So Far...And God Willing

A New Way

2010-06-16T08:18:00.000-07:00

I've moved! You can find me here: Washing the World Away

He Takes Care of the Little Ones, Too

2010-03-17T12:24:00.000-07:00

This is Sadie, my schnauzer girl.

I love this dog. I mean I really, really , really love this dog.

And for the record, she loves me, too.

This past Sunday, we were able to go straight home after church. This is a rarity since we always have Sunday "dinner" at a nearby diner.

As usual, the dogs went nuts (we have four, 4, FOUR!) and I rushed to the kitchen because I wanted to see my girl. As she made her way inside and then hopped up my leg, she suddenly let out a scream. Not a yelp, not a cry, but a scream. She slowly fell straight down and then refused to move.

I reached out to her and she rested her head in my hand and leaned against me, which I now know was for support. She shook violently and then slowly, gingerly, made her way into the den and laid down.

Confused and shaken up, we watched her for the rest of the day. She seemed out of sorts, but ate her supper and went outside to do her thing like normal. Except for the fact that she stepped lightly and very slowly.

When a friend arrived later to check on her, she again screamed when she jumped up to bark at the doorbell. The episode was the same, the scream, the falling down, the refusal to move and the violent shaking.

She had a decent night and the next day she seemed a bit better, although she appeared lethargic and weak. I kept an eye on her as I did my chores and was relieved when she began following me around a little, which is her routine when I'm home.

However, when the Bald Avenger arrived home, all four dogs ran to the door and then Sadie started screaming again. This time, I scooped her up and rushed her to our vet. We were shocked at his findings.

Our schnauzer girl has suffered a traumatic spinal cord injury as the result of trampling. It seems our boxer boy, Casey, inadvertently trampled her in his haste to get to the kitchen. The other two incidents confirmed that indeed, our boy doesn't appear to look where he's going.

Sadie has two disks that are putting severe pressure on her spinal cord. She was screaming because she was in agony.

Knowing we only had $200 and some change on our credit card, I prayed that God could help us find a way to treat her with that little amount. As usual, He came through with flying colors.

My schnauzer girl is once again running and jumping (although I stop her when she starts this), barking, eating and playing as a result of some excellent vet care.

We got our girl back to the tune of $196.

God is good.

corem deo, Tara

Senior Pictures

2010-03-16T19:55:00.000-07:00

Just a quick showing of the most recent Senior Pictures photoshoot. You can see more of my photography at Tara Floyd Photography.

A DIY Stuff

2010-03-16T19:37:00.000-07:00

I am totally enthralled with the plethora of DIY blogs out there. I must have nearly 200 in my Google Reader which I go through faithfully nearly every day.

I also know that the Bald Avenger kind of wishes I wouldn't, because I always get something in my head to do and I'm off. I blame those blogs.

I've been dragging that man to yard sales for years and for years he's grumbled about nearly every knick-knack and battered piece of furniture I've picked up...until he sees the finished product.

We've furnished almost our entire house with thrift store, yard sale, rummage sale, and consignment store steals. I'm talking nearly everything that currently sits in this house. On top of that, our entire set of furniture in our den is from Craigslist.

Shoot...even our dogs are second-hand.

But what I've been working on lately hasn't cost a dime. Wait, I take that back. The mouse sander, along with my two other sanders cost a total of $19. Again, yard sale steals.

Take this table for instance. Oops, rather take a gander at that baby. Awesome and fascinating rays really do shoot up from this thing.

Seriously.

Here's the table I mean...

You can't really see it because of the blinding awesomeness that is the mouse sander the Bald Avenger picked up for me. But suffice it to say, the table is that kind of veneer that makes me cringe inwardly every time I see it.

If you could see me now, you'd see me cringing just looking at this picture.

When a co-worker offered this to me for free, I had to take it home. Naturally, I had to have one of my offspring carry it. In fact, the boy who carried it to my truck spoke only in a British accent today.

I figure that's another story.

I roughed it up good...and then I painted it...

...black.

It currently resides in my family room until such time as I redo the master bedroom and then it can sit in between to "sittin" chairs.

I'm from the south, I can say "sittin'" anytime I want to.

It's not perfect and my work is usually an example of what not to do. But I think this turned out all right.

As long as no one sets on it.

Trying to Simplify

2010-01-09T08:46:00.001-08:00

Maybe this picture says it all.

This year, we're simplifying our lives.

It has been difficult for us to hang out together this past year and for 2010, it looks as if that will be the case, too.

However, we're all going to make a time to sit down together and catch up as a family. Although we always eat together, sometimes homework, housework, rehearsals and practices keep us from staying at the table talking about our days. Thank God the boys still find the time nearly every night to sit with us alone and share what's going on in their lives. Even though it is often brief, we know that they still have the desire to make sure Mama and Dad know everything.

This message of family was reinforced this Christmas with the visit of PapaRod and GrammaJo from Georgia. The boys missed them as much as we did!

Spending time together with the grandparents was more important than any gift. In fact, they were the gift.

The Bald Avenger was able to sneak in time with his mom at our niece's 20th birthday party and was all smiles.

I love this picture of my Bald Avenger.

What happened to the Bald Avenger?

This made my heart stop. While chatting at the table, I noticed that one side of the table had become quiet. This was what I saw.

When everything is said and done, nothing is more enduring...the simple act of love.

Don't Give Up

2009-11-11T15:36:00.000-08:00

I am still so busy with school and life that it's ridiculous. I suppose I could say that there are a myriad of reasons as to why I've not written in forever, but that would mean I would have to think of all those reasons in the first place.

Truth is, I'm tired.

I have fibromyalgia and sometimes, it just wears my butt out.

Most of the time, the symptoms are mild and I'm fine. But lately, I've been exhausted. It's one of the most common symptoms and I'll bounce back shortly.

New pictures will be up soon!

So Small

2009-09-24T18:40:00.001-07:00

I feel this today...

Need of Grace

O LORD,

Thou knowest my great unfitness for service,
my present deadness,
my inability to do anything for thy glory,
my distressing coldness of heart.

I am weak, ignorant, unprofitable and loathe and abhor myself.
I am at a loss to know what thou wouldest have me to do,
for I feel amazingly deserted by thee,
and sense thy presence so little;
Thou makest me possess the sins of my youth
and the dreadful sin of my nature,
so that I feel all sin,
I cannot think or act but every motion
is sin.
Return again with showers of converting grace
to a poor gospel-abusing sinner.

Help my soul to breathe after holiness, after
a constant devotedness to thee,
after growth in grace more abundantly every day.

O LORD, I am lost in the pursuit of this blessedness,
And am ready to sink because I fall short
of my desire;
Help me to hold out a little longer,
until the happy hour of deliverance comes,
for I cannot lift my soul to thee if thou
of thy goodness bring me not nigh.

Help me to be diffident, watchful, tender,
lest I offend my blessed Friend in
thought and behavior;
I confide in thee and lean upon thee,
and need thee at all times to assist
and lead me.

O that all my distresses and apprehensions
might prove but Christ's school
to make me fit for greater service
by teaching me the great lesson of humility.

~The Valley of Vision

Stealing Trey

2009-09-19T10:22:00.000-07:00

from the blog Love, Mom

As Trey's 17th birthday approaches, I'm feeling a bit nostalgic as he continues to flex his wings and prepare to fly...

Wednesday, October 6, 2004

I personally believe that even if we watch our children grow, remain observant, go to every ballgame and visit every class, we're still going to miss something.

It started with abnormally large shirts, dirty socks and too tight baseball pants. I was aware that something was up with the boy when he started asking to wear cologne and do "The Listerine Challenge." I knew he had a little girlfriend (cute as a button, she is) and that he wanted to impress her.

The only problem was, his wardrobe wasn't conducive to such big plans. He was getting the hygiene thing right: brushing his teeth, applying deodorant and bathing more than once every couple of days. Problem was, stinky socks, sweaty shirts and jeans with the tell-tale flood markers were cramping his style.

This past Sunday, I decided to go to the mall and asked him to go with me. When he came out wearing my tank top, his grandfather's shirt (that hung to his knees) his brother's shorts and a pair of socks that hadn't been washed since last year, I knew with certainty what my mission would be.

We stopped at Old Navy first. While he gravitated towards graphic-tees sporting sayings such as, "Forestry Worker" and " Homerun Derby", I headed straight for the jeans. I picked out a couple pair and then began searching for "regular" shirts amongst the basketball and football jerseys that filled the aisles.

When I presented the bounty in my arms to him and suggested that he try the items on, he grinned and said, "Shopping with you is fun."

There's a bitter taste that stings the tongue of a mother when she suddenly finds herself on the opposite side of the dressing-room door. I knew I was joining the ranks of mothers whose children have taken the step away from them by closing them out of this part of their lives.

I paced a bit while he switched from one shirt to another and happily came to the door when he called my name. Would he ask for my opinion? Should I offer some advice or should I simply stand there quietly, hoping he'd somehow let me in to check the fit of his jeans?

He answered all of those questions by asking me to get him another pair of jeans, one size smaller than the ones I had picked out, but didn't open the door. After racing through the store and finding a pair of fitted jeans size 29 x 32, I flopped them over the door and waited a few feet away.

He opened the door and the sight of him took my breath away. Standing in front of me was a different boy. He was tall, handsome and smiling broadly as he excitedly told me that the style of clothes I had picked out were exactly what he had wanted. He hugged my neck when I told him that he could have everything he had tried on that fit.

Later, as we walked the mall and visited several shops along our route, he walked proudly in the new clothes he had insisted on wearing from the store. I stole glances at him every couple of minutes while he battled within himself the desire to be with me, yet look unattached as pretty girls walked by.

I wanted to hold his hand. I wanted to put my arm around him and pull him close to my side as we walked. However, my baby was no longer a baby. I had to settle with walking beside him.

Driving home that afternoon, I was feeling quite pensive as I pondered the changes taking place in the boy sitting beside me. I was lost in my thoughts, flashing back and forth between his first steps towards me and his first steps away from me. When he placed his hand over mine on the armrest, I said nothing and just enjoyed the moment.

It wasn't until he said, "Mom, this was the best day of my life," that the tears formed in eyes that were hidden behind a pair of sunglasses.

Mine too, baby. Mine too.

He'd Still Been God

2009-09-05T11:25:00.000-07:00

When things get rough, I always yearn for something to pick up me. I found this video and fell in love with the song...and especially, the message.

No matter how much life can stink, sometimes it's good to stop and realize that Jesus was, is and always will be...God.

Master, carest Thou not that we perish?
Can’t You see that we’re about to die?
This boat we’re on is surely going under
“Save us now!”, His disciples cried
So Jesus rose to stand against the tempest
Knowing His disciples had no faith
Just to prove that He was still the Master
He spoke, and the wind and seas obeyed

But He’d still been God
Even if He’d never calmed a storm on a raging sea
He’d still been God
Even if He’d never caused a blinded eye to see
He’d still been God
Even if He’d never brought a crippled man to his feet
It’s not about what He did
It’s all about who He was
‘Cause even if He’d never come and done a single miracle
Then Jesus woulda still been God

Mary was His loving, earthly mother
She understood the purpose of her Son
Ever since the angel’d come and told her
“This child is the blessed Son of God”
So when she’d see the people gather ’round Him
Watching for a miracle to prove
That He would be their One and great Messiah
She just smiled ’cause she already knew

Rodney Griffin (Songs of Greater Vision [BMI])

A Little Trip and a Lot of Migraine Pt. II

2009-08-31T18:10:00.000-07:00

A Little Trip and a Lot of Migraine

2009-08-31T16:06:00.001-07:00

Please forgive the lack of narrative with these pictures. I've been suffering from a migraine the past two days and hanging on the computer for too long makes me ill.

Will catch up with the story and more pictures soon.

It's Raining, Where Did You Build Your House?

2009-08-22T13:09:00.000-07:00

Recently, Tucson endured torrential rains, flash flooding, overflowing washes and damage to not only residences and businesses, but to the landscape where we live.

Many houses in the flood plains (actually dry washes) suffered serious damage when mountains of mud and debris suddenly filled living rooms, kitchens and bedrooms when natural sand barriers crumbled in the torrents.

Homes built on higher ground, on solid foundations, suffered little to no damage at all even though they endured the same storms.

How many of us have built our homes (lives) on sand and not rock?

For many years, my life was built around the notion that I was a good person. Sure, I had my faults, my foibles and even my sins. However, I was under the impression that since I asked Jesus into my heart at bible camp when I was 12, I was saved.

But, I still found myself constantly struggling in the quicksand of sin. Why?

I was and still am fluent in Christianese. I know Christian-speak and I know all the right cliche's about Christian behavior and how a Christian is supposed to act.

At least I thought I did.

In many churches today, a doctrine is being taught that is contrary to the word of God. What is so frightening is that I, like millions of other "Christians" in this country alone, bought into it, hook, line and sinker.

In a nutshell, this doctrine teaches us (and our children, if we let it) that Jesus is a sweet, sweet God that we can keep in our pockets.

Integrated into this doctrine is the New Age-get-enlightened-and-feel-good nonsense. We're made dizzy and full of ourselves on Sunday mornings and yet, on Sunday night, we're watching Desperate Housewives or Grey's Anatomy.

Monday, we're listening to music that blatantly promotes sex outside of marriage. The number one and two songs on the charts this week are titled, "Unfaithful" and "Promiscuous Girl."

On Wednesday, we're scouring the tabloids in our haste to find out what celebrity cheated, nearly dropped her baby, broke up a marriage, got arrested for DUI or overdosed on drugs.

By Friday, we're gossiping about our coworkers, judging our friends and famiy members (not their behavior, them personally) and acting as if we would never do the things they do.

But

on Sunday morning, they we are in our finest clothes, sitting in the front pew, bowing our heads and thanking God that we are saved from the fiery pits of hell because we said a little prayer many years ago asking Jesus into our hearts.

To my Christian friends: Have you ever heard about being up a creek without a paddle?

We're deceiving ourselves. Jesus didn't teach about a sweet little prayer and salvation.

He taught repentance and salvation by grace through faith. If we aren't living a radically different life, repenting daily and obeying Christ, we're up that creek.

We can look the part, act the part, talk the part, read the part and yes, even write the part, but if we aren't in daily communication with our Savior through prayer, obedience and repentance, we won't even get a part in the kingdom of heaven.

By building our spiritual lives in dry washes and flood plains, we are easily manipulated into thinking that we're ok, you're ok, everyone is a-ok. But, when we profess to be Christians and share the God of love with the world but neglect to mention that this holy God despises sin, demands repentance and obedience, we're not sharing God at all!

We've built on sand!

What we're telling the world is that Jesus died in vain. "He died, thank you, Lord, but please don't ask me to do anything for you that might make people think I'm a religious fanatic. You only matter to me when a family member is sick, when I need help with my checkbook or on Mother's Day."

When Jesus was nailed to the cross, it was because it was the only way that man could be reconciled with God.

God gave His Son so that we might live if we turn from our sin, trust in Him and obey Him. All of our good deeds and works matter not if they aren't done with a repentant, grateful and obedient heart.

It matters not if we say we know Jesus.

What matters most is, does Jesus know you?

Not everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord" will enter the kindgom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?"

Then I will say to them plainly, "I never knew you. Away from me you evildoers!" Matthew 7:21-23

It's raining, my friends. Where did you build your house?

Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house ont he rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose and the winds blew and beat against that house and if fell with a great crash. Matthew 7:24-27

Originally written for ©The Peach Pages 2006

Contentment

2009-08-19T17:06:00.000-07:00

It was just one of those days...where things go wrong or just don't feel right and suddenly you're reminded who you are in Him, as opposed to who you are to everyone else.

He takes that moment to flood our eyes with wonderful, glorious colors; sweet reflections of Him and His great love.

Enlarge to see message

He beckons us to come to contentment in Him.

And we are refreshed.

A Disciple's Renewal

2009-08-17T18:28:00.000-07:00

O, my Savior,

Help me.

I am so slow to learn,
so prone to forget,
so weak to climb;

I am in the foothills when I should be on the heights;

I am pained by my graceless heart,
my prayerless days,
my poverty of love,
my sloth in the heavenly race,
my sullied conscience ,
my wasted hours,
my unspent opportunities.

I am blind while light shines around me:
take the scales from my eyes,
grind to dust the evil heart of unbelief.

Make it my chiefest joy to study thee,
meditate on thee,
gaze on thee,
sit like Mary at thy feet,
lean like John on thy breast,
appeal like Peter to they love,
count like Paul all things dung.

Give me increase and progress in grace so that there may be
more decision in my character,
more vigor in my purposes,
more elevation in my life,
more fervor in my devotion,
more constancy in my zeal.

As I have a position in the world,
keep me from making the world my position;
May I never seek in the creature
what can be found only in the Creator;
Let not faith cease from seeking thee until it vanishes from sight.

Ride forth in me, thou King of kings
and Lord of lords,
that I may live victoriously,
and in victory attain my end.

~The Valley of Vision: Puritan Prayers and Devotions

Until next time...

Hey! There's a Quiz at the Bottom of This Entry!

2009-08-16T10:19:00.000-07:00

Go ahead and enlarge the pictures...you know you want to.

It all started with a mandatory Drama Parent Meeting. I was unable to attend the first meeting for Advanced Drama, which the Big Guy is currently a member of. The Bald Avenger willingly went in my place. While there, he volunteered us for nearly every event, bake sale, conference, rehearsal and show.

He's on meeting restriction.

I rather like the idea of photographing their events instead. For instance, isn't Ashley gorgeous? She's a Thespian officer and has a killer smile.

For the first fundraiser, we showed up after eating pizza, ready to consume some Baskin Robbins ice cream.

The flowers above and below are planted in raised beds all around the strip mall where BR is located.

I had my camera so...
...I practiced taking pictures in different natural lighting.

I could do this all day.
This is not me. I had a strawberry shake. Colette, on the other hand, had a double-scoop with chocolate.

A little while later, Marshall arrived with his mom. They were quite excited and Marshall was clearly ready for his close-up.

This boy gave me the stank-eye every time he caught me focusing on him.

I've got some shots of the Butter, but I am still trying to remove the weird from them. The boy has become a bit eclectic as he's gotten older. Those are his feet at the top of the page, though.

I took the above shot simply because I was fascinated by the lines and the textures of the table, bench and columns. By manipulating the color through Cross Process, the colors on the wall popped.

Awesome people, amazing color and good times. I think I might like spending all my free time with these folks.

Quick Quiz: What is a Synecdoche?

Don't cheat either...guess before you click the link.

Until next time...

Ok, Y'all Are Just the Best

2009-08-11T16:03:00.000-07:00

I am so touched by the folks who wrote to say how much they liked the Puritan prayer I posted from the book, The Valley of Vision.

I'm even more touched that y'all are still reading and commenting even with my modified posting schedule.

You make a girl feel great!

I have a photo shoot this coming Sunday and I'm really looking forward to it. I'm also looking forward to posting the preview shots.

Also, let me know if you'd like to see more Puritan prayers...I've got a book-full and I am blessed with every one I've read so far.

Take care and keep an eye on my Twitter in the sidebar--->

It'll let you know what I'm up to.

Be blessed!

The Valley of Vision

2009-08-02T08:51:00.001-07:00

Last week, a dear friend gave me a book called, "Valley of Vision" for completing the Respectable Sins bible study.

It is filed with Puritan prayers written by the likes of John Bunyan (Paul's brother) (Not really) to Charles Spurgeon.

I never realized how humbling it is to read or pray these prayers. The Puritans were the embodiment of meek and humble. They knew just how wretched they were and how glorious and wonderful God is.

Christians need to be reminded of these attributes of God.

This is the first prayer in the book and by far, my favorite.

The Valley of Vision

Lord, High and Holy, Meek and Lowly,

Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision,
Where I live in the depths but see thee in the heights;
Hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold thy glory.

Let me learn by paradox:
That the way down is the way up,
that to be low is to be high,
that the broken heart is the healed heart,
that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,
that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,
that to have nothing is to possess all,
that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,
that to give is to receive,
that the valley is the place of vision.

Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells,
and the deeper the well, the brighter thy stars shine;
Let me find thy light in the darkness,
thy life in my death,
thy joy in my sorrow,
thy grace in my sin,
thy riches in my poverty,
thy glory in my valley.

My Tooth Is Killing Me

2009-07-31T17:32:00.001-07:00

I know it's been a bit since I've blogged, but I have a really good explanation for my absence. Or my actually being here but not writing. Or reading.

It was the first week of school. Incoming freshmen, textbooks, sophomores eating mechanical pencils, outrageous fees for text books.

Oh, don't even get me started about textbooks and other things that must be purchased for kids to attend "free" public school.

I actually had to tell three sophomore boys in my English class to spit out parts to a mechanical pencil into a trash can.

Me: Ladies, spit the pencil parts into the trash can.
Boy#1: I'm not chewing on a pencil.
Me: ...glare....
Boy#2 (with a spring from his mechanical pencil in his mouth): He's not chewing on pencil. He's chewing on a pen.
Me: ....birds chirping...
Boys: Fine!
Me: Dudes, eat a Pop Tart. Pencils just don't digest well.

The whole thing is just a pain in the

By the way, that's Riley above. Good kid. Mucho freckles. Absolutely gorgeous.

tooth.

My tooth broke a few months back while I was eating oatmeal. Yeah, I know. Weird.

It didn't hurt and it's far enough back that no one can see it and for the most part, I forgot that the part left was even in there.

Until Tuesday when part of the remaining tooth broke again.

Ow.

Now what's left is loose and it provides me endless hours of sweet agony.

Did you remember having a loose tooth as a kid and you couldn't keep your tongue from moving it back and forth?

I am trying really hard not to do that.

I love the sky in Briana's picture. The sunsets are spectacular out here.

Briana won't admit it, but she thinks I'm funny.

On the flip side, if I do leave it alone, it doesn't hurt.

It annoys me that I occasionally have dental problems because I am really quite fanatical about brushing my teeth and flossing. I only know about four people who floss.

I am the only one in this house who does.

I am also the only one in this house who has dental problems.

I started flossing like a wild woman when I had to have a root canal and it lasted longer than my labor for the Butterbean.

Although this is Jacquie's face and not mine, her expression sums up my whole week.

But still, I praise God for my job and having dental floss.

Until next time...

Over My Shoulder

2009-07-26T09:28:00.000-07:00

The Big Guy has taken quite the interest in my photography.

Not the part where I go out to scout locations or holding the reflector while I snap a picture in 100+ degrees, with sweat pouring into my eyes.

Let's not be mistaken; he hates that part of photography.

He likes the editing and lately, he's been hovering over my shoulder daring me to add a color here or remove a leaf there.

He loves black and white pictures as much as I do.

He loves the radical stuff like me.

The above picture is for him.

We'll call it Picture for the Big Guy.

These flowers are in my next door neighbor's yard. Well, the bush is...the flowers hang over into mine.

I love the detail in them.

Another one for the Big Guy.

The more "out there", the better.

This one just reflects how ridiculously hot it is outside. Folks in the desert should have pools...as in everyone should have pools.

Should be a right or something.

Forget health care reform, we need a body of water in the backyard.

Until next time...

Mmmm....Pie

2009-07-25T11:09:00.000-07:00

Going back to school always made me believe that summer was over and Fall was around the corner. Our school is year-round and I've yet to experience fall in Vail.

I've lived here for three years.

Because of the year-round thing our school district has, it moves up the changing of blankets, menus and especially the scents of candles. Gone are the summery scents of lavendar vanilla and honeysuckle and in their place cinnamon, macintosh apple and my favorite, apple-cinnamon.

Yeah, know that was a big stretch.

To kick off the beginning of autumn, even if it is really just in our heads, I made an apple pie.

While I was cutting in the butter and the shortening, I started thinking about other fall delights like chilli and cornbread, hot homemade soups and apple cider.

After I gently kneaded my dough into a ball and prepared to wrap it in plastic wrap to chill while I prepare the apples, I remembered that the new Fall L.L. Bean Catalog arrived last week.

I daydream about turtlenecks and flannel while I wash each apple carefully. I picture myself in a nice pair of boots with wool trim while carrying them to the table so the Butterbean can core them and throw them in a bowl with water and lemon.
He loves this job...

...even if he does lean all the way back in his chair to keep out of the way of the juice that invariably takes flight and lands in his eyes.

He hates that part.

He's methodical when he's coring apples and he does not like to be disturbed while he's at it.

As the scent of apple hovers in the air, I remember the day long ago when we dressed warmly on a brisk fall morning and headed to the cider mill not far from our home in Connecticut.

There were a multitude of folks there all wearing fur-lined boots, turtlenecks with sweatshirts or flannel.

It made me think that L.L. Bean had thrown up in the parking lot.

After I rolled the dough out and placed it in the pie tin, I tried to imagine Bucky's apple pie crust.

She makes it from scratch, too.

Last Thanksgiving, we both made apple pie for dessert and not one person at the table would tell us which one of us made the better pie.

I hate ties.

Bucky does need to watch over her shoulder though, because I am making apple pie again this year and I'm in it to win it.

This part is very difficult for me. I just want to eat the apples now.

I literally tried to imagine a dish that I could make just to eat apples like this.

And then I realized I could make the apples like this and just not bake them.

Duh, me.
I wasn't too pleased with the way this crust came out. I was trying to place the dough across the top of the apples when the Bald Avenger called and asked me to go outside and move the truck so he could park in the driveway.

Although I didn't go move the truck, the distraction was enough to make me think that the crust would come out funky.

Which it clearly did.

I served it warm with vanilla ice cream and it was oh-so-good anyway.

It didn't last 24 hours.

So even though it's the middle of summer and it's 150 degrees outside, the transition to Fall is nearly complete.

Even if we can't wear turtlenecks and boots just yet.

Until next time...

Who Wouldn't Want An Apple?

2009-07-24T20:02:00.000-07:00

In honor of the first day of school, here are some apples.

Tomorrow I'll show you what we did with them.

Any Tweeting Twitterers Out There?

2009-07-22T12:50:00.000-07:00

I am gearing up for the start of the school year this Friday and that means that I'll have loads of things to talk about, but very little time to actually talk. But that doesn't mean I'm going away, either.

If you're a Twitterer (not a Twit), add me! I'll be updating daily, sometimes more than once and most likely during a lockdown when I'm on the floor and doing that stage whisper across the classroom, "Boy, if you don't shut up and there's a bad guy out there, I'm using you as a human shield."

For the parents out there: not really.

I've never said that before to a kid.

Ok, back to the point of this post: feel free to add me on Twitter. I am SavedbyGrace2 on there.

Oh, before I forget...let me know you're on there, too!

The New Kid in Town

2009-07-20T15:43:00.000-07:00

Have you ever seen a rabbit appear in what was an empty hat? What about those flowers that seemingly appear to be up the magician's sleeve? One can't forget watching a magician pulling a scarf out of their bare hands or watching closely as they miraculously guess which card is in your hand.

Even better, have you ever wondered where the famous (and not so famous) magicians get their top hats, burning business cards, card tricks, scarves, flowers and even rattlesnake eggs?

If so, I can tell you exactly where all the goodies are for those who are interested in magic.

Emory Williams, Jr.

It's Williams Magic Shop, one of the largest magic shops in the country.

And about two weeks ago, a small trailer appeared in between the tracks with bold, black letters announcing the arrival of Williams Magic right here Vail, Arizona.

The little Magic Shop in Vail was hand-built by the Williams father and son owners. Ask Emory Williams, Jr. to tell you about the solar panels and other goodies that are part of the shop. It's amazing!

The Williams Family has over 100 years of combined magic background and has been in the retail magic business over 30 years and they've been in Tucson for 20 of those 30 years.

Started by Emory C. Williams and his wife, Nathailia, the Magic Shop would grow even bigger with the arrival of Emory C. Williams, Jr and his wife, Claudia, when they moved from California to Vail several years ago.

Williams Magic ships all over the world, so if you're not local you can take a stroll around their website and shop to your heart's delight.

The Little Magic Shop in Vail, Arizona is open for business.

You'll have to stop by and listen as the animated Emory C. Williams, Jr. tells you the story of Williams Magic. If you stick around long enough, he'll show you a trick or two.

If you want to take a magic trick home, allow me to recommend the bagel or the rattlesnake eggs.

You might just jump out of your skin.

So stop in at the Magic Shop in Vail or Williams Magic in Tucson and buy a trick or three.

We wouldn't want to see the Magic Shop disappear.

I Don't Belong/Sojourner's Song

2009-07-19T17:25:00.000-07:00

It's not often that upon hearing a song for the first time that I am driven to tears, but this song by Buddy Greene has that honor.

Have a blessed week.

I DON'T BELONG
words by Gloria Gaither, music by Buddy Greene

It's not home
Where men sell their souls
And the taste of power is sweet
Where wrong is right
And neighbors fight
While the hungry are dyin' in the streets
Where kids are abused
And women are used
And the weak are crushed by the strong
Nations gone mad
Jesus is sad
And I don't belong

Chorus:
I don't belong
And I'm going someday
Home to my own native land
I don't belong
And it seems like I hear
The sound of a "welcome home" band
I don't belong
I'm a foreigner here
Singing a sojourner's song
I've always known
This place ain't home
And I don't belong

Don't belong
But while I'm here
I'll be living like I've nothin' to lose
And while I breathe
I'll just believe
My Lord is gonna see me through
I'll not be deceived
By earth's make-believe
I'll close my ears to her siren song
By praisin' His name, I'm not ashamed
'Cause I don't belong

Repeat Chorus

I belong
To a kingdom of peace
Where only love is the law
Where children lead
And captives are freed
And God becomes a baby on the straw
Where dead men live
And rich men give
Their kingdoms to buy back a song
Where sinners like me
Become royalty
And we'll all belong

Yes I belong
And I'm going someday
Home to my own native land
Where I'll belong
And it seems like I hear
The sound of a "welcome home" band
Yes, I'll belong
No foreigner there
Singin' a sojourner's song
I've always known
I'm going home
Where I belong
Yes I've always known
This place ain't home
And I don't belong

Until next time...

Flashback Sunday or Are You Living Your Best Life Now?

2009-07-19T13:20:00.000-07:00

Do you often dream of living a more rewarding life? Do you aspire to a better job, a stronger marriage, a happier home? Do you wish for more gratifying relationships with your family and friends? Perhaps you simply want to accomplish more and leave a lasting legacy for future generations.

These are the questions that advertise the book, Your Best Life Now! By Joel Osteen.

To the casual observer, questions like those above offer a glimmer of hope; the answers to come within the bound pages of Joel’s book.

What one of us doesn't want a rewarding life, a better job, a stronger marriage or happier home? Who among us wants strife within our families and absent friends when we need them most? Lastly, what man or woman wouldn't want to accomplish something great in their lifetime in order to leave a lasting legacy?

According to Joel, if we follow the seven steps listed below, we’re on our way to a brighter future.

• One: Enlarge your vision

• Two: Develop a healthy self-image

• Three: Discover the power of your thoughts and words

• Four: Let go of the past

• Five: Find strength through adversity

• Six: Live to give

• Seven: Choose to be happy

By just following those seven simple steps (outlined in the book), we could all be living our best life now!

Oh Lordy, I just felt the Jesus bumps! Yes, I’m being facetious here.

Really folks, does God promise us such wonderful plans for our lives? Do the Christians you know seem to be living their best lives now, according to God’s “wonderful plan”?

What does the bible say about God’s wonderful plan for us? I’ll wait patiently while someone pulls out that verse from the Word.

In the meantime, I found a few interesting tidbits in the bible regarding those who followed Christ:

John the Baptist roamed the desert, ate bugs (Matthew 3:4), slept in the dirt and eventually lost his head. He was not rich or happy nor did he let go of the past. In fact, he preached about the past mistakes of God’s chosen people and how their misdeeds (read sin) would have eternal consequences.

What was John’s crime and why did he lose his head? He called an adulterous king an adulterer. And that king, filled with sexual desire for his lover’s daughter, had John’s head cut off and presented to her on a platter, because she asked him to. (Matthew 14:1-12)

What a wonderful plan for John’s life!

Every one of the original disciples (save Judas) suffered and died because they trusted Jesus the Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Some were crucified; Peter upside down, because he didn't feel worthy enough to die the same way his Savior did.

Paul was beaten, stoned, flogged, thrown in jail and had his head cut off. Others were stoned and hung.

Judas killed himself; we all know why. John the Beloved was the only one to die a very old man; after living for years in exile on the island of Patmos.

Do the lives of these men testify to the message that Joel Osteen is projecting? Were they living their best lives? What would they say was the wonderful plan God had for them?

Jesus warned his followers in Matthew 10:17-36 that by following Him, they would endure great hardship and even death. Those words directly contradict the words of Joel Osteen. Osteen would have us believe that if we follow certain principles, then our lives and the lives of those around us would be harmonious.

Jesus never promised that. In fact, he promised the exact opposite when it came to family harmony: Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn

A man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter in law against her mother in law-
a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.
Matthew 10:34-36

When sharing the idea of this article with a dear friend (also born-again) who in one day was widowed and lost her children to murder, she laughed softly.

“In my lifetime, Jesus’ words ring the bell a lot louder than Joel Osteen’s.”

I became a born-again Christian this past Spring. If I were to believe Joel Osteen’s professing and assuring words, then I would be incredibly depressed at the state of my life and the lives of those closest to me. I would feel like God had failed me.

In one fell swoop, I watched my health rapidly decline with the diagnosis of a chronic, debilitating illness that will never go away. Subsequently, financial disaster in the form of lost wages because I have been too sick to work. Some family members don’t understand me and my children are mocked occasionally at school because they refuse to do what their peers are doing, because they know that God would be offended if they did.

My husband recently suffered two seizures during a family meal, losing consciousness and for what seemed like an eternity, stopped breathing. Never in my lifetime did I imagine that I would be positioning my spouse for CPR.

We are not living our best lives now.

However, like the disciples before us, we are following in obedience The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) in that we are sharing our faith. The faith that reminds us that even though the lives we once knew are gone, it does not change the reason we became Christians in the first place: we knew we had sinned against a Holy God and the only way we’d ever see peace and a life without turmoil, suffering and pain, we had to repent and trust in the One who took our sins on Himself that day when He was nailed to the cross.

That life is not now; the assurance is. (Matthew 28:20)

Messages like Osteen’s (and those like his) are false promises that only lead to heartbreak and further distance from God. We can’t draw nearer to God by doing good things, foolishly thinking that if we have healthy self-images and enlarged visions that somehow we are immune to the happenings in this world. There is always going to be a loved one diagnosed with terrible illness, car accidents, plane crashes, random and calculated violence, natural disasters and unexplained catastrophes that seek to muddy the waters of faithful believers.

It’s when we understand that life is not about being happy, prosperous and immune from pain and suffering, it’s about being righteous; not self-righteousness, but a righteousness that is blood-bought and justified by the living God.

It’s realizing that in our limited human minds we cannot comprehend fully why we suffer, but it’s knowing that it is not in vain.

It is knowing that we may not be living our best life now, but on that beautiful day, we will be.

"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age…"

©The Peach Pages

Written originally for The Peach Pages 2006

Until next time...

A Stroll Through Vail, Arizona

2009-07-19T09:26:00.000-07:00

Good Times at the Nail Salon (or) The Huffing of Nail Polish

2009-07-18T14:02:00.000-07:00

So my good friend Ginger asked me to go to a nail salon in Tucson this past Friday. Knowing we would be running an important errand later in the day, it made sense not to make two trips. Besides, it was 125 degrees outside and who wants to be caught in that kind of heat more than once or twice?

Walking in the door, I noticed right off the bat that this was probably the cleanest salon I've ever stepped foot in.

The floors were shiny and appeared to have been waxed.

Shiny floors make me happy.

There was a plethora of nail polish on the wall.

Some of them were quite ugly. A couple of them reminded me of baby poo.

I'm not trying to be gross; I'm just sayin'...

I wonder if I'll ever get the nerve to jump out of my comfort zone of mauve and get brave enough to do a blue or a bright metallic purple.

You'll know when I know. Could be awhile though.

Whenever they come around with their little plastic carriers, I start counting down the minutes until my asthma kicks in and my headache begins.

Sometimes it really stinks having a chronic illness.

I'm fond of breathing.

When the fumes had me seeing double and I was speaking in a foreign language because I forgot English when my headache kicked in, I went outside to grab some fresh air.

I felt off balance for a little bit there.

The Bald Avenger would tell you that the cheese had slipped off my cracker a long time ago.

Like it's a bad thing.

I have to admit that Tucson sometimes has really cool trash cans.

Not one of them moved or said they had to go to the bathroom.

Unlike the two mutant teenage boys that live here.

Well, not here here.

You know what I mean.

Until next time...

Happy Dog, Happy Feet

2009-07-17T16:15:00.000-07:00

I don't know what got into me the other day. Whimsy? Hilarity? Temporary weirdness? We'll probably never know, but I do have something to show for it.

I'm fascinated with this dog's paws.

Maybe it's because he's always got them sticking up in the air. Or maybe it's because he's always in an unusual position on the furniture.

These are some of the sweetest paws, ever. They're very dainty for a dog of his size. He uses them for just about everything: from digging and shaking to tapping and scratching.

But when he's relaxing, these happy feet are all over the place.

This is his regular position on the dog couch. Very rarely does he tuck himself in or curl up into a ball.

When he's asleep, he's all out Baby!

And when he's all out, those funny feet are all out too.

Oblivious to my presence, he doesn't even flinch when I gently turn his head towards me.

The best part of those feet is the fact that they are attached to one of the sweetest dogs that ever lived.

Until next time...

The Cup Is Not Really Empty

2009-07-16T09:56:00.000-07:00

Whenever I show my kids my pictures, they tend to quickly say, "That's nice, Mama," and then change the subject.

Brats.

Yesterday, I thought if I edited this cactus bloom a tad differently, they might be inclined to actually look at the picture and have something honest to say.

Gazing at the picture last night, the Big Guy said, "Kind of looks like an alien flower, doesn't it?"

Works for me.

There's nothing about this picture that is pretty.

It's burdened with fungus and rotting plant flesh. The thorns make it impossible to get close and soon, this cactus will die.

I know people like that.

I pray for them from a distance because they will never let me close enough to minister to them, feed them or comfort them. What is even sadder, they don't know that they are dying.

Sad indeed.

I wonder how much water these little cups catch in a monsoon. Even though the flower is gone, the usefulness of this tiny cup is not wasted.

It may not bloom full in the sunshine anymore, but it can still nourish the cactus by trapping life-sustaining water.

It still glorifies its Creator.

Until next time...

Bloom Anyway

2009-07-15T15:53:00.000-07:00

I took this picture the other evening while down in a nearby wash. It was the lone bloom on a cactus ravaged by javalinas, fungus and sun.

The petals were obviously bruised and discolored and I nearly walked past it in my quest for the perfect flower picture. Although its appearance was tattered and burned, this flower still opened up and faced the sun with all it had.

For a moment I stopped and contemplated this flower, but not for long. I guess I was in a hurry. I snapped the picture and moved on to more brightly colored blooms and nearly forgot this little flower.

Until this morning...

Feeling a bit down because of a current crisis, I decided to upload the pictures from the other night. Almost immediately, this little fella popped up onscreen. I stared at it a minute before I started resizing and cropping the picture.

It struck me that even though this little flower had obviously faced some trying times, it bloomed anyway.

Suddenly, I realized how beautiful this flower really was.

This flower obviously did not wallow in misery. It just did its job and brought glory to God while it was still here.

My crisis will most likely pass away and become a distant memory. In the meantime, I'm not going to focus on my misery.

Like this little flower, I'm going to do my job and bring glory to God.

I'm going to bloom anyway.

Until next time...

Bugs, Cactus and Dog

2009-07-14T10:17:00.000-07:00

I took these pictures the evening I met Tyler for pictures. Whenever he'd run off to throw a rock or catch a turtle, I'd turn around and grab some shots of our surroundings.

The cactus above was just beautiful.

Creepy, huge, black ants were pouring out of numerous holes around us. It was like an ant convention. Before he went home, the Big Guy sat on a blanket and flicked any critter that dared to approach him.

It kept him busy for a while.

Go ahead. Enlarge the pictures. You know you want to.

This is my very first picture taken in RAW. Ellie is always a good subject. Here, she is in the lap of the Big Guy absolutely petrified because it was thundering outside. The look on her face is sheer panic.

On a side note, this is one of the few times that Ellie actually gets up and moves around. She's very lazy. Did I mention she's lazy?

Contrary to popular belief, there is color in the desert.

You just have to look for it.

Until next time...

Girly Pictures and a Cancelled Practice Shoot or Stupid Monsoon Ruined a Really Good Practice Shoot

2009-07-11T09:11:00.000-07:00

I've decided that Jacqui is still pretty, regardless of what I do to her pictures in editing. Her eyes are a brilliant blue and her skin is flawless. The shade of her hair is awesome.

The shade of my hair has a color number and comes in a box with gloves and warnings of dire consequences if I inhale the contents.

Oh youth! Where did you go?

Cell phones. This one played funky music that she would dance to later.

Oh, to be young and pretty!

I'm not old but I'm not 18 anymore, either.

This is Miss R. I know her mama gave me permission to use her first name, but I think Miss R. fits her personality in these shots.

She's in black and white because at this time of the evening, the pale yellow shirt blended with the sky.

We can't have that, can we?

I took this picture while Jacqui was taking a break. Lisa had her camera set up and was taking pictures of the two younger girls. Immediately behind Miss R. was a pretty steep hill. I suggested one of them roll over it so we could practice motion shots, but they weren't having it.

Miss R. and Briana were revved up by the end of the evening and getting silly. They were good sports for candid shots.

Aren't silly girls fun, sometimes?

What a nice way to cap off the night! After this shot, they took off for the car and left us behind picking up the pieces of a really fun practice shoot.

We were supposed to go out last night to practice with the Big Guy and a Little Guy but a pretty wicked thunderstorm blew in from the Northeast and forced the cancellation. We're going to try again tonight, hopefully.

On another note: I started taking Omega-3 (Advanced Cholesterol Free Fish Oil) softgels a couple of weeks ago to support my heart.

I was contemplating the ingredient that makes these dietary supplements and the question occurred to me; who thought one day to squeeze a fish and then decide to make a supplement out of it?

I think of things like that.

As Todd Friel from Wretched Radio says:
Until next time, go serve your King...

Practice! Practice! Practice!

2009-07-10T08:38:00.000-07:00

This is Jacqui. She's 6'3 and gorgeous. If there are any bad angles, lighting or awkward poses, it's because of me, not her.

We're back in Vail, Arizona for this one, shooting in a nearby wash. Washes are particularly fun to shoot in. But only if they're not running. There's this whole you can die thing if they're running.

We go to great lengths to keep out of the washes when there's been a heavy rain.

It would be terribly embarrassing if one of us drowned in the desert.

Most of the pictures are off-center because I am learning the rule of thirds. I probably said that wrong, but the rule or law does have the word thirds in it.

As you can tell from above, my angle gave her a chin that wasn't there. I'm really sorry, Jacqui. But hey, read the title.

She's very relaxed in front of the camera which is a good thing. Because I am so new at this, I kind of don't take total control and tell my subjects to look here or move your arm this-a-way all the time.

I am becoming more temperamental behind the camera, though. There were three others that I took pictures of last night and when one, who I won't name (Briana) got sassy, I told her that I'd Photoshop her pictures and make her look ugly. And then, just for pure meanness, I told her I'd put those very same pictures on Facebook and tag her so that they would show up on her friends' pages.

She didn't cry at my threat (she's 11), instead she laughed at me. I thought I was scarier than I actually am.

I don't think I can make Jacqui ugly, though. She laughed a lot, almost fell out of the chair just like the Big Gu y. She played music on her cell phone and goofed off a lot.

Note to self: bring music on every shoot.

I'm a fan of alternative colors (funky black and whites, bold sepias, etc) in my pictures. But I just had to show what Jacqui was wearing and the color of the sky behind her. It's an awkward pose she came up with but I really wanted that sky in the picture.

Oh my goodness. Well, hmm. Doesn't she have pretty eyes?

This last picture just blew me away. Why isn't Jacqui modeling?

She's currently in school to become a make up artist. She does hair, too. When I asked her what I should do with the mop on my head she replied, "Layers!"

If Jacqui ever asks me what she should do for a living, I'll tell her, "Model!"

More pictures of Jacqui and the others coming later today.

Until next time...

Say Hi To Jacqui

2009-07-09T22:37:00.000-07:00

This beautiful girl is a former student of mine and she let me take pictures of her tonight.

I'm too tired to finish editing the shots so I'll leave you with a sneak peek.

Just a Little Somethin' Extra

2009-07-08T18:56:00.000-07:00

The boy doesn't know how to play the keyboard, but does a mighty fine job of acting like he does.

Tearin' up a blues song about a man with a wandering eye and his frigid wife. Made it snow in the desert.

Not really.

The Transformation of The Butter

2009-07-07T09:23:00.001-07:00

I would be remiss if I didn't start off recognizing and praising the help I had last night for Butter's transformation from freshman to sophomore. The Big Guy helped to tote the instruments and other necessities to a slightly raised spot in the nearby wash. I was thankful. He rocked.

He was adamant that I not photograph his face. So, I didn't.

And now I present to you, The New (Improved?) Butter.

Some of the positions like the one above, were merely shots caught while he would move around in between poses.

He was a good egg, allowing me to try different poses and different sources of light.

He spent a lot of time watching the Bald Avenger and Big Guy making faces and acting strange. But hey, it worked.
We're out in the middle of the desert and had onlookers! A few folks on ATV's stopped just up the hill and watched us for awhile. As you can tell, it didn't take much to distract him.
He loves his guitar and actually played a few chords while waiting for me to set up the shot. The best part was how the music carried a little bit.

He knows how to hold it properly but I don't know how to stop taking pictures.

I'm afraid I'm afflicted.
He was starting to get serious so I had to hurry up and catch the shot while he was paying attention.

I love looking at him through the lens. I could take pictures of him all day.
He started to relax more towards the end. I see this look often. It usually follows, "Go clean up the backyard."

First thing I thought of when I saw this one was album cover.
But this one.

I just love this picture. It's him.

It doesn't matter that he's a sophomore now or that he doesn't always wake up in a good mood (his response to "Good morning" is "That's a rotten thing to say.") or that he wears long sleeve shirts in summer.

This is Butter.

Until next time...

Monsoon Time!

2009-07-06T09:48:00.000-07:00

Let me start by saying that these pictures were taken inside the house through upstairs windows. Spots or dust might be visible on the pictures.

One day last week I received an email from a blogging buddy up near Phoenix telling me that rough weather was on the way and I might want to get pictures of it.

When I looked out the front window, the above is what I saw.

And it just got worse from there.

Thanks Remo.

This mess was coming over the Rincon Mountains and into the valley of Vail, Arizona.

Growing up in Florida and spending years in Georgia taught me that if something like that is coming it would be a good idea to get under the bed or in a closet.

But now that we live in Arizona, we stand at windows and say, "That's gully washer." Doesn't matter if there's lightning, our dorky selves would still be standing at the window praying, "Please Lord, let it come here!"

Rain in the desert is a blessing.

I didn't hear of any damage from this one. You would think there'd be a few cows swirling around, but alas, it is just buckets and buckets and buckets of rain. I think there are some cats and dogs in it though. A woman at our bible study said, "It was raining cats and dogs at my place yesterday!"

I don't know which house is hers though. They all look alike from here.

About this time, I called for the Bald Avenger to come look out the window. He grumbled something about seeing rain before and "weird Floridians."

I thought that was mean. I've seen rain before, too. And besides, I left Florida when I was 21 and that was like, five years ago. (And then some.)

The Big Guy came into the room about this time and asked if there was a tornado in it. I just stared at him until he left the room. He's the one who did the report on Arizona weather.

Southern Arizona is not known for tornadoes. It is however known for flash floods and microbursts.

After all the fun of watching this storm come over the mountain and spread across the valley, I left the room dejected.

We didn't get one drop of rain.

Until next time...

Learning Curve

2009-07-03T12:53:00.000-07:00

Now that I'm learning to take shots in different lighting, I'm having to learn how to try and fix a shot in bad lighting. Above is a picture of Bean sitting high on her daddy's shoulders. Her face was perfect but the lighting was horrible. The shadow it cast on the whole shot was disappointing.

But for the last hour, I've been working to try to save it because I just loved this picture and would be pretty sad if I lost it.

The 'after' is below. I have a ways to go.

Bean

2009-07-03T09:08:00.000-07:00

What a fun day we had! I'm always thankful to any of my friends who are willing to let their young 'uns be my guinea pigs.

Believe me when I tell you that this child has energy. I had to take most of these pictures with my camera set to motion. I felt like the coyote trying to capture the road runner. By the time I got home, I felt like an anvil had fallen on my head. What is an anvil, really?

I had a lot of fun resizing and tweaking these photos. I just had to highlight that pretty yellow bow.

This one is probably my most favorite shot. She stopped for just a moment. I got the shot and she took off like she was shot out of a cannon.

This is the first of two pictures that are duplicated in this entry. It was a tough choice; either I left the second one in or start over with this entry. Since I'm on The Bald Avenger's computer, I chose to let it stay in and finish faster and we all could get a double dose of Bean.

Just adorable. I did an auto-fix and her eyes popped out blue.
This child loved Lisa. That's her hair in the shot.

Again!
This child could model. She talked a mile a minute (she's incredibly articulate) but I can't say I was surprised. I know her mother after all.

She makes me think of summer and all things wonderful. Thanks G for sharing your Bean with me.

Until next time...

Sneaking a Peek At the Bean

2009-07-02T22:22:00.000-07:00

I've been watching this precious little girl grow up in pictures over at What Bean Did for quite awhile now. I've been wanting to photograph her forever and today, I got my chance when Bean rolled into Tucson for a quick lunch and some time at a local park.

This is a sneak peek of our day.

How pretty is she? This is a completely unaltered and unedited photo. An "as is" if you will. She lit up the camera, baby!

Flashback Story

2009-07-01T08:03:00.001-07:00

A quiet, peaceful Arizona morning is broken by the high-pitched scream of an 11 year-old boy as he searches for his mother. She has hidden herself in plain sight,just beyond the sliding glass door, enjoying a cup of coffee and reading a novel by the great Pat Conroy.

"Mom! MOM! Where are you?" he cries.

"For crying out loud, child. I'm right here," she replies from the patio.

"Boy, Mom, I was looking for you! Power is out all over the place in Tucson! It's out on the Northwest, Northeast, and South sides!" he reports.

"Well, honey, thanks for sharing that."

"Wait, Mom. You won't believe this. It's because of a problem at a nuclear power plant somewhere near here. Maybe it blew up!"

"I highly doubt that."

"If it happens, we're ready. I've got my baseball cards, my sleeping bag and my computer, just in case. Hey, Mom?"

"What?"

"Where is the nuclear power plant around here?" he asks.

Fixing her eyes to the Northwest, she gazes for a long moment before replying, "About where that big cloud is."

As the child races into the house to prepare the disaster kit, she resumes reading her book, confident that the money she is saving for his therapy will be worth it.

Until next time...

Capturing the Butter

2009-06-30T15:03:00.000-07:00

By far the most sensitive one in the family, The Butter's facial expressions often convey his feelings. He never has to say a word.

When I saw this picture for the first time, I nearly dumped it. Then, I looked closer. His eyes moved while I was taking the shot. Enlarge the picture and take a look. I left it untouched.

Forlorn and dejected? Not at all. He just found out that he had to make dinner.

He often sits this way, whether on the couch, a chair or in the car. He bites his nails. He's always moving his fingers and uses his hands while he's talking.

I love these hands.
This is a frightening shot. He laid his head on the second stair from the top. I took this picture from the landing, with my tripod only about a foot high. I had to practically lay down to get it. He liked the effect, but several times I made him get up because his face was turning red. I'm not so hip on it, but I know he likes it.

Until next time...

Tributes By Trey

2009-06-30T11:04:00.000-07:00

While taking some new pictures of the boys yesterday, I began using different settings. I also let the guys pick their poses or I just kept shooting hoping for a jackpot. The above is Trey's tribute to Michael Jackson.

Trey's tribute to Uncle Sam. I'm still working on getting both the face and the hand in focus.

This is Trey's tribute to himself. He's always either tripping up the stairs, falling down the stairs or splayed somewhere on the landing.

With all of the falling up and down, The Butter decided to give his brother a gift. So thoughtful...

Until next time...

Loved

2009-06-28T19:15:00.000-07:00

Some years ago, back when I kept a journal of written thoughts as opposed to the more visual one I do now, I wrote an entry that detailed a conversation that the Butter and I had one morning.

When things get rough between us, which isn't all that unusual for a mom and her 15 year-old son, I tend to read that one story again to remind myself of the special relationship we used to have.

We're still close, but life gets in the way sometimes and relationships grow and change. But, I still love the boy like I did back then and although he's taking his steps away from me now towards adulthood and "real" life, he'll always be that little boy who snuck into my bedroom early one morning to see me.

I know that it's hard to get to know someone when all they do is put up pictures and share an anecdote here and there. In the next week or so, I'll share some of my writings in between my pictures. Some readers who knew me then will remember these and I welcome the opportunity to share them with a new audience.

Here is Tender Moments.

He opens the door and peers quietly at the figure of his mother as she lays sleeping.

As he tiptoes towards her, he is unaware the she has awakened and anticipates his arrival at the side of the bed.

He leans in to kiss her cheek and suddenly, she wraps her arms around him and pulls him close.

"Grasped!" she says.

He giggles.

"Clinched!" he answers.

"Pinned!"

He kisses her cheek and says, "Kissed!"

"Cuddled!"

"Snuggled!"

They laugh quietly and hold each other tight.

As she inhales the scent of his hair and plants hundreds of small kisses on his forehead, he sighs.

He turns to her and looks into her eyes. Then he takes her face in his little hands and whispers, "Loved."

Until next time...

Practicing the Art of the Close-Up

2009-06-27T14:15:00.000-07:00

I've been missing Georgia something fierce this summer. I don't know if it is the proximity of the water or the feeling of grass between my toes or if it's the shade of the trees. For all I know, I could be missing some folks back home. In this case, it is all of those reasons backwards. My mother and father-in-love brought the above pinecones from Macon a couple of years after we moved here to the desert. Whenever I get too homesick, I go look at my pinecones and promise myself that one day, I'll go home.

The picture above is the picture above us whenever we walk down the stairs. I'm telling you, I'm bored.

Several years ago, a student put this snowman thingy from Jack-in-the-Box on my antenna. One day last year, my oldest discovered that it was missing and literally searched the yard, driveway and street for it. Eventually, he found it on the side of the road and placed it back on the truck. I still don't understand why. Darn thing doesn't even have a face anymore. Comes in handy when I can't remember where I parked the truck though.

I painted this pot right after 9/11. I placed it outside when my brother went to Iraq. This year I wasn't able to plant anything in it, but it still adorns the front porch.

Guess what this is.

I took a picture of the flowering plant in the front yard this morning, but it was so bright, it made it difficult to look at. I tweaked the picture in my photo editor until I realized that I have a shirt that looks eerily like this. Looks almost like a curtain doesn't it? What about a piece of fabric?

I don't think I'm going to wear that blouse again anytime soon.

Until next time...

We Don't Need a Flashlight

2009-06-25T09:51:00.000-07:00

Our neighborhood is part of a large golf course community. We look down on the golf course and the wash area behind it. This view is gorgeous at night and it's not unusual to see a lot of the residents in our neighborhood standing at the overlook, gazing at the lights. We are some of those residents.
This is clearly not a good picture of the Bean or even the homes around him. I am posting it because it has an otherworldly vibe. The halo around his head might throw folks off, but not us. We know what the boy is capable of and it usually doesn't involve halos. The fact that the camera picked up the stars above him is why I like this picture so much.
This was one of the first pictures I took last night. The camera was stationary on my tripod so that it could take the time it needed to grab all the light it could. The awesome factor; check out the plane above and the lights below appearing to be rising upward.
This is by far the best one of the night. The view appears crisp and the lights seem to be in one place, illuminating the houses below. See that great big house in the middle of the shot? That is not my house.

Until next time...

Night Shots

2009-06-24T21:20:00.000-07:00

I got a little brave tonight and took my first night shots. As I expected numerous shots were blurry and obviously I can't use those.

Oh, but the ones that aren't...

Quick fact: Did you know that cameras can pick up stars when the operator can't? Of course you did.

I found out tonight. A little slow on the uptake I guess.

Pictures coming tomorrow. :)

Ho Hum

2009-06-23T14:02:00.000-07:00

I just got through eating a bowl of macaroni and cheese that my youngest prepared for me. He's been in a certain kind of trouble since last night because of a certain kind of thing he did. I should say he is in this boat because of the plethora of things he's done in recent weeks. While macaroni and cheese is wonderful, it doesn't get him out of trouble. Although he seems to think it will.

Right now, I'm heartbroken and resizing, editing and formatting pictures keeps my mind off of everything else that's going on. For awhile, anyway.

On the upside, I now have two cellphones.

On to the pictures.

These aren't the best shots, but they were interesting nonetheless. The first is the door to a Catholic church. I'm sure my friend Lisa knows the name of it, but I don't have a clue. I just think it's fascinating.

I think I say fascinating a lot. Fascinating. Now it doesn't even sound like a word. In our house, what I am doing is "tangentilizing." We know it is not a word, but we act like it's legitimate English anyway.

I have another shot of the church below with some more detail.
Above is the door to the Scottish Rite Masonic Lodge. Have no clue what goes on in there, but it made a nice picture. In fact, while formatting these shots, I sat and kind of imagined what people actually do in those things. But, I ended up getting some cold water and moving on.

Several years ago, a friend told me that when looking at Mexico from an airplane, it looks as if Crayola threw up on it. Above is a fine example of the wild, bright colors that Tucson's Hispanic culture has added to the appearance of everything, including the parking garage where we left the car. I actually think it is pretty cool, but I'm a transplant from Georgia so what do I know.
Ah, the Santa Rita Hotel. Folks say it's haunted. What do you think?
St. Augustine Cathedral. (Thanks Lisa.) I love the Spanish influence in the architecture.
A lazy, quiet area behind the old train depot.

Drudgery

2009-06-23T08:49:00.000-07:00

Taking care of household chores really stinks when all I want to do is take some new shots.

They're coming. But the kitchen floor won't wait and laundry just waits around and asks other items of clothing to wait with it.

Will be back to my snaptastic self in a bit.

Misc.

2009-06-21T13:35:00.000-07:00

It's not often that I come across things that I really have no idea the purpose of their existence. That flower thing up there however, leaves me stumped. Pretty colors though.
I'm branching out and taking pictures in different lighting. I've found that lighting is either your best friend or your worst enemy when taking pictures. I'm working hard to make lighting my best friend.
I took this one not too far from the house. I pretty much love going anywhere where there are trees.

Photo Challenge: The Story of Tennessee

2009-06-20T17:45:00.001-07:00

While shooting pictures of a large Catholic church in downtown Tucson yesterday, my friend Lisa and I were startled to hear a couple of men hollering at us from roughly 30 yards away. We turned towards the men in time to hear one of them say, "Oh, now you're going to leave. You ain't scared of us, are you?"

For a moment there, I wanted to say that yes, I was indeed a tad frightened. But, instead I answered no. In moments, Tennessee arrived along with his buddy and proceeded to ask me to take a picture of him. I told him that I don't normally take pictures of folks I don't know because I put my photography on the web.

Tennessee said he was not worried about his picture on the internet and then pulled out his phone to get a shot of me.

I hate having my picture taken...with a passion. There's a reason I'm behind the lens, not in front of it.

Not to be outdone, I snapped the first photo above and Tennessee lowered his phone.

"Girl, you got my picture first!" He pretended to be angry but then smiled and raised his phone again. He snapped off a shot and then told me to take a "real" picture of him.

The result is the picture below.

We talked for a few moments and it became increasingly obvious that our new friend was very amiable as the result of some serious imbibing of liquid refreshment. It wasn't even 3pm.

Before we said our goodbyes, Tennessee warned the two of us that we were in a bad part of town and that should we get into trouble...or harassed, to tell whoever was accosting us that "Tennessee is my homeboy."

Thanks for being my homeboy, Tennessee.

*I was tagged for a photo challenge this morning from Kat over at Art's Chili but I can't do the whole thing of counting to the sixth file and sixth picture because I only have three files on this computer while my other computer is in a nursing home for rehab after a nasty virus. So, I decided to share Tennessee's story instead.

Walking Downtown

2009-06-20T08:29:00.000-07:00

"Chandeliers" in Hotel Congress
Click the pictures for full shots. Click the links under each picture to read about the area.

Historic Train Engine

One of the many colorful doors in downtown Tucson.

La Placita-various offices, stores and restaurants in downtown Tucson

Mural- downtown Tucson

Santa Rita Mountains, Tucson

Just funny.

Downtown Tucson

2009-06-20T07:24:00.000-07:00

Marist College

I thought these were fascinating.

Barrio Grill

Today's Spurgeon Devotional

A Wet Friday Downtown

2009-06-19T17:26:00.000-07:00

*Click picture for full size shot

This was the last picture I took of the day. There's more to come, but after walking all over creation in downtown Tucson, I'm taking a much needed rest. Lots of pictures to come!

So I Ended Up Shooting Animals...

2009-06-19T09:16:00.001-07:00

This is Sadie. I don't normally take pictures of her because she's usually scruffy and into everyone's business. She chases Ellie (they're both alpha females) almost non-stop.

Ellie doesn't care about Sadie.

She's manipulative. She'll greet guests with gusto, barking and jumping on them as if they were long lost friends. Then (and this is the tricky part) she'll beg for someone to pet her. As soon as her head has been patted or her belly rubbed, she'll bite the hand of whoever paid her that special attention.

Except me of course. She never bites me.

Sadie is my dog. She clearly loves the others in the family, but she's mine alone. She's my shadow, accompanying me to every single room of the house, including the laundry room and bathroom. She howls like a lunatic when she hears my truck pull into the driveway and paces maniacally when I'm not home. If she can't see me, she panics. She won't eat in any room unless I'm in it.

I've never loved a dog like I've loved Sadie. She's getting up there in years and that makes me sad. Some days, I have to go and wake her; she doesn't hear as well as she used to. She misses the bed now on her first leap. Many times I just pick her up and forgo the inevitable thump I hear when she doesn't quite make the jump.

I know that one day I'll lose her and that's why I spend every day loving her like it's her last day.

Beast that she is.

Trying Something New

2009-06-18T14:05:00.000-07:00

I feel kind of bad. I haven't accomplished much of anything today, except that picture above and making grilled cheese and tomato soup for lunch. Lazy days of summer are here at this house for sure.

Tonight I'm heading out with my friend Lisa to practice some shots around dusk and whatever else floats our boats. I'm looking forward to it, especially since these boys of mine have decided not to model for me for at least a week. That really stinks because they're my favorite subjects. I might end up photographing animals.

I'd be out at a park or something if it wasn't 500 degrees outside right now. There are plenty of flowers in bloom, but honestly, I want something more creative. I want to photograph strange things, like this amazing bug I found at the train tracks last weekend. Strangest insect I've ever seen. I was only able to get it on my camera phone, but we all know how lousy those shots can be. But, I promise that before summer is over, I will have that bug on this blog.

While I wait for evening, I think I'll take one of those summertime naps I so love.

Two For the Road

2009-06-17T20:59:00.000-07:00

Christian aka. The Butter

2009-06-17T19:28:00.000-07:00

This is Christian. We call him The Butter. Now before folks say, "He's 15, you should call him something else", we've asked him which he prefers. He likes to be called Butter at home and for his friends to call him Chris.

He has an awesome sense of humor. He danced around with this umbrella for awhile before I could get him to settle down. It didn't help that Trey was off to one side egging him on.

He was heavily involved with the editing of these pictures. He had to approve which ones made it onto the blog. This was ok'd because he felt like he looked rugged.

I love this one. It explains why he wants a fedora and wing-tips. This picture merely captured the classic he'll one day be.

A Short But True Story

2009-06-16T15:01:00.000-07:00

When we lived in Georgia, our sons were fascinated by the lumber train that passed our house twice a day.

No matter where they were or what they were doing, they would run as fast as their little legs could carry them to the front window to see it pass by. They would stare in rapt attention with their noses pressed against the glass as car after car filled with logs and wood chips sped by. We always thought this was cute, especially if it was well past dark when the train would go by. Even then, the excitement would override the fact that they could not see it in the blackness outside.

One night, the train seemed especially loud. Over the years we had become accustomed to the sound of the rumbling and grinding and rarely heard it if it passed in the night. But this night was different. My husband is a deep sleeper and that night, the train woke him, too. It seemed as if we had left a window open and the sound was so crisp and clear.

But then we heard something that made our skin crawl. "Train! Train!"

We knew who that was and suddenly, we sat bolt upright in the bed and looked at each other horrified.

Sprinting through the house, we found the front door wide open. We could still hear the cries of train but we could not see The Butter at all.

Venturing outside, my husband found our two year old standing in the front yard in his footy-pajamas joyfully jumping up and down with delight.

Thankfully, the boy was safe and we put a lock at the top of the door. It never happened again. It's only taken 13 years to start laughing about it.

Trains

2009-06-15T16:49:00.000-07:00

So my friend Lisa and I went off on a photo shoot in Vail, Arizona Saturday. We're not professionals. It's just fun to say, "Photo shoot" like it's all important.

Is this a trestle? I'm not sure.

This fella took forever to arrive. It was a full load coming from Tucson and heading towards El Paso. I always think tortillas and salsa when I hear El Paso.

Ya know what though, by the time it reached me, he was going at a pretty good clip. He was heading downhill once he made it around that curve.

There's just something about trains that makes them worth waiting for.

The Wayfaring Stranger

2009-06-14T16:31:00.000-07:00

Often called a "white" spiritual, Wayfaring Stranger plaintively tells of the trials and tribulations of life and the promised reward at the end. Not a hymn, but certainly a song worth noting.

Buddy Greene's passionate harmonica playing made this version of Wayfaring Stranger hauntingly beautiful. (Click the title below to hear it. "I Am a Pilgrim" is the bonus song at the end.)

Wayfaring Stranger/I Am a Pilgrim by Buddy Greene
I'm just a poor wayfaring stranger
trav'ling through this world of below.
there's no sickness, toil nor danger
In that bright world to which I go.
I'm going there to meet my father
I'm going there no more to roam;
I am just going over Jordan
I am just going over home.

I know dark clouds will gather o'er me
I know my pathway's rough and steep;
But golden fields lie out before me
Where weary eyes no more shall weep.
I'm going there to see my mother
She said she'd meet me when I come
I am just going over Jordan
I am just going over home.

I'll soon be free from every trial
This form will rest beneath the sod
I'll drop the cross of self denial,
And enter in my home with God.
I'm going there to see my Saviour
Who shed for me His precious blood
I am just going over Jordan
I am just going over home.

I Couldn't Resist

2009-06-13T10:07:00.001-07:00

Random Love

2009-06-13T08:26:00.000-07:00

There is something about this kid...

...that this dog loves

and this dog adores.

Maybe it is because this kid loved them first.

Trey and the Dogs

2009-06-12T20:07:00.000-07:00

Wheee!

2009-06-12T19:23:00.000-07:00

Click on a picture for a full size shot.

Sneak Peek

2009-06-12T14:08:00.001-07:00

Are You Kidding Me?

2009-06-12T09:58:00.000-07:00

The UPS truck rattled down our street roughly 15 minutes ago and slowed down a little bit as it neared our house. The driver reached behind him and grasped a small brown box and tossed it towards our front porch. It landed in an empty aquarium we had put outside to be cleaned. (It cannot be seen from the street; our HOA would have a duck if they saw it.)

Excitedly, I called Trey and asked him if he wanted to accompany me to the kitchen to use one of the steak knives to open the box. This really is for safety/verification purposes because we are the two clumsiest people in the house. Really.

Slicing through the tape and removing the packaging material, I spied the booty inside.

Guess what it was?

Another stupid battery. No charger. Just another battery.

I told the Bald Avenger of the mistake and before I could say anything else, he'd called the store, explained the foul-up and had a $25 gift certificate for an actual charger.

Now, I must see if the battery is charged enough to rip some photos of Trey off the camera.

Oh wait, the software for the other camera is on my other computer, which as we all know by now, is on life support. I need to quickly get out of this mood!

Dear Lord, thank You for this day, for this battery and for this amazing life You have so graciously given me. Please forgive me my disappointment in the battery and instead, instill in me a grateful heart. I now have two and that's more than enough...more than I deserve. Thank You. Amen.

The Story Behind "It Is Well"

2009-06-11T17:08:00.000-07:00

"It Is Well with My Soul" is a very influential hymn penned by hymnist Horatio Spafford and composed by Philip Bliss.

This hymn was written after several traumatic events in Spafford’s life. The first was the death of his only son in 1871, shortly followed by the great Chicago Fire which ruined him financially (he had been a successful lawyer). Then in 1873, he had planned to travel to Europe with his family on the S.S. Ville du Havre, but sent the family ahead while he was delayed on business concerning zoning problems following the Great Chicago Fire. While crossing the Atlantic, the ship sank rapidly after a collision with a sailing ship, the Loch Earn, and all four of Spafford's daughters died. His wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram, "Saved alone." Shortly afterwards, as Spafford traveled to meet his grieving wife, he was inspired to write these words as his ship passed near where his daughters had died.*

Bertha Spafford Vester, Horatio Spafford's daughter, born in 1878 wrote the following in her book "Our Jerusalem."

In Chicago, Father searched his life for explanation. Until now, it had flowed gently as a river. Spiritual peace and worldly security had sustained his early years, his family life and his home....... All around him people were asking the unvoiced question; "What guilt had brought this sweeping tragedy to Anna and Hoaratio Spafford?" ..... Father became convinced that God was kind and that he would see his children again in heaven. This thought calmed his heart, but it was to bring Father into open conflict with what was then the Christian world........ On the way across the Atlantic, the captain called Mr. Goodwin and Father into his private cabin.

"A careful reckoning has been made," he told them, "and I believe we are now passing the place where the Ville du Havre was wrecked."

Father wrote to Aunt Rachel: On thursday last we passed over the spot where she went down, in mid-ocean, the water three miles deep. But I do not think of our dear ones there. They are safe, folded, the dear lambs, and there, before very long, shall we be too. In the meantime, thanks to God, we have an opportunity to serve and praise Him for His love and mercy to us and ours. "I will praise Him while I have my being." May we each one arise, leave all, and follow Him.

To Father, this was a passing through the "valley of the shadow of death," but his faith came through triumphant and strong. On the high seas, near the place where his children perished, he wrote the hymn that was to give comfort to so many:

When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea-billows roll,
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to know;
"It is well, it is well with my soul."

Tho' Satan should buffet, tho' trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed his own blood for my soul.

My sin - oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin - not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to His cross and I bear it no more;
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, oh my soul.

And, Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll,
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend-
A song in the night, oh my soul !
(Changed later to:"Even so - it is well with my soul.")

the following verse was added to the familiar version some time later
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live,
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou shalt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

(continuing with Bertha Spafford's story);

That he could write such words at such a time was made possible by the fierceness of his struggle and the completeness of the victory.

P. P. Bliss, the predecessor of Sankey with Mr. Moody wrote the music for this hymn. "It is Well with My Soul" became famous and appeared in many hymn books; it is still sung in many Protestant churches.**

Spafford Hymn
* Information from Wikipedia
**Information from www.spaffordhymn.com

I found several versions of It Is Well on You Tube and I don't want to act like I'm particular to just the Gaither series, but frankly, David Phelps sings this song with so much emotion, it's hard not to tear up.

Oh Come ON Already

2009-06-11T15:50:00.000-07:00

<----See that?

It's a battery for my camera. Sadly, that battery is dead and my battery charger is missing.

It's not just misplaced, it's as if the charger itself was kidnapped and we're merely waiting around for the ransom demand. We've looked everywhere and I mean everywhere for it.

I've emptied closets, drawers and boxes in the garage. I've sent the boys on missions to dig through trash cans and bags. I even had one of them remove every single dog toy from the dog basket in search of the elusive charger (four dogs, mountains of toys). As each search came up empty, the more my spirits would sag.

Tuesday night, my Bald Avenger ordered a new charger for me since Tucson apparently has something against carrying this particular brand of camera equipment. I'm not surprised about that either seeing as how the Ritz Camera shop in the mall recently shuttered its doors.

So, for the past couple of days, I've run squealing like a little girl to the front window every time I hear a truck passing by, hoping against hope that it's a brown truck slowing to a stop in front of my house. Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever seen a slow UPS truck. As it is, when boxes are delivered, the driver usually just tosses them onto the front porch as he races by.

I love to take pictures. I'm addicted to telling stories through photographs. Since the camera died and the charger went MIA, I've had to go through withdrawals akin to the ones I survived after switching from regular Pepsi to Diet. This isn't a pretty experience.

On the flip-side, I've spent more time talking with my older son, about my camera charger. I think he's tired of my ranting because he took off for summer school this morning and only recently came home.

For now, I'm going to read some email and then go make something for sup...wait! Did you hear that? I think there's a truck outside!

So I Heard This Song...

2009-06-10T16:13:00.000-07:00

I love a good hymn.

I love the words, the voices, the instruments (even if the instrument is a lone voice) and the feelings that come with listening to a great hymn. I know I'm not alone in my love for the music that praises Jesus, shows reverence for God and tells the story of sinners saved by God's mercy and grace.

But how many of us know the stories behind some of the most beloved hymns ever written? We sing hymns at church and most of the time, we don't know who wrote the song or the story behind it.

Every now and then, I'll post the story and lyrics of some of the most popular hymns ever and if I can find it, I'll post a video.

Clara Tear Williams (pictured above) wrote the hymn, Satisfied.

Here is a short summary of her life:

Born: September 22, 1858, near Painesville Lake, Ohio.

Died: July 1, 1937, Houghton, New York.

Buried: Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Houghton, New York

Williams served as pastor of a Wesleyan Methodist church in Indiana, Pennsylvania; of the Willow Wesleyan Methodist Church in New York some time between 1890 and 1895; and in 1901 became a circuit riding preacher for the Pine Grove circuit, an uncommon position for a woman at the time.

She served that circuit five years, preaching in the towns of Dixonville, Hillsdale, Rich Hill, and Spruce. She later helped Mary DePew conduct evangelism campaigns in Indiana, Michigan and Ohio (1882-1885). She married W. Williams in May 1895, and continued to work as an evangelist. From 1900 to 1920, she and her husband co-pastored Wesleyan churches in Pennsylvania and Ohio.

"About 1875, I was helping in meetings in Troy, Ohio, where Professor R. E. Hudson conducted the singing, when, just before retiring one night, he asked me to write a song for a book he was preparing to publish. Before sleeping, I wrote “Satisfied.” In the morning, he composed the music." Clara Tear Williams

And here is a beautiful rendition of Satisfied by The Gaither Vocal Band

All my life I had a longing
For a drink from some clear spring,
That I hoped would quench the burning
Of the thirst I felt within.

Refrain

Hallelujah! I have found Him
Whom my soul so long has craved!
Jesus satisfies my longings,
Through His blood I now am saved.

Feasting on the husks around me,
Till my strength was almost gone,
Longed my soul for something better,
Only still to hunger on.

Refrain

Poor I was, and sought for riches,
Something that would satisfy,
But the dust I gathered round me
Only mocked my soul’s sad cry.

Refrain

Well of water, ever springing,
Bread of life so rich and free,
Untold wealth that never faileth,
My Redeemer is to me.

Refrain

“He satisfies the thirsty, and fills the hungry with good things.” Psalm 107:9

Respectable Sins

2009-06-10T14:13:00.000-07:00

I am currently participating in a bible study with some sweet girls from church. We're reading Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges.

I didn't get to go today because I had to register my oldest son for summer school.

He has to sit in Algebra II for seven hours a day, at least four days. Ouch. I feel sorry for the guy because he struggled all year in Algebra II Honors and just couldn't pull it off. What a way to wreck a summer, huh?

Digressing...

It is unbelievably fascinating (disturbing is more like it) the number of sins that we as Christians have begun to tolerate. I shouldn't say begun, though. These sins have long been tolerated by the Christian community and we should be ashamed of ourselves. I know I am.

Bridges points out the fact that Christians are all too often eager to point out the sins of others, ignoring the logs sticking out of our own eyes. We grumble, rant and rave about abortion, giving it a value worse than our own sins of pride, gossip, anger, bitterness and lust. Who are we to do that?

God made it clear that to violate one law, we in turn violate the entire law. Just one is enough to bring judgment and condemnation. Shouldn't we as Christians look in the mirror and repent of the sins we keep hidden? Just because our neighbor doesn't know that we have a grudge against them doesn't mean that God is unaware.

I know this study is going to cause me to do some serious self-examination in the weeks to come and I hope I can come out on the other side with more fruits of the Spirit than I had when I began the study.

I would love to hear from others about how they are dealing with these respectable sins.

The Computer is Barely Alive

2009-06-10T07:23:00.000-07:00

Gentlemen, we can rebuild it. We have the technology. We have the capacity to build a better computer. Better, stronger, faster.*

In the meantime, feel free to enjoy less than stellar photography.

*Shameless butchering of the opening monologue from The Six Million Dollar Man.

Sunday

2009-06-07T09:48:00.000-07:00

The power of bacon.

Click pictures for full shots.

Saturday

2009-06-06T11:41:00.000-07:00

When life isn't going your way, think bacon.

Coming Back Soon

2009-06-04T07:49:00.000-07:00

My computer is in the hospital in Tucson.

Sadly, it was viciously attacked by numerous viruses and malware and before we knew it, the poor computer was comatose.

I wouldn't mind losing the hard drive if they had to wipe it out. However, I have over 5000 pictures on that baby and I wasn't giving up the fight for our family history that easy.

I prayed to God for a happy outcome and through my sweet Bald Avenger and his colleagues, we were granted just that.

I have to pay them in homemade bread.

With all that bread stinking up the place, I'm determined to resist the urge to slice it while it's hot and smack some real butter on it.

Why?

Because I've lost four pounds this week, that's why.

Yay and all that.

Puddles

2009-05-31T16:40:00.001-07:00

I fell in love with these puddles nearly 17 years ago. The older he gets, the more beautiful he becomes.

A Domesticated Jesus?

2009-05-31T09:13:00.000-07:00

May 30 by Sam Guzman

“There are a lot of popular versions of Jesus in culture. There’s a Republican Jesus who’s for free-market economics. There’s a Democrat Jesus against Wall Street and Wal-Mart. There’s a therapist Jesus who helps us cope with life’s problems. There’s a Starbucks Jesus who loves fair trade coffee and Apple computers. There’s a touchdown Jesus who helps Christians run faster and jump higher. There’s the martyr Jesus who died so that we could feel sorry for him. There’s nice guy Jesus. There’s spirituality Jesus. There’s good example Jesus.

And then there’s Jesus of Nazareth.

Jesus asks, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter says, “You are the Christ of God.”

Most people have a shrunken, domesticated Christ who is safe, easy and manageable instead of the real Christ. The closer you get to him the more you love him and the more you fear him. God is calling you to stop playing games and to stop making excuses and to open your eyes to see Jesus as the Christ. He is more glorious and loving and gracious and powerful and more wonderfully terrifying that any of us can ever imagine.”

-Kevin DeYoung

My Favorite Subjects

2009-05-29T19:48:00.000-07:00

If I could, I'd spend hours photographing these guys. But, look what happens barely a half hour into it.

They get a little crazy and do whatever they can to make me put the camera away.

Apparently, they forget who has the Photoshop.

Extraordinarily Ordinary

2009-05-29T19:24:00.000-07:00

The most fascinating aspect of this picture is the lack of fascination that accompanies looking at it.

To have a horse walk up to you and stand in your line of sight can be a little disconcerting. I took his picture and then gave him a five-spot to beat it out of there.

What Was That Again?

2009-05-29T16:57:00.000-07:00

I wonder what this thing used to haul. I also wonder what it was called.

Same with this old rail car. What is the name of this thing?

Sometimes, words aren't necessarily necessary. Those times for me are usually when I haven't a clue what the subject in my picture is called.

A Dog

2009-05-29T16:26:00.000-07:00

I love this dog.

I couldn't tell you his breed. I heard somewhere along the way that he has heeler in him.

I think there's a lot of bum in him, too.

Gospel! Old Style!

2009-05-26T19:48:00.000-07:00

There's just something about Old Time Gospel music that sits sweet in my heart. I love that this blessed music isn't lost completely on the younger crowd.

Swing Down Sweet Chariot and Sweet, Sweet Spirit are just two songs we'd sing in church in Macon, Georgia. How I miss it!

However, these guys sing both songs so well, you'd think you're standing in church on a Sunday morning!

We Remember

2009-05-25T13:29:00.000-07:00

"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety,
is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."

- John Stewart Mill

A Reflection

2009-05-22T17:29:00.000-07:00

I did not know him, but his headstone spoke volumes about him. I can't help but remember those who fought for our freedom.

A peaceful clearing near the cemetery in St. David.

Click the pictures to see them full size.

Pictures Here and There

2009-05-19T17:27:00.000-07:00

A Day at Agua Caliente

2009-05-17T06:51:00.000-07:00

It's been over a hundred degrees lately. We watched this little guy for awhile before I decided that I was a bit envious of him.

Peaceful.

This was to the right of the spot where we laid a blanket in the shade.

We were shocked at how many people ignored the signs that forbid swimming in this area.

This is one of the many shots I took upside down or laying on the blanket and merely rolling over.

2009-05-10T14:44:00.000-07:00

Have a blessed Mother's Day!

Fun

2009-05-08T20:17:00.000-07:00

One man's eyesore...

...becomes a piece of art.

Progress

2009-05-07T18:26:00.000-07:00

Although I am not keeping a journal/blog on my weight loss like my husband, suffice it to say that I am dropping the pounds, too.

Today was my first weight and measurement since I joined Curves.

Down three pounds and three inches.

Just oh, yeah. Awesome!

Sunday Afternoon Gospel

2009-05-03T17:43:00.000-07:00

Stark Beauty

2009-05-02T19:17:00.000-07:00

I love this picture.

Oh Yeah, They Were That Good

2009-05-02T18:38:00.000-07:00

See that? I made it this afternoon for my boys.

While I prepared it, they happily munched chips and salsa and repeatedly said, "Man! That smells good!" They were so right.

There was not one thing healthy about these sandwiches. So they were perfect.

Check out Pioneer Woman for Marlboro Man's Favorite Sandwich!

A Little Fun

2009-04-30T18:55:00.000-07:00

While fiddling around with one of the photo editors I have, I inadvertently changed this plain corral shot into an interesting piece.

Playing around with photos helps keep me out of trouble.

As always, click the picture for a larger view.