Welcome To Fall, Y'all!

I am declaring this week as the first week of Fall. I know the actual date is at least a month away, but we have had a cold snap and have been running the heat. These are some of the things I am seeing around town this week. Looks and feels like Fall to me! Halloween things abound in the stores and there is a nip in the air. Yep, definitely Fall! See you on Tuesday!


"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.
A time to be born and a time to die,
A time to plant and a time to uproot...
A time to keep and a time to throw away...
A time to be silent and a time to speak...
A time for war and a time for peace."
Ecclesiastes 3

Thistles And Lace-Part ll

Have you ever seen all the blooming stages of the Queen Anne's Lace? If not, I will show you, it is one of the most fun flowers to watch bloom. See how they start out as little folded up baskets, then open up? It always amazes me, it appears woven together in such a complex fashion. Queen Anne's Lace is also called Wild Carrot, and is the forerunner of our modern carrot. It signifies haven, or sanctuary. And speaking of sanctuary...


Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
Matthew 11:28

Thistles And Lace

Today you get the thistles and tomorrow you get the lace! These are common thistles called milk thistles. They originated in the Mediterranean, and are almost everywhere now. They are a real pain to gardeners and a lot of people hate them, yet I find them beautiful in their own way. They are an ancient plant, and have been known for their medicinal value for over 2,000 years. Thistle extract is known to help liver toxicity, and it can help almost any kind of damage to the liver. In Europe, it is a prescription medicine. Here, we can get it in drug and health food stores. It has so many benefits. So when God said the land would produce thorns and thistles, that wasn't necessarily a bad thing!


"To Adam he said "Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, 'You must not eat from it,'
"Cursed is the ground because of you;
through painful toil you will eat food from it
all the days of your life.
It will produce thorns and thistles for you,
And you will eat the plants of the field."
Genesis 3:17,18

Grandparents Rock!

This week is grandparents week at our granddaughter Anne Marie's school! And any day this week, the grandparents can come and eat lunch with them. This was a big deal for us, because Anne just started kindergarten. We went yesterday, and here are my pictures from the day. We were really made welcome with many volunteers, and they had these pretty centerpieces on the tables. Anne's mom sent a fish shaped sandwich in her lunch! And I couldn't resist taking a picture of this little girl's beautiful hair!! Who is the mystery boy? Well, that is Anne's new friend who just HAPPENS to be a boy!!! Notice I did NOT use the word boyfriend! After all, Anne is only five! Though she does cover her face and blush whenever his name is mentioned!!! This should be a very interesting year...Here is one student who was a perfect teacher as well.

"After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished...and Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men."
Luke 2

Corny

 

A few nights ago, I took these pictures of the full corn moon. It is named this because this is the month when corn is usually harvested. But in two out of three years, it is also the Harvest Moon!

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Galatians 6

Tracks

Perhaps at the end of a long hot summer, you would enjoy some snow from around my area: deep in the valley of The Blue Ridge Mountains. The mountains have their own special beauty in every season. But what else is it we have here? Last winter, we found all these strange markings on top of our dumpster. Can you guess what they are? Well, they are bird footprints. I thought it was very cool, and could not imagine what the birds were doing on there, but only their tracks remained.  I have very full days on Monday and Tuesday, so will be taking a two day break from posting and commenting. See you on Wednesday!!!


"Your path led through the sea,
your way through the mighty waters,
though your footprints were not seen.
You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron."
Psalm 77:19,20

Frizzled

Meet the Frizzle chicken from Asia, The Philippines, and Java. And it does look like this bird has had a bit too much java, doesn't it? I read somewhere that it looks like he took a shower and stuck his beak in a light socket. His feathers look like that because they curl instead of laying flat, and he is deemed to be a rather rare breed. He was nearly extinct at one time. The poor frizzle has the misfortune of not only looking comical, but being flightless. His wings just won't make it, so he is doomed to strut around looking frazzled all his life. It must be wearisome.


"Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint."
Isaiah 40:30,31