The Wings Of a Dove

I wonder how many of you know what this beautiful and unusual wildflower is? It is the Columbine! This plant is toxic, and can be fatal. It used to be a symbol of foolishness, because of it's resemblance to a jester's cap and bells. See those little spurs on the back side of the flowers?  The scientific name for this plant is derived from the Latin word for eagle, because they look like the outstretched talons of an eagle or hawk. They are also said to look like tiny doves, so the plant also stands for the Holy Spirit.

“The moment Jesus came up out of the baptismal waters, the skies opened up and he saw God's Spirit—it looked like a dove—descending and landing on him. And along with the Spirit, a voice: "This is my Son, chosen and marked by my love, delight of my life."

Matthew 3

Girls Who Wear Glasses

Ever since the girls were babies, they have had a fascination with wearing people's glasses, which usually means Phil's reading glasses. Whether they are on upside down, or just drawn on with marker, they love glasses. Which brings me to yesterday and my appointment with the eye doctor. I have worn glasses since I was nine, and I always joke that I am blind as a bat. But the truth is worse than that. Not only am I not 20/20, I was informed that my vision is 20/400. That makes me legally blind. Not to worry, they tell me, it is only a problem without my glasses. I keep two pairs, one as an emergency pair. How are YOUR eyes?? See you on Friday!

“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.”

1 Corinthians 13

An Ugly Love Story

Meet the Uglydoll, which is supposed to balance both cuteness and ugliness. In 2006 it was awarded "Toy Of The Year" by the toy industry. Sasha Obama carried one to school on her first day. Half of the buyers are adults who keep them for themselves. How did they get started? David Horvath and Sun-Min Kim were in love and sent love letters to each other. At the bottom of his letters, David drew these little characters, each one different. One Christmas, Kim surprised David by giving him one of his characters that she had made come to life by sewing and stuffing it. He loved it, so she would make more whenever she got a new letter from David. They caught on really big, and Sun-Min ended up sewing at least 1,500 herself till demand was too great. Now there are Uglydoll blankets, clothes, books, you name it. All in the name of love.

“A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds. Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it. Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long. She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing.”

Proverbs 31

The Aliens Have Landed

What do you think this building looks like? Many think it looks like a giant spaceship. Welcome to The Markel building, located in Richmond, Virginia. It was voted the 7th ugliest building in the whole world! The architect got his inspiration from a baked potato wrapped in foil that he was eating one evening. Each floor consists of a single piece of aluminum used as siding. The crinkles were sledge hammered, and the building was finished in 1965. It now houses various office buildings. Phil said the best thing about this building is that you can throw rocks at it and not get in trouble! Boys will always be boys, I guess. We really enjoyed driving through and hope you did, too. Tomorrow I will show you something else so ugly it is cute, famous, and much beloved.

“Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.”

Philippians 4

Side Of The Road Sunday

Come along with me and let's see what the neighbors have put out on the street this week. The big thing seems to be chairs. This is good, I think we all need a rest after that Body Dome exercise contraption. We will sit with Jesus and talk awhile, because you know Jesus is sitting, too. A person sits when he is done, and the work of Jesus is completely done. He was the final and perfect sacrifice for all our sins. So that WE can rest, as well. So please have a seat.

“After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.”

Mark 16

I will be taking off the computer Monday and Thursday this week, see you the other days!!

A Cloudy Day

“Bright clouds and storm clouds circle 'round him; Right and justice anchor his rule.”

Psalm 97

Summer And Smoke

Our first day of Summer this year with Ella turned out to be excellent. We got a surprise when we picked her up...her front tooth had finally come out, and she found out it made a dandy hole for a straw.

So we stopped by McDonald's to bring lunch home, can you guess what this is?

It's the toy that came with the Happy Meal. Their toys continue to get better and better. It sprouts wings when you push a button on the bottom. Ella calls it a pink fly. So he sat with us while we ate lunch

What is Ella looking up at? Well, a ladybug happened to fly by, perhaps entranced by the pink fly.

After lunch, we decided to go outside for awhile, and we spotted this wasp swimming in he birdbath. Also another one on the car, where they appear to be making a nest behind the headlight. Ella was suitably horrified by both events.

We then set off smoke bombs and blew bubbles in the smoke, to see if it would make them rise. It didn't.

We were soon driven in by he heat, where we played with the iPad, watched T.V. and colored. The end of a perfect summer day.

"Pay attention! Watch this wonder that God is going to perform before you now! It's summer, as you well know, and the rainy season is over.“

1 Samuel 12