Spring Hangouts

These are a few photos from a recent road trip…
and they all have to do with hangin’…
so here goes…

The first is Spanish moss hanging on a tree
at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science,
Jackson, Mississippi.

I have several other hanging moss pictures,
taken through the car window at 65 miles per hour,
but this one is much clearer to show you on the blog(!)

 Spanish moss is actually a flowering plant related to the bromeliad family.
In the Deep South, where I grew up,
the moss grows mainly on southern live oaks and bald cypress trees.
We don’t have it in our area of Southeast Texas,
so when we see it while traveling,
it always makes me feel like I’m close to “home”!

In a picturesque arboretum in central Alabama,
we came across these turtles hanging out in a quiet little pond.
They and a whole bunch of their closest friends were lined up, sunning on this log.

Then came a funny surprise –
while strolling through the campus of a large southern university.
It seems the campus bookstore sells hammocks,
and students are permitted to tie them in the trees
and hang around between classes!

Although I had already heard about the hammocks,
I was still rather taken aback when we turned a corner
and I saw feet dangling in front of me!

The boy was talking on his phone,
and when he heard us passing by,
he quickly pulled his feet up into the hammock, as a turtle retreats into its shell!
This was the clearest picture I could get before his feet disappeared!

I’m thinking of something else that also fits this category.
We’re hanging it out this weekend in memory of the thousands of brave men and women
who gave their lives in the service of their country — our country –
so that we might live in freedom and enjoy the life we too often take for granted.

I hope you all have a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day Weekend.

Let’s be sure to keep in mind our military men and women of past, present, and future.
Let us pray for God’s protection of those who are currently serving in harm’s way –
and offer prayers of gratitude for the soldiers and their families who sacrifice every day
to make possible this free United States of America that we call our home!

♥  ♥  ♥

Veterans Day

Veterans Day and Thanksgiving should be observed 365 days a year.
Thanks and gratefulness shouldn’t be a one-day event.
Marshall Ramsey

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Thank y’all for stopping by to visit Little Things.
May your life be filled with little blessings, little chuckles,
and little deeds of kindness (both given and received)!

GOD BLESS OUR VETERANS,
PROTECT THOSE PRESENTLY SERVING IN THE U.S. MILITARY,
AND BRING THEM SAFELY HOME TO THEIR LOVED ONES!!!

May we NEVER FORGET
the sacrifice and service of these brave men and women –
and the debt of gratitude we owe to each and every one of them!
♥
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Has Your $ecurity Been Downgraded?

We work hard during our lifetime to put money into a retirement plan
that will probably benefit us for twenty or thirty years at the most.

By “laying up for ourselves treasures in heaven,”
we are contributing to God’s ETERNAL, FOREVER retirement plan!

Which is more important in the long run?

 …the reward of the godly will last.
Proverbs 11:18b

The country’s credit rating has been downgraded.

The nation’s finances are in disarray.

Our elected officials don’t seem to have a clue how to work together to resolve the problems.

Where does one turn for some security these days???

How ironic that we have only to look as far as our nation’s currency for the answer!!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Thank y’all for stopping by to visit.
May your life be filled with little blessings, little chuckles,
and little deeds of kindness (both given and received)!

I’ll leave you with these wise words from the late Dr. Adrian Rogers:

If you want to know how rich you are,
add up what money can’t buy and what death can’t take away!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Happy Birthday, USA !!!

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD…

Psalm 33:12a

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

We Love Our Troops

A PRAYER FOR OUR TROOPS
(Based on Psalm 91)

Lord, Your Word says that whoever goes to You for safety, whoever remains under the protection of the Almighty can say to You, “You are my defender and protector, You are my God; in You I trust.” May all our troops turn to You and find rest in the shadow of Your wings.

Keep them safe from all hidden dangers and all deadly diseases. Shield and shelter them with Your wings, and let Your faithful promises be their armor and protection.

May they not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor fear the dangers of the day or the disaster that strikes at mid-day. Though a thousand other people may fall at their side, though a thousand are dying around them, protect our soldiers from harm.

As they make You, the Lord, their refuge and shelter, let no evil conquer them, no plague come near their tent or dwelling. Order Your angels to protect them wherever they go.

The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name.” May this be true of every man and woman in uniform! When they call on You, Father, answer them, be with them in trouble, rescue them and honor them. Satisfy them with a long life and give them Your salvation.

In Christ’s name, Amen.