3.21.2015

Awesome Idea


We got this awesome idea last spring. It happens EVERY spring around here. 
The awesome ideas flow like tap water! Funds for financing awesome ideas don't. Most of 
the time, we remember this before we actually begin work on an awesome idea.
Awesome Idea: Build a deck behind the living room. 
We staked out the deck, making it plenty spacious, and discussed
railing options. Metal? Wood? Painted wood? Vinyl?
Did we want a roof? A partial roof? Pergola-style? Awning?
We planned to build it ourselves, we have lots of 'manpower', after all.
*To get a ballpark idea for actual cost of materials, we called for a couple of estimates.* 
In the time it took to get someone out to do an estimate, we dug the bed for this 
rock walkway. The walkway would edge right next to the deck and finally 
complete a rock path around the entire house. With the bed dug, we began the 
puzzling work (!) of placing rocks.
The first estimate came in and we laughed out loud. 
The guy must be crazy or not need this job - at all! What?! No way!

By the time the second estimate came along, we were finished placing and leveling the 
rocks and all that was left to be done was filling and top dressing. 

The second estimate was almost double the first. 
AND we found out that one of our vehicles would need to be replaced. 
Oh! Did you hear that nasty scraping sound?  
That was the Awesome Idea moving to the crowded back burner. 

We did end up with a really nice rock walkway made of native Kentucky stone. 
Now you can run all the way around our house and never have to get in the wet grass or mud.
Go ahead - run around! 
But don't try to stop for a rest on the deck ...



3.11.2015

Flying


One week ago, I was above the clouds. 
Maybe because I don't get to do it very often, flying is still an 
amazing adventure for me. But this was the first time I've gone into the 
blue yonder on my own. I was alone in a crowd, and I can't say it was awful.
Security was so minimal - I didn't even have to take off my shoes. 
All that hubbub about zipper bags and 3 ounce bottles of whatever - 
there wasn't any. 
My seat was easy to find, both ways, and my seat mates were ideal
both times : thin, athletic women who wore headphones. 
I gladly gave up the armrest.
Since no one was paying any attention to me, I felt free to snap photos
 like it  was my first time in the air. 

SIDE NOTE:
Some of my favorite childhood memories are of flying with my dad in his small airplane. I loved the whole process - the flight check, communications with the tower - mysterious, invisible air traffic controllers, and the takeoff! The takeoff  never got old. All that crazy speed, faster and faster along the black and yellow tarmac then suddenly ... peace. The bumps and jumps of the wheels were finally silenced with one smooth dip-jump into the air; we were up, and the show really began! Dad was happy to take me on a kind of 'air tour', pointing out the sights not so far below. Everyday destinations seen from above appeared to be icons on a storybook treasure map.



3.03.2015

Hymn Candle


Inexpensive pillar candles can be easily transformed
 into something unique and meaningful.
- Pick up an old hymnbook from a yardsale or library discard box. Carefully pull your 
favorite song*  from the book and trim the edges with a paper trimmer.
Please squash any guilt you might have about taking a page from a book that was going to be 
discarded anyway. You will be using the page, displaying it for thoughtful consideration. 
Isn't that better than tossing it on the trash heap to decay next to dirty diapers?

- Scrub whatever sticker it came with until the glass is completely clean.
- Wrap the trimmed page around the pillar candle and secure with glue or scrapbooking adhesive tape.
- Embellish the candle with a long strand of raffia or ribbon. Add extra charm with
an old key, a small seashell, or vintage button.

Make a bunch and have a bright bank of lit hymn candles.
*
Take one to a new neighbor with a plate of cookies.
*
Use a holiday hymn to create a glowing centerpiece on your celebration table.


However you use your hymn candle, you'll be putting the gospel on display.
---------------------------------
I remember this song from Sunday nights services in the Methodist church we attended when I was 
elementary age. My heart was so tender toward Jesus right at that time, and the
 Holy Spirit dropped this hymn right down into the center of my soul. 

O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There's a light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

For your further investigation - go here, check this out, and make time for this.