The House of the Lord

I love old churches and think of them as sacred places where worship took place year after year after year. Most of all with little effort at all I can hear the music in my mind....Glorious old spiritual hymns lifted up to the Lord by those that loved Him, came to His house to feel close to Him and to worship Him.......Listen...."Shall we gather at the river.......

Crisp Apples and Cold Apple Cider

One thing I'm looking forward to when we visit upstate New York in a few days, is the Fly Creek Cider Mill & Orchard. This place has been a popular attraction for years and hasn't changed in the least since we have been visiting there. The Cider Mill is an old wooden store building with hardwood floors, packed with all sorts of good quality merchandise. It is one of the most popular places in the area, and most of the time has standing room only as folks wait to select their apples. They don't seem to mind and probably consider it part of the tradition. The aromas of hot apple cider float throughout the store assuring that each buyer has a gallon of the apple beverage in their hands as they near the check-out register. As always, we will have a couple of gallons of cold cider and plenty of apples to bring back home with us to share with family and friends. Funny....just thinking about this place gives me that warm fuzzy feeling............

A Road Trip To New York

Enter Fall......

Photos taken last fall in New York...... We are taking a road trip very soon and understand when we arrive in the Adirondack Mountains, the leaves will be at their peak. If I close my eyes and let my imagination work just a little, I can almost smell the smoke coming from wood burning fire places....I'm already thinking red, gold, yellows and browns. This time we will be there for the Pumpkin Festival. I understand they scoop out the insides of those l000 pounder pumpkins and race them down a river. I'm looking forward to seeing that and also a nice old fashioned hayride. Goodby ninety degree temps, hello heavenly coolness!

A Fun Time Had By All.......

The time went by way to fast and before long parents arived and off they went. Children are the best.....grandson's give super hugs. Before getting into the car, my five year old granddaughter whispered into my ear..."We will always be best friends and I love you very much." Oh my...wasn't that the sweetest thing I've ever heard.....A fun time was had by all.

To Celebrate Autumn

All week long, I have dedicated my blog to some of my favorite little ones, my grandchildren. They've been enjoying all the post pertaining to children and now to top the week off, I have some fun ideas for them to celebrate Autumn. Oh yes...I've got everything organized for time with them. I've come up with all sorts of fun ideas. My visit to Michael's Craft Store was very successful. We'll be making Fall cards for friends and family and a nice seasonal picture for their room. We will make garlands of construction paper fall leaves to hang in their bedroom windows as well. First things first....lots of fun to make... chocolate cupcakes with icing topped off with fall sprinkles. This has become a tradition with my grandchildren, and Friday's Autumn craft day has the makings of a very special time.....We'll take lots of photos to place on the blog for others to enjoy....

Great Pumpkin.....

Ballet Class

and before you know it, she's on pointe......

Today my five year old granddaughter Lily announced her ballet classes had begun. Oh sweet music to my ears, for her mother danced many years. Aah the memories of pink tights, tu tus, pink slippers.....hmmmm.. photo google images

Hear My Dollies Prayer

Lord, I pray Thee, hear my dollies prayer, and teach them how to ak for what is right;

But if it's going to give You extra care, then You might skip my blessings for tonight.

Please make them all more loving and polite; I pray Thee not to let their covers tear, but keep their sawdust stuffings out of sight, and please help Anne to grow a head of hair.

I wish poor Bella's knees were made to bend, I truly am as sorry as can be. I hope that You won't mind, and that you'll send the blessings that each dolly asks of Thee.

And Lord, I pray that You will just pretend this is my dollies talking, 'stead of me. By Burges Johnson

Recommended ....Sound Puzzle

When I'm out and about, often times I gravitate toward shops that have interesting and educational items for children. Home Goods stores have an amazingly large section of good quality childrens educational toys and books. While shopping yesterday, I "hit pay dirt." A large wooden "sound puzzle" of the United States of America, by Melissa & Doug. I have found that children love memorization games. Not only are they having fun, they are storing good things into their "memory chips." Battery operated, as each puzzle piece is placed in the proper space, the name of the state and it's capital is spoken loud and clear. The puzzle is sturdy and in wonderful primary colors. My grandchildren, home schooled, are going to really enjoy this.

It just looks like everything is doing fine but humans. Animals are having a great year, grass was never higher, flowers were never more in bloom, trees are throwing out abundance of shade for us to loaf under. Everything the Lord has had a hand in is going great, but the minute you notice anything that is in any way under the supervision of man, why it's cockeyed. Will Rogers

Florida Aquarium

Goliath Grouper....

Leafy Sea Dragon.....

Lion Fish.....Coral.....

When you live on the coast, fishing is just a natural part of the lifestyle. Not so often these days do we fish for food or for sport. We do eat a lot of fish, and I suppose we are spoiled a bit having all sorts of local markets that have lovely seafood prepared and ready to grill bake or fry. We have an abundance of lobster, crab, Grouper, Red Snapper and the list goes on. When we fished the ocean, what we brought to the surface was not always edible. Some of the fish we caught were downright strange looking. Some of what we've caught, and others we could never have imagined existed, are located not so far from our home, at the three storey tall, Florida Aquarium. Located in the Channelside district of downtown Tampa, Florida, this is a fascinating place. Close by is Tampa's port where we see large cruise ships as well as ships from all over the world. Compliments of Google Images, these are some pretty interesting "sea creatures" you will find at the aquarium..........

IL DIVO

Enjoy.....

Harmonious Composition In My Home

I'm enjoying colors of white,beige, taupe and creams....

Dining On The Beach

The beaches are quiet now that school has started back, and some of the tourist have gone home. We are having the "calm before the storm"...the period before the "snow birds" return. A good time for us to go to the beach and enjoy one of our favorite locations. The Palm Pavilion is located in a nice area further up the beach and away from the maddening crowds. They've been in business for many years, and the locals seem to appreciate the family oriented feel of the place. You can eat right on the beach, get a nice cold beverage and enjoy the island music. There's no charge at all for the desert.... that's your walk on the beach in beautiful white sand overlooking the emerald blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico.........

Missing Fall Colors

It's hard to find fall colors in my tropical garden. A while back I planted beautiful plants called Orange Parrot Heliconia, and the first two years, I could not have been happier with them. They had lovely green healthy leaves and sent out tall spikes about three feet tall, with gorgeous orange blooms. What I didn't realize soon enough, was that they were scattering seeds throughout the garden and at random they were coming up in places I had rather not find them. They sent out tubers and multiplied under the ground as well. What a time I had getting them under control and eventually I just did away with them completely, or so I thought......not the case it seems, for this year I've had three of them come up. They seem to be saying..."I'm back." So, my bit of fall color in the garden is owing to the ever so resilient "Orange Parrot Heliconia."

I wish Will Rogers was still around....

Now here's a guy who made a whole lot of since and people noticed and paid attention. Do you know anyone like that today? Will Rogers lived from 1879 until 1935. What a life he had. Amongst other things, he was an American cowboy humorist, a syndicated newspaper columnist, author, philosopher and philanthropist. Now and then I come across an article about Will Rogers, or a book on a shelf someplace and I'm always eager to pause and just remind myself of his humor, intelligence and love of his fellow man. I like reading his quotes and oh my, did he have some good ones. Wouldn't it be a fine thing to have him around these days...and wouldn't you like to hear his opinion on our politics? He might even direct some of these quotes toward certain folks.....

Never miss a good chance to shut up.

If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.

The quickest way to double your money is to fold it and put it back in your pocket.

There are three kinds of men:

The ones who learn by reading.

The few who learn by observation.

The rest of them have to touch an electric fence.

Good judgement comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgement.

There are two theories to arguing with a woman....neither work.

Florida Banana Palm

When new to Florida, we were so unfamiliar with the plants and trees. Our neighbor had a large palm like tree that hung over the fence into one corner of our yard. We had no idea the type of tree it was, or that it would eventually bare fruit. To our surprise, one day it sprouted a type of growth that would eventually become a flower. We watched with amazement and wonderment as it developed a bud and eventually bloomed. When the bloom was changing, we noticed a short time later a long stem developing. By then, we were aware of what was happening, and were amazed to see bananas grow on the stem. That would be the first and last time we would see this happen, for the neighbor cut the tree down at the end of the summer. The photos, compliments of Google Images, are a reminder of that summer's discovery of the Banana Palm and nature's miracle at it's finest.

Tribute In Light

Remembering 911

George Washington ....A Man of Prayer

Oh that we should have leaders such as this today. We have lost our way...ask God to put us back on the right path. Pray for our country....

From President George Washington's Inaugural Address, April 30th, 1789, addressed to both Houses of Congress. Do you suppose that one side refused to applaud ....I think not....they were patriots then.

"Such being the impressions under which I have, in obedience to the public summons, repaired to the present station, it would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official act, my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being, who rules over the universe, who presides in the council of nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect, that His benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States."...."Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation, seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency."

The Founding Fathers looking in on things......

"Have you noticed, they're confused, they should never have taken God out of governing. The country will only succeed if they continue to trust in God. They have misunderstood about separation of church and state.....they need leaders strong in faith.... I think they are on the right track now with this team of McCain and Palin. They must restore values, morals and patriotism....in God they must trust! They must follow the laws of God! America was founded on Judeo-Christian values......Freedom can not be abused....discretion has to be used."

Just How Things Are......

There is nothing more beautiful or more interesting than the wildlife we have here in Florida. When we first moved here, our neighborhood had fewer homes and vacant land everywhere. The land was home to all sorts of interesting tropical birds and animals. Now and then we still see a flock of white Ibis looking for food gathered in our front yard, or hear loud squawking noises indicating Green Parrots or Monk Parakeets are around in the trees. For a while we had several Peacocks visit our yard. It seems they came to this area long ago, by an older gentleman who raised peacocks. When he passed away, his family released them near a cemetery close by our home and there they proceeded to multiply. Now and then I will see one on a neighbor's rooftop. But as more homes were built on the vacant land, more roads were paved and more people populated our area, the wildlife I've mentioned become more scarce. It saddened me to see it happen over the years, but that's just how things are.......Click on Monk Parakeets

What The Morning Brings

Each morning when I awaken, my eyes are quite naturally drawn toward the window. Within a few moments I have determined if the sun is shining or if indeed it will be a cloudy day. I'm a light sleeper actually and as soon as the morning light shines on my face, I am awake. For many years I worked and was forced to awaken to an alarm clock. It seemed as though I never had enough rest when that ole clock went off, but somehow I would manage to get up, get dressed and be on my way. I am retired now, and I have no schedules to keep. Oddly enough, I'm not so sure I like it this way. Oh sure, I have friends and family to fill the days to some extent, but I need real substance to what I want to happen each day. I want to accomplish something. I want to make a difference. I want to create. I want to help. I want to have a schedule!!!!!!! There, I've said it. I really don't think it a good thing to have hours that are wasted. This week I'm "turning over a new leaf." I'm getting back in shape with diet and exercise. As my energy level increases so will my schedule become fuller. I AM, inspired to make better use of my time........

Worship

Let's pray for one another, our nation and our world as we enter our places of worship this Sunday.
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Basket of Flowers

I love white flowers and Periwinkle seem to be suited to the hot Florida climate. Last year while visiting our daughter and her family in New York, we stopped by a wonderful old antique store. We walked up and down all the isles looking for the perfect treasure. I knew when I saw it, the old galvanized heart shaped wire basket had a new home. It stays on our back porch table with some kind of flower in it year round. Today I placed it on the bistro table by the pool....it just seemed to belong there for now.....

Letter Writing

Today I will take time to write letters .....Special words penned by me seem always appreciated by friends, family and acquaintances.

Lurking

Oh yes....these "bad boys" are lurking in almost every body of water in Florida. When we moved to the Gulf coast a long while ago, we were still doing a lot of boating and water skiing. Upon inquiring with the locals about the best place to water ski, we found that it was "ski at your own risk" in all the lakes in the area. We took the boat out one day and discovered that many of the natives had no fear of what lurked in the waters. There the folks were, out in the lakes, oblivious to what was in the water. We saw jet skis, wind surfing, kayaks, water skiing and swimming. As we came across one alligator after the other in the lake, we determined there and then, thanks but no thanks. That is when our water sport activities came to a halt. Some say alligators have been around since dinosaurs, and I say, let them have the lakes.......

Signs of Autumn

Every year at this time, shops all over Florida bring in pots of mums...all sorts of mums in every color and every variety. It's fun to watch autumn come into existence right before my eyes. Fake pumpkins, gourds and fall leaves are lying around on pretty much every store counter in the area. Candles with pumpkin, cinnamon and apple scents line the store shelves. All this marketing of the season really works for me. Today I found myself in a shop with apple cider smells, fighting the urge to bring home a few bales of straw, a couple of fake pumpkins and a fall door wreath. Whew!!.....after the close call, I'm very happy I will be waiting for the real things. They'll be here soon enough. Maybe a few pots of mums out by the front door will do nicely for now....Photo taken by me...sidewalk in Cooperstown NY