Circus Saturday

 On the main road of a nearby city, I spotted this across the highway. It was in a mall parking lot, and I had to go and investigate.

As we got closer, I saw that it said "Portugal". What...

Sure enough, it was the Portugal Circus!

Have you ever heard of it? I had not.

Here's what I found out.

It was started in1994, and is a Traditional circus from Mexico. “You can expect clowns, jugglers, magicians, acrobats. This is a 100% family show so it’s for everyone,” said Damian Castro, the manager of the circus who also rides a motorcycle in one of the acts.

The Tulips

 I try to post this every spring. This house is a couple blocks away, and they have no lawn. Instead of grass, they planted bulbs all over their yard! True, no mowing. But it doesn't look that great in the other three seasons!

The Pinwheels

 Every April, Pinwheel Gardens spring up around town. But for some reason, I have only seen one so far this month!

During Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, “pinwheel gardens” have been popping up around the country in an effort to bring awareness to child abuse. For nearly 15 years, “Pinwheels for Prevention” gardens have been “planted” as a representative visual of children affected by child abuse and neglect. Pinwheels were adopted to personify a carefree childhood, and the blue color aligns with the blue ribbons that are a common symbol showing support for the issue.

Hail & Tornado

 Today we had hail and winds of 74 m.p.h.! This is from our front yard.

We went out afterward and saw there was fog.

Soon the fog cleared up.

On the evening news, I heard that we had a tornado, and they showed video footage of it. I'm kind of glad I didn't know at the time. Phone poles are down, and hundreds are still without power. We only saw mild damage when we were out. All the blossoms were blown off the trees.

And we saw this blown over fence.

He launches his promises earthward— how swift and sure they come! He spreads snow like a white fleece, he scatters frost like ashes, He broadcasts hail like birdseed— who can survive his winter? Then he gives the command and it all melts; he breathes on winter—suddenly it’s spring!

 

Psalm 147

 

The Heart Of The Matter

 These hearts are from two different exhibits at a local college, years apart. 

“So those who went off with heavy hearts will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing.”

Psalm 126

Monday

 This is a statue from the city of Harrisonburg. There are a lot of Amish buggies around there, so this may be the reason. I will be off from blogging on this Monday, as we will be gone most of the day.

Sunday Sunset

 

The Barbershop

 The barbershop a few blocks away always has something strange and interesting out front. This is a moose made with a wooden head.

They put bunny ears on him for Easter

This barrel has a goofy personality.

And there is always something planted in the big bathtub.

In a previous year, they made this Easter Bunny from bed pillows.

This strange wooden bird. Looks kind of Mayan.

And they still have their barbershop quartet.

“No matter what barbershop you go to, there's always that guy who's just hanging around and doesn't do much, but knows everything that's going on in the community.” 

Deon Cole

Rearview Doubletake

 Yes, I did a doubletake when I saw this car in a parking lot. It's the rearview mirror. What the...? Do you have any ideas? I am clueless.

The best car safety device is a rear-view mirror with a cop in it.

 ~Dudley Moore, unverified

 

The Meet

 Anne Marie runs Cross Country in high school. She had a big meet last week, along with several other schools. Phil & I went; it was our first meet ever! Lasted about five hours, as we had to wait for many events to start and end. We met with her parents and sibs there. Here is the pole vault.

And the Long Jump

Of course there was the usual injury.

The youngest, Jazz, took a good photo of her sister with Grandpa. She was so tickled that I let her use my camera.

I liked Dara's sandals.

And I spotted someone wearing these cool Crocs!

What is Jazz doing here with Grandpa?

She had spotted a large beetle on the walking path, and did not want anyone to step on it. So they got it on a leaf and moved it out of the way of the walkers.

Finally we spotted Ann down on the field!

By now, it was getting dark.

Unfortunately, in her last run, her ankle twisted. It was weak from being injured previously.

She looked to be in quite a bit of pain, but is fine now.

Time to cover up the equipment and head home, it had gotten quite chilly.

"Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally."

1 Corinthians 9