Turf!

 

 

 

No, this isn't about football!

 

What it is about, is "Boundaries"!

 

A friend is leading a group of us through a study

of the book "Boundaries",
When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life

written by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend.
She has given each of us a section of beautiful green turf
to keep in front of us during our group study
to remind us of the importance of protecting our own "turf".
 

 

 

On my morning walk with my neighbor last week
I spotted white fluffy looking blobs
scattered across the neighborhood duck pond.
Mentioning it to my walking partner, she filled me in on what they were
and how they got there.
(Click to enlarge photo)

 

 

 

They were feathers!
She told me that the Canada Geese were trying to take over the swan's territory,
and there had been quite a fight as the swans ran them off protecting their "turf"!

 

 

According to Cloud and Townsend,

"Boundaries are personal property lines that define who you are and who you are not, and influence all areas of your life."

 

Although I often have trouble deciding which of life's interruptions

are "God's appointments" ,

and which are "boundary breakers",

I noticed these swans had no trouble claiming their boundaries!

I also noticed their pond was much cleaner, less cluttered,

and more peaceful then the other pond nearby

where most of the other water fowl resided.

 

I guess it's like that in my life as well.

Like the swan's pond,

my life can be less stressed and cluttered

...if I learn how and when to apply boundaries,

and to protect my "turf"!

 

 

Click on the this link for more Boundaries information,

or click on Rock4Today to see my most recent Name of God on Rocks!

 

 

 

 



Sisters...

Family is so important to me,

but today I want to focus on "SISTERS"!

This is a picture of my Mom and her older sister.   Unfortunately, her older sister died in the great influenza outbreak shortly after this picture was taken

 

When my Mom passed away in May 1994, we sisters put our hands together for this picture.

My younger sister Marye had the photo framed and matted for me

with this inscription by Alexander Irvine in "My Lady of the Chimney" posted above it:

"...As gently as an autumn leaf falls, she laid her hand on Eliza's head.

  "Ah woman, God isn't a printed book to be carried around by a man in fine clothes, 

nor a cross danglin' at the watch chain of a priest.  

God takes a hand wherever He can find it, 

and just does what He likes with it.  

Sometimes He takes a Bishop's hand and lays it on a child's head in benediction, 

and then He takes the hand of a doctor to relieve pain; 

the hand of a mother to guide a child; 

and sometimes,

 He takes the hand of a poor old craither like me - to give comfort to a neighbor.  

But, they're all hands touched by His Spirit, 

and His Spirit is everywhere lookin' for hands to use."

This past summer we got together in South Dakota for a reunion, and attempted to take a foot picture.  My granddaughter took it with my phone camera, so the quality is not the greatest; but I can tell you that with the passing of time, we were in a much more jovial mood. Because of the magnification of the water, this is not the most flattering picture.  ...My sisters will probably let me hear about it!

Can you pick out who the sisters are in this picture?

At the same reunion, we enjoyed a "Hot Rod" event that was held in the town where we stayed.  My younger sisters and I were delighted to find a car that looked like the old "fishing car" that our brother had used to give us driving lessons. There was much laughter as we rehearsed the memories together!

Yes, ...Thank you, God, for SISTERS!

For my most recent posting of the Names of God on Rocks,

click HERE!

Rain! ...and ouR RuRal FaiR

 

 

 

After the dRought this summer,

the fiRst soaky Rain was such a blessing!
It felt so good!
It smelled so clean.
 I was SO thankful;
I didn't cancel my morning walk
and didn't mind getting wet!

 

What a blessing to see those splashes on my sundeck!

 

Living in a RURAL setting
is another thing I am thankful for! 
 

 

The County FaiR takes place each yeaR in mid SeptembeR,
and along with it, of couRse,
the FaiR PaRade.

 

 

 

 

 

ChildRen scRambled for candy
 that was tossed from vaRious floats.

 

 

 

Our "Bomb Squad" Robotics team proudly displayed their Robot
that had won them first place in WoRld Competition earlieR this yeaR.

 

 

The colorful flag twiRlers weRe followed by our high school band.

 

 

...And of couRse, a paRade wouldn't be complete
without the beautiful smiles of our cheeRleaders,

 

 

 

The usual Rides,
along with the sweet smells of caRnival food,
added to the attRactions.

 

 

 

In the exhibition building, this decoRated lunch box caught my eye,

 

 

 

...along with this unusual watermelon entRy.

 

 

 

...And as usual,
it Rained, and Rained during FaiR week!
We needed the Rain so badly, though,
that I didn't heaR a lot of gRiping!


I love the picture of God that Jeremiah portrays in this verse:
When he thunders, the waters in the heavens roar;
He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth.
He sends lightning with the rain
and brings out the wind from his storehouses.
Jeremiah 51:16



All R's capitalized for Jenny Matlock's Alphabe-ThuRsday!
For my most Recent Names of God on Rocks, click HERE!

 

 

A Quiet Place...

 

 

 

When life gets hectic and I'm feeling stressed,

I need a quiet place.

A walk to our neighborhood duck pond

often helps easy my anxiety.

This morning was no exception.

The weekend had been too full.

On returning from a brisk walk with my neighbor,

this is the sight that greeted our eyes.

 

I ran back home to get my camera.

 

 

Because of their presence blending in with the fog,
I almost missed seeing the swans getting their breakfast.

 

 

 

Watching them dunk their heads and seeing them come up
with water dripping out of their mouths was quieting and soothing to my soul.
(Click on picture to enlarge for a closer view.)

 

I am blessed to have a place like this so near.

But where can I go when I am not near this place?

To find my answer, click HERE!



Peach Thief!

My grandson caught this little squirrel "red-handed".

Last year I caught them stealing my apples!

But I didn't realize they liked peaches, too!
(Photos by Alex)

This sneaky little squirrel reminds me
of the things in life that try to steal our joy!
But in the book of John Jesus said,
"I am come that you might have life,
and that you might have it more abundantly."
I am thankful that no one can steal away from us the life that Jesus gives!



Coming soon!
God's names FOR ME to be featured on Joy4Today!
God's names on ROCKS to be continued on Rock4Today!
Thanks to  NCSue/Wordless Wednesday for an invitation to link up!