The Sea was calling

A windblown beauty

 

The oldest and the youngest

Looks like it belongs in a bento box

The exuberance of youth

Thursday's Camera

May God shed his grace on America anew.  Without his implored presense, these flags are vacant banners in the wind.  All freedom leads back to Christ.

My boys were licking their lips as Ben concetrates on adding just the right amount of seasoning.  We have steaks only every six months so it was a rare treat.

Tomatoes and beans from our garden.

Over several weeks, we bought lumber, lugged it, measured it, cut it, nailed it, bruised our bodies, strained our legs, constructed sections, broke drill bits, and finally cemented our 75 foot trellis.  It is our Great Wall.  It separates the East from the West, but it just happens, in our yard both sides are free.  

I am pretty proud of those four in the foreground and well, that Great Wall in the background might as well be a fifth child (only kidding). 

Shirt hems pulled upward make excellent produce carriers.

Boys pose differently than girls.

Waxy Resemblance

These photos I found amazing.  Take a look at "View Gallery" on the left hand side too. 

http://news.yahoo.com/madame-tussauds-unveils-queens-jubilee-waxwork-120317507.html

Read by Moonlight

A could-have-been tragic childhood is dappled in moonlight.  With secular momentum the author choose to be a servant leader to her needy mother and younger sisters.  Her sense of duty and what is right is strangely steadfast.  I think she graciously writes about her parents who were particularly bad examples.  Her step dad and his parents brought her some much needed stability.  The book is subtly about forgiveness and relationships.

Snake Handlers

Fritz spotted this 60 inch snake in the middle of our street the other day. As Ben reached down to grab it, the snake reared its ugly head and darted its tongue. Ben's youth, which could make a Texas tall tale, was full of adventures with Rattlers. Consequently, Ben didn't think twice when he handled this Texas Rat Snake.

I, on the other hand, lived the life of a city girl and was convinced the snake had the head of a diamond, perhaps 500 carats, and the venom of 100 cobras. My Saturday would have been perfectly bright without experiencing a reptile up close. If I had had the nerve, I would have hit the snake with a 2 by 4 if Alex hadn't done so first. Ben, who is outdoor educated, was horrified that his eldest would hurt a perfectly beautiful snake. Heartless me couldn't have cared less. Inwardly I delighted that I could trust Alex to be a man of action and to slay (or, at least, daze) all the monsters in my life.

While the snake was in a semi-stunned state from the jolt to his noggin, Alex held it. Even still, the snake curled its tail around Alex's arm and started to constrict. Now if that doesn't give you goose bumps, I don't know what will.

FYI: The snake was relocated to our neighborhood creek. Maybe he'll think twice before heading this way again.

This Birdbrain

Yesterday my neighbor asked us if we wanted to take care of a baby mockingbird who had fallen out of the nest in her yard. Well, why not? We took a box over and collected the birdie from under a prickly bush.

Jane attempted to feed him a live worm. No go. He was quaking in fear. We tried birdseed, a fresh garden tomato and a snail. He kept his beak tight as if he already had been warned that humans might try to poison his supper. He was untrusting and I don't blaim him. There are some spiritual parrallels between the bird and me. I think I am wary of the good gifts from above when they aren't served how I expect them to be. Why can't I grasp that God delights in satisfying his birdies' souls with the richest of fare? He never makes mistakes. He invites us to come drink living water and feast on the best in Isaiah 55. Do I believe His Word, or don't I? Sometimes I act like the rescued baby bird and want independence rather than union with my Rescuer.

Considering my own rebellious streak, it shouldn't have surprised me that the baby bird started a-squawking and hopped right out of the safety of his box. That's when we decided we couldn't tame a wild bird, and he preferred to be outside under the prickly bush where maybe his mother would come back and find him. What touched me most is that my husband consoled the girls by reminding them that God cares for the sparrows. Therefore, you can assume that mockingbirds and birdbrains, alike, are safe in God's keeping.