Visiting Coloado

My father and I visited my brother in Colorado a few weeks ago. My brother, his wife, and 2 daughters live on a horse ranch. Lynette, my sister-in-law boards, trains and shows horses. She also gives lessons. My brother is a city slicker, who works in an office. But he is a "cowboy" at heart.

OOPS Just realized I already posted on this event, and there are some repeat pictures here.

My dad with Buddy and Macy.

Castle Rock looms in the distance.

The indoor arena, barn, hay barn and a chicken coup on the end.

Lunch at with my dad and brother.

My dad has been building a remote control sailboat at home, and my brother is building a duplicate in Colorado. Helpful hints from dad are always appreciated.

Meanwhile I'm having some fun with my nieces. On this particular day we trapsed all over Denver, ending up with a delicious ice cream cone.

If you'd like to see all the pictures, they are in an album on my facebook. 

Have a good day!

Blessings

A few nights ago we did something we seldom do. We had company.  It seems that we seldom entertain because we are too busy or tired. Now I know that this needs to be done more often! It was fun to have the house full of laughter and NOISE.  We broke out the guitars (and congas) for a jam session.

But the most special thing that happened was a trip to Colorado to see my brother and his family.

Gotta go because life his happening right now.  I'll be back soon!

Nice Things Happen

I'm happy that my camellias are blooming

and for the daffodils along the driveway

I'm thankful I went to our hometown parade

and celebrated what is good in life...like old cars

drill teams...

Note: Initially I did not plan to go to the parade, as Saturdays are always busy, but one of my students was very excited about me watching her perform her drill routine.  So I dusted off my bike, pumped up the tires and had an unexpectedly wonderful time riding along the parade route.

Chinese friends are celebrating the New Year.

At the end of the parade, there were rides including a giant ferris wheel at the city park.

And when my bike (the green machine)  broke down, I was happy to be near the local bike shop who fixed me up for free.

I'm thankful that nice things happen,

Prayers

I am thankful for friends that pray, and for a God who is merciful. Mozart is getting better after being very sick. He still has a ways to go. So I will keep praying for him.

I know there are times when it seems God doesn't hear. But even though he doesn't answer in the way we want him to, he is always attentive to our prayers, and he answers them.

⁹ “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? ¹¹ If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!  Matt:7:9-11

Most of the time when I am praying (and worrying) I forget about something very important.  Thanking God for the answer BEFORE it comes. When I remember to thank him, it seems to lift the worry off my heart.  I replace the worry with trust.  And when the worry creeps back in, I remind myself it is in God's hands.

³ You will keep him in perfect peace,

Whose mind is stayed on You,Because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3

Tennis Anyone?

My double's partner-DAD

When I was 8,
 I spent every weekend at the tennis courts. In those days the  tennis ball cans were opened by a key.

  The top of each can had a metal ribbon around the top.  One would hook the key to the metal and wind the metal strip around the base of the key. This would slowly release the pressure in the can.  The metal strips were either red, yellow or black depending on the type of can.

 While waiting for my turn on the court I would hunt along the fence for cast-off keys, and unwind them to create some sort of art piece.

Well I had to think of SOMETHING to entertain myself...either that or sit for an hour on a hard green bench with feet dangling.

And now, years later, we are still playing. Recently it was my younger son's birthday, and D and I headed down to Grandma's and Grandpa's for a day of tennis and biking. My father, 84, and I challenged Mother and D to a game of doubles.  It was wild, with balls flying every which way. Dad and I finally lost, due to too much goofing around.

I'm glad DP is showing an interest in the game.

                                               

Dad, Mom and DP

Where's Mozart?  At home composing. He plays tennis about once very 2 years, and you know what? He can actually hit the ball in the court a few times before it goes over the fence. He's a natural. But before you think we are all tennis misfits, I will tell you my mother has held a high ranking for many years, both in the U.S. and in the world, in senior women's tennis. My dad is good, but doesn't like tournaments. I just play for fun.  And DP is a beginner. 

After tennis, DP and I took a bike ride along the back bay.  (Photos by DP)

The back bay is also home to over 200 species of birds—many of them endangered.

It's a saltwater marsh. Many of the plants have adapted to grow in the sea water.

Coyotes, racoons, and bobcats are around...somewhere.

We had a great ride.

I'm thankful for such a beautiful place to enjoy, and a wonderful mom and dad.

On the Edge of Heaven

Old rickety chairs

Like little tin soldiers, lined up in a perfect row

Unexpected

Lifted out of a busy day

Dropped onto a hillside somewhere between heaven and earth

For a brief time – I sit on the threshold of two worlds

The thin line between life and death

And although it’s uncomfortable, I find beauty there

On the edge of Heaven

Sometimes I like memorial services

The quiet

The peace

And thinking about life

What’s important

What’s not

Honoring a person

Focusing on good

Seeing old friends

Andrew Pappas lived 96 years

Ninety-Six years with his Savior

And now he is with Him forever

I put a rose on his casket and know he is not there

I look up and whisper good-bye

On the edge of Heaven

Persistence

Hi everyone,

Here is a Christmas picture. Yes, yes I know it's almost Valentine's Day. Life has been very busy. As you can see the puppy has grown. She is 7 months now.

Mozart is still composing and I am doing everything else. I'll try to write more often.  I suppose "short and sweet" is better than showing the same blog post for 2 months!

Life has been very busy, and although I have had time in the evenings to write, I end up reading or finishing up the chores around the house. I just finished a very good book called "The Sisters of Sinai" the true story about two women who discovered an ancient copy of the gospel of Mark.

Author Janet Soskice did a great job researching..in fact I think it is over-researched.  If you like ancient manuscripts and have a fascination with Egypt, floating down the Nile...or wonder what crossing the Sinai Penninsula by camel (in a dress) would be like, than this book is for you.

Parts of the book were a little slow due to the extra information and research on side topics. But all in all I loved it.  Visiting monastaries, making friends with monks,  and the dilemmas of traveling as a woman in the Middle East in the late 1800's and early 1900's took my mind off the day and I totally forgot about blogging.

These women were persistent in their endeavors and they were a great inspiration to me.  I have the tendency to give up on projects. But not any more!  Now I feel like I could do anything if I put my mind to it.

Hope you all have a wonderful day!