Tired

Even the snow that fell last night seems tired and worn. Patchy white, semi-covering the dormant grass and plants outside.....
I've had a bout with the flu the last few days. So I'm tired, as well,....and worn.
But, as a dear long ago friend, Patty Payne, once cross-stitched "This, too, shall pass". And, sure enough the sun is breaking through, the clouds are dissipating, and patches of blue are peeking through the grey and brown landscape. My bout with the flu is also rounding the bend, and I'm able to sit up this afternoon.
I am constantly reminded of all that TODAY holds....even with its seemingly dull palette of somber colors. The air outside is cool, but not cold, today. The red new limbs of the trees hold their promise of spring to come. And my tulips and hycianths are, hopefully, gaining strength for their days of glory that are soon to come.
All of this....and memories of my precious little grandson (these are the last of my pics from my trip last week) to see me through. Thank you Lord, for Your faithfulness!

Views from Anna's Windows....and an Angel

Animals on the Farm by Choo Choo Soul

Well, I'm back at home.....and missing my little grandson more than ever....
Neil, you really do "light up my life"! What would this granny do without you?!!
This moment seemed to capture your absolute delight in all things musical....and things with rhythm!! The pictures are blurred because you have "moves", Neil!! How I love to see you express yourself!
And how I love being with you as you dance around your living room!

Of Monsters and Cookies and Playdough

The weather outside is frightful....
But inside with Neil.....delightful:)!
What joy!

Oh the Things Good Dads Will Endure for Their Families!!

Thank you, P, for going through this for your family! J and B, thank you both so much for being such dear examples and teachers for your son!
I am so blessed to have two sons-in-law who care so deeply for their families!

More of Little Neil......

P had a conference in Boston this week. Here's little Neil all dressed and ready to "go" and then watching his dad load the car. He has really good dance "moves"....especially for not quite two.....and, oh, how he loves his daddy! It touched my heart this morning when the first thing Neil did was to take a picture of his family, say "Daddy" and then kiss and hug P's picture:)

Neil, You Are My Sunshine

It's such a snowy day in Connecticut.....but this is what is making my days:) Is this baby not the most angelic little guy! He has been a constant source of laughter and joy! Grey skies, ice, and snow cannot damper the light that is glowing inside this dear little home:) Ahhh....the blessings of grandparenting!

All I do is think of you....

All day through....
Morning, noon, and nightime, too....I think of you!

Round trip to Boston tonight. 12" of snow coming tomorrow. Historic ice storm due Wednesday. But inside cozy and warm....and full of sheer delight!
Neil.....I love you with all my heart. Baby R.....Amazing things happen to grannies when new babies arrive.....My heart will grow twice it's current size once you're here! So there's plenty of room for you, as well, dear Child;)!

What a Way to Start a Day!!

I'm here in Connecticut this morning.....and THIS was my view as I ate breakfast this morning:)! Pure HEAVEN!! .... complete with the Littlest Angel!!

Happy 90th Birthday, Dad!

Ninety years......and counting....And may there be many days of blessing ahead!
I thank God for you, Dad. He has taught me so many valuable lessons through growing up in your home:

A true work ethic,
the importance of a disciplined life,
the beauty of order,
perseverance,
frugality,
the importance of living an uncluttered life,
determination,
diligence
loyalty to our employers,
dedication to our LORD's Church,
the knowledge that wealth and "things" do not equal a man's character nor value,
the lesson that difficulties in life can be used to build character,
the lesson that hard work does pay off in the end,
the truth that "blood" does not equal "family,"
the knowledge that our true reputation comes from God alone,
the truth that love wins out in the end,
the knowledge that God does provide, protect, and bless...."even to our grey hair"!

I love you, Dad.
May I be the kind of daughter and mother that will bring you honor.
Thank you and Mother for taking me "as your own" 62 years ago.
May the LORD richly bless you as you continue the "race set before you"
May your 90th year be full of joy and peace,
And may this season of your life truly be used for His glory and honor.

So many times, when I think of you, Dad, I find the chorus to "Victory in Jesus" running through my mind. I can see you singing that song in dear Central Baptist Church many years ago. "He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my life is due Him. He plunged me to victory with His redeeming love."

My prayer for you today, Dad, is from Proverbs 9:10-11:

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
For by me your days will be multiplied,
And years of life will be added to you.

Of Memies, Mallows, and Things that Go Vroom

How life changes when grandchildren arrive! I can remember well when packing for a trip involved getting clothes, pj's and make-up into one suitcase!!!!. Now......just throwing in a few pairs of jeans, sweatshirts, and long-johns....and the rest of my luggage is devoted to holding my "Granny Stache":)
We're off to share my dad's 90th birthday with Dad and Bea. More about that in the next blog.....

p.s. I learned a new "granny time" game last week when interviewing for BBBS. "Snowtime Hide and Go Seek" . Hide the "king sized" campfire marshmallows in the snow. When the child finds the mallow, he can make a s'more with it! Or more fun.....make little mallow snow men....Then hide them in the snow! Can hardly wait to try this with Neil!:)

I've heard of a lady who had hundreds of pictures made and, out of those, found one that she liked. Well, today my daughter insisted on a photo shoot.... I felt totally vain and more than a little silly....but in the end I actually found some that I liked. I believe the reason is....these pictures seem to capture just how happy I really am these days.......
God has blessed me above what I could ever have dreamed of or hoped for. I love our home, our church, my job, and the mountains I wake up to each morning. All of this....and the most beautiful grandson in the world as a source of this grandmother's pride and laughter and JOY!! (thanks to SKYPE and Transair:))
I realize more and more each day that the latter phases of life hold so many treasures to discover...
I've learned that honest aging can be so satisfying and full, that wrinkles and sags simply tell of our unique life's journeys, and that there's still the hope for adventures, and the realization of many dreams to come! I can hardly wait!!

p.s. Jenny A, Thank you so very much for the adorable scarves! As you can see...I'm enjoying them already!

More Pictures of Ocoee

Brave Hearts were actually kayaking down stream from this. One man had capsized and was holding on to a bolder in the middle of the currents. I was grateful to simply keep my footing on some of the slick patches of ice/snow....

The Thaw

After being snowbound for six days, we headed to Ocoee yesterday. These were some of the scenes from our hike there. I loved tromping through the snow, hearing the water thunder by, and taking in the wintry landscape that surrounded us.

Snowbound: Day 4

We're still in our little condo on top of the hill. Still cozy, still warm....yet, if truth be known, I'm getting a little "cabin fever";)
But hope is in sight....the sun has broken through the clouds, and patches of blue are "busting out all over"........

Our entire hill is glazed this morning. The show melted a little yesterday afternoon and then refroze overnight. The sun hitting it makes the entire landscape a blinding white and gold and frosty blue. The thaw will be coming soon, creaking and groaning like my old bones in the early morning. And with this, we will be free to roam the countryside a bit and to explore the mountains that will still be in the depths of the freeze. I'm looking forward to these adventures that await me.
The pictures above are of scenes from our yard and windows this morning.
The sun first appeared yesterday afternoon as a frosty, hazy orb in the sky. Snowflakes were drifting and floating in the surrounding sky. Then, this morning, its light broke through in earnest and gilded our entire town's rooftops in the process.
Cynthia Nicolini, from Alamo Elementary, taught me the British term "chufft" many years ago. That's exactly what the little birds on my fence were doing a bit ago. Their fluffed feathers serve as God's down comforters for them, and delight me in the process.
And the sight of Grassy Mountain in the last picture gives me hope for wonderful "treasures in the snow" tomorrow!
For today....back to coffee, and reading, and dreaming....

Let It Snow

We keep waiting for some kind of pause from the flakes coming down. So far....it's still snowing! I'm sitting in our little dining room and looking out on the scenes above. I've had quite a bit of coffee lately, and I understand my Minnesota friends' love for it.....Coffee keeps you warm:) Looks like we'll be off work for the remainder of the week. And since no one can make it up or down our hill....we're simply staying in and keeping cozy.....

Snowbound

Thank you, LORD, for the times that you force our lives to be still, to behold the beauty of your creation, and to reflect upon Your creative grace. You do provide for the fragile sparrow. And you make even the smallest terrace to become a wonder.....

Heaviest snow since the Blizzard of '93. .......
Officially, Dalton recieved 6" during the early hours today. I awoke at 4 a.m. to the scene in the first picture. (Note the fire hydrant for an accumulation gauge.) So much can happen during a span of 4 hours... There was not a flake in sight when I finally went to bed at midnight. But when I let Sophie out this morning, she was "nose deep" in white....
I'm about to pour yet another cup of coffee, settle into my chair by our little fire, and finish "In the Company of Others".....
Life is good;)

Tis very sweet to look into the fair
And open face of heaven---to breathe a prayer
Full in the smile of the blue firmament.
.... Keats

January 5, 2011

I’ve regretted several times during the past few weeks that I’m not “fully retired”. Today, as I returned to the BBBS office after a two week holiday, I realized just how isolating being retired right now would be. Being a part of the bustle and chatter in the office was not only refreshing, but energizing, as well.

I remember Jesus’s teaching “And which of you, if your child asked for bread, would you give him a stone. Your heavenly Father knows what you need before you even ask.”

I'm so thankful for my job at Big Brothers Big Sisters. God knew that I needed to be with people, even when I had little desire to be. He knew I needed the stimulation of work, when I thought I needed leisure.

I’m learning that my faith grows as I learn, not only to trust and obey, but when I learn to truly accept and embrace what He sends my way. God truly is my Provider, my Protector, and my Defender.

By the time I came home this afternoon, I was ready for quiet…..and reading…..and trying my hand at journaling once again.

Right now I’m sitting in front of our little fireplace with its flames flickering in the shadows of the room. It’s drizzling outside our windows. Sophie sits at my feet. Water is boiling in anticipation of becoming a cup of tea. My Jan Karon novel awaits me. Bliss….and gratitude.

These were the views out my back door this morning. I've been so busy with the business of getting on with my life as it has become, that I've neglected the long stretches of silent stillness that sustained me in my earlier days here. And even though I know that there has not been a day of living on my little mountain where the gift of such mornings has gone unnoticed, I know that 2010 was the a year of action more than of meditation. But now this is 2011. A new chapter of life is beginning. And I want to ponder my LORD's gifts from His creation and from His Word more intently again.
I've always believed that every event in nature speaks of God's character, tells of His grace, and sings of His glory. This morning His train literally filled the temple of my soul. The rising sun caused the remnants of past storm clouds to be colored by the reds, and purples, and golds of its dawning. And as the day began in earnest, the clouds became less and less the focus of the horizon. All nature basked in the glory of the sun itself. It's my prayer that my own life's focus will remain fixed upon Him from whom all blessings flow.

2011
Waiting for a new computer. Should be delivered tomorrow.
Can hardly wait to start taking pictures and blogging once more.

Thanking God for Groundhogs....

The grey and gloomy day gave way to gratiude and these snowy scenes by merely facing and then climbing the obstacles on the horizon. May I become a follower of Him who calls me to the heights instead of one who would sit and bemoan seeming obstacles in my path. May I not only learn to be grateful for every circumstance in my life, but also one who chooses to live and relish every moment.....

Springs of Ice

He "is the Monarch of the Mountains. They crowned him long ago. On a throne of rocks, in a robe of clouds, With a diadem of snow." Lord Byron's words from so long ago seemed so fitting for these scenes from the winding trails of the mountains. God indeed has treasures of the snow to share with any who would stop long enough and search His winter bounty. Living waters.....waiting for the coming of Spring....

Three Mornings from My Window

Snow Bound

God's blessings sometimes take the shape of snowflakes. What a blessed time being snowbound can become. The total quiet of my little hilltop home. Life's "usual" becomes instead a forced stillness. Such is God's gift of solitude..... a time for reflection and checking life's compass.