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!

♥  ♥  ♥

Spring Collection II

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I have collected a few more springtime Instagram photos from my iPhone.
If I don’t hurry up and share them with you soon, it will be summertime(!)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Nothin’ says “springtime” like daffodils –
one of my favorite fragrances from childhood.
They don’t grow too well in our part of Texas;
these were in the floral department
at our local supermarket.
I just had to stop several times and breathe in those memories
of another time and another place…

Next is a sampling of the “Miss Saigon” Dutch iris
we planted in one of our beds.
My mother used to grow Dutch iris,
so these also bring back fond memories.  =)
The blooms are rich in color and very delicate.
Obviously, I enhanced this one with some favorite apps
before posting to Instagram!

…And here is another “tewelip”
that was in a bouquet from special friends.
Tulips are lovely at any stage,
from tight buds to the falling-apart phase.
I have some “falling apart” ones to show you later.

…And finally, a tulip and a narcissus
bathed in raindrops…
Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Psalm 51:7

Hope this will be a good day for each of you –
and that we all take some time
to slow down and appreciate the beauty that God has placed around us.

See ya later, my friends!

Under the Butterfly Bush

We recently purchased two butterfly bushes to add to our landscape,
in hopes of encouraging more butterflies and hummingbirds to our little corner of the world.

So far, neither butterflies nor hummers have paid any attention to the new bushes;
they fly right by on their way to other plants in the yard –
or to the feeder, in the case of the hummingbirds!!
Ha!!

However, there has been some excitement under the butterfly bushes!

My husband made a new bed for the plants,
which involved moving the grass and amending the soil.
He dug up the first piece of sod to transplant to another spot in the yard –
Had no sooner laid down his shovel
than a resident robin appeared on the spot to pick up lunch –
A double order of earth worm comin’ right up!!

“Now…
to find the perfect spot for my picnic!!”

After the bushes were planted,
while the earth was still freshly turned,
Mr. Robin continued to stop by for afternoon snacks!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
 Look at the birds.
They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, 
for your heavenly Father feeds them. 
And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?
Matthew 6:26 NLT
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

We’re still hoping these new plants will attract the butterflies and hummers,
but meanwhile, we are enjoying the plants themselves.
They are very graceful and bend easily with the breeze –
and have beautiful flowers!

Adventures of Life

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

For those uneventful times when we’re sitting at home,
wishing for a more exciting life:

…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
Philippians 4:11b

…And for the times we’re out and about,
overwhelmed by the circumstances whirling around us
and wishing for the refuge of home:

God will protect you as you come and go 
      now and forever.
Psalm 121:8

I hope your life is a combination of
quiet times at home and exciting adventures;
perhaps, in this way, we learn to appreciate both! 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Good Ole Days…

My inspiration for this post comes from the hammock in our back yard.
You probably see it from time to time in some of my other pictures.
Our hammock always beckons me to come and relax in its comfort for a few minutes.

Most of the time, I don’t have the time to stretch out and enjoy it –
but just looking at it reminds me that I need to slow down and take in the blessings of the day.
To me, it’s a little symbol of “the good life” and
a reminder for “taking it easy” when we have the chance…

…and, you know, most every time I spend a few minutes in this relaxing spot
I notice something special and beautiful in the out-of-doors
that really makes my day –
and I come away refreshed!

It has been said that
one day we’ll look back and realize that
THESE were the “good ole days”!

I hope you and I are making the most of them!!

If you don’t have a hammock,
I hope you have a porch or balcony or a comfy spot inside your home
where you can “sit a spell” and feast your eyes on something “refreshingly” beautiful!

Scanning the sky…

HIBISCUS
…scanning the gray sky for a sunbeam.
Even in stormy weather it looks up,
seeming intuitively aware that the sun is still there!

When we’re in the midst of stormy times in life,
let us remember that God still reigns –
and let us look upward and seek His face!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
For as the waters fill the sea,
the earth will be filled with an awareness
of the glory of the Lord.
Habakkuk 2:14 NLT
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The Rest of OUR Story…

Do you, or does someone you know, feel abandoned and hopeless right now?
Is there anyone reading this blog who feels your life might as well be over?

Well, it may be the end of a chapter of your life…
but it’s not the end of the story.
I believe that God writes the end of the story — for you, for me, for all mankind!

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Whether you are struggling with your own salvation
or are trying to help someone else to find their way,
I would like to commend to you three websites that I have found very helpful:

THE FOUR SPIRITUAL LAWS

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KNOW MY STORY 

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GET UP WITH GOD

I hope these links will be as helpful to you as they are to me.
I refer to them often –
and I subscribe to the “Get Up With God” updates every day.
“GUWG” is on Facebook and other social networking services
and they have a great smartphone app!