Monday, Monday; the last Monday of 2014. Christmas is over. All the hustle and bustle is done. It is almost as if the world has come to a stop. The only event on our schedule today is a routine doctor's appointment for Ms. Kate. It's just an ordinary day. Her appointment is late enough that we will end up going out to lunch and then most likely to Target, since we haven't been there since well before Christmas. For sure, with New Year's day approaching, we must get some black-eyed-peas to have for luck. I don't believe that eating them will bring me good luck; --- but I do like too eat them, especially with corn bread.

It is a partially sunny, 33° morning with an 11 mph from the N/NE which say brisk and cool. The squirrels and birds are all "puffed up" allowing what ever process God gave them to stay warm in the winter to work. So, everything looks fat this morning like they have been on a Christmas dinner binge. And, --- from the looks of the feeders, they have been. I'll need to fill everything probably tomorrow.

My son in law Jim helped me Saturday and we took the mower deck off of the John Deere and put the snow blade on. We have had a very mild winter so far. The only snow we have seen was the storm in November, and it didn't amount to much. But, this area gets snow in January, February, and March. We have even had snow over an April Easter so, I'm hoping that by putting on the blade, I won't have to use it. But, better prepared than waiting until it does snow and then having to put the thing on by myself. It was difficult enough with the two of us this time.

Our Sunday services went well yesterday. I started a program a few months ago in which we gave every person in church a little cardboard bank in the shape of a church. I asked people to put their pocket change in it through the Christmas season and said we would collect them on Christmas Eve and on the last Sunday of 2014. I called the program, "Making a Change". Each church would decide where their money would be given to. I'm very glad to say that the two congregations responded extremely well to this program. There were a lot of boxes collected at each church. I know that St. Lucas voted to give their money to The Ronald McDonald House but I haven't heard who St. Paul's will help suppirt. The bottom line is that it was an illustration that we can do God's work with so little effort, and can help so many people. We can "make a change" in the lives of others simply by dropping our pocket change into a jar and then putting it together with others. God doesn't look for grand gestures; --- God simply looks for people who care enough to help someone else. Focus on that thought as you have a very blessed day.

A solitary squirrel sits out there on the feeders and has been for the thirty minutes that I have been out here in the sunporch. Only a few sparrows an cardinals flutter around the other feeders. It is a cloudy morning and a reletively warm 47° out there which is pretty much stretches the temperature average for the end of December.

The house is quiet this morning, save the sound of snoring pups and a gently snooring Julie on the couch. Jim is up and playing poker on his computer. Ms. Kate I still sleeping back in the bedroom. The silence is wonderful. The fact that Julie is on the couch tells me that the pups got her up in the middle of the night to go pee! The old dog, Harley, does that to her almost every night which means she seldom gets a good night's sleep.

Julie and Jim will be heading home today. It is only a two hour trip but it is supposed to be rainy on and off all day. So, I offer a prayer for their safe travels. I reckon there will be a lot of people returning home from their Christmas visits today and tomorrow. Winter weather and snow and ice are progressing across the nation from the west which will make for treacherous travel for many to the north and west of us. Forecasters are saying we might have an icy winter mix here for New Year's Eve. It is probably good that our party days are behind us.

Ms. Kate and her sister, Karen, went to their consultation concerning their aunt yesterday afternoon and they were given no news that contained hope. The aunt has had two significant strokes, has no use of well over half of her body, has minimal speech capability, and they were told that she is not successfully responding to the physical therapy. It is our desire that she be made as comfortable as possible and it is our prayer that God is getting her eternal room ready, and that she not have to continue to live like this for long. She is a wonderful lady and deserves a dignified passing, at least in my opinion. But, whatever God's plan is, we will trust that there is good in it, simply because God is good; --- all the time.

I've set here long enough that the woodpeckers, finches, and more cardinals have arrived; --- and that squirrel is still sitting on the same feeder. Is it any wonder I go through so much sunflower seed? I refilled all of the feeders yesterday and probably put at least  twenty pounds of sunflower seed out there in them. But, the enjoyment of my back yard menagerie is why I do it, so I guess I'll just pour another cup of coffee, sit back, and enjoy.

Have a great weekend.

Happy day after Christmas! I wonder if there is a name for today. Christmas Post maybe? I don't know. Maybe we'll just call it the anti-climatic day after Christmas. It is afternoon and our house is quiet. Julie and Jim are out doing a little shopping and I think they are going to stop by White Castle and pick up some lunch because they are horrified that I have never been there or had a White Castle burger. They love them but I've always heard they pretty much taste like saw dust. I reckon I'll know soon enough. Kathy and her mom bought some one time and she said they were so bad that they wouldn't even let the dogs eat them.

Ms. Kate is snoozing in her chair waiting to go to a meeting about her aunt's prognosis concerning her stroke. This will be their first consultation since she was moved from the hospital to assisted living. It will be good to hear where the staff thinks she is as far as progress is concerned.

Our Christmas Eve services went extremely well. We did an infant baptism at St. Paul's at that service.  I played a keyboard solo for the prelude at each church. I did pretty good but I could have done better. We had a fair attendance at each service. In all we had a little over 100 people total. That has been the normal attendance for Christmas Eve for the ten years I have been there. At least this year we didn't have any snow to contend with or prevent people from coming to the service.

Christmas day we spent doing not a lot of anything. We of course excanged gifts with Julie and I'm. Ms. Kate fixed a delicious lunch of shrimp and pasta. In the afternoon we went out to visit with my mother and with Kathy's aunt. Last evening we did movies and popcorn at home. And, --- we talked to the other girls and the grandkids on the phone. All in all, a peaceful day of family and love which is exactly what a Christmas day should be about. 

This morning Ms. Kate and I loaded up all of the re-cycle stuff and took it out to the re-cycle center. I had the boxes from Christmas purchases sitting here in the garage and didn"t want to sit them by the curb to advertise new purchases in the house. Thieves love it when people do that. We also save all of our plastic bottles from water and milk etc. Kate goes through a lot of Disani water and it would be a crime against nature to throw all of that plastic into a landfill.

My prayers today are for safe travel for the millions of folks who are going to be heading out on the roadways back to their homes this weekend. I also offer prayers of thanks for a peaceful Christmas. And, I offer prayers of thanks to God for the gift of his Son, Jesus. I pray the entire world would experience the love and peace that Jesus has brought to this world. Have a great day.

Happy Christmas Eve! Did you ever wonder why we make such a big deal of the day before Christmas? After all, we celebrate Cristmas because it is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. But -- what is the celebration all about on the day before Christmas Eve?

Well, the answer is simple really. Christmas Eve is, or at least was, the day of preparation for the celebration of Christmas Day. In a much simpler time and age, before society and stores started putting Christmas stuff out in September; people used Christmas Eve to put up their tree and decorate it, and do their bakng and cooking all in preparation for Christmas, so they could celebrate Christmas as a "Holy-Day", instead of a "holiday". Then they would take the family to church or meet as families and pray and sing hymns of praise for the birth of a Savior. By Christmas morning they were spiritually and physically ready for a day of exchanging small gifts with one another as symbols of the gifts brought by the wise men, and they spent a day of sharing their love and lives with one another. --- My, how times have changed.

Around our home we have another reason to celebrate the 24th of December. Sixty-seven years ago today a beautiful young lady named Adelia went into labor to deliver her third child. That child was a little daughter; and Adelia and Sam Parton named her Katherine Louise. I call her Ms. Kate, and I thank God every day that she is the focus of my life.

We are sitting here listening to Christmas Carols and waiting for Julie, Jim, and the "rein-dogs" to arrive. We just had breakfast with my sister and brother in law and now are enjoying the pause of silence. So, I think a quick nap is in order.

With that --- I wish you a very Merry Christmas.

"Wonderful, beautiful, inspiring, lovely, that was so good"; these were all comments I heard at the end of the combined parish worship service yesterday. No, --- no one was talking about my sermon, they were commenting on the Christmas Cantata that the choir performed. And --- I gladly admit that I agree with every one of those comments. All of the hard work that group of thirteen people have put in over the past three months shows in their their dedication as a ministry of music to glorify God. So I offer prayers of gratitude for everyone of them and I am honored to sing with them.

Yesterday was a busy day of course. We did the service then we went out to lunch. My sister and hubby are here for part of the week and they brought our mother to the morning worship service and lunch. Afterwards, everyone came here where we visited and "did Christmas", with our gift exchange. Then, it was back to work for me as I had to finalize the services and bulletins for the three other services coming up this week. Christmas Eve we will do a service at each church. I expect a full church at St. Paul's because it is the early service and we are not only doing holy communion, we are also doing an infant baptism. The St. Lucas service starts at 9:00 pm and we may have around forty people at that one. Both services will be candlelight services and both will celebrate communion, and both will be beautiful. It is a great way to spend Christma Eve; being with friends and loved ones and giving God praise for the birth of our Savior. Unless of course, --- you are Ms. Kate who has to spend five hours of her birthday sitting in a church pew again this year. Bless her heart; she loses out on celebrating her birthday every single year. But then, she just says that everybody comes to her birthday party to celebrate.

Today is visitation day at the nursing homes and I need to go to the churches and run the bulletins and make sure everything is set for Chriistmas Eve. We also need to go to sit with Aunt Aleen for a while at her nursing home. This week is going to fly by I suspect. Then the week and the year will be over and everything that we all rush to do will be over and done with. Julie and Jim are coming in on Wednesday morning and my sister and brother-in-law are leaving on Wednesday morning.

I'll bet your week just might be as hectic, but, --- let's not forget to stop and give thanks to God for the reason we celebrate this season. God didn't create the hectic schedule we all try to keep, man does that to himself. God simply gave us a gift of his Holy Son in a peaceful little obscure village far, far away, --- long, long ago. So, may your week be full of the peace that came with God's gift.

This is starting to be a trend that I'm not fond of. It is once again late afternoon and I am just now getting to the sun porch and my chair. But my coffee cup is full and it is peaceful out here as always. So, --- if I doze off in the middle of this, well; that's the way it goes.

I did manage to get out here this morning long enough for my first cup of coffee and to watch those run-a-round squirrels. They were hard at it this morning. Three of them chased one another all over this backyard while the fourth squirrel simply sat up on the feeder and looked at them like they were on crack cocaine or something.

This morning we went out to the nursing home and Kate sat and visited with her sister and her aunt. Her aunt looked a lot better today and she said she felt better. She was more conversive this morning. By this afternoon though, fatigue had set in and she really looked tired. But Kate and Karen both had quality conversations with her today. God is good. While Kate was with her aunt, I went upsstairs in the same facility to see my mother. She had said she wanted to go to Walmart and get some stuff so I took her to do her shopping. Then I took her to Wendy's for her chicken nuggets that she likes.

The sun is dipping low in the sky on what has been a beautiful day. The sun has shone brightly in a relatively cloud free day. We haven't had a lot of of those kind of days this month so it was certainly welcome. I thought for a bit that I might actually have to put on my sunglasses.

Tomorrow will be an early morning too. I have a funeral to do in the morning for the father of a parishioner. I never met the man but he sounds like a person I would have liked. My prayers are with his family as they process his sudden death and work their way through their grief.

I also offer prayers of gratitude for the successful surgery that was performed on the mother of another parishioner. It was a serious surgery and she came through it fine. Again, I say, God is so good.

My sister and her husband are coming in tomorrow to celebrate Christmas holidays with us for a few days. He is the one whose PSA numbers have dropped so dramatically and I expect there may in fact be a celebratory libation passed around this place in the next few days. What a great Christmas gift God has given the family with this news.

I hope you have a wonderful, faith-filled werkend. Take time to stop and honor the reason for this Christmas season. Count your blessings and then share them with someone else.

Another busy day here at the Heumann abode. Here it is, a quarter til three and I'm just getting to my recliner. I 've been at the churches for a few hours, then to the bird feed store, then I had to fill all of the feeders. Ms. Kate has been at the nursing home, all day sitting with and visiting with her aunt. She just called here and and is on her way home, and then we are going out to have our first meal of the day.

God continues to bless our family. My sister sent an email telling that Byron's blood count has now dropped to to 25.4. That is a 600 point drop in the last four months. The medical protocol they have him on appears to be everything that we have prayed it would be. The cancer ain't whipped yet but it sure is tucking its tail between its legs. We pray it continues like it is going. I give God praise for leading them to this path. I give God praise for the scientists and doctors who invented this medicine.

I have a yard full of squirrels and Cardinals and an assortment of other birds. It didn't take long for them to discover the feeders had been filled. The four squirrels are playing "ring around the tree". They chase for a bit and then they get on a feeder and eat for a bit. Then it is back to the chase.

We had our final rehearsal for the Christmas Cantata last night and we sounded pretty darned good. It has been hard work and it certainly won't sound professional, but it will give glory to God and that is what we set out to do in the first place.

We keep waiting on it to rain orvsnow or do a combination of the two. That was what was predicted for today but thankfully, so far we've had nothing. It can remain just cold and cloudy and not drop anything from the sky and I will be pleased as punch!

Ms. Kate is home to pick me up and my belly is yelling at me to feed it. So, I'm done for today. I hope the remainder of you day is chocked full of blessings.

Yes, I'm late putting out a blog today. It has been another busy day but the work is getting caught up. Actually I was up early because I had to be at the car dealership at 0800 with the new car. They needed to put on the new paint protection stuff and a couple of other things that were to occur after I purchased the car. So, I have a nice loaner in the garage. They say it will take all day to do the work. I hpope it isn't too late when they finish up. I need to get up to the church and get the bulletins run, then a funeral planning meeting, and then choir practice. If they wait too long, then I'll just have to return the car tomorrow and pick mine up. I can live with it.

I finished my writing that I had to do. With the exception of EOM reports to write and EOY reports for the annual meeting in January, I'm pretty well caught up. We are also getting caught up with the rest of the work we had to do. Ms. Kate put the finishing touches on the Christmas Tree today and wrapped some presents to put under the tree. It's beginning to look more like Christmas anyway.

I still haven't had the time to go get my sunflower seed for the old fuzzy tails and my bird friends. Maybe tomorrow I can get to the store and do it. Today is just whizzing by. If it starts to snow then I guess I'll just have to deal with that.

So. I'm waiting to hear what Byron's blood count will be today. I think today was one doctor's appointment and tomorrow is the oncologist appointment. We certainly have the prayers going for another good report.

The weather is cold and raw today and it constantly looks like it could snow. We are to get some "wintry mix" -- what ever that term may amount to over the next couple of day. Those snow lovers just might get their white Christmas after all. And to that I say --- BAH HUMBUG!!!!!

I hope you have a great evening.

Blessings.

It was, I think, about 0145 this morning when Ms. Kate and I finally pulled the covers up and settled in for the night. We did put in a long day yesterday but we got so much done. We found our living room and our dining room once again. They had gone missing under all of the stuff we had carried into them to store during the remodel. So, those two room are back in shape, the pictures are hung in the family room, and the Christmas tree is up with exception of the ornaments which will happen today along with doing laundry and more worship service preparation.

It is a blustery 44° morning with cloudy skies. The weatherman said last evening that we have only had one day of actual sunshine so far this month and he doesn't see any coming any time soon. And, while I could say, "at least it isn't snowing", these kind of days do concern me. December is often a month full of depression instead of a month of joy. People get depressed because they get lonely; they get depressed because they don't have close family or friends that come to visit them, or they don't have enough money and or a whole lot of other reasons. And, --- December then often becomes a month of suicide. And, weather and gloomy days, one after another, is a direct contributor to that depression and suicide. I have read that more senior citizens die duing December than any other month. So, if you have an elderly person that you kknow, --- stop in once in a while and check on them and let them know you care about them.

I really need to get out and pick up another 100 lbs of sunflower seed and some other kinds of bird feed. My can is almost empty out there in the shed and I don't want to wait until snowfall and then try to take care of it. So, just one more thing to add to today's list. I don't seem to have a lot of birds out there this morning; just a couple of Cardinals. But, of coyrse, the bushy tailed rats are helping themselves. They are eating like there is no tomorrow. I could go shoot them off with my trusty Red Ryder but what the heck, let them eat. It is cold and windy and I feel sorry for them. Besides, they'd be back in five minutes anyway.

My prayers this morning must start off with prayes of gratitude for the bounty of blessings that God constantly showers upon me. But I also offer prayers of concern for those who are out on the streets this Christmas. I pray they will find shelter and that they will find oppirtunities to make the lives better. I also pray this morning that this country will come together as a nation. Our streets are becoming filled with crowds of protesters demanding "social justice" for causes that in many cases don't exist, but are stirred up by radical thinkers and then inflamed by a national media frenzy that sesationalizes violence for the sole purpose of money and ratings. Going to your knees and thanking God for what you have is being replaced by going to the streets and demanding more.  If every one of those demonstrators who are screaming in the streets for change actually went out and took food to a shelter, or took in a homeless person for a couple of nights, or took a warm blanket or coat out and gave it to a person who had nothing --- that would be social justice in action. .

Ok, my soapbox is safely stored once again. I hope you have a blessed day.

The countdown is on. Ten more days until Christmas, nine more days until Ms. Kate's birthday. One more rehearsal before the cantata next Sunday. All kinds of ways to tell that the month of December and the year 2014 are rapidly disappearing. Time does seem to pass more quickly when we are older. Although my 97 year old mother would tell you that time just drags because there is "never anything to do"; although one would have a hard time finding her in her apartment because she is always gone to some activity.

Yesterday was a first for me in the ten years I have been giving sermons at our two churches. I had finished the first service just fine but was starting to develop a sinus drip in the back of my throat. At the second service I caught a coughing fit in the beginning of giving the sermon and simply could not catch my breath and talk, ---  let alone continue to give the sermon. I told the congregation that I couldn't finish it and invited anyone to come up and give the sermon for me. Luckily I write all of my sermons out. Well, --- bless his heart, Scott Wallis came forward and read the message for me and did an excellent job of it too. I will certainly take cough drops to the churches and store under each pulpit so that doesn't happen again. By the end of the sermon I had recovered enough to finish the service.

It is a rainy morning and is supposed to be that way on and off all day; --- and this will be one of the better weather days this week. It is at least a little warmer today but by the end of the week predictions call for more of a rain/snow mix type of pattern. I know there are people who are praying for a white Christmas next week but not me. I just don't need snow in my life to make me happy or to enhance my Christmas spirit. In fact, snow makes me more of a Christmas Grinch!

I have a lot of things to get done this week which includes getting all of the stuff put away from the re-model, and I still have visitations to do and at least one more sermon to write, plus a funeral to put together for this coming Saturday. Unfortunately my biggest detractor is this recliner and my sunporch. I love sitting out here just watching the happenings in the yard, or writing my blog, or simply taking quiet time with the Lord. The peace of it all is good for my soul; --- but not very good for getting things done. I strongly doubt, however, that my last thoughts on earth will be that I wish I had gotten more work done; but rather --- "thank you God for the peace in my soul."

My prayer then for today is that you too will find that same peace in your life. Have a wonderful day.

I woke this morning to a cloudy, 41° day and what sounded like thunder. In reality though, it was the sound of a half dozen squirrels running full out across my roof. They have run full speed chasing one another up and down the seven large trees that surround my yard, through the yard, up and down the fenceline. It is amazing how fast they can run and jump from one tree or branch to another. I don't know why they are doing this, but it is certainly entertaining to watch.

I'm happy to report that our aunt has now gotten better enough to be released from the hospital and is now in the assisted living portion of the same place she had been living. At least she is now "close to home". Is it a blessing? We all have mixed feelings on that I suppose. She hasn't passed away which gives us an opportunity to still be with her and share our love with her. She still has good mental capacity and somewhat fair ability to speak. However, she is now paralyzed on one entire side of her body and the blessing of death is her true wish. But, God is in charge and we must often search through the pain and suffering we see and experience to try and find the blessings in each situation; because in the end, the facts are the same: God is good. So my prayer this morning is that she will experience the warmth of God's love and that she can use that as her strength to improve her quality of life. My brother-in-law, Kelly, lay in this same condition for almost fourteen years and I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

Our contractor and crew have finished their work in our family room and we are so very pleased with the results. Now of course, comes the hard part for of getting everything back in place that we scattered throughout three other rooms. But, if I can get the living room portion cleared out enough to put up at least one Christma tree for Ms. Kate, --- life will be good for her.

I stopped writing in the middle of this blog today for us to run to Walmart. I was very pleased to hear our cashier wish me a Merry Christmas instead of being politically correct. It was just another bright blessing in my day.

I'm offering up prayers today for one of my parishioners who lost her father last night to an anuerism. She has asked me to do the memorial service since he didn't have a church. Of course I said I would. We buried Kathy's mom twelve years ago in this same time period so we know well what that family is experiencing. I pray God's comfort for them. Mingling the joy of the birth of our Savior with the sudden death of a loved one will leave one with mixed emotions for several years to come.

May your day be full of Christmas joy.

A very good Thursday morning to each and everyone of you. I'm back in the the sunporch and the cardinals are back on their feeders. I have spent the last hour filling everything up and am just now getting to sit down to my coffee. Life is back on keel.

We got home late last night; got the suitcases unpacked but not necessarily put away. It was 0030 hours when we finally pulled the covers over our heads. But, that is about the same time that we normally go to bed every night so I reckon we are getting back on schedule. I was up early this morning because I didn't know what time to expect our contractors today. I could easily have slept another hour because they still aren't here. It appears they are at the finishing stages though.  The work they have done so far really looks great. I know they have a bunch of electrical work to do yet. The heat vent out here in the sunporch is great. Putting this house back together will take some time and effort. Every room is in some state of disarray. But until the contractors are gone, there is no use to start on much of anything because we really can't get to anything. There is a light coat of dust from all of the sanding on most things regardless of how good their efforts were to seal off the rest of the rooms. It isn't the definition of a "white Christmas" one normally thinks of.

Our vacation was wonderful but marred by thoughts and concerns for our aunt back here. She had a second stroke but seems to be holding her own. We will go up and see her today. My sister-in-law, Karen, came back several days ago to be with her because she is her medical power of attorney. Karen has been up there almost constantly since she returned. The blessing is that Aleen is right with the Lord, and is prepared to move on to be with family that have proceeded her into God's eternal peace. What a great way to feel; --- right with the world and at peace with God.

Visiting with Heather and family was wonderful. We didn't do a lot other than visit and just "be together", but that was all that was required. Lauren and Jon are growing up so fast. We'll go back in June for her high school graduation. And Jon, the youngest of the grandkids, will be starting high school next fall. Heather has a really great love interest in her life, and we really like him. Ms. Kate and I hope good things will come out of their relationship.

I give God thanks this morning for safe passage through our trip. I also sit here and gaze out my windows and reflect of all of the ways God has blessed me. A wealth of God's wonder and beauty flits by my windows in the form of Cardinals and Bluejays, and Junkos and Finches, and I'm reminded that God cares for every creature individually. I also thank God this morning that my brother-in-law celebrated  his birthday a couple of days ago; because quite frankly, we didn't know if he would see another birthday this year. I've said it a thousand times and I hope I never forget to say it: God is so very good. I can only praise His holy name.

Have a blessed day.

A happy Saturday from Menifee, California. We are at daughter Heather's house for the weekend. We drove over from Las Vegas yesterday. It was a nice trip over through the high desert. However, when we hit the valley and the valley bumper to bumper traffic we quickly remembered why we love corn fields and roads where a combine was the only traffic jam.  The traffic was brutal.

This morning Lauren fixed an "eggs-cellent" breakfast for us. She really likes to cook and this morning she got creative and made up a recipe of eggs, bacon, and sourdough bread. It was wonderful. Last night she made home made pizzas for each of us. She is a sweet kid. It is hard to believe that "little Lauren" is 17 years old. It is even harder to believe that her brother, "little Jon" is a week away from being 14. Jon is the very definition of sociable. He could charm the rattles off of a rattlesnake. Heather has done an excellent job of raising these two.

It is a warm sunny morning here. It was foggy early but that has started to burn off fairly well. We don't have a lot of plans for today but will get out a bit. This evening we will have our Christmas exchange of presents and hugs. We do want to go to a couple of places though, including a bike shop that Jon wants to go to. They are have some kind of special deal at the bike shop so I think it is important that we go. We get to share in the kiddos lives so very little because of the distance between us, so if that is what he wants to do --- go for it!

Our prayers this morning are certainly for Ms. Kate's aunt, who is in ICU due to a stroke and a 90% blocked carotid artery. My sister-in-law Karen, was on vacation with us but flew back home early because she is the medical power of attorney for their aunt. We got a call from her this morning saying that her aunt was having a good day so far today. Not one to try and tell God what to do, I pray that our aunt has peace in her body and spirit, regardless of how God defines that.

It is such a blessing for us to be out here to visit with Heather and her family. I always wish that we and they lived closer together, but this is their life and they like living here. So, I just count our blessings and enjoy the time we have together.

Have a great day!

It is evening two in Las Vegas, Nevada. We arrived yesterday afternoon and were starved. So, before checking into the hotel we went to a great BBQ place called Lucille's. We are staying at the Green Valley Ranch (GVR) resort which is across the parking lot from Lucille's. The meal was excellent. We went to the resort, checked in and or rooms are great. By 8:30 pm we were beat and in the room.

We started the morning at the GVR buffet. We've eaten there many times and it lived up to the standard we expect from them. Next it was time to go to Kohl's for Kate to do some shopping because she had a coupon that just had to be used because the time period included all the days of our vacation. I held down my parking spot here in Vegas just like I do at home. The location may change but the job is the same.

Next we drove up to Nellis Air Force Base to do a little bit of shopping at the base exchange. I took some deep breaths just to suck in some Air Force air for a change. I commanded the Security Forces Group at Nellis for two years so it was a nostalgic trip. It was nice to be among professional military folks again.

From there we drove the 24 miles from North Las Vegas to the southern end of Las Vegas and the M Resort an Casino where we stayed and played for a few hours, before heading out a favorite resturant that has a weekly special on a whole lobster dinner. We try to do this any time we are in Vegas over a Wednesday evening. Again, we stuffed ourselves with delicious lobster dinner. It is a good thing we only come to Vegas every few months, because I hurt myself eating.

My very exellent neighbor back home has been sending me updates on the renovation prgress going on in my family from back home. It is great to have good neighbors. Dan and I have become great friends over the past decade.

The weather here in Vegas has been foggy and cool the clouds are hanging at roof top and below on many of the buildings. I don't remember having weather like that ever before here.

It is evening now and I'm in the room while Kate and Karen play. I prefer "Cut Throat Kitchen" to a slot machine. So, before I head to bed this evening, I must give thanks to God for our safe travels out here. I also thank God for the rain the Vegas valley is receiving. They need rain so deparately as does southern California.

Have a very blessed day tomorrow..

Happy December! The countdown to Chritmas has begun for children, parents, frantic shoppers, and the church too. Yesterday was the first Sunday of Advent at which time we begin to prepare ourselves mentally and spiritually for the celebration of the birth of the Christ child through reflection and prayer. This is what separates the world of faith from the secular world. Target and Walmart can sell you a whole lot of things, but they can't offer you salvation for your soul. They can't sell you peace of mind nor a heart full of love. Nor, my friends, can the church give you those things. It takes a personal relationship with God, found only through prayer.

It is a gloomy morning. It is or has been raining and the temperature is close to freezing. The backyard gang is filling themselves at the feeders which are almost empty. There is a woodpecker out there fussing at me because the barkbutter feeders are empty. The cardinals, on the other hand, are happy because there is still plenty of sunflower seed in their feeders.

Ms. Kate and I are basically just twiddling our thumbs this morning. We are waiting on our contractor to show up and go over all of the work they are going to do. They are supposed to start tomorrow ripping out the panneling in the family room and doing the renovation. After he comes today, we are picking up sister-in-law Karen and driving to Nashville, TN for the night. Then in the morning we fly out to Las Vegas and southern CA for eight days. I'm hoping the contractors will have all of the wall boarding up, mudding and sanding done by the time we get back. That would save a lot of dust breathing that I don't need. My family room sure looks strange though to see it completely empty.

We had a wonderful ten day visit with Julie over the Thanksgiving holiday. There was lots of visiting and laughing and sharing of ourselves; and between us, --- gallons of coffee drank. She drinks coffee at the rate I used to when I was her age. I'm probably down to no more than a pot or a pot and a half a day, depending on what is going on. Many days though I won't have more than a half of a pot. It never keeps me awake at night so why not.

I plan to take my Nook along with me on vacation, but I suspect my blogs will be spotty for the next week and a half. If I miss you on a day, know that my prayers are still there for all of us. And let me be one of the first to wish each of you a Merry Christmas season. Have a blessed day.

Twas the day after Thanksgiving, and all through the house,
People were still sleeping; it was quiet as a mouse.
Julie & Jim had gone shopping at the first break of dawn,
And at every store they passed, all the parking was gone.

Today is Black Friday and there are shopping deals galore,
If you don't mind being trampled as you squeeze through the door.
So they went straight to their destination, and picked up their prize,
They stopped and bought donuts that will increase my size.

So now they are home resting, and with the pups snuggled up.
And I'm in the sun porch having my third cup.
Ms. Kate's at the computer playing bingo and such,
And lfe is just perfect because we're each loved very much.

As you can tell, among my array of talents that I am blessed to have, being a poet is not one of them.

And a good morning to you! It is a beautiful day out side even though it is only 32°.. the sun is shining brightly without a cloud in the sky. I'm quite sure it will brighten the spirits of all those people that are out trying to get in on all of the great deals that the stores are offering today. I tbought we were going to stay out of all of that but Ms. Kate says she wants to go out after while, when the mad rush is gone down and pick up a couple of things. So what the heck,

Well, that's my tail for today. I hope your day is a blessed one.

It is Thanksgiving morning. Ms. Kate has lunch in various stages of preparation in the kitchen and the house has been smelling wonderful since last night when the very first of the preparation began. I anticipate a very full tummy before this day is over. All of the usual suspects of turkey and gravy and the sides and desserts will grace the table.

We are fortunate to be having this day with at least part of the family. Julie and Jim are here. I'm going out to pick up my mother, and my sister-in-law Karen s coming over too. Karen is bringing the oyster dressing so she is officially my favorite sister-in-law. She also will be leaving on vacation with us Tuesday when we head out for Las Vegas and southern California to visit with Heather and the kids.

We had a skiff of snow last night; just enough to be aggravating and messy. Jim just arrived from New Albany, about 100 miles from here, and said the roads were clear and not a lot of traffic except for the 18 wheelers. So, hopefully, there won't be a lot of highway deaths this year from people rushing and driving stupid to get to their destination.

I had to refill some of the feeders again this morning. I have a squirrel out there that has been like a yo-yo up and down the tree. It comes down, looks around to see if the pups are out, and then climbs up the pole to the feeder. I wait until it gets good and settled, --- and then scoot the dogs out the door and the chase begins. It is quite amusing. We've played that game for several days now.

I give God thanks again today for a off filled with blessings. I pray your day will be or has been, filled with blessings too. Have a wonderful day.

James Whitcomb Riley once wrote a poem called "When the Frost Is On The Pumpkin", and that term certainly applies to this morning. And, --- I guess that only surprises me because with all of the cold weather, rain, and even snow, --- we haven't seen very many mornings with frost. God's world never ceases to amaze me with the intricacies of nature. While the sun is now streaming across the roof and lighting up the back yard and overhead are brilliant blue skies, the weather reporter just promised us an afternoon of rain and an evening of snow. (Big sigh)

All my feathered friends are certainly fluffed and plumped up this morning as they sit out there on the limbs and feeders. They look like they are about twice the size they are on a warm morning. I have plenty of suet out there for energy food for them although they still prefer the black oil sunflower seeds of which we have gone through fifty pounds of in the last week.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I am thankful that we will be celebrating it with family in a warm home. I know I mention it often in my blog but I just feel so very blessed to live the life I am fortunate enough to live. My journey has taken me from an unknown situation and home as a toddler to an orphanage for a couple of years, to a home where I was given the opportunity to learn music and an introduction to the church and faith and the beginnings of a faith journey, I have indeed had an interesting life. I've married a lady; without a doubt the finest lady I have met in my life, and she has absolutely been the rock of our family and has stood beside me through raising three daughters, often by herself while I was deployed for extended periods of time. I've been fortunate to have had two overwhelming successful careers; first as a military man, going from Airman Basic and retiring thirty two years later as a Colonel. Then, rather than retire, as I promised Ms. Kate, I began another full time career as a pastor for our two rural churches where I have been for the last ten years. We have three wonderful daughters, each with successful careers of their own, and we have five wonderful grandchildren. So, is it any wonder that I feel as if I have lived a totally blessed life?

As we go into this Thanksgiving holiday, I also must thank God once again for the overwhelming improvement in Byron's health in his battle with cancer; and I also thank God for Julie's continued strength and resolve in her constant battle with RA. Her constant battle with pain makes me ashamed to even think about complaining about anything.

God has been the constant in my life whether I acknowleged it or even recognized it over the years. I know that nothing in my life could have been possible without God being the guiding and directing force nudging and supporting me all the way.

Count your blessings today and take time to walk back through your life. I guarantee you that you will find God playing all the important roles in your life. Happy Thanksgiving!

A cool Tuesday morning greets us as we step into the sunporch this morning. It is a bright, sunny 31° outside. The pups have been in and out enough to be aggravating. But, they are true to their mission to keep the squirrels on the run so all is well.

The focus of much of the nation this morning rests on what is happening in Ferguson, Missouri. The grand jury last night ruled "no indightment" for a policeman that shot and killed an unarmed black teenager several months ago. The anticipated reaction to a verdict of that nature became a reality as once again certain portions of the population of that area decided to loot and destroy their neighborhood. In all fairness, the majority of the protestors came to protest peacefully as is their right to do. But there is an element of people who came there specifically to loot businesses and destroy property under the guise of civil protest. These are people who were going to destroy property and loot businesses regardless of what the verdict might be. They are thugs, they are criminals, and they couldn't care less about the young man who was killed. So this morning, Ferguson Missouri has an even larger unemployment problem because black owned businesses, in a predomnantly black populated area, have been burned to the ground by young black gangs of thugs, because they are "angry". There is no rationale that can justify that. Fortunately, no one was killed last night or injured. So my prayers are for the honest citizens of Ferguson who have lost property and the honest people who no longer have a job due to the protests and civil unrest and lawlessness. I pray God will help in the healing process of what are some major societal problems of inequality and injustice in not only Ferguson Missouri but underlying in the fabric of this nation. As a society, we are a long way from obeying the Golden Rule in this country.

I refilled all the feeders yet again last evening. There is plenty of food to be had and there is a good gathering of participants at the feeders this morning. Evdry once in a while another squirrel will try to sneak down the tree and get to a feeder. But it is quickly soied by a pup and then the whining and scratching at the door begins. It makes for a fun game, for them at least. Auggie came close to actually catching one yesterday because it took a wrong turn. It finally ran under the shed.

It is almost Thanksgiving and people are going to hit the road "to grandma's house". I pray for safe travel for all of them.

Have a most blessed day.

The wind is blowing a steady 25 mph with gusts of up to 40 mph. It is all the birds can do to fly straight and hang on to the feeders. The squirrels aren't having much better luck. But then they also have to worry about these two pups that are standing at the doors. We've had several mad chases through the yard already this morning. It is quite entertaining to watch. We had a storm go through the area about 0530 this morning and the rain was torrential. I think most of that is supposed to be gone but the wind advisory will continue until tonight and the nice 65° temperature we had yesterday will be come a high of 35° by tomorrow. And, while we might grippe about the weather, we are so blessed to not have some of the weather that is playing out in the rest of the country. So, it is a day to count the blessings once again.

It is Thanksgiving week and Julie has the week off and is spending it with us. We had well attended services yesterday at each church and the congregations each decorated their sanctuary after the service. We stayed to help with the decorating at St. Lucas. The St. Paul's folks decorated while I was conducting the St. Lucas service.  The choir sang a nice number for the service yesterday. It was a Bill Gaither number called "Mansion Over the Hilltop". Last evening we went to my sister-in-law's house for a delicious turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Thursday she will come have Thanksgiving with us.

The wind we are having right now has completed the de-nuding of the trees and bushes. Yesterday the firebushes were almost totally in folage. Today there is hardly a leaf on them. I'm hoping the wind will also dry them out so they will be easier to clean up.

Today has to be a day of writing. I still don't have this coming Sunday's sermon done and I need to work on the service and sermon for the week after we get back from our vacation. I'm about twenty five percent done with this week's. I have a good theme for it but sometimes the development gets lost in translation. We are entering the Advent Season so of course the focus is on the coming of the Christ Child. And, while it is a marvelous story, telling it in a fresh way for four weeks in a row is a challenge for every pastor I suppose. However, I am so very thankful for the opportunity that God has given me to serve these congregations. So, I'll rely on God to provide the words and hope I interpret them correctly.

I also once again give thanks for my family and loved ones, and our faith family. They are such a blessing and the support I receive from them is overwhelmimg. It is a total validation of what I hope to be doing. I hope you have that kind of support in your family and friendship. I also pray you will have a most blessed day.

It's a sit around, drink coffee, visit with our daughter Julie, Saturday morning. It doesn't get a lot better than that. Of course if the rest of our girls were here that would cream off of the top! But, thankfullu, Julie will be here through Thanksgiving with the pupperonies. Jim will join us on Wednesday evening or Thursday morning, depending upon his work schedule.

Last evening we had dinner with my nephew and namesake, John Neil, and his family. We don't get too see them very often so it was great to visit with them. They had come in town to visit with my mother.

Its much warmer this morning; 42°, and the sun is shining brightly. I fille the feeders yesterday and right now they are fairly covered up with Finches. There have been a few Cardinals out there. Julie said there were more earlier. But they come and go. The pups are continually going in and out and that is keeping the squirrels at bay. Julie has a sweater on each dog so they are very comfortable being out there.

We need to go to our meat market today, Dewig's, to pick up our turkey for Thanksgiving. They are such a great family to deal with and their place is always spotless. It is no wonder they have won National titles consistantly for years. I'm sure there will be more places to travel to once the car is in motion.

So, this is just a short blog today. My world is full of peace (except for a certain two dogs that constantly want in or out) --- and love. What more can a person ask for. My prayers go out this morning in thanks to God for a great week. I also pray for the folks up in Buffalo New York today. That six or seven feet of snow they got is probably going to start melting today with the onset af a couple of days worth of warm weather. That will cause some major flooding and then when the temperatures again drop to below freezing it will all turn to ice. I pray God will protect them and keep them safe.

Ms. Kate is ready to head out the door which means I'm running behind and better get busy. Have a great day.

Sunshine and Cardinals; what a beautiful combination to start a person's day out. Add a warm cup of coffee, an easy chair and a light blanket, and you have the makings of what one might call "snuggled-in". That pretty much my situation at the moment, although it must be short lived this morning. I do have stuff to get done this morning before I head off to a class that starts at noon. However, there will be time to have a second cup of coffee and time to sit and be thankful to God for yet another day that I have no doubt will be filled with blessings.

Today I have to attend my "Boundary Training" class that is sponsored, required, and given by the denomination. The class is required of all ministers of the United Church of Christ every three years. It is designed to remind us of what is considered "appropriate and legal" conduct around our parishioners and co-workers. I fully understand the intent of the program and the message they send. But, --- I also recognize that it is a program designed to protect the denomination from law suit should a minister act inappropriately. They can cover themselves by showing that we were "trained differently". The class will take four hours to tell me what I already know, and could boil down to no more than ten minutes. "Keep your hands off of the parishioners and the co-workers and obey the Ten Commandments. Now go have a nice day."  Seems pretty simple and straight forward to me.

Today is our daughter Heather' birthday. Where did the time go that this little girl is 44 years old already? Next month our youngest, Lisa, will turn 43. My little girls all now have grown children of their own or at least their chilren are close to being grown. Time does march on and often we forget to take advantage of the time we do have. That is why Ms. Kate and I have started having our family reunions. It is worth every penny  we spend to insure the cohesivness of the family. We think that is too important to lose. Our three girls and their families are literally spread from coast to coast. I fully recognize that is because of the lifesyle of being raised by me being a career military officer, but sometimes I do envy those families that have their children "just down the road".

So, today my prayers are prayers of thanksgiving again. I give thanks for my family and the love we all share. I give thanks for good health and I lift up those in my family that have health problems. May God give them the strength every day to continue on with a positive attitude. I give thanks for my faith family and I pray that God will continue to show me how to serve them, and the wisdom to know when it is time to step down. I also pray for those families in the northern part of our country that are buried under so much snow. May God keep them safe and warm. And finally,  as you read this, know that I have prayed for you today too. Have a blessed day.

Good morning! It is 30° outside this morning, but with a 15 mph breeze, the wind chill is still 14°… not a lot of help there is it?

The back yard looks like the Atlanta airport this mornng with all of the birds flying in and out. I think I've counted fifteen Cardinals out there. There are at least that many Junkos hopping around grabbing the dropped seed from under the feeders. Everybody eats a bit then they come and get a drink from the bird bath. I need to dump it out today and put in fresh water. It has a bunch of leaves and stuff in it. I don't know if it bothers the birds or not. Afterall, they drink out of street puddles and worse. But it would look better to see clean water.

Ms. Kate and I are tired and sore puppies this morning. We spent the majority of yesterday moving furniture from one room to another. We are having our family room renovated starting the first of December. We had decided that we needed to swap some of the furniture from the master bedroom to the family room and vice versa. None of it is light or small. In fact it was a job getting the stuff through the doorways. So, of course, one doesn't simply pick up and just move the pieces you want to move, one must move all of the other stuff that is in the way of what you want to move. So, it was a day of pushing, and shoving, and twisting, and turning, and lifting and grunting; all of which left us worn out and sore with some pulled muscles. Now at least, Ms. Kate can chose her paint colors. But ---- before the construction can begin, we do have Thanksgiving happening, and company coming. So, everything is in place to facilitate that, and then we get to move all of the stuff from the family room to store in the living room so the contractor can come in and start tearing out panneling etc. The good news is that we will be gone for nine of the first days they will be working in here and they can get all of the tearing out done, and the wall boarding up, mudding and sanding done while we are gone. It will save on my athsmatic lungs, for sure. When we moved into this house in 2001, we told ourselves that the panneling in this room had to go as well as all of the popcorn ceilings in the house. Well, every room in the house has been renovated to some degree except this one, and the popcorn ceilings have all been taken care of except for one bedroom. So, it is time to get the panneling out and some other work done. We are also putting a heat vent out here to the sunporch. Now, --- you have more information than you ever wanted about our home and activities.

Its Wednesday again already and that means a day at the churches. We are just a week away from Thanksgiving and the year is fading quickly. Christmas is just around the corner and before we know it, it will be 2015. I've always heard "old people" talk about how fast time seems to pass. Now that I am up there in the senior years, I can see what they meant. So, I think it is best that we simply enjoy every day that God gives us and take advantage of every opportunity to show our love for one another. After all, the closest thing we have to leaving a legacy is how we are remembered when we are gone. Have a wonderful day.

In my whining moments about weather, and snow in particular, I always say that I don't mind snow as long as it is "convenient" snow. Just put snow on the grass and fields and stuff but not on the sidewalks and streets. Well, from my pespective, this snow we have out there is actually "convenient"snow; so once again, thank you very much, Lord. I did go out and clear my driveway yesterday morning, --- I told you that. But, within two hours the sun had been bright enough that the street was clear and so was everyone else's driveway. Basically, once again, I created work for myself that God would have taken care of had I only been a bit patient. I think I do that a lot with more than just snow. Maybe we all do.

It is a cold, 13°, windy morning. But it is still beauttiful out there. Much of the snow that was on the bushes and trees has blown off and the limbs are free to stand back up. I was concerned about my fire bushes as they were bent almost in half from the weight of the snow. But most of the snow is now off of them. The azaleas are still pretty weighted down because they are backed up against the fence and the wind doesn't really get to them. Hopefully the sun will help the snow melt enough that the branches won't break. I have to go to the scripture where Jesus said something to the effect of; "Consider the lilies and the trees; they neither toil or work and God takes care of them." It will all be fine.

At 13°, the feeders are a popular place this morning and the heated bird bath is working great. There have been many, many birds at it this morning. There are birds on every feeder right now. I refilled everything yesterday afternoon, so there should be enough food for a few days depending on how many of those fuzzy tailed rats show up, and how long they sit on the feeders. I only have one out there at the moment and it is sitting up on a branch with its tail covering it in order to keep warm. I really don't understand how they keep from freezing to death in weather like this. But I feel the same way about the birds, and the cattle in the fields and all the other animals. Once again, --- the intracies of God's universe are just so overwhelming. To sit and try too analyze it will just boggle your mind and leave you staring into space. That is why we have this thing we call "faith". We simply trust that God put a perfect plan in motion, and like God, it will last for as long as God wants it to last.

This morning I thank God for the sunshine that at least makes the world look a bit warmer out there, even though I know it isn't. I thank God for all my birds and yes, even those darn squirrels. I thank God that I have a home and I pray that those who don't, --- are finding shelter and warmth somewhere. I thank God for my family and the love we share. And, --- I thank God for you who may be reading some part or all of my blog this morning. Whether I know you or not, you have just become part of my extended family. God has already blessed each and everyone one of you today. I trust you will give God thanks for those blessings.

What a fantastically beautiful view out the sun porch this morning. God has laid down a two to maybe two and a half inch blanket of snow on everything this morning. It is one of those "quiet" snows, meaning that it is a wet snow and therefore deadens sound. It is a picture of silence; ---- except for the galloping of the squirrel menagerie that is running back and forth across my roof. It sounds like a soccer team up there.

Needless to say, the feeders have a lot of visitors this morning and the heated bird bath is the star attraction. Before the day is out I will have to go refill all of the feeders. But, the Cardinals against a backdrop of snow does make for the perfect winter picture.

Saturday as I sat here there was a large Woodpecker out at the bark butter bits feeder. It would grab a pellet and fly away over to the top of the door on my yard barn. I watched it as it did that over and over. Saturday afternoon I carried another 50 pound bag of sunflower seed out to the yard barn to put in my storage can. When I opened the door, I got rained on by bark butter pellets that the Woodpecker had spent the morning storing up there. And --- that Woodpecker sat up in a tree above me calling me all kinds of unhappy things.

I've already gone out and shoveled the driveway this morning. Unfortunately I haven't put the blade on the John Deere yet this season. So, I had to do it the manual way. I treated my driveway last night before the snow came so it was an easy shovel this morning. My hope is that the sun will now dry it off before the wetness from under the snow turns to black ice and creates a bigger problem. Our temperatures are going nowhere quickly. It is 21° out there now and that will be the high for the next two days. Winter wonderland came one month early.

My prayers go out this morning for the family of my friend John who is being buried this morning. I hope the roads are clear enough that they can travel safely back and forth. The cemetery where he is to be buried is on a hill. On the bright side, I hope the family can see through their grief this morning as they are out there at the cemetery and take in what will be a beautiful view. The cemetery overlooks a lot of pasture and farmland and the snow covered fields and trees will be reflecting the light of God. God is still speaking to us every day and today I know he is speaking peace to their souls through the beauty of the nature surrounding them as they say "until we meet again" to their loved one.

I know God will speak to you and I today too. We just need to listen for the message. It will speak of love; and who doesn't want to hear that. Have a blessed day.

Some thirteen or fourteen years ago, when my granddaughter, Lauren, was around three or four, we were driving them back to Louisville to catch a plane back home to southern CA. Lauren was looking out the window and was amazed at all of the trees along the roadside because they simply don't have that terrain where they live. She began telling us the difference in what she saw. When we would come one bunch of trees, she. would tell us, "that's a woods". Then maybe the next place she would say "that's not a woods, that's a forrest". She did this for several miles of the trip. I never knew what made her distinction. Perhaps it was the density of the trees and whether she could see through them or not. Today --- I know the distinction.

Yesterday was a miracle news day. Byron had his PSA testing done and his number have dropped wonderfully again this month down to 46.4. Three months ago his numbers were way up in the 600's. That was the forrest with very limited vision of a way out. It is very easy to feel lost and alone when trudging through the deep vegetation of a forrest. So often, one has to literally hack their way through, while only hoping you are going in the right direction.

Yesterday's reading has put him in the woods. He's not free, but he can see the sun streaming through and the path is clearly visible. Even more importantly, he can see that there are many of us walking that path with him and we are following the light of God Almighty as God leads us all through. The goal is to reach a point where he is simply walking through a "stand" of trees where everything is clearly visible and the walking is truly easy and friends and loved ones bring picnic baskets and lean against that one large oak tree and relax. That oak tree has always been the tallest tree in the forrest, in the woods, and in the stand. It is the power of God. Its branches are the prayers you have sent. When we lean against the power of God, we can always find comfort and peace.

Byron has asked me to help spread his joy and his gratitude through my blog. I will do so again through my sermon message for next week. He sends his love and appreciation to all of you who continue to support and pray for him; and he acknowledges that it was your prayers that have brought him to this point. The journey is not finished. There are still some muddy streams to cross and no doubt the occassional briar patch to work through. So, keep those prayers coming, and God bless you for the ones you have sent.

It is a 22° morning and the sunlight is streamng across the roof and on to the beautiful red leaves of the firebushes. The Cardinals and other birds are busy eating and flitting around. What a glorious morning! I hope your morning is the same.

The sky is a clear brilliant blue this morning and the air is a crisp 22°. The air is still too so maybe my birds will have an easier time hanging on to the feeders. It would appear that I need to fill a few feeders today at some point but I think I will wait another ten degrees.

The window washing crew is coming at 0800 so we are up early, or as Ms. Kate calls it, "church time". In that we seldom go to bed before 0100, we usually get up around 0800 except on Sundays. When I first retired from the Air Force, I was getting up and ready like I had a staff meeting at 0700 or something. When I was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base, I would be on the running track at 0530, walk my five to seven miles and then head to work. But those needs and requirements are long past.

Well,  it would appear our being up early was proper because our crew just showed up a half an hour early. It will be interesting to see how those guys clean windows in the outside when it is 22° . I told them that we have the drop down/tilt in windows for easy cleaning but they said it takes them longer to do that.

Robins, Cardinals, Chickadees, Finches, Titmouse, Red wing Blackbirds, Sparrows and Woodpeckers of three varieties are all at the feeders and the birdbath this morning. There are three, maybe four Robins out there and three of them were sitting on the birdbath. It will be interesting to see if they elect to take a bath or not in this weather.
They are doing a lot of moving leaves and stuff this morning looking for what ever it is they eat, I guess. This is exactly why I enjoy sitting out here to write in the morning. Life and God's world is just so very amazing and interesting.

I made my visitations yesterday and got my work done at the churches. I also ran into my first snow flakes. We had flurries on and off all afternoon yesterday. I'm not a fan. If I never saw snow anywhere except in a picture for the rest of my life --- I would be fine with that. But some folks love it and they long for a White Christmas. I'm not a fan of any weather that I have to shovel. But, God created it so it must be good. But I'm willing to give some of that goodness to those who really desire it.

Time for prayers of the day. Of course no day is complete without giving thanks for my family and the love and support they give to me. I also pray that brother Byron has good results today from his PSA testing. That would fall right into the category of miracles. I lift up those folks who are grieving today from the loss of a loved one. I ask God to lay a comforting hand on them. I lift up those who are homeless and hungry today. May they find shelter and food and the help they need to live a better life. I lift up the members of our military today where ever they may be stationed. May God guide them safely home. And I have prayed for you today, whoever may be reading this. May God touch your soul today and bring you peace in your mind and in your heart.

The gates of heaven opened last evening and my friend John, of whom I spoke yesterday, walked through to his eternal home. So I send my condolences to his family and prayers for their comfort. But isn't it comforting to know that God always keeps the light on for us.

I didn't know John really well; he was a brother-in-law to three members of the church, and he was a cousin to my brother-in-law Byron. He and his wife have come to church and we have worshipped together, and in my book, when you have shared the word of God and prayed together and even perhaps shared the Lord's table together, you have become friends and brothers and sisters through Christ. But I think John sticks in my mind because I have seen the power of prayer and the grace of God at work with him. Even up to the last moment, God's grace was in that room. John had recovered sufficiently to be able to have last conversations with his family. He had expressed that he hoped that his heart would simply stop and that he wouldn't die from drowning from his lungs filling up with fluid. And as I understand it, that was exactly how he passed. His heart stopped, --- and John went home. I will say it again; God is so good.

It is a balmy, breezy 29° outside. We have lots of birds out filling their tummies this morning. The is also a rather large Red Tailed Hawk sitting on a limb about thirty yards from here. It is just watching what is going on. I would love it if it would swoop down and snatch up one of these two squirrels for its breakfast. I also have a rather large Red Bellied Woodpecker out there fussing about everything in general. There are at least nine Cardinals and a host of Finches and Sparrows here today too. The cold weather and wind has brought them all in to the buffet.

This morning we go for our dental appointments and then we need to go do the visitation and work at the church that we didn't get to yesterday. See how quickly I can get behind? Sluff off one little bit and then its play catch up. We did make it to choir practice last night. We are still working on the cantata for Christmas and it really isn't going all that well. So, we are going to change tactics a bit and pray it works.

Brother Byron goes in for a PSA test tomorrow so my prayers this morning are that his numbers are low again this month. That will give us all a sense of hope that just possibly he is going into remission. So readers of my blog, I ask you to hold him up in prayer too. I also lift up all of the other folks that are currently on our prayer list, almost all of whom are afflicted in one way or another with cancer. Surely God will one day show us how to beat it.

Remember to smile today and share God's love. God sent you more than enough and you can never use it all up. Until tomorrow.

According to an early morning post from my friend Judith Powers, it is 34° with a feels like temperature of 29°. However, that hasn't stopped my neighbor's lawn service from being out there mowing at 8:00 in the morning. Yikes! That guy doesn't even weat a ball cap on his head. He's got to be cold. I may do the same thing here in a bit and mulch up the leaves from yesterdays wind and rain. But, I'll have my head covered for sure. I can't be getting a cold.

There is my usual morning gang out there this morning at the feeders. Ms. Kate was in the kitchen with the mixer going first thing this morning and I thought maybe she was making some home made sausage. But, alas --- she was making suet cakes for our feathered friends. I've already had one of the Downy Woodpeckers come and sample it. The sketch cakes are good for energy for them.

Today is Wednesday and that means a busy day of visitation, going to the churches and running the bulletins, and then this evening we'll do choir practice. It may be cold out but at least it isn't raining. Yesterday afternoon was miserable out with the major temperature drop, wind, and rain. We attended a nice program at the Ft. Branch Community School in honor of veterans. The kids presented the whole thing and they did a good job of it. Their choir sang, their bell choir played, the band played and some of the 8th grade students read essays or poems they had written. It was a picture straight out of mid-west Americana where children are taught the value of their history and heritage.

The rest of our week is semi-benign. Tomorrow is dental cleaning day; not the most exciting part of my life. Friday we are actually having a crew come in and wash the windows in this place. That sounds like a really extravagant thing to do and maybe it is a bit over the top. But these guys come in and wash and clean all 29 windows in this place, inside and out, in about three hours and only charge about $175.00. Well worth it in my books. I think it took almost an hour and a half for us to just clean the ten floor to ceiling windows inside and out  here in the sun porch this past spring. Oh yeh, where is my checkbook!

Our friend John of which I wrote a few days ago is now out of ICU and in a regular hospital room. I am just amazed at the progress he has made. God has indeed performed great things with him. I haven't heard a report in a day or so, but, I credit the power of prayer and God's intervention to his current condition. Is he still terminal--- probably. But then we are all terminal aren't we. But God has allowed him to be able to have some extra time to be able to say his good-bye to the family and to take care of what ever spiritual residual may be remaining between him and God. That, my friends, is what we call God's Grace. May your day be filled with the Grace of God today too.

I'm running late today with my writing. It is mainly because I do my blog out here using my Nook. But --- I forgot to take it back and plug it in yesterday so this morning the battery was down to about 8%. That's not a good start to the day. I could write my blog on my PC of course but it just isn't the same sitting in the basement and not having my porch windows to look out of when I'm writing. I guess I could also use my laptop but I forget I have that most of the time except when we go on trips. Soooo --- my name for today must be "total geeky dork".

I'm now sitting here with a fully charged Nook and I'm watching a cold front come in. We have a narrow band of rain that is being pushed by some pretty strong wind. There are almost whitecaps on the bird bath with this wind. I changed out bird baths this morning because we are supposed to see a very dramatic drop in temperatures with several nights well below freezing. My heated bird bath does wonders at keeping water available for the birds in even the coldest temps.

The fuzzy tailed rats are back. There are three squirrels out there on the feeders at this moment. I figured they would return in force as soon as it got a bit cooler outside. There are a lot of birds of all kinds out there too. They have instincts that tell them that cold weather is coming and they need to build up their body fat. The weatherman even used that four letter word--- "snow" in his forecast last night. But, as warm as the ground still is, it won't amount to anything more than an inconvenience.

Today is Veteran's Day and we are attending a program up in Ft. Branch At the school. But, we need to go to our favorite restaurant first for some lunch. After the program, Ms. Kate want to go to a couple of stores so, that will be my afternoon.

Before I go, I must give thanks to all of the Veterans who have served this nation in order to preserve our freedom. I also give thank to God who kept them safe. Have a blessed day.

What kind of day do we have today? Well, let's just say this. There is a "throw" that drapes across the back of my chair for when it gets really cool out here. If I were to get off of it and put it across me; I think I would be snoozing by now, despite the fact that I slept in this morning. So, I guess it is a lazy, snoozy morning. That will happen when one stays up until 0100 hrs to watch Cut Throat Kitchen.

Actually, it is a beautiful morning. It's breezy, sunny, and 46° out there and supposed to go up to around 60° today. Our young weather gal last night said today would be "the pick of the litter" for weather-days this week. It is supposed to turn cold and stay that way now for a couple of weeks. The first day of winter is still a month off. Oh well,, we will adapt to what ever God send down the chute.

We are on day two of the Veteran's Day celebrations. Tomorrow is actually Veteran's Day but today is the day I think it is "celebrated"; which in reality means the banks and government offices and institutions are closed to accommodate a three day weekend. I did part of my worship service yesterday in honor of our veterans and tomorrow I'm attending a Veteran's Day program at a local school to support one of my young church kids who is taking a part in the program.

I'm very proud of my congregations this morning. We have been colleting items to fill Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes. The collection period ended yesterday and we spent a couple of hours sorting and filling boxes. We filled 59 shoeboxes. We had fifteen people show up to help fill the boxes and we celebrated our efforts with pizza and soda after we finished. What is really neat is that I had a young 16 year old girl who volunteered to run the program for the parish this year. She did a great job. So congratulations to her and to the parish. I love seeing how God inspires people to do something for some one else.

So, I just did a "2nd cup of coffee run" and I suddenly remembered that I have a great bathrobe to slip on for chilly mornings. I wondered what might have happened to it. Well, that would be robe that hangs directly in front of me and I brush up against everytime I walk into the closet. Sometimes --- no one is so blind as those who can see.

This morning I once again give prayers to God in praise of his marvelous creation and manifold blessings. I also ask God for his healing power for both daughter Julie and brother-in-law who are down with bronkial stuff and making them miserable. Neither of them need a single thing added to their heath plate. I also lift up all those on our church prayer list. May the Lord watch over them and provide comfort to them. And I pray for anyone who may intentionally or accidentally be reading this. May God shed his blessings on you.

An overcast, 42° day greets me this morning. The sun has yet to burn through the high clouds but I suspect it will before too long because I see it reflecting off of the neighbors windows. Now that the trees are almost totally bare I see a lot more of the neighborhood than I do in the summer.

Yesterday was a good work day out in the yard. And, --- I'm a bit stiff from it this morning. There is, of course, more to do; there is always more to do. I could work out there every day and there would still be more to do. But it is obvious where I worked yesterday and that's all I ask for. What I don't have a good plan for is grass removal without digging up flowerbulbs or killing good plants while spraying weed killers. And --- we got a lot of both, flowers and grass in and amongst them. The other thing that constantly pops up in our flowerbeds is trees. Between the redbuds, the tulip poplars, the maples, and the sweet gum trees that surround this area, we constantly are digging and chopping tree sapplings and sprouts out of our flowerbeds. It might take years for a tree to grow and mature but in this yard; --- from seed to sappling is done at warp speed.

Anyway, I got a lot more leaves and sidewalks cleaned up yesterday and also used the John Deere to mulch up the leaves in my front yard and in neighbor Dan's yard. Now we look presentable for the weekend.

I refilled all the feeders yesterday afternoon an my menagerie of feathered friends seems to be enjoying it this morning. The Cardinal clan is all here as well as the Titmouse duo. The Finches are flitting back and forth and as predicted, a couple of Junkos are back again this morning. Yesterday afternoon I was sitting here on a coffee break and there was a large Hawk of some variety sitting on a limb preening and cleaning itself. It not only sat there the whole time I had my coffee, it stayed there for awhile as I went back into the yard. That was awesome. I need to check my book and determine which kind of Hawk it was. The Red Tailed Hawk is our most common, but we do have several varieties. When we lived on March Air Force Base, CA, back in the nineties, we had a Golden Eagle's nest in the top of a tree in in our yard. That was so cool. There were always small fish bones at the base of the tree from the Eagles swooping down to the local lakes and bringing home dinner.

God has presented us another wonderful day full of opportunities to achieve something in His name. That beautifully red Cardinal sitting just fifteen feet from me is my sign that God is alive and his world is well this morning. So, for that and for you, I give God praise this morning. Have a nice weekend.

What a gloriously beautiful morning. The sun is streaming across the roof and into the back yard. There is minimal breeze moving anything around out there. The only detractor is that it is 34°… Brrrrrr! But, I think we are going up to around 50° today so that won't be too bad to get out in. I need to spend some time using the leaf vacuum again from the last few day's worth of gusty wind. I'll get the rake out and pull some of the leaves out of the bushes and run the lawn mower over them.

It looks like I need to also fill some feeders again. Most of the ones in the Pussy Willow tree just outside the window are really low. There is still plenty of food in other feeders but these are the ones they seem to like the best. I could use another 50 pound bag of black oil sunflower seed too. It has sure lasted a lot longer since I haven't had squirrels on the feeders. However, I am seeing them back again. There is one out there right now stuffing his belly. I think it is just about time to put out my heated bird bath again too and put the rest away for the season. It is great to see how well that thing works. I think this will be at least the fifth, or maybe sixth year we will use it. These things run around $50.00 but are totally worth it. When it gets to be freezing out and everything else iced over, we become the only source of water for them.

There are lots of Cardinals here again this morning. I generally have between eight and twelve at a time. There are a couple of Goldfinches here two. They have totally lost their color by now. I guess it helps with their camoflague in the winter as they match the dullness of the branches. I have a couple of Chickadees and an occasional Junko, but their numbers will increase as winter sets in.

I think this will be a short blog this morning. I need to eat breakfast and then get on with the activities of the day. The days are shorter and that leaves less time to get stuff done in the sunlight outside. With the time change, it now is dark by five in the afternoon. So, it is time to reflect for a few moments on the blessings of my life and the goodness of God. No day should ever begin without stopping to be grateful for my blessings. The mere act of getting out of bed this morning is a luxury that many people don't have beecause there are so many in this world that have no bed to get out of. Walking to my kitchen and pouring another cup of coffee is a luxury because so many people not only can't walk, but many more don't have a kitchen to walk to. So my prayers this morning are for those who are struggling in life this morning. May God bless  them and comfort them and help them find food and shelter and health. And, if there is a way that I can be of service to my fellowman, I ask for God to guide me in that direction. Have a wonderful day full of positive energy and a desire to help someone else.

Hold on to your hats this morning and for the next week, so they say. It is a windy one out there this morning. It is 46° and that is only two degrees below our expected high for the day. Its not a great day to jump in the convertable and drop the top and go for a ride. But, --- on the other hand, the sun is shining brightly and there isn't a cloud in the sky. So, I'm not going to complain one little bit. We'll just ride with the top up and enjoy God's world as it presents itself.

Ms. Kate and I went on a "late night- date night" around midnight. I had gotten home from choir practice and we had each done some more work; me on the computer and her on the greeting cards that she makes. Around midnight we both got hungry and decided to just go out for breakfast at Denny's. We haven't done that in several years, and it was a great time. As we older people say; "There was a day" when that would not have been unusual for us to do at all. Isn't it amazing how sedintary and "rutted-in" we can let ourselves become without realizing it. I wouldn't want to go out for steak and eggs every night, --- but we sure enjoyed ourselves last night and I recommend it for you too!

I guess the first thing on our agenda today will be to go up to the churches and run this weeks bulletins. We just had too much stuff to do yesterday to do that. I also hope to get my sermon finished that I'm working on. I got a really good start yesterday and I don't want to lose the train of thought.

I must tell you today of an example of the miraculous work of God. A friend, and brother-in-law of three of my parishioners, is in the ICU at a local hospital in critical condition. He has been on a ventilator for a couple of weeks, I think, and his kidneys had shut down three or four days ago. The family has all been in as much as possible and they are all prepared for his imminant passing. Yesterday they took him off of the ventilator, --- and he kept on breathing, not particularly well, but he kept on breathing. And, his kidneys began functioning again. Now, I don't know what all of that means. It could mean that he is on the road to recovery; --- it could simply mean that God is giving him a couple of days of earthly peace to ease the impact on the family before he passes away through death's veil. But, --- what I do know is this. Never give up on God because God never gives up on you. What happened in that hospital room yesterday was an intervention from God for what ever purpose it might serve to give God glory. And for that, I am thankful this morning. Much like Mary and Martha and Lazarus; a family received a very special extra day with their loved one. If he passes away today --- they will still always have had that extra day.

You and I have each received an extra day today also. Let's put them to good use.

And a very happy Wednesday to you! It is a 42° overcast morning, but the rain seems to have moved on to the east. The sun is trying to burn its way through the clouds, and all is well in the kingdom; or at least my 12,500 sq ft of it. You never know what might be going on, on the other side of the fence and at the neighbor's part of the world.

I can't believe it is Wednesday already. I guess it seems to be coming around quickly because I still don't have a sermon written for next week. There is an idea rumbling around up there but it hasn't broken forth with any consistency. But --- it will suddenly just come spilling out, so I need to be a bit patient. God will provide at the right time. God always does. In the mean time, my cup of coffee is great, I'm very happy out here in the sun porch, the birds are very happy out on their feeders, and life is just good all around me.

I think I have thirteen Cardinals out there this morning. It is hard to count them sometimes because they flit back and forth so much. The Hairy Woodpecker has come in and out several times as well as its little cousin, the Downy Woodpecker. I've also had a pair of Nuthatches swooping in and around at the bark butter feeders. The Finches, the Chickadees, the Sparrows all will be here shortly as the bigger birds go off to the trees. Their patterns are pretty well established.

Yesterday was mid-term election day for the country. The Republican Party gained control of the Senate and they already had control over the House. I wish I thought things would change and the country would stop being so divided. I do think that at least the majority of the people who get elected to represent us actually believe they are going to make a difference. But money talks and ideals walk. Glad-handing, cronieism, and compromise becomes the only way they get anything done. Every politician claims they are going to " change the system and clean up Washington". But in reality, they are just scrubbing a sceptic tank with a tooth brush in the dark. But having said that; --- this is still the greatest country in the world and I wouldn't want to think of living anywhere else.

My prayers this morning go for the nation to come to terms quickly with the election results and begin working together to make this a great nation for all of its citizens. My prayers also go out in gratitude again today for my family and friends, and my parish full of God-loving people. I'm thankful that my sister and brother-in-law have had a couple of weeks of peace in dealing with his cancer. We are all waiting for that "next report" and praying that his cancer might be heading to some degree of remission. I'm thankful for my fine feathered fluttering friends out there on my feeders. Their beauty just constantly reminds me that God is everywhere we look, and is therefore, always by my side. Give God praise today and share God's love with someone. Have a blessed day.

Good morning! I missed being here on the porch yesterday, --- but I had to take my 97 year old mother to the eye doctor and to run some other errands. After that, one thing led to another and before you know it --- the day is done. So, I'm starting early today just in case the world goes nuts or something.

I think writing is my main task today. But, before I begin in my office, We must get out and vote. It is mid-term election day in America. Locally our biggest race is for sheriff. But even if the only office being voted for was "dog catcher", we should exercise our American right to vote. Our neighbor state, Kentucky, has the hottest national race going on. They are voting for a Senate seat. The political ads have been non-stop and horribly nasty. Millions of dollars have been spent on both sides to secure that seat. Lies and half truths are spread with no hint of shame. We have empty food banks all over this country and politicians and their cronies spend money like it is water for political power to tell us how much they "care about the American people". Well, don't tell me; --- show me. ----- OK, I'll get off of my personal soap box.

It is 51° this morning and cloudy and windy. We'll have rain by noon which is another reason to get out this morning. I'm not a fan of gloomy days
as you can most likely tell. But my menagerie of birds outside does brighten up the day. It is mostly Cardinals and Finches so far this morning, although I had a large Woodpecker come through a few minutes ago. I'm a tad early for the "rush" of birds that will fly in around 0900. That's all good, I'll be here with my coffee cup for awhile yet.

While I was out running around yesterday, Ms. Kate was home doing the laundry and working up the remainder of a buschel of apples for applesauce. We had picked these a couple of weeks ago in the orchard. She had made a few pies for us and now it was time to work the rest of them up. I tried some of it last night and it is delicious. So, this morning I think it will be homemade bread, fresh applesauce, and steel cut oats for breakfast. How yumm is all of that sounding to you?

My prayers go out this morning in gratitude to be able to live in a free country. God has blessed this nation so much and the people seemingly work so hard to ignore that fact sometimes. We bog ourselves down in our personal opinions so deeply that we forget to look up to the God that has made it all possible. So I thank God for what God has done for us as a nation and for me personally. May God continue to bless America and may we always be a nation that cares about and cares for the rest of this world. Have a blessed day.

Brrrrr to the outside world. Due to another day of running errands etc, once again I didn't get my bird feeders filled yesterday. So, that was the first thing I did this morning; even before my first cup of coffee. It is 34° and windy this morning, so coming back in and wrapping my hands around a steaming cup of coffee felt wonderful. But my birds should be very happy this morning. Everything is prepped and ready for their buffet.

Ms. Margret, (the neighbor across the west fence) has her yard crew out there mowing and mulching her leaves already this morning. The fellow is wearing a lght jacket and no hat on his head. I would think he would be pretty chilly. I have to do the same thing after while, but I intend to dress for the task. The sun helps, but that wind blows straight through a person.

It is a Saturday morning and for the first time this week I don't have to be getting ready to go somewhere away or do something right away. I can sit here and drink my coffee and watch the world outside of the sun porch all I want to. Of course sitting here looking at a yard full of leaves is a bit of a nagger. But the temperature has to go up ten degrees first. But with this wind blowing and gusting to about 15-20 mph that might take an hour or two.

We got the food delivered to to food bank yeterday morning. It wasn't an overwhelming amount but when I went in there, they only had a couple of loaves of bread and a couple of cans of beans. They were happy to get the donation. We can still pair down a bunch of stuff around here and take another load.

We missed the trick or treaters lat night. We tought they would come right after school and we wre prepared for them --- but they didn't. We had to go to the funeral home last evening, and sure as we were pulling out the drive, we saw the first of them coming down the street. They looked cold. It was in the mid forties and blustery. There will be new runny noses this morning.

My prayers go out this morning for the family from my parish that is burying their father this cold windy day. They will be miserable out there in the cemetery. Times like these are hard enough without adding discomfort of weather to it. I didn't know the man, but I watched some of the video they had running in the funeral home and it appears he was a good father, husband, and grandfather. I know he will be missed.

Well, it is time to just sit back and watch the action in the back yard, and survey my micro-kngdom, and give God thanks for all of it. I hope your day is full of love, friends, and blessings from God.

Boo! That scared you didn't it? Happy Halloween. I hope you are better prepared for tonight's run of gobblins and ghosties than we are. We got to go get candy today as we have yet to do that. Yeh, its a cheapism. I figure it will be on sale today. And --- this way I didn't eat it before Halloween got here. Bless their little hearts, it is going to be a cold raw night for the kids to be out. Our weather guy said this will be the coldest Halloween in twelve years. Probably half of the little girls will be dressed as one of the two princesses from the movie "Frozen"; and I suspect they are going to feel that way before they get home.

We have other reasons to be out on this blustry, somewhat rainy , cold morning. Ms. Kate and I are going to start downsizing our pantries. So, what better way to do that than to take it to the food pantry. I saw on Facebook that the one in Oakland City is almost empty so I guess we'll take them some. We only have a small load to go today, but I'm sure no matter how much or how small, it will be used and appreciated. We need to get dressed and get up there too. They have very limited hours.

We also need to do a funeral home visitation today among the other running around that we have to do.

The Cardinals are on every feeder this morning. I didn't get the feeders filled yesterday afternoon so that too is a "must do" on the list. And I need to run the mower over the back yard and mulch up the leaves once again. The other tulip poplar is doing a good job of shedding its leaves now. If I stay on top of it, then it won't be such a job all at once.

Our prayers go out for those folks on our church prayer list. We just added another last night. A friend is having severe lung problems and they can't seem to keep the fluid off of his lungs. Being an athsmatic, I know that feeling of not being able to breathe. It is not only extremely tiring, but also frightening. So we pray for God's touch this morning for all of our loved ones and friends who are facing illness this day.

I have a Downy Woodpecker out there on a feeder that is pretty close to being empty. It pecks out a couple of bites and then looks around the feeder towards me. Now, I know it doesn't see me or know that I have anything to do with it having or not having food, but, --- it's still making me feel a bit guilty for not taking care of business yesterday.

S-o-o-o, I guess I better get busy with my chores for the day. I pray your day will be full of blessings, laughter, and love.