The Days of Our Lives

Yes, we sprang forward last weekend. Gary typically changes our clocks in late afternoon/early evening on the Saturday of the time change weekend. I applaud his efficiency, but then I have to do simple math the rest of the evening to keep track of when it's bedtime! (By the way, is "sprang" a word?)

Joyce asked on her most recent Hodgepodge where her readers like to do their blogging. My answer to that would be on our lanai, although I also compose these articles from my desk in the guest room and also at my recliner in the living room. 

When I began composing this post yesterday afternoon, I was in the green wicker chair on the lanai, with a good rain storm pelting the back yard patio, just a few feet from where I sit. One of the windows was open just a few inches, which brought in a cool breeze onto my sandaled feet. 

"Listen to the rhythm of the falling rain." I am not telling myself "what a fool I've been;" but often when we do get a good, hard rain, I think of that song from my teen years. 

Gary slid that window closed and handed me a mug of hot chocolate. He always floats one of those really large marshmallows, too. I know this snapshot (below) isn't 

especially pretty because I impulsively began to stir the chocolate before snapping the picture. I want you to see how large this marshmallow is. Note that it's square, not round. It's so big that I stir it around in the hot liquid in an attempt to melt/shrink it down just a little so I can get it into my mouth! 

If you are a lover of marshmallows, as we are, you must get a bag of these. Note: in Publix these are found in the candy aisle, not in the baking aisle with the bags of smaller marshmallows. Why? I dunno. But I wanted to share that in case you go hunting for them.

Castle Rock, Colorado

Before I get into my news of this week, I must refer you back to my previous post, "Recent Activity and Observations," (click on title to see it) where I was describing what one can see at the base of that huge rock.

me in October 2015

My [very] long time friend, Loraine, was visiting me from out of town in 2015 when she and I hiked the dirt trail around and around that mountain to reach the base of the rock, the "cleft," if you will. After reading my blog post, she texted me about it and between the two of us, we came up with these snapshots taken that day.

Hiking sticks in hand (a necessity, by the way!), Loraine and I asked another sight-seer to snap our picture. We made some good memories during that visit. We met in 1968 in kindergarten in youth group at our church, not long before each of us got married.

World events are interesting of late, wouldn't you agree? Those of us who have read Biblical prophecy over the years can't help but think about how the current status of things in the Middle East fit in with scripture. 

I am among most evangelical Christians who believe in the Rapture of the Church.

(from Google) The Rapture is an end-times event in Christian theology where believers (both living and deceased) are suddenly "caught up" to meet Jesus Christ in the air, receiving glorified bodies and escaping impending earthly tribulation. Based on 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, it is often viewed as a "blessed hope" of salvation and resurrection. 

I will leave it to my readers to research this belief. It is fascinating and very encouraging (but terrifying if you don't believe and it turns out to be true).

frost damage to our palm trees

Getting back to local current events, much of Central Florida took a real hit with the freezing weather over the past month. The weather has warmed up to summer-like temps (it's actually a little early for that) and professional landscapers have advised it's okay to start dealing with the frost damage.

"before" the trimming

Note the brown leaf fronds of the 2 palm trees. The lower fronds needed to be removed, but they are too high for Gary to tackle. See him sitting in the shade while our tree guy hauls in his ladder to do the work for us.

trimming in progress

We've got several ladders of varying lengths but not one as tall as this one. I'm glad of that. Gary loves to tackle things like this but even he realizes this is a job for someone younger and more agile.

some of the trimmings

Besides the huge palm fronds, there are these surprisingly heavy seed pods that look (and feel) like heavy spears. When trimmed from the tree, they fall hard. Those watching from the ground need to be out of the way to avoid injury. If/when they split open, they have a ca-jillion seeds that make a real mess on the ground. We try to cut them out before they get to the point of splitting open.

The team of 2 men who did this for us were quick, efficient, and perhaps most important, very experienced. And, they cleaned up the fall-out thoroughly! Gary gave them each a bottle of cold water and a nice tip in addition to their fee. It was worth it to us. #gladthatsdone

It's been an eventful week here. I had to wait an unusually long amount of time to get the last of the required paperwork for filing my taxes. Finally, this week that matter was completed and I'm getting a small refund! Yay!

We had Newbie Neighbor over for a slice of pie. She came down here to escape the frozen north only to have to brave frozen Florida. But even with that said, I think (and hope) she has not given up on living nearby. We had such a good visit getting better acquainted.

"It's simple. My nurse blindfolds me, I spin around
a few times, and then I try to reattach your tail."

Some medical things came up with me, this week. None of it was life-threatening but fairly immediate attention was needed, so I'm thankful my doctor saw me at day's end and I'm on the mend. 

self-portrait of son and the Lil' Red-haired Girl

Touching on the subject of health brings me to thoughts of aging. One of my sons is a professional graphic artist who has created many greeting cards for me over the years. This piece was done a long time ago. Now he illustrates medical procedures for insurance companies, among other subjects. Both he and his wife (the "Lil Red-haired Girl") are quite clever with their talents. 

Yes, another birthday is fast-approaching for me. I am reminded again to be thankful for every day God gives to me and to use this time both wisely and well. It can all come to an abrupt end for every one of us. 

Teach us to number our days

that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 90:12

Thanks for stopping by. Until next time, grace and peace.

Barbara

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