Recent Activity and Observations

 

Bougainvillea at one of our local nurseries

"For, lo, the winter is past,

The rain is over and gone..."

Song of Solomon 2:11 KJV

Here in Florida we are hoping to get more rain because much of the state has been in a severe drought status with low humidity, next-to-no rain, and as a result, a heightened fire danger. 

But with that said, it appears the unusually cold spells are behind us. (we hope!!) We lost 4 bushes in our back yard, in spite of diligent efforts to cover the plants. Gary dug and pulled them out of the ground and replaced them.

Pittosporium Variegated

When we went to the nursery to buy replacement bushes, we chose 4 of the same thing and got assurances from one of the employees that Pittosporium Variegated is very cold-hardy. Actually, we already knew that because the one in our front yard has not suffered at all. I had snapped a twig from it to take with us to the nursery. It was just good to have a professional verify our own conclusions.

after the transplanting

This picture (above) shows 3 of the 4 bushes planted yesterday, where other bushes did not survive. As you can see, the palm trees suffered frostbite, too. The palms are alive but the branches will be dealt with another day. 

The river rock that replaced the bark mulch a year or so ago is serving us well. Water is expensive here in Florida, so we've put in as much rock as our HOA will allow, leaving less grass to irrigate.

Let's see..... what else have we been up to lately?

Gary had to deal with one of the sliding windows in the lanai that had become contrary. It is so good to have a capable man who takes satisfaction in keeping the home in order.

Have you noticed that I'm not posting as many really good snapshots of people (close-up, full-face) as I used to? While AI is very helpful in some respects, we've seen on the news how AI is also increasingly used for unseemly purposes, misrepresenting people in unflattering even immoral ways and compromising identities. Until the general public finds out how to avoid that, using discernment with our people photos seems to be the best course of action.

Betty Crocker's recipe

I baked chocolate chip cookies the other day.  They are all gone now. I married a Cookie Monster and (true confession here) wives don't let their husbands eat cookies alone).

a library book we both enjoyed

Our trips to the pubic library have continued. As I've said before, Gary tends to pick up books about World War II. He's read about aircraft, tanks, artillery, infantry, and ships, along with biographies. Most (if not all) of his books are about what actually happened (as opposed to fiction). 

These books are interesting studies in not only war tactics but also the character of humans. The saying, "truth is stranger than fiction" comes to mind when we talk about what we've read. I've learned a lot about life (the good, the bad, and the ugly) as I've picked up his books when he is finished. 

Last month the Shalom Club in my retirement community invited this lady to do a monologue of Corrie Ten Boom. She did an excellent job. Some of you may remember the movie of her story, The Hiding Place, that came out in the 1970s, as well as the book by the same name. I've since then read yet another book on her life, The Watchmaker's Daughter. 

keeping my hands busy 

Podcasts. I don't usually enjoy watching them because, just as with telephone calls, I don't like to be tied down for so long. But lately there have been some I really did want to see. I've discovered that is an excellent time for me to enjoy coloring with pastel pencils. And if I want, I can take notes on what the podcast is saying. 

Castle Rock, Colorado

Facebook posted some pictures of my former "home town" (2013-2017). I'm sharing 3 of the photos here. I think this picture was taken on the side of town where I lived, looking toward the east and sunrise.

This view is facing west, with the foothills transforming into the Rocky Mountains beyond the Rock. My house was somewhere to the far right beyond the Rock. I have climbed to the base of the Rock several times with the more athletically-inclined of my guests. We stood under a large overhang of the Rock, which gave us a panoramic view of Interstate 25 and much of the town below us. As you can see, it is the prominent feature of this "bedroom community" of Denver (20 miles to the north).

Yes, people can climb to the very top of the Rock, but that required more athleticism than I had.

At all times of the year, the views of the Rock and from the Rock are striking. Standing at the Rock's base, there is so much to see and observe: traffic on the Interstate, train cars winding their way from north to south, other hikers, the clouds, Pikes Peak 70 miles to the south, and how the sun creates shadows as it moves across the sky. 

I am reminded of the perspective God has of humans populating earth. He sees what we're doing but even more so, He sees what we are thinking, our attitudes, our intentions.

Scripture says this:

The Lord searches all hearts

and understands all the intent of the thoughts.

I Chronicles 28:9

From heaven the Lord looks down

and sees all mankind;

from His dwelling place He watches 

all who live on earth --

He who forms the hearts of all,

who considers everything they do.

Psalm 33:14-15

One can read these verses and feel judged, but not all of our thinking is bad. The fact that God sees into my thoughts encourages me. While people can (and often do) misjudge us, God knows what is really going on between our ears. 

God really is on our side. When we mess up, He's right here to guide us into the right ways. When we "get it right," He sees that, too. 

I hope this encourages you. Until next time, grace and peace.

Barbara

P.S. Check out The Christian Lounge for more uplifting thoughts: http://thechristianlounge4u.blogspot.com