Sunday

My youngest son joined me at church today, which was a blessing.

After church, he went to work, and I drove to the Arboretum. My brain is tired from the activity of the week, and this is a restful place where no one talks except the rustling leaves, and the occasional quacking duck.

I walked by this beautiful oak tree. What do you want to teach me? I asked. As I drew closer I noticed some branches were so heavy that they were laying on the ground. But they were still alive and healthy, because they were attached to the trunk.

"I am the vine and you are the branches."
I studied a branch—it looked heavy and tired, like I often feel. And it lay on the ground. But it wasn't dead, it was beautiful. A beautiful branch, worn by the wind and the weather, but not dying...it was still thriving. I felt as if God might be saying that although I was laying on the ground, not to worry. I would be fine.
I passed by beautiful red cascading leaves.
"He leads me beside the still waters." I found some palm leaves to put on the damp grass, and sat down to admire God's fall colors.
"He restores my soul."
Three ducks and a goose come for a visit.
Finally I had to leave, due to the fact I was hungry. So I went home, and feasted on leftover turkey.

But I will remember God's assurance, and peace in my heart all week.

And you have a wonderful week too, knowing God loves you.

Thanksgiving Day

I love the peacefulness of Thanksgiving. It's like a gentle pause before the rush of the Christmas season. My mother and my sister-in-law are talking a walk after our afternoon meal.






Hope you had a great day!

The "Fallish" Things We Do

Okay. Who says we don't have seasons in Southern California? Our neighborhood is turning colors. I love this time of year. We still have warm days, but the nights are cool.



Home life has been a bit "Fallish." I made potato soup the other day. I actually do not like to cook, so I'm proud of this. I decided to get organized and have all the ingredients ready. This recipe called for "baked" potatoes. I had to bake them and peel the skins off! And fry the bacon. My eldest son talked me into this. He has a new cell phone, and one of phone's talents is bringing up recipes. "Try making this mom!" I had to copy the instructions off his cell phone. The soup was good, but I'm about ready to hide his cell phone!

My younger son decided to drive to the beach to visit his grandparents. This was his first solo trip to their place. I found these pictures on the camera from the trip. Below is my father's giraffe. It took him months to build, and it stands on the landing. My dad is a retired engineer and my mother is patient. To the left of the giraffe is a wood sculpture my father fashioned.
"What did D. and you do?" I asked my mother.
She answered, "D. and your father went out and took pictures of clouds."
Here are samples.




A vase of Fall flowers sits in my mother's window. Notice the tennis ball. That's one of her many trophies. She still plays at tennis at 81.
And what am I doing? Well...after working at the school, I head on over to M.K.'s place to help her with a few things. The other day I walked in and heard music coming from the Living Room. I sat down, relaxed, and listened to her play, and she didn't even notice me. Until I clapped.
And she jumped.
I love the warm cozy feeling of her home. It looks a bit like Fall doesn't it?
Mozart has been composing up a storm. Music charts with little black notes, rests, and curly cues are strewn all over the place in his studio. He's working on some Celtic pieces. Tonight a guitarist is here doing some over-dubs.

Have a good week. Count your blessings!