The front porch today

The bottom photo is shot from where I sit everyday.  These are for my sweet friend, Tina in California, who has joined me on this porch many a day. :)

Neighbors

"We make our friends; we make our enemies; but God makes our next-door neighbour."
~ Gilbert K. Chesterton 

Well, oddly enough, our next-door neighbor has literally lost his marbles.  This young man, one who we've known for about 8 years or so (though he's only lived next door about 5 of them), has fallen to paranoid schizophrenia.  And while we've known that his family is a bit challenged in an emotional way (a kind way to say that they're darned hard to get along with),  we never figured that he would have this sort of trouble.

It's sad.  To see someone behave so irrationally is odd at best.  He thinks that someone is in his house constantly, leaving him notes and changing his locks.  He thinks that they're re-wiring his house.  He hears noises in the attic.  He has a screwdriver jammed into his floor, and says that he talks to his dad through that.  And all of this has happened in the last couple of weeks, but we've only been aware for a week.  Today he's playing with his electrical panel, believing that someone's been tinkering with that.  Can you imagine?

His family is NO help, vacationing in Florida now with an out-of-sight-out-of-mind mentality.  He lives alone, so can act any way he chooses.  Again, it's so sad.

Now we have to monitor the little girls' and dogs' noises in the backyard so as not to make him fret.  Not that he would, but you never know.  This is our mantra now---you just never know. 

If you feel of a mind to pray, his name is Jeff and we do love him.  He doesn't have a life of faith, so that's a missing link, but he sure does have a need.  We figure that there will come a time when this all catches up with him, but until he or his family commit him, it's just a waiting game.

Will probably post updates from time to time, to remind you of his ailment and as a prayer bookmark.  I do appreciate it.  Don't know what else to say, but what I already have.

Sunday evening

• listening to Kutless (the Sea of Faces CD)
• sorry that PBS isn't playing Masterpiece Theatre until later on---like at 10pm.  Shucks. 
• made some dishy pumpkin muffins---pugs not interested in eating raw pumpkin (fiber, you know), so we benefit instead
• Gary just brought a toad inside, all tucked into his big hands---so cute
• thrilled that all of my chickens will be home tomorrow
• even Gary's staying home from work for Memorial Day
• chillin' and so glad to not feel frazzled
• long weekends are so wonderful when you're not worried about anything, yes?
• so loving this template.  Isn't it just amazing?!!

Enjoy the rest of your day---may you feel rested and content.

A sunny Saturday afternoon

We've been spoiled by the weather lately (well, after the tornadoes about earlier), but today the heat is on again outside.  I'm hesitant to turn on the air conditioning yet (even though it's now reached 90 degrees), but with a sweet breeze outside the windows are up and the curtains are blowing.  Gary's just come home from the shop, though, and without air in his shop or Suburban, he needs the cool.  Will indulge his desire and push away my need to be a cheapskate. :)  Yeah, sometimes I'd rather sweat than spend money.

Anyway, I'm trying to treat this as a real holiday weekend, which it is with Memorial Day on Monday, but mostly because school is done and finished until September.  I love that.

About to take the younger kids to church, while the older ones remain at work.  Dinner's easy with hot dogs and coleslaw.  

Trying to focus on plain old family stuff since we're participating in some trauma with a neighbor who's having some mental stuff going on in his head.  Very strange.  The kids are a bit confused about this young man's drift into paranoia and Gary and I are having to keep from talking about it overmuch, you know?  Helping someone like this is one thing, but getting overly involved ain't a good idea, I don't guess.

Must go now.  Time to get myself ready for church.

'The Seraph Seal' by Leonard Sweet and Lori Wagner

'The Seraph Seal' by Leonard Sweet and Lori Wagner is unlike any book I've ever read, but it was possibly a bit over-the-top for me. I had to scratch my head a lot, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.  And while my very favorite part of the book is the front section called, Engaging the Apocalypse, that in itself is odd since that serves as an introduction and not even the actual story. But still, I was intrigued by what the authors explained there and wanted to read more of the same.

Timing is so critical to when a book is released and this book fits in so perfectly with the current news stories.  Extreme weather and strange occurrences around the globe make the book a valid parallel.  But it made me a bit paranoid since the authors work the story so well, and the detail information in the book is so amazing.  Besides the introduction part that I enjoyed, they include the journal of the main character, Paul Binder, plus a dictionary of sorts in the back.  So thorough.

But as to the story itself, the character, Paul Binder, has been marked at birth as special---one who will help bring in the age of the end, which all circles around the Four Horses of the Apocalypse.  And while he doesn't have a physical tattoo to label him, the other crucial characters do.  The world is on a collision course to destruction and it's up to him and his 4 kinsmen to re-route this course into what is meant to happen.  Confusing to explain, but very enjoyable to read.

(i received this book free to review from booksneeze/thomas nelson publishers)

After the rain

All is well. The weather here was mostly just some wind and a bit of heavy rain. We sat on the front porch for much of it. So thankful, especially since it seems that there were a few tornadoes about, but haven't heard if they were trouble.

Thanks for the prayers.

Btw, the clouds after dinner looked like big marshmallows. A friend said they reminded him of the bottom of an egg carton. Guess it's all in how you look at it. :)

Song by Anthem Lights

Think happy thoughts...think happy thoughts...

Well, considering the weather in the Heartland the past few days, guess we'll heed the tornado warnings if they sound here later on (and yes, we're in the red zone in the photo).  Man.  Simply living day to day is becoming a bit of a challenge.  Always looking over your shoulder (well, in a weather-wise sort of way), wondering what's going to happen.

I remember being a kid and getting in our parents' room when it'd storm or if there were tornado warnings.  And I remember seeing the finger of a tornado in the distance from our living room picture window one time.  That was before the trees got so tall in that neighborhood.  But I never remember hearing about what's going on now.  The extremes are definitely a new thing to me.

Since we don't have a storm cellar, wondering if the crawlspace under the house is a valid place to hide!?!

Can't do much more than pray, and that's saying a lot, especially since that's the very best I can do..  Wishing my memory was better and that I had more recall for Bible verses I've tucked in my heart.  But I'm thinking Psalm 91 will be on my mind today.

Quick takes

*Found the neatest place to play online last night called Colourlovers.com and some of you might know them from the designs they offer for Twitter backgrounds.  Lots to putzy with and such a visual wonderland.  That's where I found my retro teacup/cupcake background---two of my favorite things. :)

*I was reading part of an Elizabeth von Arnim book on my Kindle the other night (will have to fetch it to find the title), and the main character spent the first few pages just resting.  She would spend days just being alone and not doing anything.  The thing is, I feel the same way.  Am trying to gather the where-with-all to finish up the week's schoolwork with the kids but find myself just melting instead.  The energy's pretty much gone and I have no enthusiasm.  Spring fever, perhaps?

*But did work up the energy to pot some petunias and impatiens on Sunday, and put some vinca in the ground.  It had been a wonderfully, drizzly sort of day and I looked wretched by the time I was done.  The porch is all prettied up now and it's, once again, a nice place to sit.

*Daisy the pug has a bit of an intestinal problem, that thankfully is clearing up.   A fellow dog-lover neighbor shared that canned pumpkin helps with that and I'll go out later and get some.  Supposedly just a teaspoon or two can help.  I think we bought some iffy canned dog food the other day because both pugs were a bit ill over the weekend.  We already have to be very careful with Daisy because of her bladder stones, so this sort of adds insult to injury for her to have to deal with this.  Sweet pug.

*One plug for an e-book I'm thick into---this one is 'The Old Stone House & Other Stories' by Anna Katharine Green.  I found this one at Girlebooks.com and it was a free download.  Dishy.  I've not gotten to the 'other stories' part of the book, but am still on the first one.  Seems the published date was originally 1891, if I'm not mistaken (which is either likely or possible).  Excellent writing, in my opinion.  Girlebooks is a superb site for free/inexpensive e-book downloads.  So pretty and well-done besides.

*Must go now and make myself useful.   Not to imply that I'm lazy, though, am I?

Toys for grown-ups :)

New at Journal & Tea's Etsy shop

Monday morning

Thinking on today and the assorted mundane things I have to do.  Post office, grocery store for something for dinner, winding up school---that sort of stuff.  The kinds of things that don't require too much mind-power, but still need doing.

And praying at the back of my mind for folks who've been hit by nature.  The floods and tornadoes.  It does make a person's head spin to be reminded of how fragile we are and how life can change in an instant.  And with the nonsense by the end-times-preacher---spouting his cultish teachings---well, real life happens nonetheless, and I get a bit irritated at how he caught all of our attentions.  Brother.

Will go now and wash more clothes and mind the sky to see if the rain will hold off.  Sort of hard to tell, but would enjoy hanging out some things before it does. 

Take care and find the joy.  Sometimes you have to look a bit harder than usual, but it's there.  I promise. :)

The weekend

Was a bit anxious last night, thinking of today being the supposedly BIG day.  You know, if I didn't have a relative who was sunk into the Hrld Cmpng mentality I'd likely just ignore the hooplah, but it does change the way I look at it.  My husband has been burdened---I mean, it is one of his brothers who's been hood-winked.  Can't imagine what will happen with those followers now.  I give them credit for believing something, but sadly only in a human and not in our Savior.  Sure doesn't pay to mock God, does it?

Am at home alone---Gary took the younger ones to the grocery store with him and I'm back from lunch out with my mom, which was nice.  We do that rarely, so a nice change for both of us.

Not sure what else the weekend holds.  Had planned on church tonight, but it starts at 5:30pm, and they're not back from the store yet.  And oldest daughter will be tired from working her gift shop job today, so might just have a cozy evening at home.  The three oldest boys are at work, but the rest of us will chill.  It's supposed to rain later on but the radar's not too convincing.  Would be nice, though---a nice, rainy weekend.  I love those.

Whatever you do, take some time for quiet.  And I'll do the same.

Late Friday afternoon

I dunno.  Just like the photo background of the ladder.  Feeling slightly summertime-ish, and that makes me think of projects around the house, which in turn makes me happy.  Will probably change it in a day or so, but today it's fun.  (love changing stuff!)

So thankful deep in my heart that Gary got approval on a build job in the shop today.  You can probably hear me sigh way over where you are, can't you?  Work has been SO slow for so long, but is picking ever so slightly.  It takes so little to keep us afloat, and when work comes in, we're able to manage on less than you'd imagine.  God remains faithful even as we learn everyday to keep our faces tucked up against His.  Easy to get too busy and distracted, but you can't let your guard down EVER.

Still thinking about one of my brothers-in-law who anticipates the world ending tomorrow.  He weighs heavily on our hearts as well.  Not a pleasant situation.  Finding it a bit unbelievable that oldest daughter has a pen-pal whose family is buying into the story as well.  We'll see who's sitting up straight come Sunday, won't we?  It's easy to get anxious when you read about this stuff.  Very strange.

And speaking of strange...watched part of that show about extreme couponing the other night and my mouth was hanging open at the amount of food/products these women accumulate.  My goodness.  While I felt slight twinges of envy, I was mostly horrified.  Besides, who has the time?  Seems these women (some of them) spend almost 40 hours/week in hunting through, printing out and clipping coupons.  The way I figure it, something is suffering with this obsessive behavior.  It'd have to be, don't you think?  While I realize they have the best interests of their families in mind, seems a support group would be needed.

Now time to tidy up the joint.  A restful weekend would be nice, and with work in, my spirits can unwind a bit.  Take care.

Mid-week and trying for calm, cool and collected

Book reading now a bit overly apocalyptic (though very entertaining), so need to do boring housewifely sorts of things---like turn off brain and putter.  Seems to be happening more and more often---my need to turn off the world and relax.  So easy for me to go into overdrive, being over-busy and doing too much. 

Will go to the grocery store later on, maybe think about making a cake (always a good idea), and with my mom doing her own grocery shopping today for the first time since January, a bit of pressure is off.  We talked on the phone this morning (it was her idea to go by herself), and I could tell she sounded a bit antsy about it.  But still, she's got to do things, and I told her to holler if she gets stuck.  We're nearby, so that's no big deal.

So, off to do what I do (whatever that is), and attempt to have a spring in my step at the same time.  Don't want to read the news, of catastrophes or anything that pulls me out of my comfort zone.  Sometimes we need to be an ostrich, don't you think?

Oh, and about that swarm of bees we had outside the window yesterday---they decided to cozy up inside our fan sprinkler, on the ground by the outside faucet.  Hmmm.  Not ideal, but I'm not a bee, so really can't comment.  Interesting, but a bit odd.

Enjoy your day. :)

(photo from unknown source)

Blah, blah, blah

Two highlights to my day....my very dearest friend, Tina, surprised me and has sent me a Robert Benson book, which makes me feel very special, so I have that to look forward to.  AND, we have a swarm of honey bees in a bush outside the kitchen windows. Oldest daughter caught a video of it on her camera so Gary can see it when he gets home.  So cool.

Besides that, not much going on.  I'm very weary of homeschooling at this juncture and will be dee-lighted when this month is over.  I'm just plain tired, you know?  Just plain tired.

I want to garden in the front yard, but our neighbors are continually sitting out on their porch----and there are so many of them (now I sound mean), and see everything that goes on over here.  I just want to putter alone, without an audience.  It's just idle watching on their part I know, but still...sort of irritating.  Don't mean to sound un-neighborly, but it's just the way I feel.  Yeah, we get along, but with life being crowded inside our house, it gets old that it's crowded outside as well.  So shoot me.

Still enjoying the cool weather.  It's almost too chilly to have many windows up.  How's that for weather in the South?  So sweet.

Need to get motivated to do something.  But probably not.  Anything would probably be a good idea.  Going to bed earlier would be even brighter.  But guess I can't claim to be the smartest kid on the block, now, can I? :)

Anyway, one more thing, for some visual fun for any Susan Branch fans, go to her YouTube page here.  Such prettiness.  Enjoy!

Just pokin' along here

Drinking a Zero, thinking sad thoughts about those two bags of lentils that'll be tonight's dinner (which hardly anyone here salivates over), and idly lusting after a new book that came in the mail this morning to review.  I have some housewifely things to do this afternoon before I can actually get into the book, and it's all I can do to resist the urge to read.  For anyone who's asking the title, it's called 'The Seraph Seal' and is by Leonard Sweet and Lori Wagner.  Amazon has a few pages you can browse, and it's well worth it.  I'm thinking it's going to be a winner already.

And the weather---my goodness---it's only 63 degrees now, which is actually cold for here at this time of year.  When the flooding was at its height, the temperatures were more around 90 or so.  Least it seemed so.

I was behind two men in line at the drugstore earlier today and one said he was tired of the cold weather.  What?  This is such a pleasant change from what we're used to, and the heat will be here soon enough.  Give it a month (or less) and we'll be looking backward longingly for these days.

Well, it's now after 4pm and I have nothing to show for myself.  Must do something worthy of my existence for today.  According to one of my brothers-in-law, I have just 5 days before the Lord's return, so must get busy (and yes, read sarcasm from me).

Take care.

Listening

Had a casual-while-I-was-cooking-dinner talk with fourth son tonight.  He's the serious writer and as a result is one who's got a slight tendency to melancholy at times, though thankfully very rarely.  He's more sanguine ordinarily, but has spells when he worries and thinks overmuch.  Well, he needed to talk about how he was worried about things that need such constant prayer.  He was frustrated and felt loaded with more than he was able to manage.  Thankfully, I think I was able to shift the pressure over to my shoulders (then flipped it over to the Lord) so that he'd feel some relief.  I mean, goodness, he's only 17 and shouldn't be weighted down with *real* life yet, I don't think.

We got to chat more this evening in the living room with the pugs while everyone was busy elsewhere.  He was lighthearted again, laughing and seeming at ease.  Then he left and fifth son came in (he's 15), and he just needed to share as well, though had no worries.  This son is the youngest of the boys and as a result is treated like the baby sometimes (well if you disregard the little girls).  He gets this sweet sound to his voice when he's the center of attention and reminds me of a little intellectual.  Truly, he's one of the brightest ones here and I sometimes get scared that I can't fill his mind like I want to.  Anyway, it was chat night here with me and the boys who are at home (the other 3 are at work tonight).  It's all good.

It was nice to talk to just them, and the girls cooperated with oldest daughter renting the Justin Bieber video on iTunes for the girls.  And as a tribute (or 'cause I'm such a suckah) am listening to Bieber with my player. He is pretty good. :)  But then again, I always have been boy crazy.

I can get so self-absorbed with my own frets that I forget that one of my first jobs here is to not just be present, but to actually trouble myself to listen.  We all need that, me included, but usually I'll get an audience somehow.  They're a bit more polite about it.  I mean, really.  There are 8 of them---so that shoving through the noise in order to get heard is sometimes nearly impossible.

A sweet day and one that leaves me feeling full.  Thinking more loose edges got tidied up than usual.

'Desert Gift' by Sally John

Sally John's newest book, 'Desert Gift', is such a treat.  I've enjoyed other books of hers (though I've not read them all yet), and I'll add this book to that pile of favorites.  In this one she has two specific main characters---one being a woman who has a very popular Christian talk show and who's just written a book to go along with her marriage counseling focus---and her husband has always supported her work, yet in the opening pages tells her out of the blue that he's had enough, and enough in a big, permanent-sounding way.  The book goes into great detail about how each of them handles this news (I was at first afraid she'd tell the story in just the wife's voice, but was pleased to see into his head as well), and even the husband is surprised at himself, finally speaking out about things that have bothered him for years, but that he's not voiced.

I found it interesting that many of the women in the book are extremely strong-minded and, to my thinking, very un-likable, but my goodness, very believable.  This includes the main character, Jill, and both her mother and mother-in-law.  All of them are over the top in manipulating the people they love.  And if you think about it, women do tend to control their families and even sometimes their close friends by their tendencies to push.   The men in the story are more appealing and maybe it's because they don't talk so much, and don't meddle.  The message is clear as you read it---the way the women have managed their husbands has had a direct result in how the husbands relate to their wives, yet some handle it more gracefully than others.  I'd think that this book could certainly be a wake-up call to wives who see themselves in these characters.  Not a pleasant reality at all, and I believe all wives have at one time or another attempted to mold our husbands into something they're not. 

Many thanks, Sally John, for another wonderful book.  I do appreciate it. :)

( this book was received free to review from tyndale publishers)

'Secrets of the Vine for Women' by Darlene Marie Wilkinson

'Secrets of the Vine for Women' by Darlene Marie Wilkinson is the female version of 'Secrets of the Vine' which came out about ten years ago, and was written by her husband, Bruce.  She draws on the experiences of women in particular to draw in the reader, and displays a gentleness in how she approaches her topics.  A detailed Study Guide is in the back of the book, going chapter by chapter over valid questions that the reader might ask.  It really is very suitable as a women's Bible study.

I just wish it wasn't such a mirror image of 'Secrets of the Vine' and had more of an original feel to it.  But still, for women who haven't read that one, they'll enjoy Mrs. Wilkinson's take on the same topic.

(this book was provided free for me to review from multnomah publishers)

Time to chill

Will likely be missing from here for a couple of days.  I'm needing some 3-dimensional life, and we all know that the computer only serves in a 2-dimensional way.  Have spent some time lately at websites featuring tea parties and home decorating, and they make me yearn to putter and re-arrange things---to look through a pile of magazines and just do lots of nothing.  Needing to recharge my internal battery, I guess.

For so long I've had a knee-jerk reaction to my days.  Someone jumps and I respond.  My mom has a need and we answer it (not to sound too angelic, but we have been busy).  The kids require help and here I go again.  It's been a never-ending cycle of seeing to everyone's requirements and forgetting to take care of myself.  Again, not trying to sound like the great responder, but my brain has gotten used to being on a high alert mode.  Time to shift that.

Was wondering if it'd be beneficial to me if there was one day a week set aside for playing---mental rest and relaxation.  Likely a no-brainer, and something I just need to DO.  So easy to get side-tracked with chores and things that need tending to.

Mothers of many are so often put up on pedestals (not been accused of this lately!), and folks will look at them in wonder trying to figure out how they 'do it'.  How to manage all of those balls that need juggling and those plates that are spinning constantly.  Well, most of mine have hit the floor and rather than clean up the mess, I'm rather in a mood to walk around it.

I'm just going to be in a restful frame of mind for a couple of days.  Try to get into my own head again and re-acquaint myself with me.  To somebody this will make sense. 

See you soon! :)

On a fresh Monday morning

Blog re-decorating once again.  I used a teacup print from P.P. Cane for inspiration, this time, but am a tiny bit frustrated at the title sort of disappearing.  Oh well.  Not big shucks, is it?  Will likely fiddle with it later on, when I have more time.  Changing template and even background puts paid to that problem. :)

Had a sweet Mother's Day, and in the midst of it Gary took me to see the river.  We drove over on the bridge----and over---and over.  My goodness, it spread out so far I was thinking in ocean sorts of terms rather than a river.  Arkansas got the brunt of it from my viewpoint, with so many acres of farmland underwater.  From what I hear, river water is an excellent fertilizer, but with the frustration of having to wait a year to plant---well, I'd be pulling my hair out if I had a farm in Eastern Arkansas along the river about now.  But here, lots of folks are having to re-locate.  The rivers that spin off of the Mississippi are backing up and Memphis is getting hit in various ways.  Again thankful to have our house slap in the center of town, away from the madness.

Feeling a tad more myself today.  Praying and hoping that it lasts.  We only have two more weeks of school left, and am excited to see the end in sight.  Can't say much for my teaching methods this spring semester.  With my mom's (now healed) broken arm and all of the drama that that entailed, our schooling has been haphazard at best.  Fourth son joked that we learned all about taking a person to repeated doctor's visits, how to read an x-ray, how to help a person up out of a chair who has lost the use of one arm....etc.  Life studies, I guess.  Thankfully we've all survived it. :)  Mom included.

Now off to pick up where I left off with housewifely duties.  On the book pile am re-reading Robert Benson's 'Between the Dreaming and the Coming True', a book by Sheila Kohler called 'Becoming Jane Eyre' (which I'm not sure about yet) and have a book review to write for Sally John's new one (enjoyed it very much).

Hope your day is special.

Wishing you a joyous Mother's Day

Making memories

The flooding of the Mississippi River is big news here, and since we live in Memphis, it's a hot topic all over town.  I asked the girl who checked me out at the grocery today if her home was safe, and she said yes, then returned the favor. 

I remember a flood in the '70s and my dad driving us down to the river.  The Corp of Engineers hadn't worked on building up of the wharf then, and there were sandbags on the edge of Riverside Drive, the road that runs alongside the river.  I thought that was so cool to see the river within touching distance...lapping at the road we were driving on.  Well, now Riverside is flooded and the foot of Beale Street is underwater as well.  But fortunately, downtown is built on a bluff, so most businesses will likely be fine.  Well, they will be if you count out the storm sewers backing up.  We'll see, you know?

Tornadoes here in the South followed by flooding (thankfully in different areas).  Can we have some dull days, please?

Funny how local situations overwhelm the residents and folks in other parts of the country just go about their business.  Guess we all get tunnel-vision when it concerns us, don't we?

On Friday

This week has been one of the most difficult I've faced in a long time.  I'm not immune to hardship, but some things have been tougher than usual.  Pride's had to go, along with a few choice other traits that I needed to give up on.  But it's all for the best.  Seems the Lord is weeding out some stuff that I've needed be done with, and has forced me to rely on Him more and more.  I think that's the way it's supposed to be, yes?

In other news, oldest daughter was planning on a trip to SW Missouri to visit friends next weekend.  We were to take her 1/2 way into Arkansas and the friends would pick her up and take her the rest of the way.  With the Mississippi River royally spilling its banks, she'll likely have to cancel the trip.  Over twenty miles of I-40 is closed in the westbound lanes because of a smaller river that's overflowing.  Truckers and other folks are having to make a detour of about 120 miles to get around it, and that's highway driving, and not expressway as an alternate route.  Time consuming.  And the Mississippi hasn't even crested yet.  There's more flooding to come.  Anyway.  She's very philosophical about it, though.  Said she'd just as well stay home and chill before starting her new job in June.  Obviously she adjusts well.

Taking deep breaths and tending to kids with colds again.  Seems we just did this.  The windows are up, it's a sunny day and we're just taking it easy.  The bills are getting paid in a manner that's not my first choice, but can't complain too awfully much.  Dinner is soup made up from this and that from the freezer and it's pretty darn good if I do say so myself.  About to whip up a batch of batter bread, which will go down well with the soup.

A restful weekend.  Absotively. :)

Taking a mental breather

Lots of heart-felt conversation going on here at home, and in my head.  As a solution to my personal angst, my sweet husband has suggested that I focus on home alone.  Home alone.  To be a mom and wife and forget the world outside.  To drop it off of my shoulders for a change.

Think I'll take his advice.  Good quiet time with my reading in the morning, plans for a good dinner, some house tidying and yard puttering.  Settling sorts of activities.  I'll focus on *us* and let the Lord take care of everything else.

A good plan.

Playing catch up

Life is pinching badly just now and finding it hard to put some things into words.  Add to that one son mentioning that some yutz has predicted an earthquake to hit this area (the new madrid faultline) on May 11th of this year.  And on top of that an approved dynamiting of a levee north of here, ON the fault line.  Tell me it's wise to use explosives on a fault line.  Really.  Tell me it's okay.  Supposedly folks 50 miles away felt the vibrations from the explosion.  I'm not liking it.

Glad God is in control, because I'm not a huge fan of those who think they're in control.  I get the idea behind the dynamiting, but the logic overall?  Not so sure.

The weather and life in general has been a bit over the top as well (not news to anyone in the South), and my faith----well, we won't go there.  I do still hear His still, quiet voice, but am rankling at what He's whispering to me.  Must be He thinks I'm a tad stronger than I believe myself to be.  Can't remember ever feeling so much NOT in control as I do now.  And you know, I realize I'm where I'm supposed to be at this very minute, but would rather be elsewhere.