Eight Year Drought

KODAK Digital Still Camera

Because of my cancer treatments, I had not taken a vacation trip in eight years. Finally this year, I traveled with my family(husband, daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren) to the Smokey Mountains National Park. It was the first year since 2011 I have had the strength to travel anywhere. Also because of my little grandson’s autism, my daughter and son-in-law were unable to take him on any trips. Some places are friendly to handicapped children, but unfortunately most are not.

We stayed in a cabin so as not to disturb other people. My grandson has irregular sleep patterns and can make noise at night.

But Praise God, Praise God!! We had a wonderful time, and both children behaved much better than we expected. Baric, my grandson, seemed to enjoy the trip more than anyone. Autistic people can be fascinated by water and its movements so they took him to the Aquarium there. He loved it and enjoyed the mountain streams. They even let him dabble his toes in one.

I did not know even where to begin to look for a cabin to stay in and just took the first nice-looking one we could afford. It turned out to have a outstanding and beautiful view of the mountains and size-wise fit all of us.

God gave us a wonderful vacation, and all of us really needed it. Praise God, Praise God, Praise God!!! May He bless your life like He has blessed mine! I came into life an orphan with nothing, and He has given me more than I could have thought possible. All He wants is your love and respect and of course, humble obedience. Have a blessed day!

Early Morning Breakfast!

KODAK Digital Still Camera

Everybody was hungry this morning! Our greenway system which runs through the middle of a city was very, very busy this morning. I guess since the animals are so used to people by now, they have lost almost all their fear of humans. I was walking camera in hand when a full-grown female deer slowly walked out in full view onto the greenway making her way toward the river for water. I followed at a distance until she stopped to eat on the leaves of a bush. I kept on slowly and quietly until I must have been only 8 yards from her. She turned to look, and I started talking to her like I would my pet cat or dog. She stood there, perked up her ears and just listened for several minutes. It was amazing! She was so beautiful. Earlier I had a squirrel on the edge of the greenway who kept on eating as I practically had to step over him to move forward, and there must have been at least 25 to 30 mallard ducks in the river peacefully swimming and eating as all us two legged greenway users cruised past them. Seeing the animals up so close and personal makes the experience so much more pleasant and enjoyable.

Nature is beautiful, and it reminds me of Psalm 19 which starts off with:

1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.

3 They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them.

4 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the end of the world.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

Praise God!!

KODAK Digital Still Camera

Saturday Vibes

KODAK Digital Still Camera

I love to get out of the city into the countryside and into smaller towns(although the town I live in is not too big). My husband and I went to a smaller town and the state park nearby. We never had seen the dam and lake at this particular park. It was a beautiful day. Some of the heat and humidity had finally left.

It’s also amazing what you can find at antique malls in smaller towns from old school desks, children’s wagons to cement angels plus I could not resist some of the lovely old restored homes and peaceful small town churches. We got to eat lunch in a small Mom and Pop city café with the best fruit pie I had ever tasted. I recommend taking a journey to smaller town America if you get a chance. Some of these small towns remind us of the peace and liberty we fight for in this country. Get out and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation. Praise God!

First in Line!!

KODAK Digital Still Camera

I guess everybody wants to be first in line for almost everything, even plants I guess. These are the first of the plants that are just starting to show some of the fall colors of yellow and red. For those of you unable to get out in the beautiful sunshine today, I took some more photos. This time I got a natural bog or wetlands in the city I live in. It is behind a Discovery Center or science center for children. It has a natural spring that comes out of a cave. The water is covered in plant life especially algae so thick in spots the water looks like green pea soup. I can’t believe I was actually able to get a dragonfly sitting still long enough to get its picture along with Mr. Turtle who is always obliging. It’s so nice they have this for the children of the city I live in.

KODAK Digital Still Camera

We live in a smaller town that has done an excellent job of preserving its downtown courthouse square. The building was used during the civil war by soldiers who would climb to the top of it and use it as a lookout post. I hope everyone has a blessed day and Praise God, Praise God, Praise God!!! I’m always so grateful after all the cancer treatments to be able to get out and enjoy His world!

The Last Hurrah!!

KODAK Digital Still Camera

Well, it’s the last hurrah of what felt like a very short summer. I can’t believe it’s already September. As I have said before we have the most beautiful greenway system in our city as it runs right at the edge of a river. I like to try and take photographs, and the greenway gives me a chance to catch some of nature. The butterflies are here I guess moving from north to south for the winter, and although it was hard, I did manage to catch a few sitting still for two or three short seconds.

A few wildflowers are still out, but some of the tree leaves are starting to turn yellow for fall. It makes me think of pumpkins and bonfires. We had some friends that every year for Halloween would invite us over for roasting hotdogs and marshmellows over an open fire. Fun, fun, fun!! Only problem is I will miss my pink mandevillas and white blooms on the crepe myrtle bush. Oh well, they’ll be back next summer. Praise God for the beauty of His world that He made for us!! I hope you have a peaceful and blessed day.