This and That

I really miss this. Here I am on a ride through the mountains with Mozart.

I don't think I've ridden in one year...maybe longer. I hope I can still do it! That is...keep up with Mozart. Then again...he hasn't been riding either. He's been composing.

Do you know he just reached his 500th composition? That was a goal of his. He said, "When I reach 500, we'll go out to dinner and celebrate." So last night we went out for Italian food.

"Does this mean you will have a little more free time now?" I asked.

"Not until I hit 1000."

Today is Sunday, and Mozart is working in another studio towards the beach, about an hour away. My youngest son is working today at the market, and my oldest son is somewhere...but not here. So I have the afternoon to do as I please. But I wanted to be productive so I made a list. I think I accomplished everything except "put up the Christmas lights".

Let's see...

I bought a baby gift and visited the neighbors who have a new grand-daughter.
Filed papers on my desk.
Read three chapters in the book of Hebrews. (I'm learning quite a bit...and may post about it later.)
Wrote my "Compassion" child in Mexico.
Made meatloaf.
Did 1.5 loads of laundry.
Prayed for people.
Put my bicycle in the back of Mozart's truck and took it to a new neighborhood. It's nice to have a change of scenery. I watched the sun shine sideways illuminating yellow and gold trees. Then the sun disappeared and I wrestled my bike back in the truck.

I stopped by the market on the way home to get some laundry soap and say hello to my young son, who was busy bagging groceries.

After cleaning up the kitchen and folding the last pair of jeans, I decided to enjoy my book. And just as I opened it, I realized I had forgotten the last item on the list.

"Post on your blog"

Have a good week!

Changes

"This is not a good spot for a picture. We'll be squinting." I said.

"It's fine," Letty said. "Just don't squint. Open your eyes real wide."

This is my lady friend who I help. We do shopping, errands, gardening and scrabble!

Today we went to the mall and strolled along the "promenade".

* * * * * * *

After a long Southern California summer, the leaves are finally starting to fall. The mornings and evenings are cooler, and a few days ago I noticed the constellation of Orion rising in the east. Mother nature is shifting positions and soon will be comfortably settled again.

There have been changes in our home too. Subtle changes. I can see a patch of blue sky. It's as if the hand of the Lord has peeled off a cloud layer. And life's road is no longer as steep. We're going through a section of level ground, and I'm noticing things along the way. Items I have time to stop and examine.

Like God's promises. I feel a growing desire to KNOW his promises. After going through the storm, I know how important it is to have scripture in your heart.

Another item I'm examining is called "believing prayer". I have often transferred my burdens to the Lord's shoulders through prayer. But then I take them back and still feel weighted down. Now, I try to remind myself, "remember...you PRAYED about that. God's got it in his hands."

These are just 2 examples of many new things that have come into my mind...on this new stretch of the road.

On the subject of writing, I just got an email today from Chicken Soup for the Soul. They need some more stories on the topic of "running" and the deadline is Nov. 29 the Sunday after Thanksgiving. My friend is a runner, so I gave her a call...and it looks like I'm going to try to write up a story. It will be a miracle if I get it done by Nov. 29th. (You'd be amazed at how long it takes me to write a post!)

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. We have a lot to be thankful for at our home.

(Maybe I'll be back at the blog before Thanksgiving.)

Letty is noticing interesting items in the kitchen store—along the promenade.
We sampled seasoned mashed potatoes and pumpkin muffins!

Because of Them...

Photo from War News Radio website
"Soldiers Resting"


I'm thankful for this day.
A day of rest in the middle of the week.
I have rest...because of the young men and women who protect our country.
I have peace, because they are standing in the gap.
I pray for strength, courage and that they will know God, and His Son.

I think of the families who have lost their sons and daughters, and pray for them. It must be hard for them at this time of year...Thanksgiving and Christmas.

I have a friend who is involved in a prayer ministry for Military Chaplains. They need our support, too.

Hidden Places

On our last day on Kauai, Steve and Sheryl took us to...what the locals call...a secret beach.

We bumped down a dirt road for a few miles, and parked.



Then we hiked along a trail.



We found ourselves on top of grass covered cliffs.
"Surfers like to jump in from the cliffs," said Steve, so they don't have to fight their way through the waves.
I hope the dog doesn't fall off the cliff.
It was a hot hike.

Nobody was around...but there were signs of local fishermen.
Mozart is relaxing in a fish net hamock. (You should have seen him try to get out of it.)
A view...as we were walking in.

The coral was sharp, and prevented us from going out very far.
Later in the day, 3 surfers appeared on the cliffs. See the surfboard sticking up? A surfer just jumped in, and his board hit the water like a knife bouncing.
Do you see the three surfers in the water? (above)
As we were hiking out. I stopped on the cliffs to take these pictures.

I wanted to stay here longer and watch them catch waves.
Those waves are much bigger than they look in the picture!

We had a great time! And in the evening Mozart and I went out to dinner to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary and our last day on the island.

The kind man at the next table took our picture. Here it is. (a little blurry)


GOOD-BYE KAUAI!

Well...it's not a dirt bike, but it's fun. Mozart is doing tricks on Steve's moped Hey let me try that.
No shifting! Just turn the handle.

I wish I had one of these on the mainland.

Distractions

You've probably been wondering what happened to the Kauai posts.
Well...I am immersed in a good book.
I actually rarely read...because I'm always so busy running here and there and doing various chores. But oh how fun to be in a good book. I'm finally relaxing at night. (I'm not much of a TV watcher.)

I feel silly telling you what I'm reading. Mainly because you probably have read it years ago. It's the "Left Behind" series. Part of the allure of this experience is looking forward to curling up in the evening and reading until I drop.

Oh...actually I DO watch TV on Thursday and Sunday. My husband I watch 2 shows together. This is a big deal to me, because he is always so busy with his work and I love having this sort of "date" with him. We watch Extreme Home Makeover and Survivor. We get a kick out of some of the personalities on Survivor.

Mozart does like those "cop" and "lawyer" shows at times, but I'm usually doing something else.

I'll be back soon with my "Last Day on Kauai" post. We hiked into a hidden beach.


Some of my favorite photos will be in that post! (But first I have to finish the final chapters of "Tribulation Force!)

Mozart has just informed me "Survivor is on in two minutes."

Talk to you soon!