgAYt0pTS9kJpTOiWrm44VDJrOreTE4xq5cQlNIaR5ZwiNKBE8gChTe90aM/s1600/IMG_1638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8zeYCBefZn525sqGH0N_US_3H0ludB-QH9a-9hemvzp6PfPWiJqpqwIjuz3NKquKUmSiLsK7Eo9IU-J-UDBgAYt0pTS9kJpTOiWrm44VDJrOreTE4xq5cQlNIaR5ZwiNKBE8gChTe90aM/s1600/IMG_1638.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
They were <i>convinced</i> we would LOVE their efforts.<br />
And we did.<br />
We really did. :)Josiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09743962903897476020noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407293068612670322.post-71205568817600833062014-04-16T10:21:00.000-04:002014-05-01T18:06:04.294-04:00Sons of the Son<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjGk8FMs8sBYpacdgxjMOZUEM5fnlQZiDVgiG2IyjNe8z9emSxNive9y2nRl-51CRKe3w82XEsXB6U2RI490bAEg9Cd3nC99pvrj0aN7IpwsMUKXJWKJ7ZyRw3fIZOCZpHYZxDlf6ZJNP/s1600/image-11.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjGk8FMs8sBYpacdgxjMOZUEM5fnlQZiDVgiG2IyjNe8z9emSxNive9y2nRl-51CRKe3w82XEsXB6U2RI490bAEg9Cd3nC99pvrj0aN7IpwsMUKXJWKJ7ZyRw3fIZOCZpHYZxDlf6ZJNP/s1600/image-11.jpeg" height="400" width="297" /></a></div>
A tender heart for the wee ones. <br />
I knew this to be true of him all these years. <br />
It's what drew me to him in the first place;<br />
- that kind heart.<br />
And now it's captured in this picture, which for me,<br />
really <i>is</i> worth a thousand words. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
My own heart is flooded with thoughts & feelings </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
that for the moment, refuse to be pinned down to a page.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Thoughts about what Love looks like.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
About Fathers & Sons. About the One Son.</div>
Jesus.<br />
Good Friday<br />
Resurrection Morning and...<br />
My heart is flooded.Josiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09743962903897476020noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407293068612670322.post-31727376610997844782013-08-31T17:42:00.000-04:002013-08-31T18:03:27.627-04:00Weeping Willow Homily<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvIy20dIxXYSJJaHpmh_O5aghtiWm3HBQydnIi6Jrwh3U8z1yIY3iHfFJHhCy9iW52_JEnOl-kNhF7ByIXGJ-DtiHN33FdlwA88mhXqSZFTqW_x0g8TGNNHJnX8QeFbGDNzvrewCO/s1600/img018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvIy20dIxXYSJJaHpmh_O5aghtiWm3HBQydnIi6Jrwh3U8z1yIY3iHfFJHhCy9iW52_JEnOl-kNhF7ByIXGJ-DtiHN33FdlwA88mhXqSZFTqW_x0g8TGNNHJnX8QeFbGDNzvrewCO/s400/img018.jpg" width="400" /><span id="goog_450132408"></span><span id="goog_450132409"></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A long time ago, my primary playmates were </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
the brothers I was born between. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Born close enough to feel like triplets, </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
it stands to reason that most of our earliest memories involve each other exclusively. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGanceqZ_BTFgiRi1l0mmHrAYZUP92vf3C7Tnb-HymtLK-6BGpwPNFUFyqiTrTUbSBL2VjHxWoLixPAJnr0G7OywNcdnjIy0Lz92RUbrt2bOx3MHyP2vVcTn9oK16Fg2OoXHZii9tC/s1600/15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGanceqZ_BTFgiRi1l0mmHrAYZUP92vf3C7Tnb-HymtLK-6BGpwPNFUFyqiTrTUbSBL2VjHxWoLixPAJnr0G7OywNcdnjIy0Lz92RUbrt2bOx3MHyP2vVcTn9oK16Fg2OoXHZii9tC/s400/15.JPG" width="396" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I was born in a house on a road called Robson and I live on it to this day, at the far end...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLk3MJVjXZdvwtv6BPLXwvtdUqfeqx-9CwLMctC6ukltkHPHr-1LPVwistFk04A6iGErh_Br7C5GETge8Xo6Y_ZyN3nDcPO0fIzEc3DRFk2KEIunENDeRU22LdG0kPeLgW968Ee0V/s1600/IMG_1226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLk3MJVjXZdvwtv6BPLXwvtdUqfeqx-9CwLMctC6ukltkHPHr-1LPVwistFk04A6iGErh_Br7C5GETge8Xo6Y_ZyN3nDcPO0fIzEc3DRFk2KEIunENDeRU22LdG0kPeLgW968Ee0V/s400/IMG_1226.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
50+ years ago, long before it was paved with tar and chip - </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLQPhVJj0t-kjkMsRNHHzFyvYnV0a_WR6ak9zBfZSPoSVf40SBKRBNnnIuXAKlkEF1m_m_0TK-srO7R7-ehyphenhyphenKXVGFn8RLguIJEu1HOvCLUYB_c6jCWDa3dYM4B7jxZOaYGYREuHmIepTy/s1600/18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLQPhVJj0t-kjkMsRNHHzFyvYnV0a_WR6ak9zBfZSPoSVf40SBKRBNnnIuXAKlkEF1m_m_0TK-srO7R7-ehyphenhyphenKXVGFn8RLguIJEu1HOvCLUYB_c6jCWDa3dYM4B7jxZOaYGYREuHmIepTy/s400/18.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I sat in the side yard with my mother and playmates - leaning in for those maternal smooches, under the canopy of a very big tree with a million long tresses. </div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsUeXKUoHqc8rLLPS1i9AsiCPmJq07E-hn2CoJrJe3sZky5ZYqSIBkFsbsRO0kyclqhASyoaxDIFPChqjuKOEfK3vfmVjITDKuBlFf9WZvXZeAzBMyyJ1ZL2kUFepuCPa9t9O7zIGZ/s1600/IMG_1224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsUeXKUoHqc8rLLPS1i9AsiCPmJq07E-hn2CoJrJe3sZky5ZYqSIBkFsbsRO0kyclqhASyoaxDIFPChqjuKOEfK3vfmVjITDKuBlFf9WZvXZeAzBMyyJ1ZL2kUFepuCPa9t9O7zIGZ/s400/IMG_1224.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I pass by the place of my birth almost every single day - usually more than once a day. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Needless to say, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
my roots go extremely deep...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPCenkHkMxcD99NzJHGsHCLh8KYdNPj2NRakA0ppH0GmwMVifOJUNFLC_nc8VNzi-y57nw0_uOAMDKDe9rN3D6tENj1xGtTjK-_htW5WSXOVisfOREhhBk3Tt47n-kpkRR_LDJOs3/s1600/IMG_1225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPCenkHkMxcD99NzJHGsHCLh8KYdNPj2NRakA0ppH0GmwMVifOJUNFLC_nc8VNzi-y57nw0_uOAMDKDe9rN3D6tENj1xGtTjK-_htW5WSXOVisfOREhhBk3Tt47n-kpkRR_LDJOs3/s400/IMG_1225.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Much like this willow tree recently felled by the last wind storm.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUER7xB0Dp1Vf8tvHURcjpn_ETCjQCmE3GeLq1GEDhe7G9thlNQfykWe6eLy2d9qj0CE1UoDGIAalkiIK0ZpTKmK4t_LRfDFYFYIpeI4DbF6BXSdSUGwb3Efz_CgnSYo3WbOxvnCXV/s1600/IMG_1211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUER7xB0Dp1Vf8tvHURcjpn_ETCjQCmE3GeLq1GEDhe7G9thlNQfykWe6eLy2d9qj0CE1UoDGIAalkiIK0ZpTKmK4t_LRfDFYFYIpeI4DbF6BXSdSUGwb3Efz_CgnSYo3WbOxvnCXV/s320/IMG_1211.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Mighty Weeping Willow? <br />
You are not that sawn off stump to my way of thinking. <br />
You will always loom extra large in my mind.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMaiNCJcaPyh4hTZy7pjqxRj2WMGTktJrVZUrm7TE5FptORJasgqfAiBD3fwKEu0RwDcWsNSBLfI6VL2umNmeYS2FpQq1qUPYKgC_flh1TKHtDsJLvlTi2vDO9ND4o3oTOvEVNnkjX/s1600/IMG_1212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMaiNCJcaPyh4hTZy7pjqxRj2WMGTktJrVZUrm7TE5FptORJasgqfAiBD3fwKEu0RwDcWsNSBLfI6VL2umNmeYS2FpQq1qUPYKgC_flh1TKHtDsJLvlTi2vDO9ND4o3oTOvEVNnkjX/s320/IMG_1212.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
You will <i>always</i> bring to mind our delightful death-defying Tarzan & Jane leaps...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-4cc4p5fPH_KWdDk_Ydxt9Q6vIf6fgG5V6sr5l9ogo8T7Q8VOK38khN7hLi9e3NaWk9JMTwDKf4GOAVtH59MuPyTxpw5bKzlXbu5tqbS-5zLbGx8PnpJCmh6qkWJ7LPq6-jvq3NSc/s1600/IMG_1213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-4cc4p5fPH_KWdDk_Ydxt9Q6vIf6fgG5V6sr5l9ogo8T7Q8VOK38khN7hLi9e3NaWk9JMTwDKf4GOAVtH59MuPyTxpw5bKzlXbu5tqbS-5zLbGx8PnpJCmh6qkWJ7LPq6-jvq3NSc/s320/IMG_1213.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
....over the rushing waters of Grindstone Creek.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxe5k7eqvWZCGuvQpCbp04AWcdDTDhEaeCoZI1ylSBe7WrKc6R6fR-B-VW_BPIaj-hN2NxZOXZTL9UhlwYsAoxtMbwYbWckC1qfcWQHjW55nOKh3_Ph7uNvN0siUXUIqlDIwjoRTa/s1600/IMG_1214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxe5k7eqvWZCGuvQpCbp04AWcdDTDhEaeCoZI1ylSBe7WrKc6R6fR-B-VW_BPIaj-hN2NxZOXZTL9UhlwYsAoxtMbwYbWckC1qfcWQHjW55nOKh3_Ph7uNvN0siUXUIqlDIwjoRTa/s400/IMG_1214.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_Drap9ZAFUhFOSfamJWBb16wJDYdfKFoYF7ffaHDya1w2CpcL6WMmBvuPGO4W_zyhUvCWPSqFFpNydPkTlpFciDBLKc09i5fMjt-r5ygCtmRBcFU_2X_PxMXwb-ebI1Kwopk6l_Z/s1600/IMG_1215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_Drap9ZAFUhFOSfamJWBb16wJDYdfKFoYF7ffaHDya1w2CpcL6WMmBvuPGO4W_zyhUvCWPSqFFpNydPkTlpFciDBLKc09i5fMjt-r5ygCtmRBcFU_2X_PxMXwb-ebI1Kwopk6l_Z/s400/IMG_1215.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
Grindstone Creek? You are not a benign trickle in my mind...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFbbLLkMgFofKprxC9NeXAFiXWobX2N8JOT1QPf9tvfxt3HZkzhb9Xa0srJy7ottkNS1FMGcIHvikv_RyBhYEDQUha1jODKPRSNIfK0e18VV-u-4GO33HpeA9lQfszwRBFzOHJlL_e/s1600/IMG_1216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFbbLLkMgFofKprxC9NeXAFiXWobX2N8JOT1QPf9tvfxt3HZkzhb9Xa0srJy7ottkNS1FMGcIHvikv_RyBhYEDQUha1jODKPRSNIfK0e18VV-u-4GO33HpeA9lQfszwRBFzOHJlL_e/s400/IMG_1216.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
No indeed.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
You will <i>always</i> bring to mind summers filled with crayfish scavenging under every rock & crevice.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
You harboured lobsters. I remember them well. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYp5GiW8nn_a7J80xuH-U4VHRIZqj8s1HM1Yfh6QfQAI7S6QMrocL08w_l-qQ25q6eQMBZXiJwopBoUXwsWJV9VI64o3ZCfq-zLmIafVqjkjJjy0jZrqF8RRt6z4bU7QnFmITCFM7/s1600/IMG_1221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYp5GiW8nn_a7J80xuH-U4VHRIZqj8s1HM1Yfh6QfQAI7S6QMrocL08w_l-qQ25q6eQMBZXiJwopBoUXwsWJV9VI64o3ZCfq-zLmIafVqjkjJjy0jZrqF8RRt6z4bU7QnFmITCFM7/s400/IMG_1221.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
You are extraordinary. You always will be. </div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxJNr_xkjPyiQSkFBNo23ezYxOpE2xvIfD3yZ1O4MoEyB9qvPy2rS5PBO35ebaLtYG9gGaogFvKSr-eE7gY2QygLhkB8yglRsFWu-xASJ5j9YlYO1wl6Vg7sX1SnuFD8Cgnk-ExXu/s1600/IMG_1218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxJNr_xkjPyiQSkFBNo23ezYxOpE2xvIfD3yZ1O4MoEyB9qvPy2rS5PBO35ebaLtYG9gGaogFvKSr-eE7gY2QygLhkB8yglRsFWu-xASJ5j9YlYO1wl6Vg7sX1SnuFD8Cgnk-ExXu/s400/IMG_1218.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
Never forgotten.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsrb16xW-q4karnJuqaLvzG2k35XFJQlZl-Ys8bKsS89mqRP4FayWuT51z9wvB5iBSlJAeyHHBBZFfO3vNbnJ7VQYYDO0YyT2gH4bzjfq64J5WIxPOm1X5bAjj3keNRNUgZ4tIzaoiAf68/s1600/Vintage+photosCopy-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsrb16xW-q4karnJuqaLvzG2k35XFJQlZl-Ys8bKsS89mqRP4FayWuT51z9wvB5iBSlJAeyHHBBZFfO3vNbnJ7VQYYDO0YyT2gH4bzjfq64J5WIxPOm1X5bAjj3keNRNUgZ4tIzaoiAf68/s400/Vintage+photosCopy-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Forever standing strong in the tapestry of my life.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Josiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09743962903897476020noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407293068612670322.post-30062221579618076072013-07-24T23:29:00.003-04:002013-08-31T12:29:48.609-04:00Hi. I'm new here. I'm Benjamin.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCrmNuqVgbFvzoc43y0ItWrieGYHStX2QsYskUylqiyBM0cIcw3kYdriCVFCNkPWzq3sZ36oz1eFattScSJqvRrByNBH9Fe8k9JF14Pg33YoQ0nEUl8nLpf2iylsPOvQNO1qIWh9jK/s1600/IMG_1100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCrmNuqVgbFvzoc43y0ItWrieGYHStX2QsYskUylqiyBM0cIcw3kYdriCVFCNkPWzq3sZ36oz1eFattScSJqvRrByNBH9Fe8k9JF14Pg33YoQ0nEUl8nLpf2iylsPOvQNO1qIWh9jK/s400/IMG_1100.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Four little munchkins - siblings all. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEfqZQZnKeYxgBIfhJILD4uWpr-doRiQMYhhub8rJyFU9QmOTp9CiocwYxCLbgVpU_Q9gBgjXszTH2IqoZsVEMfEoK25IqmX4nPvEhUpFy2SRYmS0dmvHOnYDPPxtx6WFe16z8Zit/s1600/IMG_1107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEfqZQZnKeYxgBIfhJILD4uWpr-doRiQMYhhub8rJyFU9QmOTp9CiocwYxCLbgVpU_Q9gBgjXszTH2IqoZsVEMfEoK25IqmX4nPvEhUpFy2SRYmS0dmvHOnYDPPxtx6WFe16z8Zit/s400/IMG_1107.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Would love to know what goes thru the mind of a toddler </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
who knows the spotlight has shifted a bit.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87oCoQSRI2NAXvj894j5R8juWN10a14cdMCgf7C8IISYPyQ3lbLHVnQd_4jDpqcV7jSZ2aYXu0PgWSx5Upd5-fXcX2CDW0HLdBNiIhn3vWDLjE_gs-3nmnwq_5aMDu1o_iraymPDP/s1600/IMG_1108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87oCoQSRI2NAXvj894j5R8juWN10a14cdMCgf7C8IISYPyQ3lbLHVnQd_4jDpqcV7jSZ2aYXu0PgWSx5Upd5-fXcX2CDW0HLdBNiIhn3vWDLjE_gs-3nmnwq_5aMDu1o_iraymPDP/s400/IMG_1108.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our beautiful daughter with her daughters. <br />
Well done Sary! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUL_-bHKBVX5dbohr2MkSZCTR6bxGHfKKHrZIW6GOHn2xpIVmxHSMked8uC-4U0WmGv6o4DXc3te6hi5gj6f-mkA8AiP5hOO7G6RHb0qJ6kyJ4ZytPzRFdvVCcFoCCl_dC2oxA7t1/s1600/IMG_1111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUL_-bHKBVX5dbohr2MkSZCTR6bxGHfKKHrZIW6GOHn2xpIVmxHSMked8uC-4U0WmGv6o4DXc3te6hi5gj6f-mkA8AiP5hOO7G6RHb0qJ6kyJ4ZytPzRFdvVCcFoCCl_dC2oxA7t1/s400/IMG_1111.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Proud daddy and sons</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjccKlh57wdnZ9bZr76uUhOAJjE8ADHMt73a4-ejzPZaelYLjvXTCZoWqlY4Xs0nQiq5wDqTuKy8hep5YVaR0COZGYaHWlFO1mw1XeiQk27-H0pMtuvj5-QREWxQPfQW8SyM-ONAXhT/s1600/IMG_1114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjccKlh57wdnZ9bZr76uUhOAJjE8ADHMt73a4-ejzPZaelYLjvXTCZoWqlY4Xs0nQiq5wDqTuKy8hep5YVaR0COZGYaHWlFO1mw1XeiQk27-H0pMtuvj5-QREWxQPfQW8SyM-ONAXhT/s400/IMG_1114.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Five hours into life on earth</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9TI32D7Gl3RfKzrWXkxrUwV7t_R8QoJ7ZI4P5YXpY-p7R6DpoPzaCS-2XKtk_jNHXKl4j9UZF4alG7S4Nyz6xXTDuss2L6VOqI5VJirZk2lMb42L5uO6WQrDK9rhXY5Cbu3ROkeIe/s1600/IMG_1115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9TI32D7Gl3RfKzrWXkxrUwV7t_R8QoJ7ZI4P5YXpY-p7R6DpoPzaCS-2XKtk_jNHXKl4j9UZF4alG7S4Nyz6xXTDuss2L6VOqI5VJirZk2lMb42L5uO6WQrDK9rhXY5Cbu3ROkeIe/s400/IMG_1115.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
A royal birth in it's own right, enjoying celebrity status<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYvlAW-e4azfIbOIUTUkrkdillN_BgYBRLPKax2ahfNbNXpd4he_dm2D8DD9fI1jFNesl3jO4Td-05KKXx-dGRe97QB0q0cig1U56rd8CizIvGfj3NdDU1Grdp29fAzyB226d_0hc/s1600/IMG_1117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYvlAW-e4azfIbOIUTUkrkdillN_BgYBRLPKax2ahfNbNXpd4he_dm2D8DD9fI1jFNesl3jO4Td-05KKXx-dGRe97QB0q0cig1U56rd8CizIvGfj3NdDU1Grdp29fAzyB226d_0hc/s400/IMG_1117.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
James is on to more interesting discoveries in the snack bag...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygYi8yLAyfVT_jmLIikXG0EjwpGXaYS5NhEbK5I9aFNnE2BvxH_N-Eq0mufmoF2ALbR0eP-tW4bNM-FS6xvHKVV7Ozt90orP_qbqyp42E-GtBd0ZI-P0hgn8TgRRqBS3ZwHDsXjz_/s1600/IMG_1119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygYi8yLAyfVT_jmLIikXG0EjwpGXaYS5NhEbK5I9aFNnE2BvxH_N-Eq0mufmoF2ALbR0eP-tW4bNM-FS6xvHKVV7Ozt90orP_qbqyp42E-GtBd0ZI-P0hgn8TgRRqBS3ZwHDsXjz_/s400/IMG_1119.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Breaking out the nuts!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgulvfTGibJm0QuLcDCHXJfdec0ks9J8OSJSA2O7eByriNn4cVyPTtPFdCgCQiZNSTyr8l-czjxXuHIoiIyfYelbmz9gpgwQecqlETcXXxYq4Ipf9ZL5r8phVuB11lb4gajNE7Eneyu/s1600/IMG_1120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgulvfTGibJm0QuLcDCHXJfdec0ks9J8OSJSA2O7eByriNn4cVyPTtPFdCgCQiZNSTyr8l-czjxXuHIoiIyfYelbmz9gpgwQecqlETcXXxYq4Ipf9ZL5r8phVuB11lb4gajNE7Eneyu/s400/IMG_1120.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Leapster has a little look alike in our humble opinion. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Me thinks she agrees.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0VNZC2-bx0MkMsm-dlDLAaxQZPwMbndqX9hqWiVgm-ebj05N8eAp4V0PmHvBjvZx6Ntcnj3pgAAA11H4Gn9wSuhhNiCgdQzNGsyJTCKCVau5AMnHWKR_N9EPoafK9W1dhXEPHDAH4/s1600/IMG_1123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0VNZC2-bx0MkMsm-dlDLAaxQZPwMbndqX9hqWiVgm-ebj05N8eAp4V0PmHvBjvZx6Ntcnj3pgAAA11H4Gn9wSuhhNiCgdQzNGsyJTCKCVau5AMnHWKR_N9EPoafK9W1dhXEPHDAH4/s320/IMG_1123.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Trips to the hospital seem to inspire role play.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Perhaps it's just a coping strategy of leaving parents and baby behind?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Josiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09743962903897476020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407293068612670322.post-5619572558320805652013-05-21T12:45:00.000-04:002013-05-21T12:45:58.572-04:00Mourning with those who Mourn<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/mq59iE3MhXM" width="400"></iframe>Josiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09743962903897476020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407293068612670322.post-13264439901823116372013-04-17T01:10:00.001-04:002013-04-17T01:27:39.555-04:00The Gettys Are Coming<br />
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img alt="" aria-busy="false" aria-describedby="fbPhotosSnowliftCaption" class="spotlight" height="400" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/10004_10152682264045136_56860852_n.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<br />
To Ontario.<br />
Yes. They are.<br />
To Hamilton Place.<br />
October 24, 2013<br />
SO SAVE THE DATE and SPREAD THE WORD...Josiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09743962903897476020noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407293068612670322.post-33764306740079726912013-03-29T18:22:00.002-04:002013-03-29T18:22:27.905-04:00Christ is Risen<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family: Papyrus; width: 559px;"><tbody>
<tr><td width="739"><table bgcolor="#000000" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td valign="top"><a href="http://tre.emv3.com/HS?a=ENX7ClqOQVUn8SA9MOABv07nGHxKWPPmevcStGb5lw8W0bBhOG5mpqVsje_HheCH3l0O"><img border="0" height="36" src="http://www.gettymusic.com/mailing2/images/mar13-easter_01.jpg" style="display: block;" width="96" /></a></td><td valign="top"><a href="http://tre.emv3.com/HS?a=ENX7ClqOQVUn8SA9MOABv07nGHxKWPPme_cStGb5lw8W0bBhOG5mpqVsje_HheCH3l0P"><img border="0" height="36" src="http://www.gettymusic.com/mailing2/images/mar13-easter_02.jpg" style="display: block;" width="46" /></a></td><td><a href="http://tre.emv3.com/HS?a=ENX7ClqOQVUn8SA9MOABv07nGHxKWPPqUvcStGb5lw8W0bBhOG5mpqVsje_HheCH3l36"><img border="0" height="36" src="http://www.gettymusic.com/mailing2/images/mar13-easter_03.jpg" style="display: block;" width="416" /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://tre.emv3.com/HS?a=ENX7ClqOQVUn8SA9MOABv07nGHxKWPPqU_cStGb5lw8W0bBhOG5mpqVsje_HheCH3l37"><img border="0" height="90" src="http://www.gettymusic.com/mailing2/images/mar13-easter_04.jpg" style="display: block;" width="558" /></a><a href="http://www.gettymusic.com/"><img border="0" height="333" src="http://www.gettymusic.com/mailing2/images/mar13-easter_05.jpg" style="display: block;" width="558" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://tre.emv3.com/HS?a=ENX7ClqOQVUn8SA9MOABv07nGHxKWPPqUPcStGb5lw8W0bBhOG5mpqVsje_HheCH3l34"></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Josiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09743962903897476020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407293068612670322.post-43458847056882188222013-03-12T20:10:00.000-04:002013-08-31T21:18:30.127-04:00Named! At long last...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFX_15QcD5nYqP2CcRPw4LOM4BzZJGDD4uV4z37d0nJY7kvQK_iwZ2jmmP2otOP7aNNA4UnQC3DTBbqP4KNkm1cbW6VgFdeYXZ9t_IsZAQc6VOJ2nF91qBDp47DNTc-UETDvdC3cJg/s1600/DSC_6117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFX_15QcD5nYqP2CcRPw4LOM4BzZJGDD4uV4z37d0nJY7kvQK_iwZ2jmmP2otOP7aNNA4UnQC3DTBbqP4KNkm1cbW6VgFdeYXZ9t_IsZAQc6VOJ2nF91qBDp47DNTc-UETDvdC3cJg/s400/DSC_6117.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
And the winning combination of names is.....<i>drum-roll please</i>....<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Linc-uhm Larry Flair Bear. </span><br />
Thanks to all for the umm, <i>earnest</i> submissions. <br />
I needed to sleep on them for a month of days and finally decided on a combination of three submissions. <br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Lincoln Larry</span> by Micah, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Uhm</span> by James and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Flair Bear</span> by Ames.Josiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09743962903897476020noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407293068612670322.post-83816463155675491792013-02-23T23:48:00.000-05:002013-02-24T10:23:27.621-05:00Sunshine on my Shoulders<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEbAMhoTsGUA8c3aJ606P33iBGLk5YyLkaUJnyUWvP-NpNPqhEtvJRX2vTNoU-ojGth0JsXVxD5P8fckr-st0CYANLDek83-FELFZkMR329AL4eRq-VxSH79R69kG0fapedkO9EcOH/s1600/IMG_0751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEbAMhoTsGUA8c3aJ606P33iBGLk5YyLkaUJnyUWvP-NpNPqhEtvJRX2vTNoU-ojGth0JsXVxD5P8fckr-st0CYANLDek83-FELFZkMR329AL4eRq-VxSH79R69kG0fapedkO9EcOH/s400/IMG_0751.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Green Eggs and Ham was on the menu at a local breakfast place. <br />
Seriously. Green Eggs and Ham. <br />
I ordered them just so I could take a picture and post it in honour of my beautiful grand-peeps. <br />
The "green" is spinach and advacado. <br />
And it tasted really good just like Sam-I-am says. <br />
Nothing to be squeamish about. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGvSWuqzITnJ6XPKzjl-5y7ROkaZm_qADewtkdjz9v8vXR8jZW-0tcTuKDv87OZJ-ZqtKhQt4IGi1ROKtLSBUDQnz8lRca2O4Nu8tN_eLnZac23mvf945oGpK7XI3iolazlJyciSc9/s1600/IMG_0762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGvSWuqzITnJ6XPKzjl-5y7ROkaZm_qADewtkdjz9v8vXR8jZW-0tcTuKDv87OZJ-ZqtKhQt4IGi1ROKtLSBUDQnz8lRca2O4Nu8tN_eLnZac23mvf945oGpK7XI3iolazlJyciSc9/s400/IMG_0762.jpg" width="328" /></a></div>
This was a little gecko lizard keeping me company in the lanai. <br />
I find them fascinating and friendly little things. <br />
The one that jumped out from behind the pillows when I pulled the bed covers back however,<br />
... not so much. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5bfFUTOYkZNvcyMm5_S4U-f25KzMLMIZFEF2Mb-LR-tfjgnCeC8QqoO-G_5e-GkEPry1h2HkHve-P5OETdHLo0GvUCRrcj-di-xkhoIve3yNE51rT5IUELRstOGxRxwfYlAO5NBVl/s1600/IMG_0792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5bfFUTOYkZNvcyMm5_S4U-f25KzMLMIZFEF2Mb-LR-tfjgnCeC8QqoO-G_5e-GkEPry1h2HkHve-P5OETdHLo0GvUCRrcj-di-xkhoIve3yNE51rT5IUELRstOGxRxwfYlAO5NBVl/s400/IMG_0792.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKlnx7Sc9gaopC76997_1kXVjKd8N_CSUANvIrwOeA12WUkC1_7Ef2xw6GiUs21MsTJkLbcK4iN7RKA9e7QmZT_ZN6vF6c2iSSycZnaVKQKqps0VREgQHcdFR240JUQgW8ZixL-Fju/s1600/IMG_0795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKlnx7Sc9gaopC76997_1kXVjKd8N_CSUANvIrwOeA12WUkC1_7Ef2xw6GiUs21MsTJkLbcK4iN7RKA9e7QmZT_ZN6vF6c2iSSycZnaVKQKqps0VREgQHcdFR240JUQgW8ZixL-Fju/s400/IMG_0795.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Dining and fellowshipping with niece Nicole is a wonderful annual treat. <br />
Each time we decide to dine out we've been able to do so under a canopy of stars and a moon that is almost full now!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYq64ncnBYKtoz7U3McuQ_Z74YFNNlPp3Gd_dtAZi_KS9Gxm8EYYKKEQZhKq12CZRywy1yloG95XhlnI9n0pjUfCrWTtojuY9NcKTJh93jBqRbqJoJlziTTVTEz9LVYOASyAESGfzh/s1600/IMG_0799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYq64ncnBYKtoz7U3McuQ_Z74YFNNlPp3Gd_dtAZi_KS9Gxm8EYYKKEQZhKq12CZRywy1yloG95XhlnI9n0pjUfCrWTtojuY9NcKTJh93jBqRbqJoJlziTTVTEz9LVYOASyAESGfzh/s400/IMG_0799.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNkl1JPssLYOwf244pgs1F2XeU-lmC-XFMA_QEOjdJKQxkN1uA0UHRTNRAC3ALB1i_nqf98OCBnTc1OlHRx_2Y7ZHYWwNsuBLOiW0-fsqyXK_SHaGE48_hVCVcKx-D47dPulS5yMq/s1600/IMG_0806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNkl1JPssLYOwf244pgs1F2XeU-lmC-XFMA_QEOjdJKQxkN1uA0UHRTNRAC3ALB1i_nqf98OCBnTc1OlHRx_2Y7ZHYWwNsuBLOiW0-fsqyXK_SHaGE48_hVCVcKx-D47dPulS5yMq/s320/IMG_0806.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgXwpGEGY-HYBJ1JSJBfEK44LoFZgcTVZcrOzL57dnhFa5aOWfAlM48E2xn4x6r_zdCuXEmp5kxL2_K9txCn7d80G_7zhVN_2jJGP-liBAdnDmR6DFFeerBxqGhCiqGvchx-W16q4/s1600/IMG_0810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgXwpGEGY-HYBJ1JSJBfEK44LoFZgcTVZcrOzL57dnhFa5aOWfAlM48E2xn4x6r_zdCuXEmp5kxL2_K9txCn7d80G_7zhVN_2jJGP-liBAdnDmR6DFFeerBxqGhCiqGvchx-W16q4/s400/IMG_0810.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
...the cloudy skies were exceptionally notable today. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD5XZcvZyShsMYOpH0NOVrvhDHTm6f-Hrc6wiZSlH_LX5jGULXRE82nuZUniC7VdJMDA9WQVqQOOaIowzP-pXMJMqOTVwOoKtxGLayt1Ll_84B3BL5oZo6PR6F0yvE9ku2qQQoSHhl/s1600/IMG_0818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="85" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD5XZcvZyShsMYOpH0NOVrvhDHTm6f-Hrc6wiZSlH_LX5jGULXRE82nuZUniC7VdJMDA9WQVqQOOaIowzP-pXMJMqOTVwOoKtxGLayt1Ll_84B3BL5oZo6PR6F0yvE9ku2qQQoSHhl/s400/IMG_0818.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Can't seem to get enough of this panaromic option on my phone ever since Lilly pointed it out to me :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfyrhbaZAUkp0r6gFtKMfDEzBKzCeAdLM6DFPyRDC4qZKCUt8uT_lHkO9NDeYckihXvQIhblNS-g_A-TgHJm7RIzUsAP5oVCJJDA3dNTpzuCD9R9E48UBHUckAyCaBLAGky2Wfr5VU/s1600/IMG_0825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfyrhbaZAUkp0r6gFtKMfDEzBKzCeAdLM6DFPyRDC4qZKCUt8uT_lHkO9NDeYckihXvQIhblNS-g_A-TgHJm7RIzUsAP5oVCJJDA3dNTpzuCD9R9E48UBHUckAyCaBLAGky2Wfr5VU/s640/IMG_0825.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74KDrKykEFey-aSRYWy14qohRxyZ9FIC2EAgn74cr-kmTxcIQlbjafJDMqEeKKkziZCNo-MGIowoVWIUHNAXeak1ZWSIyICQJVOdW3R_LtiTy2qYNNFxC1UIlR4rWQUYKYsb-IPDy/s1600/IMG_0828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74KDrKykEFey-aSRYWy14qohRxyZ9FIC2EAgn74cr-kmTxcIQlbjafJDMqEeKKkziZCNo-MGIowoVWIUHNAXeak1ZWSIyICQJVOdW3R_LtiTy2qYNNFxC1UIlR4rWQUYKYsb-IPDy/s400/IMG_0828.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
A school of dolphins were at play (and definitely on a school break) not far from this rock reef.<br />
Sorry, I enjoyed that so much I forgot to take a picture.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU20uWUmUShoiVmeKp8rOidE9qyeFGiGKIlO75Y7-y0eA1mwLfrnR42bRfqm8sfqqO32SduOD8GDiva729341qXsYs2dhTzj7ympfhBy0-_i4k3ArgK9XANP57QwPAL6FL8-RiRqgM/s1600/IMG_0822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU20uWUmUShoiVmeKp8rOidE9qyeFGiGKIlO75Y7-y0eA1mwLfrnR42bRfqm8sfqqO32SduOD8GDiva729341qXsYs2dhTzj7ympfhBy0-_i4k3ArgK9XANP57QwPAL6FL8-RiRqgM/s320/IMG_0822.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The ocean is terrifically cold, mesmerizing to listen to and watch but preferably from a seat on the beach. Where you can knit a beret with a towel across your legs. :)<br />
If my mother and sisters could see me now....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL15gGWkEOv2sEZfWWLlYZv61Jo3Nmc52RmBrazEzFDl-385Mvk1N4aZhCEWrrpvQPp6xxoRkuZ43ZpoYil3SCjZSy2LqfZZ8Z_yZbV59Nq_ZJt0uXRy3PkYcpuuhRCq8he6n6Ky5A/s1600/IMG_0829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL15gGWkEOv2sEZfWWLlYZv61Jo3Nmc52RmBrazEzFDl-385Mvk1N4aZhCEWrrpvQPp6xxoRkuZ43ZpoYil3SCjZSy2LqfZZ8Z_yZbV59Nq_ZJt0uXRy3PkYcpuuhRCq8he6n6Ky5A/s320/IMG_0829.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Knitting on a beach. Pfft! Enjoying it even. Me oh my.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A tribute to Nikki - one is never too old and no situation too hopeless!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMcW4ecEEaDcQs_NHhU6RmH_Qbc4-o7g5bsM_6OuU8WNprbYM_w5mTZwhcS384JsRjdXTb-Ea-lwfvWK6ikDspId9Jcw9YR3M-GGJaEKSX-1Fh7tYyyyp_fRqUr81RjsS1aykib9D/s1600/IMG_0839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMcW4ecEEaDcQs_NHhU6RmH_Qbc4-o7g5bsM_6OuU8WNprbYM_w5mTZwhcS384JsRjdXTb-Ea-lwfvWK6ikDspId9Jcw9YR3M-GGJaEKSX-1Fh7tYyyyp_fRqUr81RjsS1aykib9D/s640/IMG_0839.jpg" width="275" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
What was that?! she exclaimed ... on sighting a small but decidedly owlish figure sitting in the sun on a stake, surrounded by orange tape around a makeshift "pen". </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The man behind the wheel pulled a U-turn & stopped long enough to satisfy my curiosity. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Up popped another owl out of the ground (see the mound?) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-coOU6t4yovx7qK6aMSRs8ewjbJhrYvPkvt9fpYQ6-dzxn2GrNZ9wB3Za8yjYFeiEmj8mJsFGQMCIOPZDd95LTgxAtv7ZDM4dmayN9geS3J7qNEmdiK6KiKgNlukVYN6T_Sgd_TQa/s1600/IMG_0842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-coOU6t4yovx7qK6aMSRs8ewjbJhrYvPkvt9fpYQ6-dzxn2GrNZ9wB3Za8yjYFeiEmj8mJsFGQMCIOPZDd95LTgxAtv7ZDM4dmayN9geS3J7qNEmdiK6KiKgNlukVYN6T_Sgd_TQa/s400/IMG_0842.jpg" width="313" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Then I walked over and found this sun bleached warning about "harassing" </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
these protected burrowing owls. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEIfXKqg6CDdlapx1FahwsIpb9KFwTnWsxNMY4W48swyY8NSxpwLtYhgnGhRplp1QzA34wDJiYZb4FxZaqwQUF8JnZjoF3sAssdA2idLvM4OsWX762W9f3q7QPp4YJycGzi1ceetH/s1600/IMG_0841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEIfXKqg6CDdlapx1FahwsIpb9KFwTnWsxNMY4W48swyY8NSxpwLtYhgnGhRplp1QzA34wDJiYZb4FxZaqwQUF8JnZjoF3sAssdA2idLvM4OsWX762W9f3q7QPp4YJycGzi1ceetH/s400/IMG_0841.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Burrowing Owls and Gopher Tortoises are protected and there are signs and warnings about fines everywhere to demonstrate the gravity of the situation. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is all well and good except that it seems like these species enjoy more dignity of life </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
than the American unborn child.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's disturbing.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLrNq_3wFm6uJ2PeDgIer6i5L4LC2Cdd5I-ygqyPq8kAEZhMbHBoSZaK9LALBPN4iMj1-r-2laxG9mt_LPGSgYl202CPKOMmOWggV1JVd8ol4Lwuy8wdE5nEa1dL8P7r0d2IfX2mv8/s1600/IMG_0832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLrNq_3wFm6uJ2PeDgIer6i5L4LC2Cdd5I-ygqyPq8kAEZhMbHBoSZaK9LALBPN4iMj1-r-2laxG9mt_LPGSgYl202CPKOMmOWggV1JVd8ol4Lwuy8wdE5nEa1dL8P7r0d2IfX2mv8/s400/IMG_0832.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGCgKZuXVKg9aExJ7z76xJtecAd5hyphenhyphenW0nEMnynEbzEkRnjfxsljWMP4D6v65KVjYVeT1FR5yp1ja9x0T0Avigd5IeK5BASp5hmdQkEJng3qLoj2FDESIoGcSRi61uMdHg6xYKZaoA2/s1600/IMG_0834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGCgKZuXVKg9aExJ7z76xJtecAd5hyphenhyphenW0nEMnynEbzEkRnjfxsljWMP4D6v65KVjYVeT1FR5yp1ja9x0T0Avigd5IeK5BASp5hmdQkEJng3qLoj2FDESIoGcSRi61uMdHg6xYKZaoA2/s400/IMG_0834.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
We are crazy about long and linear palm trees.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi88e8msYoYrNiDf69W5x86QRvoS1iH8UPPCeCYekTKthbEnZ-75-gFCTndieV9xKDS-vziIp7Hzmigadm_8Kx62mmv2ZdqbjM0jppoNeA3ptfpHQu-MfUh9zVEEnNpWvr8CMrLGLx/s1600/IMG_0836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi88e8msYoYrNiDf69W5x86QRvoS1iH8UPPCeCYekTKthbEnZ-75-gFCTndieV9xKDS-vziIp7Hzmigadm_8Kx62mmv2ZdqbjM0jppoNeA3ptfpHQu-MfUh9zVEEnNpWvr8CMrLGLx/s400/IMG_0836.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
They look so fantastic in Christmas lights!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGNee-sHfMXQHnofgiSoep9NFDjr1F2Qb7j3NuRrn85vDGt8IpoFJhfQN5sohSjH9PM73dKcDUGHH1z50kpDO1AY_4MC-YiS4Vi9KeL2pS6RnndiNkHx6lwNYUcjH4884IehQnf9Uu/s1600/IMG_0857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGNee-sHfMXQHnofgiSoep9NFDjr1F2Qb7j3NuRrn85vDGt8IpoFJhfQN5sohSjH9PM73dKcDUGHH1z50kpDO1AY_4MC-YiS4Vi9KeL2pS6RnndiNkHx6lwNYUcjH4884IehQnf9Uu/s400/IMG_0857.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Naples 5th Avenue is a happening place day & night if parking 6 blocks over is any indication.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURUVhBmulpoVyr8y3FI9Ps5KZBfh2fCmIqX4QgTv8JAFY0pV6njhfdBJQ221rQdWQ9hyphenhyphenajYC5IwfbxxpcIU2iy0gd3TzLuqR_zW3E49nZku3N6ljNp65zERYrfpzcMMRGzsDIYrtQ/s1600/IMG_0845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURUVhBmulpoVyr8y3FI9Ps5KZBfh2fCmIqX4QgTv8JAFY0pV6njhfdBJQ221rQdWQ9hyphenhyphenajYC5IwfbxxpcIU2iy0gd3TzLuqR_zW3E49nZku3N6ljNp65zERYrfpzcMMRGzsDIYrtQ/s400/IMG_0845.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The tree pictured above is one tree (<a href="http:/" target="_blank">a Banyan</a>) coming up out of the ground with more multi-stems than you can count. That is apparently its primary characteristic. <br />
A new house is being constructed around the tree. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6y5jvQt8k78detPvhSdYtbDYYIlC_pko6hSYHIShWh-b9OLPg4HCrdcdCKi8tpxvgvZZklTMgj1WIxkSqSA-tTZmqwyDY3Mevdf_UJ1P4V7S9saGpV9rGZ9tQX9IQXL7MzYisRyZB/s1600/IMG_0850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6y5jvQt8k78detPvhSdYtbDYYIlC_pko6hSYHIShWh-b9OLPg4HCrdcdCKi8tpxvgvZZklTMgj1WIxkSqSA-tTZmqwyDY3Mevdf_UJ1P4V7S9saGpV9rGZ9tQX9IQXL7MzYisRyZB/s400/IMG_0850.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
The sunset I almost missed - the sun dropped into the ocean at lightning speed while I was photographing the Robinson Crusoe tree not fifty steps away.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcm1WZzZxJJCnWHk63GKDQD1F-AmArzBd_7k8ISo7SphH1DK8LGTRLdpScQbX3wTpkMgtc2GH6EAEVQ_1O1Zx5-8ueU0VpNLWoWoDv3_J306sZWgQxfnbi9Wa32j4rj3bjS7sjoLOd/s1600/IMG_0848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcm1WZzZxJJCnWHk63GKDQD1F-AmArzBd_7k8ISo7SphH1DK8LGTRLdpScQbX3wTpkMgtc2GH6EAEVQ_1O1Zx5-8ueU0VpNLWoWoDv3_J306sZWgQxfnbi9Wa32j4rj3bjS7sjoLOd/s400/IMG_0848.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Josiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09743962903897476020noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407293068612670322.post-73852981311321479062013-02-17T22:51:00.000-05:002013-02-18T08:16:15.696-05:00From North to Naples<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjGMY8RK44vqZL5X9uFxa1kydgqcPSidmGmd_a2qGrRjpWdZ13zvJAvdqUghgK4FJ3H8FBb00-4NGPnAIA3wU9q-X979-4t4JZ1eByI5zlAv3LygPaBqYPSEym6DQFTqM80TgUEzHm/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjGMY8RK44vqZL5X9uFxa1kydgqcPSidmGmd_a2qGrRjpWdZ13zvJAvdqUghgK4FJ3H8FBb00-4NGPnAIA3wU9q-X979-4t4JZ1eByI5zlAv3LygPaBqYPSEym6DQFTqM80TgUEzHm/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="85" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjGMY8RK44vqZL5X9uFxa1kydgqcPSidmGmd_a2qGrRjpWdZ13zvJAvdqUghgK4FJ3H8FBb00-4NGPnAIA3wU9q-X979-4t4JZ1eByI5zlAv3LygPaBqYPSEym6DQFTqM80TgUEzHm/s400/image.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is a panoramic photo (compliments of friend Lilly) of the first and fastest storm I've ever witnessed rolling in from the ocean. It was a rather phenomenal sight - the temperature literally dropped by the minute and a ferocious wind kicked up enough sand to put an abrupt end to our picnic on the beach. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNhsMt945LUsGCuMDV16YPoj_Ui8ftHQlp5e1kDAFjiO0EsLr0kx6Lkkwmjmme5x2iMfEvLYY5Ew533PaX4rMUVhc3rn46iY4njP86Cpkh5w5zBa4TOqJUbeb5ze0yGc_CbtNT3OH/s1600/IMG_0733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNhsMt945LUsGCuMDV16YPoj_Ui8ftHQlp5e1kDAFjiO0EsLr0kx6Lkkwmjmme5x2iMfEvLYY5Ew533PaX4rMUVhc3rn46iY4njP86Cpkh5w5zBa4TOqJUbeb5ze0yGc_CbtNT3OH/s400/IMG_0733.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Doesn't look so threatening does it?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgulJYobF8cYwH-GprBD9T2bFQIZCvNCDmUu73Y-8ZzX3QYURUUoeYUcSgUmnyeo6P26WvBfJpB7BlVzjWuwyhK9syvy4vz7NB4V5C6Yocp7ep11J2j83s770WGXnMJY1TeX78iEzH/s1600/IMG_0732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgulJYobF8cYwH-GprBD9T2bFQIZCvNCDmUu73Y-8ZzX3QYURUUoeYUcSgUmnyeo6P26WvBfJpB7BlVzjWuwyhK9syvy4vz7NB4V5C6Yocp7ep11J2j83s770WGXnMJY1TeX78iEzH/s400/IMG_0732.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
But an hour later it's "mild" beginning... began.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha8AAkV1R5fBeFRgp3MChigjgmcLFyItC8vaOPLRP8m4lt1hIlVZ5FR8GZABUb6nUvn3e_LoUNPO7UmOtMspSQCjpd6VGBsHXygR8XS-ilLXRB7U8POxP13C2q158Imj7lUUZgUiJG/s1600/IMG_0735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha8AAkV1R5fBeFRgp3MChigjgmcLFyItC8vaOPLRP8m4lt1hIlVZ5FR8GZABUb6nUvn3e_LoUNPO7UmOtMspSQCjpd6VGBsHXygR8XS-ilLXRB7U8POxP13C2q158Imj7lUUZgUiJG/s400/IMG_0735.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Very soon after that panoramic shot we scurried back over the boardwalk in Delgor-Wiggins State Park to our vehicle and made haste, seeking refuge in Books-A-Million where the rain came down (monsoonal style) and thundered on the roof loud enough to interfere with normal conversation. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I've been happily visiting this part of Florida for many years and have never seen the likes of it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd1m8aUNRm1pLWIv3jTvOg_BPtjIsYKYzwCzBpjCBRhF4ddVso0M3kPTMdaozk6pcglCdmGcNgKtAlzK7r-3cwdUxWQAtNAFbwxZNzyLxd2jb7oOgLYRkQo4jBiBpBiyEcBEBHcsaF/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd1m8aUNRm1pLWIv3jTvOg_BPtjIsYKYzwCzBpjCBRhF4ddVso0M3kPTMdaozk6pcglCdmGcNgKtAlzK7r-3cwdUxWQAtNAFbwxZNzyLxd2jb7oOgLYRkQo4jBiBpBiyEcBEBHcsaF/s400/photo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is a new activity for us. I must say, we could get quite used to it except that biking at home (anywhere) is not unlike risky behaviour, living on the edge, and downright dangerous. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9qywR2qytTOxVGiHnK3ydfEMOQ3VuauddEHovSKRLuf-VTaw9-N24EIyP69rX4r8aAXAj7LL7LwmociNwP4BobDzhpMby9AGJtJokYpIe9Vkzm8z1jwkcanIg2ycltZWKoziO0gk/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9qywR2qytTOxVGiHnK3ydfEMOQ3VuauddEHovSKRLuf-VTaw9-N24EIyP69rX4r8aAXAj7LL7LwmociNwP4BobDzhpMby9AGJtJokYpIe9Vkzm8z1jwkcanIg2ycltZWKoziO0gk/s400/photo.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This, on the other hand, is <i>not</i> such a new activity for us.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrp2cgCuyaxO4WQ9z4nLNKkJMn3y4MASBkaGM_4LFMKFfZjuEUUe_Yw48veCh9FY5Pdyy6gM-iCZ1LDAAQi3lVbPbQe39A1YGoW-TPb4UFirpQkEpeBZMAveVdZf6re0icIgctRyAB/s1600/IMG_0737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrp2cgCuyaxO4WQ9z4nLNKkJMn3y4MASBkaGM_4LFMKFfZjuEUUe_Yw48veCh9FY5Pdyy6gM-iCZ1LDAAQi3lVbPbQe39A1YGoW-TPb4UFirpQkEpeBZMAveVdZf6re0icIgctRyAB/s400/IMG_0737.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_VQ26jeBWfnVsjDGhY5RMgsD3IFcItAlkMblizJ10Fm9XpLnnTNItLoNdIZGTuiqNWX9evMYM8AdYbRuwQJtjMl1FGUBWlEu6caEuUBiwpNSPRBP2aIONvu8PBS229GW0XEj4pdaQ/s1600/IMG_0709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_VQ26jeBWfnVsjDGhY5RMgsD3IFcItAlkMblizJ10Fm9XpLnnTNItLoNdIZGTuiqNWX9evMYM8AdYbRuwQJtjMl1FGUBWlEu6caEuUBiwpNSPRBP2aIONvu8PBS229GW0XEj4pdaQ/s400/IMG_0709.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxivTtfTW3olCvgY7oZDk0KiMgPzWE_yvl1uaKz6O7DSoiOsG3SCIywiiO2t8-chyphenhyphenAerPoNSxDKM_7O7tIxVQo73LJfUqByno98gqhhq8OW59WNWbxdVM64nQWQbb_D7ToSpY8M2D/s1600/IMG_0738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxivTtfTW3olCvgY7oZDk0KiMgPzWE_yvl1uaKz6O7DSoiOsG3SCIywiiO2t8-chyphenhyphenAerPoNSxDKM_7O7tIxVQo73LJfUqByno98gqhhq8OW59WNWbxdVM64nQWQbb_D7ToSpY8M2D/s400/IMG_0738.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg99SbJZ5U1wsroGrcAie56ooA4TcXrEUhMf5uoKBf9FuoiHWLNdHAliRIVz03-ZVEyoWDWpIRxAsh9wsIt8HXHH0g8SLZVYNtTTmfcEMHi-oGf_X1djpDmlTfCQyFOZdSn_47hW2l/s1600/The+Ent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg99SbJZ5U1wsroGrcAie56ooA4TcXrEUhMf5uoKBf9FuoiHWLNdHAliRIVz03-ZVEyoWDWpIRxAsh9wsIt8HXHH0g8SLZVYNtTTmfcEMHi-oGf_X1djpDmlTfCQyFOZdSn_47hW2l/s400/The+Ent.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Eeek! The Ents have relocated! And look at that prevailing stormy sky. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It might chase one off the beach but there is NO way to intimidate the die-hard golfer </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(of the sort I am married to).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzlPfNIobA4o9STqr-hDqarzNdT6r6B_W3anS3dQkyrNto5AFxepKrent4UootPOFfSEZUIwvibrCP8HA5D2ScCK6UrIgaBm34wFvfm-GdiK9bdXVHkL7kIbLauBuIMPjp0sgNNSem/s1600/IMG_0720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzlPfNIobA4o9STqr-hDqarzNdT6r6B_W3anS3dQkyrNto5AFxepKrent4UootPOFfSEZUIwvibrCP8HA5D2ScCK6UrIgaBm34wFvfm-GdiK9bdXVHkL7kIbLauBuIMPjp0sgNNSem/s400/IMG_0720.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We are really enjoying our rental digs. There's my funny boy.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVwkaylHOq4vK0c3-TZDG5jxM1XdEYm-Ap32vzwSzpck6-GeYGJOFOkl63CeZvY7hQwXSaexAVCqdxTkKYTFvLX4RthdTV-R2dnHef0OU9gA5iQo2cDC4EQCyX3M3FtQ2RX90PRRq/s1600/IMG_0721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVwkaylHOq4vK0c3-TZDG5jxM1XdEYm-Ap32vzwSzpck6-GeYGJOFOkl63CeZvY7hQwXSaexAVCqdxTkKYTFvLX4RthdTV-R2dnHef0OU9gA5iQo2cDC4EQCyX3M3FtQ2RX90PRRq/s400/IMG_0721.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8r7oP24NRSe13jU3xFjeJ7O6jOZTjzJv7jO50rtAxePLM-hj5_4WLM0-49QCJJ-oEBaXS0oD21gXDMscuIuUhxP4rEkSABLkIfBrgK7kcQNhmmFmEnPo0wJLZ9R4wkLpzNqWNOOHb/s1600/IMG_0740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8r7oP24NRSe13jU3xFjeJ7O6jOZTjzJv7jO50rtAxePLM-hj5_4WLM0-49QCJJ-oEBaXS0oD21gXDMscuIuUhxP4rEkSABLkIfBrgK7kcQNhmmFmEnPo0wJLZ9R4wkLpzNqWNOOHb/s400/IMG_0740.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Books A Million here in Naples has a giant banner draped outside announcing Store Closing. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is a sad thing. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I confess I felt like a vulture descending on some woe-begotten prey. But I did it anyway. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIIrFrTGEaBUL-4q3UNegEJEr4ItjM4wk7SwOPAKqDWCY9uGTleNz7ierdfyVn-Lpuks5tlu8P1qxtRB0Z54LhJr9mFcgS0gjc-NmQjSKlYpRh7u-RYKJ89UoB2U8OGEA6CxGppclJ/s1600/IMG_0744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIIrFrTGEaBUL-4q3UNegEJEr4ItjM4wk7SwOPAKqDWCY9uGTleNz7ierdfyVn-Lpuks5tlu8P1qxtRB0Z54LhJr9mFcgS0gjc-NmQjSKlYpRh7u-RYKJ89UoB2U8OGEA6CxGppclJ/s400/IMG_0744.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I exercised restraint <strike>mostly</strike> only because my beloved said I wasn't allowed to buy another </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
suitcase to ship all the books back home. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
*sigh* </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The spoil-sport. :) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmjzzSAAYgJm7VVgbnwvVVwQlRzCh4MBdfQ1S9z48y7EkTg7zAevSDpDBQzpaBAPHQzTI42rhTBOYIDaCC8arFKuz3ebYaXASwq_m_UAie52Zx9IKOnkJ-E1s72N6M-z5X43-u1hR/s1600/IMG_0745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmjzzSAAYgJm7VVgbnwvVVwQlRzCh4MBdfQ1S9z48y7EkTg7zAevSDpDBQzpaBAPHQzTI42rhTBOYIDaCC8arFKuz3ebYaXASwq_m_UAie52Zx9IKOnkJ-E1s72N6M-z5X43-u1hR/s400/IMG_0745.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0r96kv8QkBDz6NVZEG_lrmyXTHmAcyBB0CbbtJogNbWxCxU2A1puw14kV5-ybcyXftJNHYKu0saoOTHbUHPyePsIE4_wKioCc4KLBIHCfRJwPJXJ5_WTJbhtEOysO0R5sHctwbp6n/s1600/IMG_0749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0r96kv8QkBDz6NVZEG_lrmyXTHmAcyBB0CbbtJogNbWxCxU2A1puw14kV5-ybcyXftJNHYKu0saoOTHbUHPyePsIE4_wKioCc4KLBIHCfRJwPJXJ5_WTJbhtEOysO0R5sHctwbp6n/s400/IMG_0749.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Naples in Florida is now synonymous with knitting as well. This is crow eating admission for me, having heckled my family & having protestith overmuch at the notion not even 3 years ago. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So I just want to say, in my effort to come clean and all, I started this <i>all on my own</i> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and even watched several online videos last week to jog my memory on how to knit </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
in a seamless round with two circular needles.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWw-mRckS1_u57bAY6pSxbmVkuIPayvUddoPk_3l1YtVm5aDdeTYO_ZOSXRcP-KGC_gLuxpNgDriln2lhKsemdFcMgWMzlcjUe4hWxPtgGpUS_tT08lw9t61XN3S0FH51AeHVLGOg/s1600/photo-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWw-mRckS1_u57bAY6pSxbmVkuIPayvUddoPk_3l1YtVm5aDdeTYO_ZOSXRcP-KGC_gLuxpNgDriln2lhKsemdFcMgWMzlcjUe4hWxPtgGpUS_tT08lw9t61XN3S0FH51AeHVLGOg/s400/photo-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Grand-daughter Danielle picked out this skein of hot pink wool with candy coloured flecks </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
in the hopes that I would make her a beret. Well. It's done my little Dee. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00DW59L4qqMzwGdLxHcXAWNXe-WFbzXvUMtpMkD94p1BnPr5nNuvEKH_cIEs9F33SP1nxShNb5yUNBU7q6qvTs6FuAtp1coSXAK2JqpqyauaCWzAm9d9ueh8AtYK1dxzFP0LVeBvI/s1600/IMG_0746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00DW59L4qqMzwGdLxHcXAWNXe-WFbzXvUMtpMkD94p1BnPr5nNuvEKH_cIEs9F33SP1nxShNb5yUNBU7q6qvTs6FuAtp1coSXAK2JqpqyauaCWzAm9d9ueh8AtYK1dxzFP0LVeBvI/s400/IMG_0746.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Tomorrow, I will attempt a few flowers to accessorize the hat in a manner that matches </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
the fun & flair of your personality! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFwFrDzblZZsps7oqrcDsjoV4bzBgwjnuUgKlpC0IG3JSMEzygN5AXUczkZOhbpAJPVMP7_2rlvYWx4Qk56k3r9sSYdi4HiYCOz34w6Wzg4lvUo6zterNteUaOA-LvHalZ7pX-26Yb/s1600/Hordyk089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFwFrDzblZZsps7oqrcDsjoV4bzBgwjnuUgKlpC0IG3JSMEzygN5AXUczkZOhbpAJPVMP7_2rlvYWx4Qk56k3r9sSYdi4HiYCOz34w6Wzg4lvUo6zterNteUaOA-LvHalZ7pX-26Yb/s320/Hordyk089.JPG" width="251" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
To temper this dangerous amount of pride, I make special mention once again of my sister. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Let's face it, without her extraordinary long-suffering mentoring I'd be <i>nowhere</i> on the knitting scene. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqontOslsvLH3lX0sDBpnnBlZKiWG-H-elVqxMBf8yap-QVRNMSAMiDbXpG-Ou2wv9sLcG7skZC322c1p6oqDK89cKwiBj9xItlLHoto1V7t2a3WF3NMh8HT18G8ClvyceGNxMl629/s1600/IMG_0747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqontOslsvLH3lX0sDBpnnBlZKiWG-H-elVqxMBf8yap-QVRNMSAMiDbXpG-Ou2wv9sLcG7skZC322c1p6oqDK89cKwiBj9xItlLHoto1V7t2a3WF3NMh8HT18G8ClvyceGNxMl629/s400/IMG_0747.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
And finally, I love spending this leisure time catching up on some reading, blogging and cooking, </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4SEEMjy4lMV4kf2cwVOtIGPoF3CSH38PnmPXxNCWwPaX3TU-vdsWc7EWQ0ryFLwaNKczf40m0dszjpLhWYrBrosCNfPF48omOlkKaNYeVCgyI8rSu7BLzfzHbteqwqc1gxkIp7fV9/s1600/IMG_0717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4SEEMjy4lMV4kf2cwVOtIGPoF3CSH38PnmPXxNCWwPaX3TU-vdsWc7EWQ0ryFLwaNKczf40m0dszjpLhWYrBrosCNfPF48omOlkKaNYeVCgyI8rSu7BLzfzHbteqwqc1gxkIp7fV9/s400/IMG_0717.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
...with wine of course. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hey! Some recipes do call for it.</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdN5RvQzd9mCrfwQn6cPHkjfVFcSNX0H2g_cIO-n3v7oCQj2lcYZozLYn7i9DxsPPm8C00YCIPQieG6h37fIopqqbWNhfyTalt_F_65i_D5su3MVc4eZukbJ4mxrlg66q6JxGHulJ/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdN5RvQzd9mCrfwQn6cPHkjfVFcSNX0H2g_cIO-n3v7oCQj2lcYZozLYn7i9DxsPPm8C00YCIPQieG6h37fIopqqbWNhfyTalt_F_65i_D5su3MVc4eZukbJ4mxrlg66q6JxGHulJ/s400/photo.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWw-mRckS1_u57bAY6pSxbmVkuIPayvUddoPk_3l1YtVm5aDdeTYO_ZOSXRcP-KGC_gLuxpNgDriln2lhKsemdFcMgWMzlcjUe4hWxPtgGpUS_tT08lw9t61XN3S0FH51AeHVLGOg/s1600/photo-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0OceyF6uEYfFY4GOOB0PscI7fkDFqJDZodyCB08rq2msTI_j25mVb-K9_IF4wbap3a7K1t8-Sm8I0MSKr1bUBlcq0qejQZmmhBdFUdLV3yeMxf-7e-5or0NTgyqipj1VXheGVEje/s1600/IMG_0726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0OceyF6uEYfFY4GOOB0PscI7fkDFqJDZodyCB08rq2msTI_j25mVb-K9_IF4wbap3a7K1t8-Sm8I0MSKr1bUBlcq0qejQZmmhBdFUdLV3yeMxf-7e-5or0NTgyqipj1VXheGVEje/s400/IMG_0726.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
We enjoyed a birthday dinner with Lilly at The Bay House - famous in the area for its mind-boggling seafood menu. We dined outside as the sun set and a nearby firepit substituted its warmth. The waiter insisted we go inside to the crustacean bar to see the "beautiful" 8 pound crab available to a fearless diner. Or was it 4pound beast suitable as appetizer for 8? We can't seem to agree on the facts. Another admirer put a 10 ounce glass in front of the shot for perspective. CRUSTacean's are aptly named don't you think?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6a9UOWtb2zb1BmYE9qwgHjk9RvyjfQrq7FsMKQSaJ9mgOo-CCeNkiXhazv7qclaKnqXQMxSTfL7lgr7DvMSVTlfM4h_pYZEJtkfu6-eF13nXOfjr8jvmtvmzlEhbU10wH8fLlrPL/s1600/IMG_0727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6a9UOWtb2zb1BmYE9qwgHjk9RvyjfQrq7FsMKQSaJ9mgOo-CCeNkiXhazv7qclaKnqXQMxSTfL7lgr7DvMSVTlfM4h_pYZEJtkfu6-eF13nXOfjr8jvmtvmzlEhbU10wH8fLlrPL/s400/IMG_0727.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Josiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09743962903897476020noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407293068612670322.post-45629976588776289202013-02-15T14:15:00.000-05:002013-02-16T23:03:19.341-05:00Light for the Lost Boy<br />
Andrew Peterson. <br />
How I wish I had a better sense of recall.<br />
I <i>think</i> we first discovered him through the online program <a href="http://Haventoday.org/">Haventoday.org</a><br />
How often have I and my beloved been served up true blessing by the widely diverse <i>and oddly well-timed</i> contributions featured here? <br />
(a rhetorical question that can be blissfully ignored btw:) <br />
It was a series on Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas, complemented by a music video of Petersons' <i><a href="http://www.rabbitroom.com/2010/07/dancing-in-the-minefields-the-movie/" target="_blank">Dancing in the Minefields</a> </i>that had us first sitting up straight and taking notice. <br />
Imagine that for starters - a marriage referenced as a dance of two in a minefield. <br />
Newlyweds will balk and quickly proffer disgust at such a notion. Been there, done that. <br />
The seasoned longer-serving couples however will smile at its quirky truth. Been there, doing that.<br />
<br />
We fell in love with his gift for getting to the heart of the matter in song and story and even made a road trip to Valparaiso, Indiana last year so we could listen to him live on stage. <br />
<br />
I'm here to tell you he's done it again with his newest album: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Light-Lost-Boy-Andrew-Peterson/dp/B008HPZWMQ" target="_blank">Light for the Lost Boy</a><br />
But don't take <i>my</i> word for it. Click the link and decide for yourself. <br />
You are urged however, to take your time with it, to listen carefully to the words, to let them steep slowly in your soul. <br />
<br />
Andrew Peterson is equally gifted as a writer - working on book four of the fantasy adventure series <a href="http://wingfeathersaga.com/?page_id=236" target="_blank">Wingfeather Saga</a>. I couldn't put them down, now joining the throng who wait eagerly for the conclusion of the story. <br />
(truly? does it have to end?)<br />
To be so doubly gifted seems almost cruel to the rest of us. <br />
Conversely, the rest of us can simply take up and read or take up and listen - finding ourselves a place of respite in a crazy world and a peace to pass on to those around us. <br />
Well, I call it a peace but it is perhaps more aptly termed a restless sense of grace. Such as you might eventually discover in reading Tolkien's Lord of the Rings Trilogy or least this commentary of same: <a href="http://www.andrew-peterson.com/blog/a-sudden-joyous-turn" target="_blank">A Sudden Joyous Turn</a><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NMn3ThuvGMo" width="400"></iframe><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">When I look at you, boy<br />
I can see the road that lies ahead<br />
I can see the love and the sorrow<br />
<br />
Bright fields of joy<br />
Dark nights awake in a stormy bed<br />
I want to go with you, but I can’t follow<br />
<br />
So keep to the old roads<br />
Keep to the old roads<br />
And you’ll find your way<br />
<br />
Your first kiss, your first crush<br />
The first time you know you’re not enough<br />
The first time there’s no one there to hold you<br />
<br />
The first time you pack it all up<br />
And drive alone across America<br />
Please remember the words that I told you<br />
<br />
Keep to the old roads<br />
Keep to the old roads<br />
And you’ll find your way<br />
You’ll find your way<br />
<br />
If love is what you’re looking for<br />
The old roads lead to an open door<br />
And you’ll find your way<br />
You’ll find your way<br />
Back home<br />
<br />
And I know you'll be scared when you take up that cross<br />
And I know it'll hurt, 'cause I know what it costs<br />
And I love you so much and it's so hard to watch<br />
But you're gonna grow up and you're gonna get lost<br />
Just go back, go back<br />
<br />
Go back, go back to the ancient paths<br />
Lash your heart to the ancient mast<br />
And hold on, boy, whatever you do<br />
To the hope that's taken hold of you<br />
And you'll find your way<br />
You'll find your way<br />
If love is what you’re looking for<br />
The old roads lead to an open door<br />
And you’ll find your way<br />
You’ll find your way<br />
Back home</span><br />
<br />
Enjoy exploring this artist as we have.<br />
I think it's time for another road trip with my beloved.Josiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09743962903897476020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407293068612670322.post-80443199842293995542013-02-03T19:21:00.002-05:002013-02-03T19:21:59.094-05:00Furry Burry in need of a name!Hey. <br />
Was it really <i>ME</i> who claimed knitting to be the amusement equivalent of watching paint dry?<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlt0yCk-n2dveJuwX4I7Vtu2LODddY2f9AhVOAX16tExjG2Ild_4Zlgl1Axu9tm4hUALURIpEG8p0YUATMCMcdae7dHaZgliALfkQnd5Oba8c0bRCVYym2ESyYPi7r_KDqNtsTfG5z/s1600/DSC_6117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlt0yCk-n2dveJuwX4I7Vtu2LODddY2f9AhVOAX16tExjG2Ild_4Zlgl1Axu9tm4hUALURIpEG8p0YUATMCMcdae7dHaZgliALfkQnd5Oba8c0bRCVYym2ESyYPi7r_KDqNtsTfG5z/s400/DSC_6117.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
Meet furry burry. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjF-ZGCFZiiCJ2uudUV3rw8HikBPQO43yogZWY8YadUf9CDpNP64o0uCCgSAoosJGNPZETczi2OxBRaD0XTfwMQHbz08UhFXrdBu-pK-pJ6m9cUa48L10CDcuxzEK_sC1Hk4W2DILH/s1600/DSC_6116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjF-ZGCFZiiCJ2uudUV3rw8HikBPQO43yogZWY8YadUf9CDpNP64o0uCCgSAoosJGNPZETczi2OxBRaD0XTfwMQHbz08UhFXrdBu-pK-pJ6m9cUa48L10CDcuxzEK_sC1Hk4W2DILH/s400/DSC_6116.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
My first project with fun fur. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkJNLewYV6mBeH-KNNejO1DgxfMx7rIvcEyIxIxTp8HNQur3oVtevZxJDzWhyphenhyphenzjCf-9qYFvwl2mjv0aBQPSmD07DJdOapS6ms4mKjpvmYniog8Do914jwXEE_VADtEqYJFaYY6INr/s1600/DSC_6108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkJNLewYV6mBeH-KNNejO1DgxfMx7rIvcEyIxIxTp8HNQur3oVtevZxJDzWhyphenhyphenzjCf-9qYFvwl2mjv0aBQPSmD07DJdOapS6ms4mKjpvmYniog8Do914jwXEE_VADtEqYJFaYY6INr/s320/DSC_6108.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
Since he'll be living with us indefinitely, offering hugs and comfort to innumerable soul mates now living in the family clan (and some yet to be!) Furry Burry will need a name of more lasting value.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
A name that will truly distinguish him from the store-bought counterparts.... </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWv2LsZgeV-b6aJscKQrUaf1XWnYtQoJ73ndiDgqz1jCnODK9yjuV70SFZoLAcVI65sX0dUY-clSsLB1UNpZEt6Dyf3P3jtg_KDyPxrhKHufOyzz8YLcso4e6ubrf3VF6KAMa9_usz/s1600/DSC_6106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWv2LsZgeV-b6aJscKQrUaf1XWnYtQoJ73ndiDgqz1jCnODK9yjuV70SFZoLAcVI65sX0dUY-clSsLB1UNpZEt6Dyf3P3jtg_KDyPxrhKHufOyzz8YLcso4e6ubrf3VF6KAMa9_usz/s400/DSC_6106.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
He is quite lovable. I have found him to be a patient and interesting couch mate with good listening ears, eyes that melt the heart and a quirky lop-sided smile that disarms even the most cautious.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7sGQn_6fxuSaG8sf-rXkWbeDTobi8aebc4lqWr8mPcrnbCWIDN6-KJcsrhjYKwDlBXYeTyieyUh_C8Jt06HuVqLgJV3OteccrJ1ZnOuI_4CS8UGGrOtcmHAUFV9VtOTze3bFQPVT/s1600/DSC_6114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7sGQn_6fxuSaG8sf-rXkWbeDTobi8aebc4lqWr8mPcrnbCWIDN6-KJcsrhjYKwDlBXYeTyieyUh_C8Jt06HuVqLgJV3OteccrJ1ZnOuI_4CS8UGGrOtcmHAUFV9VtOTze3bFQPVT/s400/DSC_6114.JPG" width="338" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So what about it kids? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBLCiN0PBZX32oLBonjpxqfIQjK8RkUedb62vuRLULP4fbmKOgYiu8IcfYimaF_f1-Pp12Uj9VwoBw9NrRy8H_cg91tSvC5ivS-qXYKT4xD_f4-MmyzKWRmCTLOSar-rruew5ZOaQR/s1600/Hordyk-Print.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBLCiN0PBZX32oLBonjpxqfIQjK8RkUedb62vuRLULP4fbmKOgYiu8IcfYimaF_f1-Pp12Uj9VwoBw9NrRy8H_cg91tSvC5ivS-qXYKT4xD_f4-MmyzKWRmCTLOSar-rruew5ZOaQR/s400/Hordyk-Print.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Can you help me come up with a fitting monkier for our little buddy?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I think a first and second name is appropriate.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Maybe even three?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Josiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09743962903897476020noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407293068612670322.post-87275532304154877512013-01-07T18:06:00.001-05:002013-01-07T18:06:26.320-05:00Breaking Bread Together<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It isn't just that I like food. I <i>DO</i> like food but what <i>really</i> turns my crank about good food is its underpinning of fellowship and community. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The purchasing, planning, preparing and sharing of the meal is the very stuff of life to my way of thinking and upbringing. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As a first born daughter in a family of seven kids born on top of each other, cooking for crowds was second nature; feeding the five thousand didn't seem like such a stretch. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And quality mattered! according to my mother's strict code of kitchen ethics.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm the gal who went to see <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjvJHsJD8ic" target="_blank">Julie & Julia</a> <b>three</b> times in the theatres. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The gal lucky enough to browse the Julia Childs exhibit at the Smithsonian in the same year -- </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>with</i> her exceptional, understanding husband alongside! (The same man who, without a murmur, replaced a perfectly good kitchen table with a beautiful custom made 60 inch round to indulge my dream for face to face dining).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ahhh. Long and happy sigh.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qBWga1XDTy3YIZXEVDoGmLYUI1oDvnIz3AdcdsYrjWujZI3hkqMwYzdIOjPp_JeHUki3aKjeazCYxoBZwySyatLWwnX-9md5cdLqS43wQ5PlB1YzrXTqRBm87Vom_2itSfgKmPsQ/s1600/DSC_5994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qBWga1XDTy3YIZXEVDoGmLYUI1oDvnIz3AdcdsYrjWujZI3hkqMwYzdIOjPp_JeHUki3aKjeazCYxoBZwySyatLWwnX-9md5cdLqS43wQ5PlB1YzrXTqRBm87Vom_2itSfgKmPsQ/s400/DSC_5994.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8IZvV6f-XvtFHhRZKHxkQ1OwLPBwWT-_IftepaCl3a4cbeMYOuk43Xz-ZUI4pAyMs-8claBEL2ifP3z-ngjL8TbDaprcq8mrv6qJWawgSmlB4fVVrjscDsc5m5wGsOgfMeN_H048/s1600/DSC_5839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8IZvV6f-XvtFHhRZKHxkQ1OwLPBwWT-_IftepaCl3a4cbeMYOuk43Xz-ZUI4pAyMs-8claBEL2ifP3z-ngjL8TbDaprcq8mrv6qJWawgSmlB4fVVrjscDsc5m5wGsOgfMeN_H048/s400/DSC_5839.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="265" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjju58n18uJUCKXfZ3kdBCsPKUlj8Jz3z723ZxnqPz_mlHWawqoPOw0FAoPZYHzuUArD0n3aDDGmRq7EED4m6sdTk7hXNVKiL-DI0vcf9GpixUuDgE2DCU9mbxI4LQalpLZoncPZc5B/s1600/DSC_5983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjju58n18uJUCKXfZ3kdBCsPKUlj8Jz3z723ZxnqPz_mlHWawqoPOw0FAoPZYHzuUArD0n3aDDGmRq7EED4m6sdTk7hXNVKiL-DI0vcf9GpixUuDgE2DCU9mbxI4LQalpLZoncPZc5B/s400/DSC_5983.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="265" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My foodie soul found home here at Laity, particularly after reading </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Setting The Table</span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
by Laity Lodge Chef Tim Blanks pictured below </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
serving up his corn chowder and black bean soup.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXfUSTacAbjbmK3UnhDb7Nr4qtbIC_icZnTrry3lJsEBGbjAwFOHX9Wzp8mCLO__ld66Z59CQIsUfikSS54lZCjSjFHwSN9H4HiX-jlrwp0OEBCAItnHdOlZqN8l604_4GFgXb6YH/s1600/DSC_5748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXfUSTacAbjbmK3UnhDb7Nr4qtbIC_icZnTrry3lJsEBGbjAwFOHX9Wzp8mCLO__ld66Z59CQIsUfikSS54lZCjSjFHwSN9H4HiX-jlrwp0OEBCAItnHdOlZqN8l604_4GFgXb6YH/s400/DSC_5748.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I have his permission to share his well-earned wisdom on the subject <i>verbatim, </i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
after which there will be no doubt as to why my soul resonates perfectly with his quote: </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">"I'd say some of the best work of the retreat center takes place at the dining table"</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8LZqZaYb8I7I5IevIlMQBv3DicHdTwZVK-udBhKzgqpoh7F3xy651Irab4d88JQSxaNtuJ4EiDUdtTuTda6CwlPUUjrmpWbtO9oFHG51XxDnngHefcMMx6X-kpqAVy2CND-cY0eZ7/s1600/DSC_5749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8LZqZaYb8I7I5IevIlMQBv3DicHdTwZVK-udBhKzgqpoh7F3xy651Irab4d88JQSxaNtuJ4EiDUdtTuTda6CwlPUUjrmpWbtO9oFHG51XxDnngHefcMMx6X-kpqAVy2CND-cY0eZ7/s400/DSC_5749.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">If the subject is meals, I have opinions. About preparing them. About serving them. About setting the table.... in fact, let's start with that, with the table. Yes, every meal needs a good setting. And yes, the food has to be my best. But to truly invite -- to welcome all comers -- a table has to mark off an area of well-being, a safe place to share yourself and, in every sense, to make room for the person next to you.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Last year the Lodge hosted its first food retreat, and to know Laity Lodge or me is to know that a good meal hardly stops with the food. But before we get to Laity Lodge, I want to detour through a couple of scenes that illustrate my strong feelings about the importance of the table. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE5ySMmCUWV1wt_VOCHYKArSmNsvES1UV9DTqQZAOLpZZ577-8Jx08ZqETY5pPfoWpLAQSBiePYlgf40StgNFp0D_VUZJoV_dB9Xk_Fr-gYbnBoExcvKaoafjOwkflygJ_pqeeO02r/s1600/DSC_5747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE5ySMmCUWV1wt_VOCHYKArSmNsvES1UV9DTqQZAOLpZZ577-8Jx08ZqETY5pPfoWpLAQSBiePYlgf40StgNFp0D_VUZJoV_dB9Xk_Fr-gYbnBoExcvKaoafjOwkflygJ_pqeeO02r/s400/DSC_5747.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Detour one: my boyhood home, wherever it happened to be. In most houses today the biggest dust catcher is the dinner table -- we know that. But when I was growing up, the dinner table was our family circle. As kids, my brother and I had two certainties: Sunday's meant roast beef and 6:30pm meant family dinner. Period. So while my father's work moved us across datelines and meridians, at the stable center of the Blanks' spinning sphere was the family meal. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Next example: picture my wife, Amy, and me at our first dinner with Barbara Dan and Howard Butt -- pre Laity Lodge employment. We all had on our best that night; the table looked like a spread in a House Beautiful magazine. But settings and people have chips and cracks if you look closely, and flaws are part of a good table's safety perimeters. My personal chips that night were about coming out of addiction and alcoholism to faith as I shared my story with Howard and Barbara Dan. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">When I was through, Howard said simply, "You're safe with me". And that evening we feasted.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrij3ADkSG8U09lg4M2q43F59G7Au1rEH1uKfU1T4sPBP6Cv0ju8Vvb13O9tTQqnv5x-VXrZo85Jrc-lF2oPvV_4P7Lx_wXQZ70VahuZl8NcNvHAfGmLmAkI_iq559cI4QCKh1af0M/s1600/DSC_5829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrij3ADkSG8U09lg4M2q43F59G7Au1rEH1uKfU1T4sPBP6Cv0ju8Vvb13O9tTQqnv5x-VXrZo85Jrc-lF2oPvV_4P7Lx_wXQZ70VahuZl8NcNvHAfGmLmAkI_iq559cI4QCKh1af0M/s400/DSC_5829.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Now we fast forward to Laity Lodge's first food retreat where participants, just as I do, tend to arrive packing their own opinions. All good. Divergent views welcome. I say often that the magic around a table trumps the quality of the cuisine. So we made certain that the tables for the food retreat served up our dining philosophy to also feed every person's human need to be himself or herself. As feedback (good word) came in, I saw that we'd dined well. We told stories (best meals, worst meals). </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">We weighed in on the importance of the table in our lives. We laughed. We never advised people to try to get along or to get to know each other; we didn't have to. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpEX6gxkYBA2e2Bn49ETa8tyMUBACeEgfVlX-2TY89AtwbN8GBVw6tdRcAIDO9ltCJ8orKGut74A2TzD2pObi8xsgQ_YSI_kKeYha3VscGH7rcrpoe2OV5VFr6qu6MsVtYnOt27LWu/s1600/DSC_5835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpEX6gxkYBA2e2Bn49ETa8tyMUBACeEgfVlX-2TY89AtwbN8GBVw6tdRcAIDO9ltCJ8orKGut74A2TzD2pObi8xsgQ_YSI_kKeYha3VscGH7rcrpoe2OV5VFr6qu6MsVtYnOt27LWu/s400/DSC_5835.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">I expect to serve more of these retreats at Laity Lodge, and each time I'll hope our guests go home to stir up more magic. To eat is human after all. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">But to nourish the soul.... that's a meal;</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">that's what Laity Lodge is about.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">I'm grateful to be in the kitchen.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">As chef of Laity Lodge, Tim Blanks sets meal tables to know and be known, to grow and share.</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Amen brother Tim. Thanks for nailing it so perfectly!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Oh, and for making our first food retreat precisely that, </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
a place to know, be known, grow and share.</div>
Josiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09743962903897476020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407293068612670322.post-91148684118261366632013-01-04T17:33:00.003-05:002013-01-07T13:15:18.189-05:00 The Lure of Laity Lodge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Disclaimer</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In recounting our retreat experience I will at times default to shameless plagiarizing (word for word!) from the welcome package/promo material we found in our room. A room of more elegant-rustic charm than we could have ever imagined</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and to which these few photos might testify. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Plagiarism will be henceforth identified in blue text to </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
ease my conscience. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Call me weak but to my way of thinking, </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
it is senseless self-injury to try the telling of a thing already available in prose that cannot be improved.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdISf35gVQYUrWHooPCZg81dAYFTtDDBcCvNJpH2Eko9MUGOuaPOfMSEthQMx6lzXsB0XiosrZAdr0ys9zvBtV4dMcWzKRCcjE2FOfZ8lp1EMLsNnDjiVMcY0NHf2qpJ9xpF_RbLGc/s1600/DSC_5716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdISf35gVQYUrWHooPCZg81dAYFTtDDBcCvNJpH2Eko9MUGOuaPOfMSEthQMx6lzXsB0XiosrZAdr0ys9zvBtV4dMcWzKRCcjE2FOfZ8lp1EMLsNnDjiVMcY0NHf2qpJ9xpF_RbLGc/s400/DSC_5716.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvzt5fwl0nhg0lgHwpRjxA5Ehyj-qBMl6pUMjUdq5Mm8ec09YO316uxl_5S7v2dhk6LmyiZP5Eej1LV6G7UHsbWcd6Z_-56l6nGB2UpGUDXEGIq4B5miVOCKO1udd-VFC7eHHD9FN/s1600/DSC_5717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvzt5fwl0nhg0lgHwpRjxA5Ehyj-qBMl6pUMjUdq5Mm8ec09YO316uxl_5S7v2dhk6LmyiZP5Eej1LV6G7UHsbWcd6Z_-56l6nGB2UpGUDXEGIq4B5miVOCKO1udd-VFC7eHHD9FN/s400/DSC_5717.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our sweet suite was one of six in the Black Bluffs, a structure built right into the cliff side </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and over-hanging the Frio River. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh1wxtyQXzUyMgiuy5bdwEwHUf42WY6tdmZBaZGap1idYKpV99lirkGRCuGv4PanPb4r0Ch0Ng8HZgtCrSw2fOP-AHsPEn0niLwY25nzDYI5M_e5Jw-bodqVha0jvjdyfQiW6Z39GB/s1600/DSC_5718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh1wxtyQXzUyMgiuy5bdwEwHUf42WY6tdmZBaZGap1idYKpV99lirkGRCuGv4PanPb4r0Ch0Ng8HZgtCrSw2fOP-AHsPEn0niLwY25nzDYI5M_e5Jw-bodqVha0jvjdyfQiW6Z39GB/s400/DSC_5718.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Anne of Green Gables might have her Lake of Shining Waters,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
but does it compare to this Emerald Sea? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I thought not.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbql2C9wginrGYETNsn7cLhH2v4TUiyr-0ZwujsfDJ30b7unM1wr3ASLyOaOqTzb2HvNSbgnwFPqOQnLwglh5vLercFPyl964p4YygBSxniKDuYGRGuFHqyDm-nntgP2EJ_xdKUg38/s1600/DSC_5719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbql2C9wginrGYETNsn7cLhH2v4TUiyr-0ZwujsfDJ30b7unM1wr3ASLyOaOqTzb2HvNSbgnwFPqOQnLwglh5vLercFPyl964p4YygBSxniKDuYGRGuFHqyDm-nntgP2EJ_xdKUg38/s400/DSC_5719.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQf5g_piCZ_n5TimRUZJLW9Lx13mdHAQwJ70kLP6nvaZfNisgU7em6O6uxbAd4JTp86pU74nl-ef80HZ_ZCfGeA1UKxAjQUqp7HDUZNMFAda6OhYcxgzTrdMZ5KfG024h8J0R9Du5M/s1600/DSC_5722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQf5g_piCZ_n5TimRUZJLW9Lx13mdHAQwJ70kLP6nvaZfNisgU7em6O6uxbAd4JTp86pU74nl-ef80HZ_ZCfGeA1UKxAjQUqp7HDUZNMFAda6OhYcxgzTrdMZ5KfG024h8J0R9Du5M/s400/DSC_5722.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tpzalQYdFo67_NRLSQccDStAfFkSYHZAnofVeehjG0cI9UKoRpUEuIWFGIW4i8TbG9Peu6HyPjjLKotIkO4M7zvlpp0CHtgXhnOQ_C8seg5wHoTMw6qMYvAAx6YHun-OzA5GImiF/s1600/DSC_5969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tpzalQYdFo67_NRLSQccDStAfFkSYHZAnofVeehjG0cI9UKoRpUEuIWFGIW4i8TbG9Peu6HyPjjLKotIkO4M7zvlpp0CHtgXhnOQ_C8seg5wHoTMw6qMYvAAx6YHun-OzA5GImiF/s400/DSC_5969.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyhpOVp8K5_GfMnE4dZFnLrrCTTNcPPmL9MRwVR14JLjdGVzBWHkmXQvmvR-WrcM9pDWI7TRmyU2rUv-gDMtCtiaFQJmCQ6v46LITR9QvPAAe0sD4mMeY4fW79Qhex9Ei3Uo_-rZ4/s1600/DSC_5955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyhpOVp8K5_GfMnE4dZFnLrrCTTNcPPmL9MRwVR14JLjdGVzBWHkmXQvmvR-WrcM9pDWI7TRmyU2rUv-gDMtCtiaFQJmCQ6v46LITR9QvPAAe0sD4mMeY4fW79Qhex9Ei3Uo_-rZ4/s400/DSC_5955.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRU8EWMAaUIn3YOO_YXbk2rumS6utmceR-RQHRQgDFTa8Um74r2-GVzybWexgvl6N7IBcIFNrPEREb77WHSSdLYBhG7Hzlyc9uTwoVesNj2-6oxh0vGRpWlJuzQ11a3cTMq6-q6ahi/s1600/DSC_5968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRU8EWMAaUIn3YOO_YXbk2rumS6utmceR-RQHRQgDFTa8Um74r2-GVzybWexgvl6N7IBcIFNrPEREb77WHSSdLYBhG7Hzlyc9uTwoVesNj2-6oxh0vGRpWlJuzQ11a3cTMq6-q6ahi/s400/DSC_5968.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The walk from the parking lot to the Black Bluffs<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnuCcdhTJ_R2vwVsq1nNAFZ3jU2YvnV3M00OUhCeA_cFlgVydQxBjOeCg2VImg1qkxuXpt7ybS9SVarzKsTjM8UyhoeM2fum7_-A42-6-TEQsjVb_4bfq7TeUEcy1d9DM-iPRXbh8b/s1600/DSC_5970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnuCcdhTJ_R2vwVsq1nNAFZ3jU2YvnV3M00OUhCeA_cFlgVydQxBjOeCg2VImg1qkxuXpt7ybS9SVarzKsTjM8UyhoeM2fum7_-A42-6-TEQsjVb_4bfq7TeUEcy1d9DM-iPRXbh8b/s400/DSC_5970.jpg" width="283" /></a></div>
Down one flight of spiral steps to our room<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuqfw7VsoGJkDywjl8cxPMClpee2mVRHMMsFQ1bSxVat19ootYCGWeqmYUOMDvETBrr9OiB5cuDZa_271marqXLtZ5jLqK2HzBG0kYKzAUlIdaLTaHwXn-yoiX0PeS4W1ZX_2Pldbl/s1600/DSC_5972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuqfw7VsoGJkDywjl8cxPMClpee2mVRHMMsFQ1bSxVat19ootYCGWeqmYUOMDvETBrr9OiB5cuDZa_271marqXLtZ5jLqK2HzBG0kYKzAUlIdaLTaHwXn-yoiX0PeS4W1ZX_2Pldbl/s400/DSC_5972.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZceQ1iVshMYS70cEAF8fQQUiRKiS4yk7PkDbZgJAt-lz3YDgAKxm8QgJ4G0GgoQJ4gcgpthW2VwmtnQ4EHEvQu-YNDFEcypdrupg23yFuVFZBlOVuBbVAe61wLz-4Yi53R6VjkAIQ/s1600/DSC_5971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZceQ1iVshMYS70cEAF8fQQUiRKiS4yk7PkDbZgJAt-lz3YDgAKxm8QgJ4G0GgoQJ4gcgpthW2VwmtnQ4EHEvQu-YNDFEcypdrupg23yFuVFZBlOVuBbVAe61wLz-4Yi53R6VjkAIQ/s400/DSC_5971.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
Literally built into the rock face<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKq9_fWBszc3jOHVW3_8L1QOMjBjJiKlb3_HRAiCxzQ-Y4-2u6YXJMIMMH00VcBmycl9RrHoTdsUygXb-Z_O7eHEBNkiPhyphenhyphent5TqxbyFFhX-TDLl_VB-m8rx-lO1Bu7oBgkPLw1GITX/s1600/DSC_5973.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKq9_fWBszc3jOHVW3_8L1QOMjBjJiKlb3_HRAiCxzQ-Y4-2u6YXJMIMMH00VcBmycl9RrHoTdsUygXb-Z_O7eHEBNkiPhyphenhyphent5TqxbyFFhX-TDLl_VB-m8rx-lO1Bu7oBgkPLw1GITX/s400/DSC_5973.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
If you know me, then you already know how hopelessly smitten I am with the music of Sara Groves and the writings of Sally Lloyd-Jones. These women have been nurturing my soul for a few years now with their particular artistry and spiritual giftedness. Sara's blog led us to The High Calling (and the daily bible studies with Mark Roberts) which in turn led us to the awareness of Laity Lodge and the concept of spiritual retreat.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In a random sweep of the retreat schedule for 2012, </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
my attention was drawn to November's Food Retreat. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Yes. You read that right. A Food Retreat. And yes, the better half of me needed some time to consider the merits of such a theme on our spiritual health. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
As a firmly established foodie however, <i>I</i> needed no such convincing </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and knowing that one of the featured speakers </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
was none other than the illustrious Sally Lloyd-Jones </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
clinched the plan for <strike>me</strike> us in no *uncertain terms!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(*aka unnecessary negotiation)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Dr. Wirzba has published <em>The Paradise of God: Renewing Religion in an Ecological Age</em> and <em>Living the Sabbath: Discovering the Rhythms of Rest and Delight</em>. His most recent book is <em>Food and Faith: A Theology of Eating</em>. He also has edited <em>The Essential Agrarian Reader: The Future of Culture, Community, and the Land</em> and <em>The Art of the Commonplace: The Agrarian Essays of Wendell Berry</em>.</span><br />
<blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">“I grew up farming and still
grow a garden. I also love to cook and eat. I want to help Christians
think about and practice better eating. Doing the right thing tastes
really good! I love sharing the table with others.”</span></blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><strong>Sally Lloyd-Jones</strong><br />
<a href="http://sallylloyd-jones.com/welcome.html">Sally Lloyd-Jones</a> wrote the Bible. Well, not exactly. But she did write <em>The Jesus Storybook Bible</em>,
along with other highly regarded (and highly recommended) children’s
books. Sally also likes food. She joins us for The Food Retreat to lend a
second voice to the weekend. Expect foodie-centric readings from the
Storybook Bible (there are quite a few) and beyond.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"> Though this marks
only her second trip to Laity Lodge, </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">we already count Sally as an old
friend and look forward to introducing her to you.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><strong> </strong> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><strong> </strong> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><strong>Musician</strong><br />
<a href="http://www.nathantasker.com/">Nathan Tasker</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><strong>Artist</strong><br />
Gabe Scott (Pie Making)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><strong>Special Guests</strong><br />
Ben Edgerton and Andrew Wiseheart of <a href="http://contigotexas.com/austin">Contigo Austin</a>. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">They’ll be cooking up something. More details soon.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I needed nothing more to start the registration process.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here is a write up of the same retreat by Sally herself. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; color: blue; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><strong><em>God’s Love Made Visible:<br />The Laity Lodge Food Retreat</em>, by Sally Lloyd-Jones </strong><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal;">Friend and best-selling children’s author, Sally Lloyd-Jones, recently spent some time writing at Laity Lodge. The tail end of her stay coincided with The Food Retreat, so we asked her to take part, take some notes, and write about it after she returned home. <a href="http://caliberconnect.thehighcalling.org/lt/t_go.php?i=2620&e=am9zaWUuaG9yZHlrQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ==&l=http://www.laitylodge.org/artists-speakers/sally-lloyd-jones-8968" target="_blank">We’re happy to share Sally’s account of the retreat, and look forward to having her back in the Canyon soon</a>. (We’re big fans of her books too…they make great Christmas gifts!)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; color: #566423; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
The remainder of this post is still under construction but I will publish it anyway. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
I am going out right now with all my boys to see The Hobbit - </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
(my first real outing in <i>three</i> weeks as I struggle to recover from pneumonia). </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
Like Bilbo Baggins, I'm going on an adventure and know not when I'll return!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
*** 48 hour Time Lapse ***</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbqhS2oLCSJFeE3a5jhqiO4MD8vq5wps297my2mZIW9tLEUnnvdUXdrb16qHVitriPliDWu4WLr9fVU9_RtnOAV05Ow-Kr8z58rltawyWJB7WFsuNTft0lTRy-5zUP5EtYEWmqSafM/s1600/DSC_5726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbqhS2oLCSJFeE3a5jhqiO4MD8vq5wps297my2mZIW9tLEUnnvdUXdrb16qHVitriPliDWu4WLr9fVU9_RtnOAV05Ow-Kr8z58rltawyWJB7WFsuNTft0lTRy-5zUP5EtYEWmqSafM/s400/DSC_5726.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Stepping out of the car in the parking lot, we caught the delightful aroma of Texas BBQ in the making.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We cast each other a thumbs up. This Food Retreat was off to a mighty grand start. WE passed this incredible conglomeration of outdoor cooking space en route to the Registrar's Office.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSxmTKxRjfFuGQmXYjh8F7scPv5yuIf1uRFgtoqNnfXlERcmRrBgH_900q_v_wNJZUL3jNjTjtwByzToahh6JW2LtojimCbH1_RzDeAXBxQuX22Cq3U5hhsjMKdUa8duvE4V7rJV2/s1600/DSC_5728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSxmTKxRjfFuGQmXYjh8F7scPv5yuIf1uRFgtoqNnfXlERcmRrBgH_900q_v_wNJZUL3jNjTjtwByzToahh6JW2LtojimCbH1_RzDeAXBxQuX22Cq3U5hhsjMKdUa8duvE4V7rJV2/s400/DSC_5728.jpg" width="265" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSxmTKxRjfFuGQmXYjh8F7scPv5yuIf1uRFgtoqNnfXlERcmRrBgH_900q_v_wNJZUL3jNjTjtwByzToahh6JW2LtojimCbH1_RzDeAXBxQuX22Cq3U5hhsjMKdUa8duvE4V7rJV2/s1600/DSC_5728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9Oc3b65xt4kOkBLojjUuXyw1YK2hitPvknB9ioMmsnJE2wRIpN_K8ofhyQqfmHlcTnO8i67IBRwtKol8iO13PP20bWg6mRX9O2rKGm4Rt9X6jrs5mK0T8lERq2m3mrb5-BJ8vN-H/s1600/DSC_5739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9Oc3b65xt4kOkBLojjUuXyw1YK2hitPvknB9ioMmsnJE2wRIpN_K8ofhyQqfmHlcTnO8i67IBRwtKol8iO13PP20bWg6mRX9O2rKGm4Rt9X6jrs5mK0T8lERq2m3mrb5-BJ8vN-H/s400/DSC_5739.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvN_ojg_he9pt9ITIsZDl3SuGenyo-okUVtKft8jqfg57i5T0ut7t7W_y0jgJkqYl_RuEIn0qfcPBLEGdEu9wkcpNwynTcZdfWPaPkdC3tlKUVrNzqN5_9ojrOh7K6CQ-sNTC10R_4/s1600/DSC_5741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvN_ojg_he9pt9ITIsZDl3SuGenyo-okUVtKft8jqfg57i5T0ut7t7W_y0jgJkqYl_RuEIn0qfcPBLEGdEu9wkcpNwynTcZdfWPaPkdC3tlKUVrNzqN5_9ojrOh7K6CQ-sNTC10R_4/s400/DSC_5741.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a><br />
Everything and I mean <i><b>Everything</b></i> on the property has purpose and detail and is done with an excellence that surpasses even the most discerning taste.<br />
When things are done for His Glory - the difference becomes very obvious. <br />
<i>THAT </i>was an enormous take away for us as we ruminate the experience of Laity Lodge here at home. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJlaTyqKqv9EX7tA9vZ-ooxoUn-PuqKLS0wdXJUYhG09w7nv1is_LAYCkhfmnQfFnnvCmEa2NI3a4vTKkk7rgaSkrCaGMqpWdmZr1fQlrDAR3esqAE2kCC7mvA65HGZ65fWx5zA77a/s1600/DSC_5735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJlaTyqKqv9EX7tA9vZ-ooxoUn-PuqKLS0wdXJUYhG09w7nv1is_LAYCkhfmnQfFnnvCmEa2NI3a4vTKkk7rgaSkrCaGMqpWdmZr1fQlrDAR3esqAE2kCC7mvA65HGZ65fWx5zA77a/s400/DSC_5735.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRp2TWp0bKD5xzIcR-lKh68vWm0Cuv-2XmL6qYmcmKpiu470PbMXVXj-nmGZ2zaprnmjkKef_lbmjw9old3ZVcPtY6lWwYSx3kWTpMm98C4ABl3dU_hm-1Oix2zcfpBC7JFwJJM8Wd/s1600/DSC_5845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRp2TWp0bKD5xzIcR-lKh68vWm0Cuv-2XmL6qYmcmKpiu470PbMXVXj-nmGZ2zaprnmjkKef_lbmjw9old3ZVcPtY6lWwYSx3kWTpMm98C4ABl3dU_hm-1Oix2zcfpBC7JFwJJM8Wd/s400/DSC_5845.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Bookstore welcomed you to either carefully borrow or buy </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
from her shelves. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZYLrvNkGbuZlmooLM72yFhG9pq47gRt1i37FYGjI9w4Dve37750Yl_e473fopfZS3XMJlrfwf_0ZCaCIBj9OAKCD5-LV64fgKLS1QAQwZlvBYXL8dec-flZg_SRkWJYkiIIYXd8U/s1600/DSC_5847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZYLrvNkGbuZlmooLM72yFhG9pq47gRt1i37FYGjI9w4Dve37750Yl_e473fopfZS3XMJlrfwf_0ZCaCIBj9OAKCD5-LV64fgKLS1QAQwZlvBYXL8dec-flZg_SRkWJYkiIIYXd8U/s400/DSC_5847.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sally's books! (I noticed they couldn't keep up with the re-stocking)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYs7hTuHcvdU6QXuGl4gdshD02Xj_wfXFNoa4l8DbEASMA7En_MxFQ0ipRyd8pHwPmCthGtSDCAEogoBUG3p7t5is1o046yEdvp4X_lVPcX3rvM5Xyc0XM-GfFJDOFw4ZGUh5NMGpJ/s1600/DSC_5846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYs7hTuHcvdU6QXuGl4gdshD02Xj_wfXFNoa4l8DbEASMA7En_MxFQ0ipRyd8pHwPmCthGtSDCAEogoBUG3p7t5is1o046yEdvp4X_lVPcX3rvM5Xyc0XM-GfFJDOFw4ZGUh5NMGpJ/s400/DSC_5846.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZIKNqXpMJ1Ed3lZ8rr1RHGH8WEOb5i1m9e2AoKguA2J_wRULJEHy5vqZwG2kSqUFnjIM-urfxARyreof_ryGXLCU8PnLrQsENoh6jCHEsIVdqY_F3TKug7USuWH8slPxS7OzayLcv/s1600/DSC_5852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZIKNqXpMJ1Ed3lZ8rr1RHGH8WEOb5i1m9e2AoKguA2J_wRULJEHy5vqZwG2kSqUFnjIM-urfxARyreof_ryGXLCU8PnLrQsENoh6jCHEsIVdqY_F3TKug7USuWH8slPxS7OzayLcv/s400/DSC_5852.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJOAHwkmUIOQCVsricJbNBM9wuSod1fUekhuUdrrHMeGPPwsszKQGDdemFypljjTSeNymMP-uc7uOUIuCz1CCJDCCjiAMguhmq7NMx3GD4e_Y4IkwSMN1LYBpn_pjTUqq7TZx-q7I/s1600/DSC_5851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJOAHwkmUIOQCVsricJbNBM9wuSod1fUekhuUdrrHMeGPPwsszKQGDdemFypljjTSeNymMP-uc7uOUIuCz1CCJDCCjiAMguhmq7NMx3GD4e_Y4IkwSMN1LYBpn_pjTUqq7TZx-q7I/s400/DSC_5851.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rVfbzX01AqmLBQ_iFQiTrCQ8Wz_OCtZuYsiqmMI_MVy8OnfrIQPqZ2Gz8i2_mqmP_hARuX9sT9cmbdT8j8zu4Jk4-AOl1oCfoFFtcY_leOXLb4EoRlUdQLIZ_FamuQJWzcyOn8SN/s1600/DSC_5856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rVfbzX01AqmLBQ_iFQiTrCQ8Wz_OCtZuYsiqmMI_MVy8OnfrIQPqZ2Gz8i2_mqmP_hARuX9sT9cmbdT8j8zu4Jk4-AOl1oCfoFFtcY_leOXLb4EoRlUdQLIZ_FamuQJWzcyOn8SN/s400/DSC_5856.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A Hammered Dulcimer brings Rich Mullins lovingly to mind</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutl5D69o94xGC7M7VKnxC-gzcghEdcocaqa8ffmQ20e702FW4jjTFHVBThHDCd4EqznkAizk7ybY3ZYWPLbOg62XHZ9jh0D_ad-Iww3nbkq8303q8pozgoT3LwsstgJ29oGDDRy01/s1600/DSC_5857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutl5D69o94xGC7M7VKnxC-gzcghEdcocaqa8ffmQ20e702FW4jjTFHVBThHDCd4EqznkAizk7ybY3ZYWPLbOg62XHZ9jh0D_ad-Iww3nbkq8303q8pozgoT3LwsstgJ29oGDDRy01/s400/DSC_5857.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Turns out Gabe Scott (resident Pie making expert as well) and Nathan Tasker are well connected to many of our favourite musician artists: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Getty's, Sara Groves, Michael Card, Rich Mullins, Andrew Peterson....</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
*sigh* Music Heaven </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoybodbxL-K2J4z3kft1EMQF3JBIgsewXbMS0BM7CtzBPpf8zeKd-oCNhAOGy52DM3-MMKhrArwxaSinHtIHBP_BlsSw5mGBM_Pq3b7fhrKbz6wicPqhxZYMuPQ7n95u15fO2gV7Jf/s1600/DSC_5861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoybodbxL-K2J4z3kft1EMQF3JBIgsewXbMS0BM7CtzBPpf8zeKd-oCNhAOGy52DM3-MMKhrArwxaSinHtIHBP_BlsSw5mGBM_Pq3b7fhrKbz6wicPqhxZYMuPQ7n95u15fO2gV7Jf/s400/DSC_5861.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I wish I had gotten the story behind these sculptures but alas, </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
now you are left with my uneducated guess. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Feed my lambs?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXnXjl4-PB-0Byt8BoFZKhd_qsjIYP_-q8FfAX7XSGRfhDZ6L7f-z94rdDeubYulkIjGh3zoXCybgVv0dDWr6Ke__7JZhNMHE1tlnn5qpl_bah_dafXQgdZ1OP3GajavUcMgD1YUuC/s1600/DSC_5858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXnXjl4-PB-0Byt8BoFZKhd_qsjIYP_-q8FfAX7XSGRfhDZ6L7f-z94rdDeubYulkIjGh3zoXCybgVv0dDWr6Ke__7JZhNMHE1tlnn5qpl_bah_dafXQgdZ1OP3GajavUcMgD1YUuC/s400/DSC_5858.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We fellowshipped with approximately forty others at this Food Retreat. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
You are about to meet some of them, at the table and elsewhere.</div>
Josiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09743962903897476020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407293068612670322.post-19374979463984329222013-01-02T18:47:00.003-05:002013-01-02T18:59:43.218-05:00You know what they say....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrpx0d3VZPS96yayaQG2y4knnRRQ0boZrUbhst7-cfxKUxel8N5jYjUBe9yrtUdPpTTKFcbIavosWdq2ezsJbSsV_C473EgXpZkha1s4pnnPfTIGOPC6mAViojcn64TCZmmx04y2A/s1600/TexasBig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrpx0d3VZPS96yayaQG2y4knnRRQ0boZrUbhst7-cfxKUxel8N5jYjUBe9yrtUdPpTTKFcbIavosWdq2ezsJbSsV_C473EgXpZkha1s4pnnPfTIGOPC6mAViojcn64TCZmmx04y2A/s1600/TexasBig.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
EXHIBIT A</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8FyqGrwoXqTg3RNYF44XutRKBhT8Xh6ecuZTPJrMYg6gURS21DFlXX-oVFBHQ8BWZtrIucPX3v_8-z3RJMsaTTotDuFqopDxcstqFV5_rYnbg9_MyoUWnntkJgrs8zsmY-yB5Fa_/s1600/DSC_6046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8FyqGrwoXqTg3RNYF44XutRKBhT8Xh6ecuZTPJrMYg6gURS21DFlXX-oVFBHQ8BWZtrIucPX3v_8-z3RJMsaTTotDuFqopDxcstqFV5_rYnbg9_MyoUWnntkJgrs8zsmY-yB5Fa_/s640/DSC_6046.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
En route to Laity Lodge, on a truly deserted endless stretch of highway, we saw this For Sale sign.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I begged my driver :) to stop<br />
so I could provide digital evidence of Texan bigness.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Two thousand four hundred and eight acres. Give or take a few. LOL. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
With more wells than the patriarchs could ever dream of and not quite a mile to land your private plane.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In Utopia of all places! <br />
And I always thought that place was just a myth!</div>
Josiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09743962903897476020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407293068612670322.post-28081033108555146912012-12-31T22:38:00.000-05:002012-12-31T22:52:01.099-05:00Drive to Laity Lodge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We first heard about Laity Lodge through <a href="http://www.thehighcalling.org/culture/best-2012-culture" target="_blank">The High Calling</a>, a daily bible reflection we follow online.<br />
It is a well-written short bible study by Mark D. Roberts that has become a staple in our morning routine along with HavenToday.org - we are equal parts challenged and comforted with this daily intake of spiritual food. <br />
<a href="http://www.thehighcalling.org/"> <img alt="TheHighCalling.org Christian Blog Network" border="0" height="151" src="http://www.thehighcalling.org/sites/default/files/images/thehighcalling_badge_small.gif" width="184" /></a> ...Creates an online community by actively listening and educating people about work, life, and God. Our motto is “Every day conversations about work, life, and God.”</div>
Again, to say we have been blessed by having this drop into the inbox everyday is an understatement. We cannot recommend it highly enough. <br />
<br />
So here we are, having made a dutiful sweep of the touristy downtown we tossed a coin and chose the less direct, two hour "scenic route" o'er hill and dale to the place of great escape.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9JLHsLQDroT-9eLrr-rcamYQ1E5U8yrF8oEI7lcG0ng6VEfU0BrxTBnEZbw51g8FmTsiBHWni8MsN0PbqwMWFr4VNi02Vnx-SIPZKvIOEpx8yuTke3yCTf3ZX0j4lHz6ZBoeFasO/s1600/DSC_5646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9JLHsLQDroT-9eLrr-rcamYQ1E5U8yrF8oEI7lcG0ng6VEfU0BrxTBnEZbw51g8FmTsiBHWni8MsN0PbqwMWFr4VNi02Vnx-SIPZKvIOEpx8yuTke3yCTf3ZX0j4lHz6ZBoeFasO/s400/DSC_5646.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Just as many Americans south of Buffalo think every Canadian lives in an igloo, we looked expectantly for the Dually pickup trucks with the stereotypical rack of long horns sprouting out of the front grill and of course, gun racks atop the cab driven by cowboys dwarfed by their own ten gallon hat.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVzOx2nk82OZOgDyldFZYpy07SOlzRJzlM7TAzOPJWGW_4lFbiB6dxSP8-9YmM3J7UDo4XokiQ5alGG2OHcRP4elNSt7wHQZidgsUUGTNolbxBs7kP8i04j0l_zrT-L3LmDDwBgYT/s1600/DSC_5651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVzOx2nk82OZOgDyldFZYpy07SOlzRJzlM7TAzOPJWGW_4lFbiB6dxSP8-9YmM3J7UDo4XokiQ5alGG2OHcRP4elNSt7wHQZidgsUUGTNolbxBs7kP8i04j0l_zrT-L3LmDDwBgYT/s400/DSC_5651.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a><br />
*sigh* This was about as red-neck as it got. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJtZQsNBqhhUY79IqtK_wbnC4CULngf_0EulA-CtoqATZR1XawqbshCHKf8eNRboYkchdwaHnt-uSrbKWaLcALJT4qvNI_Upc7deAeAxYhBirsfkBSmOU0EG1a-q7-FiWkh20H4zW2/s1600/DSC_5648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJtZQsNBqhhUY79IqtK_wbnC4CULngf_0EulA-CtoqATZR1XawqbshCHKf8eNRboYkchdwaHnt-uSrbKWaLcALJT4qvNI_Upc7deAeAxYhBirsfkBSmOU0EG1a-q7-FiWkh20H4zW2/s400/DSC_5648.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Found a Starbucks here & descended upon it like a pair of desperado's --- snobs that we are.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1yb3W5SUuu5S92TEXC0zkdiMuzhYv1fk_njcbEksqjQ3pGv6wQgqTR1TdxSQ8LQNXQfLtoAm8_3X4hzHiLiY-fRVlwfm3xtILavNbeQ5Z5c08YvukTJfbpN4wg64mi7VamF7Xz0W/s1600/DSC_5649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1yb3W5SUuu5S92TEXC0zkdiMuzhYv1fk_njcbEksqjQ3pGv6wQgqTR1TdxSQ8LQNXQfLtoAm8_3X4hzHiLiY-fRVlwfm3xtILavNbeQ5Z5c08YvukTJfbpN4wg64mi7VamF7Xz0W/s400/DSC_5649.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia07ggYh7v2Pdyw-7ulYIt2Wbr14KaZCdBLV_GBhjgla5n1V1ruldKZhincyz_Huen2AxR3iWZbomoHrZXszxEE_3ebG1SsK9bsfOqW4gVqUUsjFXjVKJF2LKaFc-O-RwHbuh4Gy4G/s1600/DSC_5652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia07ggYh7v2Pdyw-7ulYIt2Wbr14KaZCdBLV_GBhjgla5n1V1ruldKZhincyz_Huen2AxR3iWZbomoHrZXszxEE_3ebG1SsK9bsfOqW4gVqUUsjFXjVKJF2LKaFc-O-RwHbuh4Gy4G/s400/DSC_5652.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
But the vast Texas Hill Country it was for the next long while.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTNUeLqDTMjK3WU2AMj02jkAXOgu1dvhag-ycbxO8ynQs5nxnHnSou9nUyIDHjh6Lhrf4ClfET9Bqw0H-iGVsc3YkjQWktXOS4Ktf_wSMBMaP3gUwhLJUq8v3_Cxqg95qxliibqymN/s1600/DSC_5660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTNUeLqDTMjK3WU2AMj02jkAXOgu1dvhag-ycbxO8ynQs5nxnHnSou9nUyIDHjh6Lhrf4ClfET9Bqw0H-iGVsc3YkjQWktXOS4Ktf_wSMBMaP3gUwhLJUq8v3_Cxqg95qxliibqymN/s400/DSC_5660.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
Long and Lonely stretches of highway between San Antonio and our destination</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ajr_DiNDUxB0bTRzk2JyyQYEHhlRxZFmBcgxpBt9sor59MxEMzkBzX6xYQW4mC2qQblhi8zE8IPAWNlkdsWV4QP5k1QH0K9kJD7nTTC0xvMi_na1hwx4ubv4RUtT7H5mjxbsANJg/s1600/DSC_5655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ajr_DiNDUxB0bTRzk2JyyQYEHhlRxZFmBcgxpBt9sor59MxEMzkBzX6xYQW4mC2qQblhi8zE8IPAWNlkdsWV4QP5k1QH0K9kJD7nTTC0xvMi_na1hwx4ubv4RUtT7H5mjxbsANJg/s400/DSC_5655.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxy7c6NshwExiCc2eIpbWLfx4UJHYTQmRfS0POpP2nShlxJJ8_LmHEw330_OYwREBZOaqkrMnWXG78PGg6grVenAyDKNyANxhnfMg4GUi4SiYOfQGNvtTUVhKDGO_Kuq7swKI2ULe/s1600/DSC_5656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxy7c6NshwExiCc2eIpbWLfx4UJHYTQmRfS0POpP2nShlxJJ8_LmHEw330_OYwREBZOaqkrMnWXG78PGg6grVenAyDKNyANxhnfMg4GUi4SiYOfQGNvtTUVhKDGO_Kuq7swKI2ULe/s400/DSC_5656.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKwqC3ulLY5XK3ejPg_NVjcLmPmhPAPa0Fv4rZ6OeDg1q-WHboQrcgeucw5qWEaNocgCqcU7EQ2M_J0qQ2Ee0HSyBqYwIEZviz5JSq8d0pS8lUxazvZvXOaeQIF32l3rhs4d3Fpr0/s1600/DSC_5657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKwqC3ulLY5XK3ejPg_NVjcLmPmhPAPa0Fv4rZ6OeDg1q-WHboQrcgeucw5qWEaNocgCqcU7EQ2M_J0qQ2Ee0HSyBqYwIEZviz5JSq8d0pS8lUxazvZvXOaeQIF32l3rhs4d3Fpr0/s400/DSC_5657.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgIiAXQWCy_xTRe-rpsMoNQcyTOoZHQkyZYYCU6Z_10bq2_yAYlG13gpxfgfOxldERlVwObkbk70rXlyi3Ms25k8To8ufBOdylqaCkssUw70mk3XXSnoiJbfQm-rizcapfXDW_Rdd6/s1600/DSC_5662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgIiAXQWCy_xTRe-rpsMoNQcyTOoZHQkyZYYCU6Z_10bq2_yAYlG13gpxfgfOxldERlVwObkbk70rXlyi3Ms25k8To8ufBOdylqaCkssUw70mk3XXSnoiJbfQm-rizcapfXDW_Rdd6/s400/DSC_5662.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglgH35k08kumG7UURNeKL1XONabbi2WJOrWDN4F8CydToYQZq62p-9gnr13H01mvk_vHxSBe1mb0k69khsUD3bZk8qf2AAdfObMkiCll0vj5L_dPyTEqteXlzOyQm9OGwWHpJ-qZ1/s1600/DSC_5680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglgH35k08kumG7UURNeKL1XONabbi2WJOrWDN4F8CydToYQZq62p-9gnr13H01mvk_vHxSBe1mb0k69khsUD3bZk8qf2AAdfObMkiCll0vj5L_dPyTEqteXlzOyQm9OGwWHpJ-qZ1/s400/DSC_5680.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEXwWHxGPqAeHe_gMG-y5rnc_7ZLjQT8XWJub-Sh-ttpBMiNAZLp3-b0iY0JvZSEi6PcEd5KeXa6lTKzlQB3Y6OEgiva3gZi-C5S5rbtejk_A2WDnOFxujlrI683524ryW14EBX2_X/s1600/DSC_5681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEXwWHxGPqAeHe_gMG-y5rnc_7ZLjQT8XWJub-Sh-ttpBMiNAZLp3-b0iY0JvZSEi6PcEd5KeXa6lTKzlQB3Y6OEgiva3gZi-C5S5rbtejk_A2WDnOFxujlrI683524ryW14EBX2_X/s400/DSC_5681.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div>
And then we passed it just like that, so obscure it was - the Howard Butt Foundation sign marking the gravel road down into the Canyon to the Frio River. Turning around in a rest area, we climbed out of the car and edged our way over to the concrete lookout post for a breath-taking peek at the sight below.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSnBw02B0-6uFovGcZtlKVJoM5SLKzuw8rKZVCo9Qg7D9N7GYJFCD-5ERhjiakqatURrLybHW2aXv5ka9ehZQoT7IFa9kD2fWSRt5QAyKK6zV0Y9e-PY5q9-46gqG5y-sewGKxoe3x/s1600/DSC_5666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSnBw02B0-6uFovGcZtlKVJoM5SLKzuw8rKZVCo9Qg7D9N7GYJFCD-5ERhjiakqatURrLybHW2aXv5ka9ehZQoT7IFa9kD2fWSRt5QAyKK6zV0Y9e-PY5q9-46gqG5y-sewGKxoe3x/s400/DSC_5666.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In 1954, the H.E.Butt Foundation acquired 1900 acres north of Leakey, Texas, to fulfill a long-cherished dream of Howard E. Butt Sr., to provide a place where boys & girls, men & women could further their knowledge of God and his creation while enjoying the freedom of camp life that had so appealed to him during his youth. With his wife Mary and subsequent generations of the Butt family, that vision is now manifest in five self-contained, state-of-the-art facilities that have welcomed more than 750,000 campers in an atmosphere conducive to healthy Christian character development. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is offered <i>FREE </i>for qualified church and community groups; with programs especially targeting children and youth groups who would not otherwise be able to afford such an experience.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2laXC-K7vuHwl_nD5pIC6G8PI1sFXEYflkRtJfSRkWyUjUpUfin_spvo_yCdHo8Grq_4aSm820ylQzXhEYjdEcGMNq1SCRsApW2CvoIHB9Yp9T1rHYk_X7vLqjzm8ioAQJQ83exTj/s1600/DSC_5667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2laXC-K7vuHwl_nD5pIC6G8PI1sFXEYflkRtJfSRkWyUjUpUfin_spvo_yCdHo8Grq_4aSm820ylQzXhEYjdEcGMNq1SCRsApW2CvoIHB9Yp9T1rHYk_X7vLqjzm8ioAQJQ83exTj/s400/DSC_5667.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLssdycmPccfN92d2fRJt0U8gS7okcxCYmr8t3wuDJsOjy7H30snK7CO808Omq9AO7CXfMOPKe4DbIEmJsAIfdaPXczqo452dxQxPCIdBsl41gd8YiRlq8PSIrPr4QHJ6UTGBPSrre/s1600/DSC_5668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLssdycmPccfN92d2fRJt0U8gS7okcxCYmr8t3wuDJsOjy7H30snK7CO808Omq9AO7CXfMOPKe4DbIEmJsAIfdaPXczqo452dxQxPCIdBsl41gd8YiRlq8PSIrPr4QHJ6UTGBPSrre/s400/DSC_5668.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is the Frio River carving its way around the Canyon.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Isn't it amazing? It really did take my breath away.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiICPOF04Hh2g0Mc23f7F93qKGISr-TjXrWbdu86gUamzTdALo2sOjrWLr3oirF3jQDzkAQcTsQDTLyfcPW64KrEsjbvaTqtxuGk7h3drFTwSF-Ca-g4ruoMeOvODbhMwd3UcwIJd0v/s1600/DSC_5670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiICPOF04Hh2g0Mc23f7F93qKGISr-TjXrWbdu86gUamzTdALo2sOjrWLr3oirF3jQDzkAQcTsQDTLyfcPW64KrEsjbvaTqtxuGk7h3drFTwSF-Ca-g4ruoMeOvODbhMwd3UcwIJd0v/s400/DSC_5670.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Frio River is a Texas treasure. Frio is the Spanish word for cold and cold it is. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
See that little red canoe/kayak below? Much saner way to enjoy the river in November if you ask me.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCa6KEIOL9ipUKjxEeoAiW9Xb7nNx1GTeUrAzH3eFfLOwkCM8vqYAY3w2L6eCDfOkFZvSqKhlb3O445fulWxkzF24X-q1zR5i9MINn5it1wh_dW_xTTNs3eOm4vBW89XLBPGhPVsz7/s1600/DSC_5672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCa6KEIOL9ipUKjxEeoAiW9Xb7nNx1GTeUrAzH3eFfLOwkCM8vqYAY3w2L6eCDfOkFZvSqKhlb3O445fulWxkzF24X-q1zR5i9MINn5it1wh_dW_xTTNs3eOm4vBW89XLBPGhPVsz7/s400/DSC_5672.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_sc0L-39zQfjt4Kc8sjzRAo5S_vuqe_za2VGONG3GRfKYmCYp6kY_jPLwP_BKHr98zAfPo8KNPMjpyja0mLGarctcbQocKZrRye3iXs3qFvxs91f-cUomKKsz2yPJ2S7UP-BgQ0V-/s1600/DSC_5676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_sc0L-39zQfjt4Kc8sjzRAo5S_vuqe_za2VGONG3GRfKYmCYp6kY_jPLwP_BKHr98zAfPo8KNPMjpyja0mLGarctcbQocKZrRye3iXs3qFvxs91f-cUomKKsz2yPJ2S7UP-BgQ0V-/s400/DSC_5676.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Foundation owns and maintains five separate Camps and retreat areas, </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Laity Lodge being one of them.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwWQ0xrX3lBRxkU2kOADjODfJLbSdv3cZoIgMUn5CKlDm_rikNPibi3Yb2O6tgD59rplNA-K78VGUGSNDm7eoYa3dcVcw7AjfxAGEHHiv8MFyZRMjuJkGgvJEQgA-Cu5mWKuyH6FY/s1600/DSC_5682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwWQ0xrX3lBRxkU2kOADjODfJLbSdv3cZoIgMUn5CKlDm_rikNPibi3Yb2O6tgD59rplNA-K78VGUGSNDm7eoYa3dcVcw7AjfxAGEHHiv8MFyZRMjuJkGgvJEQgA-Cu5mWKuyH6FY/s400/DSC_5682.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9tFEAw3y5318CNG9V-IhvHGiu_MbHz7HtXKtSCirKGTh-gxllv0BG7W_NjX_dHesX3Gc7M9Pq94tbUDaWFspfPEB2IG6h7OdzlFBt74IOCZwMedYT8eADGh67TgUHXN-fkz7MuSK/s1600/DSC_5686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9tFEAw3y5318CNG9V-IhvHGiu_MbHz7HtXKtSCirKGTh-gxllv0BG7W_NjX_dHesX3Gc7M9Pq94tbUDaWFspfPEB2IG6h7OdzlFBt74IOCZwMedYT8eADGh67TgUHXN-fkz7MuSK/s400/DSC_5686.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihAGZoI6L0_BmrpSFydGvMQ_-pBxjx3TT7oAtQ7Y1nbLnFhh2aFYzlJm1VzcAcTMWgSDMR4DoTutXmMU1o5-JqVl_SpQRTHUy5vM4DXY1WzA1RJ9aDzA9qnhv83FMs4gkrKtMaMJEQ/s1600/DSC_5684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihAGZoI6L0_BmrpSFydGvMQ_-pBxjx3TT7oAtQ7Y1nbLnFhh2aFYzlJm1VzcAcTMWgSDMR4DoTutXmMU1o5-JqVl_SpQRTHUy5vM4DXY1WzA1RJ9aDzA9qnhv83FMs4gkrKtMaMJEQ/s400/DSC_5684.JPG" width="400" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0RSQn-8VtoASA4EbRNETLWojFPlPICC7qJ2mhPwc6keNsiM73JAjXay7hPuqDRUYERsujW9XKhd1ojYQPEQj-2ftQiNt6N40rszd6ZJF0y4-LfPoZG57M8mxXm1QvE5-mR6nHA6Um/s1600/DSC_5683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0RSQn-8VtoASA4EbRNETLWojFPlPICC7qJ2mhPwc6keNsiM73JAjXay7hPuqDRUYERsujW9XKhd1ojYQPEQj-2ftQiNt6N40rszd6ZJF0y4-LfPoZG57M8mxXm1QvE5-mR6nHA6Um/s400/DSC_5683.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Our anticipation mounted even as the road took us on a slow but steady descent into the canyon and the place of our great escape.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3dbiraq6Zpw-7vPtUSmozn5aNcOPURgITZuiS7_QmfPyRVyVKRQTzFbDC3kgLq8fBeRbyTlXbAZbc3AZY0coM5t8aGYG1iZHuREN5DSMdKuhDeNutlOS-lnGU_P31J_RLOs1VYWi/s1600/DSC_5687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3dbiraq6Zpw-7vPtUSmozn5aNcOPURgITZuiS7_QmfPyRVyVKRQTzFbDC3kgLq8fBeRbyTlXbAZbc3AZY0coM5t8aGYG1iZHuREN5DSMdKuhDeNutlOS-lnGU_P31J_RLOs1VYWi/s400/DSC_5687.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRC8DuBRTJMXAxoZIi9DKw9K3SyOemy4s3veIcxX9JBxpQ9YCSXamhFLkH9zIvloNlu9EHGToEGolzPartgAXnmPOL3i61m5xpukexnffccn3Y58w21aDyDtmYcSuP7wkAoR6DuR7n/s1600/DSC_5692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRC8DuBRTJMXAxoZIi9DKw9K3SyOemy4s3veIcxX9JBxpQ9YCSXamhFLkH9zIvloNlu9EHGToEGolzPartgAXnmPOL3i61m5xpukexnffccn3Y58w21aDyDtmYcSuP7wkAoR6DuR7n/s400/DSC_5692.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPM-YzsazWBnYbPBuUZH73aS21mBD4dhkZ7u0I3c8NoDhjN5uIVJw9q_7b0oiB0K4J0T07nQW6IkzseKLUWAtuR7n3doDi1nd9namMHgw9QupyaPwTIRhSs9c_Ex3XIKt1QQsSq_0/s1600/DSC_5694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPM-YzsazWBnYbPBuUZH73aS21mBD4dhkZ7u0I3c8NoDhjN5uIVJw9q_7b0oiB0K4J0T07nQW6IkzseKLUWAtuR7n3doDi1nd9namMHgw9QupyaPwTIRhSs9c_Ex3XIKt1QQsSq_0/s640/DSC_5694.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And suddenly we were driving in the river feeling ever so much like naughty children on adventure.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcURFLkBcvz-YJt5s-EQMUeIscy4fpC21EDWLBbQSYXdgCS3P3FLUmvOhn-nQWQTVt5AKScqqvbyzjlqBYNscI0NzUpG_R7n3IlKNOwVaTOgXObvWlUiXrzv1-FNi555MBw49mDkQe/s1600/DSC_5695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcURFLkBcvz-YJt5s-EQMUeIscy4fpC21EDWLBbQSYXdgCS3P3FLUmvOhn-nQWQTVt5AKScqqvbyzjlqBYNscI0NzUpG_R7n3IlKNOwVaTOgXObvWlUiXrzv1-FNi555MBw49mDkQe/s400/DSC_5695.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdS-ecAICOPcUwKeeNFBz5N1YCzAyATpfUIuUcNxzbVA7tmItruPCWWoZ3hu0K-5PjtcWvs-1gSiqT0F3pjHmr-Y-ShLLdhvc2zoa0N3PI8wwfL_A6uquRc5Ws24jO0slMOnRXLyx/s1600/DSC_5698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdS-ecAICOPcUwKeeNFBz5N1YCzAyATpfUIuUcNxzbVA7tmItruPCWWoZ3hu0K-5PjtcWvs-1gSiqT0F3pjHmr-Y-ShLLdhvc2zoa0N3PI8wwfL_A6uquRc5Ws24jO0slMOnRXLyx/s400/DSC_5698.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghoiWcbUyTQDmY5MNGDWQvgjD3-GEc6ebuRmK1V8aywZ9pnONOF8PVFbW2TIeV2YDDo_q2IbuMfoZk59AEO_J2vBYgjTu6TXUSxbMe3dtd3izrLxzKkz9AY5jPzteaRfgxVHMNDXQd/s1600/DSC_5701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghoiWcbUyTQDmY5MNGDWQvgjD3-GEc6ebuRmK1V8aywZ9pnONOF8PVFbW2TIeV2YDDo_q2IbuMfoZk59AEO_J2vBYgjTu6TXUSxbMe3dtd3izrLxzKkz9AY5jPzteaRfgxVHMNDXQd/s400/DSC_5701.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
In a word? Exhilarating! Our own bonafide 'red-neck' experience.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGLbzgujZhQCj0BnbmEBs3Gg00vzNSSWj1jG5NJjlBl84XY8NbnEQmKBuQOTzD2Rv8c2wt0sMiyLMKoi5LWsz4PnfF5GYyr42kLlNT7Ba_FXnHJaqsqI0F_oLCWg6Ghzpfw2LbE5B/s1600/DSC_5702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGLbzgujZhQCj0BnbmEBs3Gg00vzNSSWj1jG5NJjlBl84XY8NbnEQmKBuQOTzD2Rv8c2wt0sMiyLMKoi5LWsz4PnfF5GYyr42kLlNT7Ba_FXnHJaqsqI0F_oLCWg6Ghzpfw2LbE5B/s400/DSC_5702.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ah yes, there's a sign at long last...we're not lost after all.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYDjUFiajnO2V3tOV1Um0qDoLDZXx9DShCi0uzhfrLoPGHfyzpSDk_hTntSgX6Wv1qSZj3OOR6vAhl2dY2fI7XBgS0rpe9pHBmlTVDbVqfDfC3H5-_UaRx-mEmkxJCPPFgHuIorTcL/s1600/DSC_5707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYDjUFiajnO2V3tOV1Um0qDoLDZXx9DShCi0uzhfrLoPGHfyzpSDk_hTntSgX6Wv1qSZj3OOR6vAhl2dY2fI7XBgS0rpe9pHBmlTVDbVqfDfC3H5-_UaRx-mEmkxJCPPFgHuIorTcL/s400/DSC_5707.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0I4uIDF2XrWZ2ztUdO7CThezP6NV-ro35i3BZYTHynuyqc7XmUjmmWZSWWKoqpAQqyGVs9ORFX7waYsHqjOVREA61l8ZRPjQlgUNlyBOQ5emcYv2-6ElyFr_TxSnMKDMUGWpcK9D/s1600/DSC_5708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0I4uIDF2XrWZ2ztUdO7CThezP6NV-ro35i3BZYTHynuyqc7XmUjmmWZSWWKoqpAQqyGVs9ORFX7waYsHqjOVREA61l8ZRPjQlgUNlyBOQ5emcYv2-6ElyFr_TxSnMKDMUGWpcK9D/s400/DSC_5708.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQ6_MMOuCZntG6_EGCc1FnnwMCroLdFffVw5djkzkFRPwvRehpOE0UBeDqmGECNOxwMDovKX-wP3scwPUUurvQalxQ6uiSByjI_aSxszngozty9hlNbzfXdsc9ehDz4xHv-ns6nMN/s1600/DSC_5710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQ6_MMOuCZntG6_EGCc1FnnwMCroLdFffVw5djkzkFRPwvRehpOE0UBeDqmGECNOxwMDovKX-wP3scwPUUurvQalxQ6uiSByjI_aSxszngozty9hlNbzfXdsc9ehDz4xHv-ns6nMN/s400/DSC_5710.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJLHKmuRfespyF9kmAQxIatdk_7SSAtQVbuIr2wfE6GAPZzkSv3zdY8vTE6Qe_6gvmVTbuCaZYhyVCu1L85uGt7Labbi2DRa1ysGFqO6nT17VWFdOOdfcclkWoD5kUWBqch7yI4Mm/s1600/DSC_5711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJLHKmuRfespyF9kmAQxIatdk_7SSAtQVbuIr2wfE6GAPZzkSv3zdY8vTE6Qe_6gvmVTbuCaZYhyVCu1L85uGt7Labbi2DRa1ysGFqO6nT17VWFdOOdfcclkWoD5kUWBqch7yI4Mm/s400/DSC_5711.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Laity Lodge. The place of our great escape. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"The spiritual life has long been compared to a journey. As such, Laity Lodge is best understood in terms of the hospitality it offers to travelers who are engaged in a journey of following Christ. More than a destination, the Lodge is like a 'hospitality house' along a pilgrim's route with the purpose of creating opportunities for refreshment, renewal and discovering courage while on the way". </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I like this description found in the welcome package: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Laity Lodge is a place for retreat, but always for the sake of advance.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWb1Ojqp1C5d11AgtfuhgwoVtn-KBQEWWf5VJeDFdiB_p5ypn6RghcNkPo6eFdWOrQTicZ2eMYPSrFqMcmORtHdb5S9kTMaMv7DtT9d4D_qUCqI0i7MDT8a8aDAU31sBtUabSEnIm/s1600/DSC_5712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWb1Ojqp1C5d11AgtfuhgwoVtn-KBQEWWf5VJeDFdiB_p5ypn6RghcNkPo6eFdWOrQTicZ2eMYPSrFqMcmORtHdb5S9kTMaMv7DtT9d4D_qUCqI0i7MDT8a8aDAU31sBtUabSEnIm/s400/DSC_5712.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Now that you've arrived here with us, you might be wondering what <i>sort of</i> retreat this is. <br />
Come back tomorrow. We will make discovery together...Josiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09743962903897476020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407293068612670322.post-42479584829685030222012-12-27T20:23:00.004-05:002012-12-31T22:53:26.461-05:00Laity Lodge Texas* <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Retreat</span> *<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Baskerville;"><span class="lbl" style="font-size: 14px;"><span apple_mouseover_highlight="1">ORIGIN</span> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Baskerville;"><span class="date" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="lang" style="font-weight: normal;"><span apple_mouseover_highlight="1">late</span> <span apple_mouseover_highlight="1">Middle English</span> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Baskerville;">: from</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Baskerville;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Baskerville;"><span class="lang" style="font-weight: normal;">Old French </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Baskerville;"><span class="ff" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: 600;">retret </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Baskerville;">(noun),</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Baskerville;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Baskerville;"><span class="ff" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: 600;">retraiter </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Baskerville;">(verb), from</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Baskerville;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Baskerville;"><span class="lang" style="font-weight: normal;">Latin </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Baskerville;"><span class="ff" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: 600;">retrahere </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Baskerville;"><span class="trans" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: 600;">‘pull back’ </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Baskerville;">(see</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Baskerville;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Baskerville;"><span class="xrefGrp"><span class="xref"><span class="x" style="font-variant: small-caps; font-weight: 600;"><span apple_mouseover_highlight="1">retract</span> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Baskerville;">)</span><br />
<ul style="font-family: Baskerville;">
<li><span class="sn" style="font-weight: 600;"> </span><span class="def" style="font-weight: normal;"><span apple_mouseover_highlight="1">a</span> <span apple_mouseover_highlight="1">quiet</span> <span apple_mouseover_highlight="1">or</span> <span apple_mouseover_highlight="1">secluded</span> place in which one <span apple_mouseover_highlight="1">can</span> rest and relax </span><span class="ex" d:priority="2" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="lbl" style="font-weight: normal;">: </span>their mountain retreat in New Hampshire.</span></li>
<li><span class="lbl" style="font-family: LucidaGrande; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="def" style="font-weight: normal;"><span apple_mouseover_highlight="1">a</span> <span apple_mouseover_highlight="1">period</span> <span apple_mouseover_highlight="1">of</span> <span apple_mouseover_highlight="1">seclusion</span> for the <span apple_mouseover_highlight="1">purposes</span> <span apple_mouseover_highlight="1">of</span> prayer and meditation </span><span class="ex" d:priority="2" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="lbl" style="font-weight: normal;">: </span>the bishop is away on his annual retreat </span><span class="exGrp" d:priority="2"><span class="lbl">| </span><span class="ex" d:priority="2" style="font-style: italic;"><span apple_mouseover_highlight="1">before</span> his ordination he <span class="bold" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: 600;">went on retreat</span>.</span></span></li>
</ul>
Beloved and I flew to San Antonio, Texas in November, far away from everything and everyone familiar for a retreat. This was a spiritual exercise for us and one we were quite ready for. <br />
The experience was rich and significant in a host of ways and is thus become a serious challenge to my blogging brain.<br />
<i>Six weeks!</i> to assimilate my thoughts and come up with a plan of action (*ish) for the telling of it. <br />
I've decided that you're going to hear and see about it bit by bit -- delivered in at least three separate instalments because it's simply too much for one post <i><b>and </b></i>because I want to share the riches of it in as authentic and thorough a way possible. <br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
We were far into the hill country - 70 miles from the nearest store of any kind - unplugged and disconnected from any reliable cellular or internet service for four days.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
It has been YEARS since either of us has gone 4 days straight unconnected.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
That, all by itself was an experience worth journalling.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
But first:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We spent a few days at an old hotel on the famous <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Antonio_River_Walk" target="_blank">Riverwalk</a> of SanAntonio -- a two and one half mile stretch of pedestrian walkway along the river that meanders below street level. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiR5BuQ4s4dRSphfl0FBvRm_aW0EEBEwG35Nd2XzQMDFKLt_3mZCf1QLIn511zKzk8ji-L2aJbQSo7MVgk1SLBV_Jf8fcJJUhPZPQ-w9uoofR2MqPaKFRlOvKQNAWqcGfDCl6KMf4z/s1600/DSC_5569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiR5BuQ4s4dRSphfl0FBvRm_aW0EEBEwG35Nd2XzQMDFKLt_3mZCf1QLIn511zKzk8ji-L2aJbQSo7MVgk1SLBV_Jf8fcJJUhPZPQ-w9uoofR2MqPaKFRlOvKQNAWqcGfDCl6KMf4z/s400/DSC_5569.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6qCNcz8pKMFpxugABUggHTsOntGl_QHUaGsCI4zUSFXm4-Ij7U4VhFCRAdExL7e7LZpQvvad2-Iz75FrjlMN7s58QV9ZZcZTDrZxyqjkAEddgfvOfSt6tIUoEf__rOdECTQnenySD/s1600/DSC_5579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6qCNcz8pKMFpxugABUggHTsOntGl_QHUaGsCI4zUSFXm4-Ij7U4VhFCRAdExL7e7LZpQvvad2-Iz75FrjlMN7s58QV9ZZcZTDrZxyqjkAEddgfvOfSt6tIUoEf__rOdECTQnenySD/s400/DSC_5579.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXnd0L4MxC69scYdoqGzKbPYIDR-VAFeW3Ygv6784bZWcU3N91YXSyMheD7H2yiTjNTvEoizCtY5PA4z86dgbd1Jr-ZmMJePauKEt4eQW76zIhk9f01n07F0ToAcu1DF5T8JwuA0P/s1600/DSC_5584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXnd0L4MxC69scYdoqGzKbPYIDR-VAFeW3Ygv6784bZWcU3N91YXSyMheD7H2yiTjNTvEoizCtY5PA4z86dgbd1Jr-ZmMJePauKEt4eQW76zIhk9f01n07F0ToAcu1DF5T8JwuA0P/s400/DSC_5584.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBFkhs6_xwcnC1DqQlLu1f6mRirk9UE1SaXLt8oPsrrWmHyXu-6fOtiAFQj5L8q7m22P4VUfdEdcvDo1Sn9f2DL7Q_wOT3SL77V-edYgoguxS2pFS7IVlAIXOGKDl3y-2f1tmss-Dp/s1600/DSC_5586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBFkhs6_xwcnC1DqQlLu1f6mRirk9UE1SaXLt8oPsrrWmHyXu-6fOtiAFQj5L8q7m22P4VUfdEdcvDo1Sn9f2DL7Q_wOT3SL77V-edYgoguxS2pFS7IVlAIXOGKDl3y-2f1tmss-Dp/s400/DSC_5586.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
An outdoor theatre on the Riverwalk with sod lined stone risers.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGv0EC6e6OhugbDCu7wCaclAipZACyMr35yocGfSCYpBB186rVKqm_t3dxqDY55FRI5gi-Is8e007HkSvKMscCG5YRTWzhIc8r8V_7iyCRC90xcnJNDdZhAkr_COEmTDwv9bI5cGu3/s1600/DSC_5587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGv0EC6e6OhugbDCu7wCaclAipZACyMr35yocGfSCYpBB186rVKqm_t3dxqDY55FRI5gi-Is8e007HkSvKMscCG5YRTWzhIc8r8V_7iyCRC90xcnJNDdZhAkr_COEmTDwv9bI5cGu3/s400/DSC_5587.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivyTXLwCjxifmI3h13ws4gKcFolqXt0rhvYWSXXmTI8_z11j1MhrZEZz1Cq64poEMOxFuBlbz-yMP5NTzBG3yTnsPG4dgKZfv29F7igYRuxT_q2_yZoK9MnUxacP8ZPxesd1v3Vp2B/s1600/DSC_5598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivyTXLwCjxifmI3h13ws4gKcFolqXt0rhvYWSXXmTI8_z11j1MhrZEZz1Cq64poEMOxFuBlbz-yMP5NTzBG3yTnsPG4dgKZfv29F7igYRuxT_q2_yZoK9MnUxacP8ZPxesd1v3Vp2B/s400/DSC_5598.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Fanfare to attract touristy attention and restaurant business. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8kyMgm610Oiy9wrcmf43bf4S5RvPXbsu_qZl2RDkHicWIjWwxSWHYTtwcqyju8TQFJ4J7aSY37b-XR_sJpRpW5YH6Qjdo3AqFYUk-3Pxbi_K0ILb4J3IoMozbxhIikV7tyKjaCY1Q/s1600/DSC_5600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8kyMgm610Oiy9wrcmf43bf4S5RvPXbsu_qZl2RDkHicWIjWwxSWHYTtwcqyju8TQFJ4J7aSY37b-XR_sJpRpW5YH6Qjdo3AqFYUk-3Pxbi_K0ILb4J3IoMozbxhIikV7tyKjaCY1Q/s400/DSC_5600.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
It was okay. What more can I say? Jostled by tourists eager for a nibble and peek at each and every establishment of an endless smorgasbord of boutiques and eateries? *sigh*<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjdz_xS39zdiTkeRUQLfZ6XQvXsAslj3bKkEtMSt0a5HxKTNi1sqXrtAOA5qRgKj5czUoIGHSK-mSsZn-kP_jWV8mlc1j8D3xVk1GYVx6V0aVQAJajmDWFplUKdDZmdqbY-AgFynIJ/s1600/DSC_5601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjdz_xS39zdiTkeRUQLfZ6XQvXsAslj3bKkEtMSt0a5HxKTNi1sqXrtAOA5qRgKj5czUoIGHSK-mSsZn-kP_jWV8mlc1j8D3xVk1GYVx6V0aVQAJajmDWFplUKdDZmdqbY-AgFynIJ/s400/DSC_5601.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6rTHu72xoJxDlsoT1eb5o35pJZvtkqiTEaUuVyI6qDpzCPnaY5XCP7CqYGiFJ_lfGR788JpiQQPabDiMNkSbCwIqoLmQm9-yp-eABm4ttRdV0hyphenhyphenRzbpKY0W7-nEDCZlQrW2RFywR/s1600/DSC_5602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6rTHu72xoJxDlsoT1eb5o35pJZvtkqiTEaUuVyI6qDpzCPnaY5XCP7CqYGiFJ_lfGR788JpiQQPabDiMNkSbCwIqoLmQm9-yp-eABm4ttRdV0hyphenhyphenRzbpKY0W7-nEDCZlQrW2RFywR/s400/DSC_5602.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Of course, only a fool lands in San Antonio and neglects to visit one of its' more famous historical markers: <a href="http://www.history.com/topics/alamo" target="_blank">The Alamo</a> I'll let this site take you around for the details. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBDwE8QhJSjgRTsK0VZOAYZxlv9_a51v6Fsw0NfjLwwXDPw6KVH1AbBNyUhaqfWuOBDo7hTd2vq4jG_LAeCPna_zQXV_matUBEZGJ7Ud2ndbrrJ7MDJuFKyWmfCyl7lrcuHgOkHhw/s1600/DSC_5604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBDwE8QhJSjgRTsK0VZOAYZxlv9_a51v6Fsw0NfjLwwXDPw6KVH1AbBNyUhaqfWuOBDo7hTd2vq4jG_LAeCPna_zQXV_matUBEZGJ7Ud2ndbrrJ7MDJuFKyWmfCyl7lrcuHgOkHhw/s400/DSC_5604.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjirv6i3oRAQq2_cUrqw5IUmhuzllBAJ2U1dFXQPecuxikKxd1OVIFfS0mkolzKFaUQg0GnuQF7mzeXlaIj1vc506cv5UqQWY5DxEl8sz1Bt4weJgHKGtJxERflGheGdz6FwvHQGc_A/s1600/DSC_5605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjirv6i3oRAQq2_cUrqw5IUmhuzllBAJ2U1dFXQPecuxikKxd1OVIFfS0mkolzKFaUQg0GnuQF7mzeXlaIj1vc506cv5UqQWY5DxEl8sz1Bt4weJgHKGtJxERflGheGdz6FwvHQGc_A/s400/DSC_5605.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBp7mB-gfGQg7q7YTQNUOeAJqycKrb6OOP0JbKy0IubdNgfhEuXq6Bjsl8bpiofI2jD4Kiq3Tq2SR_g7KnnI0UZmAgtyZe8qB029lXMrANX6I_Ph14wMw86ByU0-v_50UCZJYFFmZz/s1600/DSC_5606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBp7mB-gfGQg7q7YTQNUOeAJqycKrb6OOP0JbKy0IubdNgfhEuXq6Bjsl8bpiofI2jD4Kiq3Tq2SR_g7KnnI0UZmAgtyZe8qB029lXMrANX6I_Ph14wMw86ByU0-v_50UCZJYFFmZz/s400/DSC_5606.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
At least the ancient door was intriguing :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu4V2e2tkRmXfCC4cwwZDSMxJCull3GW3mX38-j7E6mCuQdgP0xzZO_syPGPfpT2Xi27nKQYiRtGB0g0iB3aQgbwaNbaIB3fnZ0oQgJpFIS-Plvum_NjZYCWHHlwZ_KCl54t3fq3aK/s1600/DSC_5633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu4V2e2tkRmXfCC4cwwZDSMxJCull3GW3mX38-j7E6mCuQdgP0xzZO_syPGPfpT2Xi27nKQYiRtGB0g0iB3aQgbwaNbaIB3fnZ0oQgJpFIS-Plvum_NjZYCWHHlwZ_KCl54t3fq3aK/s400/DSC_5633.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Last chance in the next four days to connect with the homefront!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYofueGzm87foycgMqHz1ej8DJVNu04kLnFavhpdJIPE6xImdRZhGO97YMUPElfVTbM-CG6mQ0FxfgqdNqXvD7CVI5QrL32M2weBBGbTD2ZaClpgvAO4yc1CnQ4B5-XtkjQYWh5A2/s1600/DSC_5641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYofueGzm87foycgMqHz1ej8DJVNu04kLnFavhpdJIPE6xImdRZhGO97YMUPElfVTbM-CG6mQ0FxfgqdNqXvD7CVI5QrL32M2weBBGbTD2ZaClpgvAO4yc1CnQ4B5-XtkjQYWh5A2/s320/DSC_5641.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Riverwalk is even more winsome with the evening lights along the footpath. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We were just a few weeks too early to enjoy the full blown Christmas displays; </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
apparently it is a sight to behold. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV__eK-AYw6PRpYKFETveqWQJjcxkiIzZqJswFv2MupK3x6rd30wNZuKuBExZMiMtAJwhW4ZjrvYhFCX2bFG6CnlOKH3bGPxdzHJ6oIPPb8GAUJUyIXPy-nC1Z-faRZdiYAP6NvTHq/s1600/DSC_5645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV__eK-AYw6PRpYKFETveqWQJjcxkiIzZqJswFv2MupK3x6rd30wNZuKuBExZMiMtAJwhW4ZjrvYhFCX2bFG6CnlOKH3bGPxdzHJ6oIPPb8GAUJUyIXPy-nC1Z-faRZdiYAP6NvTHq/s320/DSC_5645.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Stay tuned. We're buckling up for a drive into the vast unknown tomorrow.</div>
Josiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09743962903897476020noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407293068612670322.post-50040983040542027012012-12-14T16:02:00.002-05:002012-12-14T16:02:16.435-05:00Baby Flies Coop, Empties Nest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4cTfu0MrtX6_3VleH1YwgsN-HINjyU1my4FdK5isCe-cFgQq_aD2JghFfhL170keKYXIfjWNmeXGckFkLTRswNXPogF3ojhgQoybAK95MqsGKY7LnxGsuQZxaremdxhl6HBWfU-Cw/s1600/DSC_4379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4cTfu0MrtX6_3VleH1YwgsN-HINjyU1my4FdK5isCe-cFgQq_aD2JghFfhL170keKYXIfjWNmeXGckFkLTRswNXPogF3ojhgQoybAK95MqsGKY7LnxGsuQZxaremdxhl6HBWfU-Cw/s400/DSC_4379.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6qEMPOw2foidwsQegPIdh-Dum8mcD2LbWgnv7k5IP8If5YB0YdZHwP3kSAt8EtyFOWsf9Rw7lFuR54OY0pwU_ZA4JqE3wi89LpCFK0_0yeYC4e3TUmqGgNOVKTLqTCGBRh6d-L1j/s1600/DSC_4381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6qEMPOw2foidwsQegPIdh-Dum8mcD2LbWgnv7k5IP8If5YB0YdZHwP3kSAt8EtyFOWsf9Rw7lFuR54OY0pwU_ZA4JqE3wi89LpCFK0_0yeYC4e3TUmqGgNOVKTLqTCGBRh6d-L1j/s400/DSC_4381.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That was some moment...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWxUpgqBDvfoiESCrdESHzskbf6GLtcuXFp_NJMr3jIc5s5a1nhbVt2ToyezEcz703pOUHKvLghQOWPgjD3TG2SADo3-zXfU4z9XRdFwbmmoA5pqwjJIbYO_Ii_4hpp32fvN8e0Aj/s1600/Pictures+from+Cath+and+Aaron+wedding+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWxUpgqBDvfoiESCrdESHzskbf6GLtcuXFp_NJMr3jIc5s5a1nhbVt2ToyezEcz703pOUHKvLghQOWPgjD3TG2SADo3-zXfU4z9XRdFwbmmoA5pqwjJIbYO_Ii_4hpp32fvN8e0Aj/s400/Pictures+from+Cath+and+Aaron+wedding+010.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
giving our baby away.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDj6UBmF8g6ooi-1DWhhO1eLuMIhMEY8QX0mAkGdPY5bGwnnHVH0rctgAp_axsGGruRfk-XkrSNm6-fxiztPcxrd4wB8Ulx5yKMrP9GUy1-XnKVFSLk34kS4Am7aTGzJh6vBwNQQSh/s1600/Pictures+from+Cath+and+Aaron+wedding+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDj6UBmF8g6ooi-1DWhhO1eLuMIhMEY8QX0mAkGdPY5bGwnnHVH0rctgAp_axsGGruRfk-XkrSNm6-fxiztPcxrd4wB8Ulx5yKMrP9GUy1-XnKVFSLk34kS4Am7aTGzJh6vBwNQQSh/s400/Pictures+from+Cath+and+Aaron+wedding+015.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6x82HKGYtTFnyHg0p36zZucPu_qIz2R4F0C-ZF2FCVGaVcL7iyTzSbN_UZBUb7q0fVDshO71FpDh2KpDnH4nz29fgVQ25w0XHifZGUCfj_8xk5sxfgRWTdMFcvGUqgRFyVO1JeZE/s1600/283707_10151142916766000_1406026336_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6x82HKGYtTFnyHg0p36zZucPu_qIz2R4F0C-ZF2FCVGaVcL7iyTzSbN_UZBUb7q0fVDshO71FpDh2KpDnH4nz29fgVQ25w0XHifZGUCfj_8xk5sxfgRWTdMFcvGUqgRFyVO1JeZE/s400/283707_10151142916766000_1406026336_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlo77RWBLcQ3BRjmCDS3pJVggI3TF0uWqEZOlGRvunujZa4IbFy3jNVmnm051yB3rED4NCIr7D5WS2GdKtlCM4TssySLwSfBglLKQmjdxR3uvg_3smbC8XDHnIjfZ11L14x9hU1nD8/s1600/531431_10151130780696000_706368200_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlo77RWBLcQ3BRjmCDS3pJVggI3TF0uWqEZOlGRvunujZa4IbFy3jNVmnm051yB3rED4NCIr7D5WS2GdKtlCM4TssySLwSfBglLKQmjdxR3uvg_3smbC8XDHnIjfZ11L14x9hU1nD8/s400/531431_10151130780696000_706368200_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Below are 5 wonders that filled one young girls dream for motherhood...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7KtLJdvola0aQmnhvoQMF4ZjZq2-Spj3TBfnGkMxGNW99Gg2ck4S3sqCSSJ6-2ArwH0YcEQtBmrU-upy3Tebi7M-dXf7BGnOyFB8Wv99bp-XQNyFfQHF6Dik_yJhAVVfs3jZn5nnp/s1600/ACC539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7KtLJdvola0aQmnhvoQMF4ZjZq2-Spj3TBfnGkMxGNW99Gg2ck4S3sqCSSJ6-2ArwH0YcEQtBmrU-upy3Tebi7M-dXf7BGnOyFB8Wv99bp-XQNyFfQHF6Dik_yJhAVVfs3jZn5nnp/s400/ACC539.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
...which in turn developed into so much more</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEMJ8Lyv51npBDImVYi2njNaVOSdFI-Kr5OuW8LJDA_vY_B-Aayofm8bqiRCp5GzVWTuAFvlgYOECAqFCr5JCAyG1HJxhjxhwEPxJhrw-VzOBKndr6ba0jxsalvgWlC0Ovvhb0TYNH/s1600/ACC533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEMJ8Lyv51npBDImVYi2njNaVOSdFI-Kr5OuW8LJDA_vY_B-Aayofm8bqiRCp5GzVWTuAFvlgYOECAqFCr5JCAyG1HJxhjxhwEPxJhrw-VzOBKndr6ba0jxsalvgWlC0Ovvhb0TYNH/s400/ACC533.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
To come full circle and back where we started 32 years ago.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWt4DdZBHhcdMbrhNmWlb3XtfW8ZXr8fz1_cAukCIrNyRlTZk7xWzXigL1Imv0y6boofdEdj5vXvqFD-t0q4veNpKC4QOSylam5DWop7E4BdFaeC_iDpSoOUeBub3sgCjBR6wDVS2/s1600/ACC567+-+Version+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWt4DdZBHhcdMbrhNmWlb3XtfW8ZXr8fz1_cAukCIrNyRlTZk7xWzXigL1Imv0y6boofdEdj5vXvqFD-t0q4veNpKC4QOSylam5DWop7E4BdFaeC_iDpSoOUeBub3sgCjBR6wDVS2/s400/ACC567+-+Version+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
New Status: Empty Nested<br />
* oh boy *</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Josiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09743962903897476020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407293068612670322.post-6795933663041017852012-12-14T09:28:00.000-05:002012-12-14T15:39:09.920-05:00Deeply Loved<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhpC_QDUZThbOWuKGlNfIybKKk91WzztFBFR9NVGAXgqfwnR7C6kN6WcPMHVdlKA7KlPFnaJSYmAcgCXzjSSyh9zkKJlZ0EH8CX4GPdjA1lVx3V0yJQnDSsQuFws-mJYumFBqWGSu/s1600/DSC_5563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhpC_QDUZThbOWuKGlNfIybKKk91WzztFBFR9NVGAXgqfwnR7C6kN6WcPMHVdlKA7KlPFnaJSYmAcgCXzjSSyh9zkKJlZ0EH8CX4GPdjA1lVx3V0yJQnDSsQuFws-mJYumFBqWGSu/s400/DSC_5563.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I wear these cloth fibre bangles every day to remind me.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And I'm reading a book called Deeply Loved by Keri Wyatt Kent.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Through many recent conversations, I have discovered </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I am SO not alone with these fears and doubts of mine. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Keri's book is subtitled </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"40 ways in 40 days to experience the heart of Jesus"...from page 2</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Augustine asserted, "God loves each of us like an only child."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
You may not believe that. Or perhaps, you do believe it </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
on an intellectual or theological level, but you don't <i>feel</i> it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
You have never, or perhaps only rarely, </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
experienced that deep love.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
But what if he was right?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
******</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is my much needed Advent 'activity'.</div>
Josiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09743962903897476020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407293068612670322.post-18524650460538433482012-10-11T11:13:00.000-04:002012-10-28T14:57:50.934-04:00Abram, an unbeliever??<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #231f20; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">If you have ever felt unworthy or unqualified to believe that God will fulfill great purposes in your life, please allow me to introduce you to Abram. What you may not know about him is that at the time of his dramatic call from the Lord, he is living in idolatry. Abram is not yet worshiping the one true God; he is following many "little</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #231f20; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #231f20; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><em style="font-style: italic; z-index: 0;">g</em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #231f20; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">" gods along with the rest of his family (see</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #231f20; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #231f20; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><a class="" data-book="Joshua" data-chapter="24" data-verse="2" href="http://www.todayschristianwoman.com/articles/2012/august/believing-god.html" style="color: #231f20; cursor: pointer; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: underline; z-index: 0;" title="view Scripture passage at BibleGateway.com">Joshua 24:2</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #231f20;">). He does not know the Creator of the universe, who is about to unleash his power into his destiny. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">In short, when our story begins, Abram is an unbeliever.</span></span><br />
<br />
ACK! What are you saying?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.todayschristianwoman.com/articles/2012/august/believing-god.html#.UDzf6bSh2DI.blogger">Believing God | Today's Christian Woman</a><br />
<br />
I was first drawn to this article because of something that has occupied my thoughts for most of the summer. I've been sifting through the things I'll call <i>core values</i> or <i>beliefs</i> and attempting to measure my commitment to them. Weird stuff...and disturbing too.<br />
Like Occupy Washington, this is no welcome squatter of my personal space. <br />
<br />
Let's cut to the chase here.<br />
Perhaps what I have identified as core values or beliefs could more accurately be called <i>ideals</i> or <i>ideas</i>. Some (of which I used to apply as the irrevocable Law of the Medes & Persians) have since become utterly irrelevant. <br />
Ouch. <br />
Age, circumstance and children have a way of bringing these things to bear. <br />
My beloved and I knew we'd be <i>growing up</i> with our kids but the degree to which it would be necessary (!) is still so shocking.<br />
<br />
Back to the article:<br />
Abram wasn't singled out for this privilege because of his greatness. On the contrary. <br />
He got a new name, a new identity, and a newly assigned life when God called him into covenant. <br />
Abrahams claim to fame according to Hebrews Hall of Faithers in chapter eleven, is not that he believed <i>in</i> God but that he <i>believed</i> God. <br />
<br />
Do you understand the difference?<br />
<br />
The song that pops to mind (and you just know there is ALWAYS a song) is Trust and Obey~<br />
"for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey". <br />
I've been singing this song since I was a toddler for crying out loud. I should have stayed that age.<br />
Developing into responsible adulthood too often becomes code for: I've got it figured out. I can do this myself. <br />
<br />
And here's the other thing I have to keep learning over and over again: <br />
STOP MAKING HEROES OUT OF BIBLE FIGURES and evaluating their performance as if it were something to be measured by. They are merely examples of God reaching down into messy lives with a mercy and grace and love that defies understanding. <br />
<br />
It isn't about <i>them</i> or you or me. <br />
It's about GOD the Creator who made us, shapes us, calls us and carries us. 24/7 without exception.<br />
<br />
I have just discovered the newest release of Sally Lloyd Jones: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Thoughts-Make-Your-Heart-Sing/dp/0310721636#reader_0310721636" target="_blank">Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing</a><br />
If I told you it was for my grandkids, it'd be a half-truth. No. I buy them by the boxload; to help me get back to basics, to wrap my head around simple bible truths and to stop COMPLICATING things!<br />
Faith 101 if you will.<br />
Hit the link and browse through this masterpiece with me. It truly does make your heart sing and your eyes brim over at the reality of belonging to Him and becoming more and more aware of His never stopping, never giving up, unbreaking, always and forever love. <br />
<a href="http://www.haventoday.org/video-thoughts-to-make-your-heart-sing-gd-792.html" target="_blank">Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing Video</a><br />
<br />
The Bible: HIS story (with divine fingerprints tracing all the others of the Bible) combined with Sally's gift of storytelling, brings home a beauty barring none. Josiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09743962903897476020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407293068612670322.post-12253943791549269222012-08-28T18:24:00.001-04:002012-08-28T21:40:29.863-04:00How I spent August<a href="http://www.blurb.ca/my/book/widgets#blogger_tab">Share your book with BookShow™ | Blurb Canada</a><br />
<div style="text-align: left; width: 450px;">
<object data="http://www.blurb.ca/assets/embed.swf" height="300" id="myWidget" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="450"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param>
<param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param>
<param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param>
<param name="movie" value="http://www.blurb.ca/assets/embed.swf"></param>
<param name="FlashVars" value="book_id=3504504&locale=en_US&token=9e91af79261a4fb02b555b50c128d1d1f3bd2b92&token_id=2886025" /><a target="_new" href="http://www.blurb.ca/books/preview/3504504?ce=blurb_ew&utm_source=widget"><img src="http://bookshow.blurb.com/bookshow/cache/P5192321/md/wcover_2.png"></img></a></object><br />
<div style="display: block;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Josiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09743962903897476020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407293068612670322.post-20613475173258023732012-08-07T10:53:00.000-04:002012-08-07T12:37:53.973-04:00Fathers & Sons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is son Joey. He is a great uncle who is now also a daddy!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOncCk2mVoJGPFVEDUlyWE2p3yW9Gzf-eYCsKCrhyYb0QsdxFGhFprjN_xhhPfOOyVv0lqmJ7IljIBG3aKsPFi_GJBUl2966N0KBTNRoRi1MPBYhrpNY9TmQzaW4G-uIZJ77xOrNg-/s1600/IMG_0452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOncCk2mVoJGPFVEDUlyWE2p3yW9Gzf-eYCsKCrhyYb0QsdxFGhFprjN_xhhPfOOyVv0lqmJ7IljIBG3aKsPFi_GJBUl2966N0KBTNRoRi1MPBYhrpNY9TmQzaW4G-uIZJ77xOrNg-/s320/IMG_0452.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszTpIy2Fs0EwUhyphenhyphenrN68FXMcuRhKNf0GNbfFNrS8HEgBdIE6ibU9_titXtqWq0qPm_7v6LiocgU1CHD3Hwwh5tNtquBKM6TP4nIr7zxqkFRMY1F5oNGZ8frP6M3WE58y37j5B9lJRs/s1600/DSC_4970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a></div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszTpIy2Fs0EwUhyphenhyphenrN68FXMcuRhKNf0GNbfFNrS8HEgBdIE6ibU9_titXtqWq0qPm_7v6LiocgU1CHD3Hwwh5tNtquBKM6TP4nIr7zxqkFRMY1F5oNGZ8frP6M3WE58y37j5B9lJRs/s1600/DSC_4970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszTpIy2Fs0EwUhyphenhyphenrN68FXMcuRhKNf0GNbfFNrS8HEgBdIE6ibU9_titXtqWq0qPm_7v6LiocgU1CHD3Hwwh5tNtquBKM6TP4nIr7zxqkFRMY1F5oNGZ8frP6M3WE58y37j5B9lJRs/s1600/DSC_4970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszTpIy2Fs0EwUhyphenhyphenrN68FXMcuRhKNf0GNbfFNrS8HEgBdIE6ibU9_titXtqWq0qPm_7v6LiocgU1CHD3Hwwh5tNtquBKM6TP4nIr7zxqkFRMY1F5oNGZ8frP6M3WE58y37j5B9lJRs/s400/DSC_4970.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">
This compact little bundle pictured below, so cozy and warm within, sure took his time emerging from the womb. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufP4rxNKT-AwDQlQ8iaeRBqFMarOBbxpf2AzGaalU2epGvl6PhBJ2hcX0_jDs8nD6ozpD2XFW_NnNWiGmvVxpFm3tK1-flgsnIMWJ-jqVbbqbO9bMcKGSj8PccmsxqxCwi9Xid3XU/s1600/DSC_4948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufP4rxNKT-AwDQlQ8iaeRBqFMarOBbxpf2AzGaalU2epGvl6PhBJ2hcX0_jDs8nD6ozpD2XFW_NnNWiGmvVxpFm3tK1-flgsnIMWJ-jqVbbqbO9bMcKGSj8PccmsxqxCwi9Xid3XU/s400/DSC_4948.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
But emerge he did. As it so invariably happens. When it was his time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1OmdyRaLoyTWwhhWIWmLVaoSnKIrq3thpF9W4lXIsG7pNHqPLeRac51UdHXPrk7erOGkKvqZ4-IDlhADg26YgKShIGYMOXikAZ_rBk-vML2BLJ2yn1WmT-J-Y3Ik_rB9dr_Te3xv/s1600/DSC_5062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1OmdyRaLoyTWwhhWIWmLVaoSnKIrq3thpF9W4lXIsG7pNHqPLeRac51UdHXPrk7erOGkKvqZ4-IDlhADg26YgKShIGYMOXikAZ_rBk-vML2BLJ2yn1WmT-J-Y3Ik_rB9dr_Te3xv/s400/DSC_5062.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
Beckett Alexander is the newest man-child in the family. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4bFUgIYnt8Kotkhc61qmZ-P4RvdhBaz3RiMNov8HnegLr2SCZT-RGchzU3OWy94uM9Ioo7v7XUFIQul1QbqN94lmxx-qqta5TWWsGhE9n6RmJOwe6ZLPmWSr6FXYAnzSUM5cxebDm/s1600/DSC_5061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4bFUgIYnt8Kotkhc61qmZ-P4RvdhBaz3RiMNov8HnegLr2SCZT-RGchzU3OWy94uM9Ioo7v7XUFIQul1QbqN94lmxx-qqta5TWWsGhE9n6RmJOwe6ZLPmWSr6FXYAnzSUM5cxebDm/s400/DSC_5061.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_8H8sIue_qfjD2QeCEOI1lazbsx1Mmse_oBeyPpkR7O8ityq-Lw-GlDEB4-IMicffBC6x9295fQ0NkmEg1slfgtRLEgBxYFeiQ1TCH3i7H5r-dcGldiSOo6gbrymE7y743UtxiLf2/s1600/2A4B5DCA-0F0C-4154-91E4-FF1261345A62.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_8H8sIue_qfjD2QeCEOI1lazbsx1Mmse_oBeyPpkR7O8ityq-Lw-GlDEB4-IMicffBC6x9295fQ0NkmEg1slfgtRLEgBxYFeiQ1TCH3i7H5r-dcGldiSOo6gbrymE7y743UtxiLf2/s400/2A4B5DCA-0F0C-4154-91E4-FF1261345A62.jpeg" width="297" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmxV_qgixGm8VSk3Mbp8DamMW9T_LsmB86OuLgdRo7pb3_lRKAOpnwQZEXRfFiciuVdhh3x9O3DoktUdiTwvAOrE1Hcn8J-eWxNafazVV-PtXuEAm8IChI98X7CxzZ5c7v4o2aoGU3/s1600/3907DBD9-2A34-44A7-8C50-FBAACDE2712D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmxV_qgixGm8VSk3Mbp8DamMW9T_LsmB86OuLgdRo7pb3_lRKAOpnwQZEXRfFiciuVdhh3x9O3DoktUdiTwvAOrE1Hcn8J-eWxNafazVV-PtXuEAm8IChI98X7CxzZ5c7v4o2aoGU3/s400/3907DBD9-2A34-44A7-8C50-FBAACDE2712D.jpeg" width="297" /></a></div>
A beautiful first born son to our second born son and his wife. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZSY1jq09lZnQZuP8toc3f74Z8xYD3B2A7ODBuqzN00Lpo5dkyUX13RdeQwvmqvdEnkNEOq7xV_S6FJF4dcqRu9Mi62m97trE0rrUwVozJucspvfqX0BLpSctqnJW5uPVz3QjBg1I/s1600/DSC_5063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZSY1jq09lZnQZuP8toc3f74Z8xYD3B2A7ODBuqzN00Lpo5dkyUX13RdeQwvmqvdEnkNEOq7xV_S6FJF4dcqRu9Mi62m97trE0rrUwVozJucspvfqX0BLpSctqnJW5uPVz3QjBg1I/s400/DSC_5063.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Friends and Family swarmed in, delighted to hear the details of this life-altering experience.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzUA7JDVFlbIbvu01rLHG0a8oBGV9HI_jzS7A8ERwNqvKQhRnASNcOne9mYRO14nUE_lwhAtcrA5dOrTBuZRxS8OmAGdiRYa_jnt563l2ZrTir6B7nuQQfJQAf2pYa1UBQvQ4ynKTh/s1600/DSC_5064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzUA7JDVFlbIbvu01rLHG0a8oBGV9HI_jzS7A8ERwNqvKQhRnASNcOne9mYRO14nUE_lwhAtcrA5dOrTBuZRxS8OmAGdiRYa_jnt563l2ZrTir6B7nuQQfJQAf2pYa1UBQvQ4ynKTh/s400/DSC_5064.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
And life altering it is.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24PwU6-g97PJEpelYnKy7Xf8tN8dsfjc01V_rhr-ZHnYMPoeMJCv5EcJ0nRt_LHhuXCp7kfV68KUmg75uOG-dqNywikJwqDW1auNhOH9ZL7Jypd1QoPJ_UCdUSSearH_mLHqtLBwn/s1600/DSC_5065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24PwU6-g97PJEpelYnKy7Xf8tN8dsfjc01V_rhr-ZHnYMPoeMJCv5EcJ0nRt_LHhuXCp7kfV68KUmg75uOG-dqNywikJwqDW1auNhOH9ZL7Jypd1QoPJ_UCdUSSearH_mLHqtLBwn/s400/DSC_5065.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
We are all changed again, in ways yet to be measured and defined.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOnfMU_gfAy0pnlBBl7wambNLNGXEtwLUl4xB83D46l2ajv5oHAjkzJhXtCuyRvHuP6MVKK6-sbOMhSkPfvkOfnSOqOBZFV1C0KcVWcWjCgrIvS1OxgtRKzpMFnbn8rwXyJNTo9Rz/s1600/DSC_5066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOnfMU_gfAy0pnlBBl7wambNLNGXEtwLUl4xB83D46l2ajv5oHAjkzJhXtCuyRvHuP6MVKK6-sbOMhSkPfvkOfnSOqOBZFV1C0KcVWcWjCgrIvS1OxgtRKzpMFnbn8rwXyJNTo9Rz/s400/DSC_5066.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
I watch my beloved with this bundle and remember a time long ago (was it truly so long ago?)<br />
In my minds eye, I see this staid and stoic man dancing around a delivery room with his own man-child in arms. <br />
A feeling monumental stirs inside me but resists words. <br />
<i>Ppft!</i> Hate it when that happens.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7k1H0TwocQ5NpcgwSou08QF0mpoqG3XOcCj9_Gmj5ScEGEfosSEypgKIyaNGd9HmiwGxV8FpvdLR9GE8yUDLX0fzKaCSUV7OZgP4x2a90Cx0anFKFuQbU_wRC9ygOHEu4rO0HU0xq/s1600/DSC_5067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7k1H0TwocQ5NpcgwSou08QF0mpoqG3XOcCj9_Gmj5ScEGEfosSEypgKIyaNGd9HmiwGxV8FpvdLR9GE8yUDLX0fzKaCSUV7OZgP4x2a90Cx0anFKFuQbU_wRC9ygOHEu4rO0HU0xq/s320/DSC_5067.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih6ns5U6PE7pZ80GuCfkvvnW_G7v_NzKHIRgQAEXtXM4RYufjr_7-4sa7voD329Sap6Gv6WNORnVluyl-w8pUGqjHEmKahqBdlrQwijvLyCwm2-ErUbuLuGYxSyFQwb5YCyGRwCfOF/s1600/DSC_5068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih6ns5U6PE7pZ80GuCfkvvnW_G7v_NzKHIRgQAEXtXM4RYufjr_7-4sa7voD329Sap6Gv6WNORnVluyl-w8pUGqjHEmKahqBdlrQwijvLyCwm2-ErUbuLuGYxSyFQwb5YCyGRwCfOF/s400/DSC_5068.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidBXZYNC1iJZffaHuAzRRUT7_18T6jBo0IO05599Ec3243yMFvFBLgKlsmbAklbbMopQio9XnQJq8RuasRp3A10mLJfUQ2cz02jL3Vp63ssV-ZyWyt8IVx8fvFtSoHkDbCB1H_LSsf/s1600/DSC_5069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidBXZYNC1iJZffaHuAzRRUT7_18T6jBo0IO05599Ec3243yMFvFBLgKlsmbAklbbMopQio9XnQJq8RuasRp3A10mLJfUQ2cz02jL3Vp63ssV-ZyWyt8IVx8fvFtSoHkDbCB1H_LSsf/s400/DSC_5069.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Little Beckett Alexander with the big hands and feet? ~ ~ It is a great privilege to welcome you to our world. You are here with us according to a grand plan and purpose of God. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhLLzZ1ihBXyqbHj0InxMhe3bdZmXdnmCpEP2STiiKZqfDFzwevpDaG4aL2-jU5LprfOBPjyn9fkdBO8YGV304E2E3e1L0hm01yApaRQusRwbcXwPJcjYiaFaxIrehyB5WIUPsCi3S/s1600/DSC_5072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhLLzZ1ihBXyqbHj0InxMhe3bdZmXdnmCpEP2STiiKZqfDFzwevpDaG4aL2-jU5LprfOBPjyn9fkdBO8YGV304E2E3e1L0hm01yApaRQusRwbcXwPJcjYiaFaxIrehyB5WIUPsCi3S/s320/DSC_5072.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
As grandmother, I am now supposedly old and wise enough to wait <i>patiently</i> for this to unfold. <br />
If I default in my penchant of ploughing headlong, may it be in the area of prayer. <br />
In the stillness and beauty of this summer morning reflection, I earnestly desire that it may be so.Josiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09743962903897476020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407293068612670322.post-48647030001533805372012-07-31T15:03:00.004-04:002012-12-14T16:03:52.425-05:00The Meaning of Marriage Tim and Kathy Keller<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/iMiwH5saGyM?fs=1" width="400"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
A new book by Timothy and Kathy Keller subtitled:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i>Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
First discovered at our favourite online spot of spiritual encouragement and refreshment: <a href="http://www.haventoday.org/" target="_blank">Haven Today</a> with Charles Morris.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Check it out. You will surely discover with us, a host of topics, speakers, music and resources that truly inspire a resting place (<i>a haven</i>!) in your daily routine.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Conversely, you may watch the Keller's promo video above and get it straight from the authors.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Based on a nine-week series of sermons on marriage and preached to a congregation of thousands, the majority of whom were single! </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
It has since been the most listened to set of sermons ever produced by <a href="http://sermons.redeemer.com/store/" target="_blank">Redeemer Presbyterian Church</a> in Manhattan.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
We live in a culture which is almost relentless in its attack against marriage and family as divinely instituted. This shouldn't surprise us but it should make us forge our defense weapons with a bit more resolve and dare I say it, <i>commitment</i>?</div>
Josiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09743962903897476020noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407293068612670322.post-36266758478271972472012-07-31T11:59:00.001-04:002012-07-31T12:06:46.872-04:00The Newest Mr. & Mrs. in our family<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMooYWkdaGbydDRuHPhv6GsGJOtzAS0IOt7vFjKZYbErp9-T6_KssMi2DdLwpBaS5COscr5Wb5tisCVXmgeqMhRbZYlwVAt57KQeNDlwMDRpMcqfZjb9gE-xn-losxa1x5TIccg_0m/s1600/531431_10151130780696000_706368200_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMooYWkdaGbydDRuHPhv6GsGJOtzAS0IOt7vFjKZYbErp9-T6_KssMi2DdLwpBaS5COscr5Wb5tisCVXmgeqMhRbZYlwVAt57KQeNDlwMDRpMcqfZjb9gE-xn-losxa1x5TIccg_0m/s400/531431_10151130780696000_706368200_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Photo credits to Amy of Asher Images, family photographer extraordinaire.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Used without permission (sheepish grin)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXAXdXbERiVNeb2aIJTrkcg_4BTBqzvm-hQQm2Am-MNPraQZutdnZjQyYM6aQdiwvYU6CtCcogriUuaVTEHxhkHOK8Ln49lCIa0-MPfPNi0K2-vune8lKPMsvBUT5rf6yQy0lCirr/s1600/283707_10151142916766000_1406026336_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXAXdXbERiVNeb2aIJTrkcg_4BTBqzvm-hQQm2Am-MNPraQZutdnZjQyYM6aQdiwvYU6CtCcogriUuaVTEHxhkHOK8Ln49lCIa0-MPfPNi0K2-vune8lKPMsvBUT5rf6yQy0lCirr/s400/283707_10151142916766000_1406026336_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Our baby girl is off on a honeymoon with her new husband. Of course with her new husband. <br />
"Honeymoon". <br />
Why that term strikes me as strange <i>now </i>is interesting. <br />
I never thought about it twice when I ventured on my own, nor when we delighted in seeing four other married children embark on theirs. <br />
<br />
Google defines it thus:<br />
<i>One early reference to a honeymoon is in <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deuteronomy" title="Deuteronomy">Deuteronomy</a>
24:5 “When a man is newly wed, he need not go out on a military
expedition, nor shall any public duty be imposed on him. He shall be
exempt for one year for the sake of his family, to bring joy to the wife
he has married.”</i><br />
<i>Originally "honeymoon" simply described the period just after the
wedding when things are at their sweetest; it is assumed to wane in a
month. The earliest term for this in English was hony moone, which was recorded as early as 1546.</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
<i>... a period of time when things are at their sweetest ~ assumed to wane in a month. </i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
<i>Harrumph!</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
Not to worry. Many marriage veterans including us, have and will continue to mentor our little newlyweds regarding this <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/keyword/?search=profound%20mystery&version1=102&searchtype=all" target="_blank">profound mystery</a> as it has been called, to pray for them, walk the road with them, offer counsel when requested and perhaps otherwise :), to enjoy this blessing with them and finally, get them reading <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Sacred-Marriage-Gary-Thomas/dp/0310242827" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: italic;" target="_blank">SACRED MARRIAGE</a><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. </i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(a gem of a book/devotional we discovered only two years ago and heartily endorse to everyone regardless of where they show up on the marriage spectrum). </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
We eagerly anticipate their return for a variety of reasons:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>to hear about the marvels of their meanderings of NYC ~ if it is even possible to meander in such a place.</li>
<li>to witness ones children establish a new family home of their own and finally...</li>
<li>to have this infernal publication ban of their wedding photos lifted once and for all so that we might share the occasion with you!</li>
</ul>Josiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09743962903897476020noreply@blogger.com1