My Friend Millie

Millie adds so much joy to my life.  I'm so thankful for her!

AfterChristmas Cleaning

Our Christmas Tree is coming down today, marking the finale of 2014.  And what a year this has been!

  The #1 Highlight was the arrival of Miles Geoffrey.  Such a beautiful baby boy!  And such a miraculous birth story, complete with a life flight to Great Falls.  Even though I know him solely through FaceTime now, I love this little guy so very much.  Seven months has sped by.  Seven months since I've seen my youngest and her precious brood.  And, sadly for me, no end to this separation of time and distance seems to be in sight.  And I'm so grateful that Anna has been so faithful in letting me glimpse her world.

God has filled this time with Himself.  And He has greatly blessed this span with touches of Heaven.  The greatest of these is being able to have Becca, Liz, and Paul in my life.  Kinder, more loving 

children can't be found.  Liz and Paul left Saturday.  Thank you, Lord, that they are but two hours away.  And Becca is right here in Dalton.  What blessings!

I look forward to 2015.  Getting our little home clean and in order seems symbolic of getting my heart and life prepared for meeting this new gift of time.  Who knows....this may be the year of meeting You, face to face!

A Mighty Fortress

The Citidel.  Halifax's bulwurk of protection.  Hundreds of years old.  Never put to the test.  And yet maintained, guarded, and displayed by troops to this day.  Vigilence exemplified.

May our nation's citizens, as well, guard and protect our freedoms.  Paul Ryan's quote: "In a nation where all is free except its citizens" rings in my heart.  May our eyes be opened to the battle which surrounds us here.  And may we, as Citizens, not only of the United States but also of Heaven itself, watchfully stand and watch and pray.



Despise Not the Day of Little Things



Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

And yet I say unto you: 

That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 

Matthew 6:28-29

Inverness, contd

Inverness

Years ago, right after my mother died, Becca took me to Maui.  Until I saw Cape Breton, Maui held my heart as the most beautiful ocean view in the world.  Now, the Lord allowed me to see the ocean in a totally new setting, just as gorgeous, and now just as dear to my soul.

Inverness by the Sea.  We stumbled upon this beach simply by "accident", although I am now more convinced than ever that there are absolutely no accidents for a child of our Heavenly Father.  An old fisherman in a grocery store where we stopped told us that in order to get an ocean view we should just drive down the road, and, when we came upon a place to turn, we should do just that.  This was the result of following his directions.  We spent a heavenly couple of hours here, following the boardwalk, and later, simply meandering down the sandy shore.  Again....we were virtually alone.  An older lady walking her dog, an old fisherman doing the same, a fellow sea gazer attempting to capture the view, frame by frame, as we were.  All seemed to share our hearts of wonder and gratitude for the paradise before us.

The Cabot Trail

What a glorious gift from our Lord to be able to behold such a place.  And we were virtually alone on the path around the perimeter of Cape Breton.  I had forgotten how much my heart had yearned for the ocean, and its symphony of sounds---sea breezes blowing through the conifers, crashing waves on the rocks below, an occasional sand piper crying from the shore.  The colors were as vivid as any I've ever seen.  I debated in my mind as to which was the deeper azure--the ocean below or the sky that surrounded me.  And the unspoiled purity of the place.  I've never breathed in air that was cleaner or a more delightful concoction of smells---the salty mist of the ocean, the wet red soil's earthiness, the occasional pungent waft from nearby fir trees.  The sea breezes became soft caresses on my skin.  Could I have been literally brushed by the wings of angels here?  Only eternity will tell.

My soul is learning to be both still and quiet.  Man's words would have somehow spoiled the beauty here.  God's voice had already spoken this landscape into being......and that was enough.

Badeck, The Beginning of the Cabot Trail

Badeck, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia

We arrived in Badeck, the final home of Alexander Graham Bell.  Two of the most beautiful bits of history that I gained here were the fact of Bell's true humility and his love of the simple beauty of nature.

He wished to be remembered solely as a teacher of the deaf.

He wanted his home to overlook the ocean and to be away from the bustle of big cities.



Views around Alma.

View from our little hotel:  Bay of Fundy at low tide, complete with rainbow.  Little local snack shack where we had a wonderful lobster roll for supper.

Views from Alma, New Brusnwick.  The top left picture and middle bottom picture were rainbows we saw on our way.

Trip to Nova Scotia

At this very moment, Becca and I are in Alma, New Brunswick.  Tomorrow we're headed to Baddeck, Nova Scotia.  I've dreamed of this trip for a life time.  At 63 I've decided to attempt to fullfill my "bucket list".  If I have energy, I'll comment on the pictures.  If not, I'll simply post pictures.  The beauty is overwhelming....and I never realized how HUGE the landscape is here.  For family who is sweltering in the heat, I hate to tell you.....but I know we'll be wearing sweatshirts tomorrow:)
Now....I try to post.  It's been over a year......

A Beautiful Summer Evening

Liz has been here today. What a blessing this has been. This afternoon Rebecca, Liz, and I drove to Chickamauga Battlefield around sunset. Becca and I had watched "Glory" last weekend, and the Civil War and it's stories became alive for us through this. Since Chickamauga is just down the road from our little home, we drove there after dinner tonight.
The total peace of its rolling hills, wooded landscape and verdant pastures was such a contrast to the horrific battle that had taken place there 150 years ago. Deer and wild turkeys were in abundance this afternoon. They seemed totally unperturbed by our presence. Liz even called to a young buck and his doe. They braved an approach tp our car after her call. And they seemed just as curious about us as we were about them. I love occasions when supposedly "wild" animals stop and stare at me. I felt at times tonight that they were literally looking into my very soul.
The intense heat seemed to wane a little as we waited in the shade for these beautiful creatures of God. And I could not help but think of the Psalm, "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures, and He leadeth me beside the still waters."

Caleb

This BB is just too tired to blog much this evening. This "Mountain Mama" is exhausted after her trek to "Almost Heaven"......
But I simply had to post a few pictures of my youngest grandson. He is a delight and a joy. A beautiful blessing from our Father. Caleb seems laid back and relaxed but is very alert when awake. The miracle of his birth still amazes me of God's care for His children.
And to think that this granny now has two grandsons!! What a gift and what a joy!
Will write more another day soon, after I recouperate from the blissful, joy-filled days of the past few weeks.....

Easter Memories

There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel's veins
And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.

The dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in his day
And there may I, though vile as he, wash all my sins away.

Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood shall never lose its pow'r
Till all the ransomed Church of God be saved to sin no more.

E'er since by faith I saw the stream Thy flowing wounds supply
Redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die.

Morning Has Broken

These were the views outside my window this morning. It's Friday, which means a very "laid-back" day at the office. The springtime and the mountains are calling me. The hills are beginning to "green" before my eyes. It's as if God is taking a watercolor brush to the greys and browns. He touches them with pink and white and soft green and highlights His handiwork with the golden light of the sun. Life is peaceful, even amidst the turmoil that has become the definition of our larger world. Here, on my little mountaintop, "all is well," and my soul is filled with His presence. He has set my feet upon a Rock and has transplanted this Texan to grow, anew, in North Georgia.

Another Macon Cherry Blossom Festival

Thank you, Dad and Bea for showing us around your beautiful city yesterday.
The drive was enjoyable and refreshing. The hues of pinks and whites everywhere were simply stunning.
Thanks for making the delicious lunch, for chauffering us around, and for sharing your hometown with us.
The day was so special, and we appreciate all you did for us!

A Golden Afternoon for St. Patrick's Day

My girls always called this time of day "the golden time".
Here in Dalton we've had a long cold winter. Even yesterday, I was bundled in a jacket and we started our little gas fireplace for the evening. But then the morning arrived, and it seems that Spring herself arrived as well. I made a trip to Lowe's and bought some potting soil and new flowers for our beds. And this evening, as I was sitting in the dining room typing my dad's memoirs, these beautiful daffodils smiled at me through the window. They were like translucent gold for a brief moment as the sunlight shone through their petals....and then, all too quickly it seemed, the sun sank behind the hills, and nightime fell. But not before leaving me a true pot of gold for this St. Patrick's Day.

Remembering......

On this very rainy spring afternoon, I find my mind drifting, both to past joys and to future blessings. How I look forward to New Baby R! And how much I cherish memories of little Neil!
Grandchildren are, indeed, the treasures of growing older, and they really are the sunshine on the path of Life.
The LORD has graced these latter years of my life with riches beyond my wildest dreams.... And, unless God calls me Home, He has even more in store in July.....double the joy, in fact! How truly amazing is His grace!

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.