It is raining abundantly here, and we have running water everywhere. It is such good water, too!

When I was younger and living in Thomas Blvd. Park area we would play in the rain, run in the gutters, kick the water, sit in the water, love, love playing in the rain and rainwater. There was one place though that caused me nightmares. It still gives me the creeps when I look at it.

 

I would dream that the water rushing would pull us down into this unguarded hole. Sometimes the hole on the side is deeper or more open than others because the road wears out there from the running water. It just scares me.

The fields are filling up.

 

Beautiful clouds before the rain.

The Draw at the Lloyd Woods Park (aka 7th Street) is full!

 

#rainwaterfall

Raindrops are falling on these pretty in pink blooms.

 

 

Fresh Find: I SO want this covered wagon!

 

 

 

 

The mushroom is the tip of a fungus iceberg, if you will – a clue that a large fungus lies buried in the soil. Lawn fungi and their mushrooms don't harm a lawn. They're actually good guys in the ecosystem of your yard, breaking down organic material into nutrients your lawn can use.

There is a lawn I passed today that is busy creating amazing mushrooms.

 

 

Every mushroom is unique. They unfold from the ground into amazing beauty.

What are the mushrooms bursting forth in our lives as God breaks down the bad and creates the good? Our interacting ecosystem only becomes truly healthy when our soul is moved.

 

 

Fresh Find: I like these Vans shoes.

 

 

Wow, I came across this picture that brought forward some wonderful memories of great people that God placed in our lives through this Sunday School class at First Baptist Church. We were younger then. Santa was our teacher. Is this possible? LOL

 

Pyle, Eaves, Davis, DeWoody, Miller, McDonald, Jones, Ward, Miller, McDonald, Hammitt, & Wall. Beautiful friends, some for a season; thankful!

 

 

Fresh Find: I still like this swivel bar stool!

 

 

I am not a person who is good at telling stories or making up stories. I don't remember what happened two minutes ago and as creative as I am blessed to be, putting words together in a creative way is way beyond my black and white thinking. God has given me words from time-to-time and I always try and jot them down.

In my first compilation, Ushka's Book, I placed as many as I could along with photographs that he had allowed my eyes to see up to that point in my life.

 

 

Here are some of the words shared there:

 

 

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO ME . 2008 

Does anybody care if I disappear?

Each night I live in fear.

I’m not sure what will happen to me. Let it be, let it be!

 

Do you see me in the dark?

Can you hear the lonely dog bark?

I’m not sure what will happen to me. Let it be, let it be!

 

Warm tears fall from my face.

Deep within my hiding place.

I’m not sure what will happen to me. Let it be, let it be!

 

I look out into the world passing by.

Leaving me curled in pain, why?

I’m not sure what will happen to me. Let it be, let it be!

 

It is up to me to crawl my way.

Darkness turns to the light of day.

I’m not sure what will happen to me. Let it be, let it be!

 

I see a change in the passer by.

They reach into my soul with their Hope filled eye.

I’m not sure what will happen to me. Let it be, let it be!

 

On my knees, with a helping hand.

Through the Solid Rock, I stand.

I’m sure what will happen to me. Let it be, let it be!

 

 

 

BIRDIE . 2009

Cute little birdie sitting in the tree.

Trying to stay warm looking at me.

I'm in the kitchen cooking up lunch.

I glance out now there's a bunch.

Talking to each other happy as can be.

Each little birdie with a place on the tree.

Hanging on for dear life in this wind, you see!

 

 

 

YELLOW . 2010 

I awoke to a big Yellow sun, bright as Yellow. The fiery Yellow reflected on the Yellow dog and the Yellow roses. Feeling Mellow Yellow, I grabbed a big Yellow taxi. Passing the Yellow windows, I saw paintings in Yellow. We passed a red-Yellow autumn funeral, and the driver mouths, “We’ll meet in the Yellow forest.” I ask my driver, Yellow Ledbetter, to take me to Yellow River Road. He says, “You’re a Yellow hammer if I ever knew one.” We pass a wild Yellow bloom, and I notice the forever Yellow sky. Yellow, black, and rectangular the Yellow boat reflects the Yellow light from the Yellow sky. I get out to follow the Yellow Brick Road, and as I walk I tie a Yellow ribbon on eighteen Yellow roses. I see the Yellow Submarine on the Yellow River, and I think about how I enjoy Yellow days. There is a Yellow beach umbrella, and close by stands a girl in an Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini. I think she must have Yellow fever. The Yellow sun of Ecuador creates Yellow sweat, and I notice the Yellow butterfly as it eats Yellow petals from the Yellow Rose of Texas. The Yellow bird eyes the worms crawling on their Yellow bellies. Ah, something cool, but then I see, “Don’t eat the Yellow snow cone.” Suddenly the Yellow Brick Road turns blue, and I notice the Yellow moon. A soft Yellow star shimmers and I realize I have no Yellow heart to take home. The moon was Yellow, and my day was done. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

 

 

 

SPINNING ON THE STOOL . 2010

Sometimes I feel like spinning on the stool.

Don't care if I look like the fool.

 

Just to have some fun.

Remind me of when I was young.

 

Drop me some peanuts in my cola.

Take me a swig, now payola.

 

Push those buttons to play some vinyl.

Laugh like nothing's final.

 

Filling up most-a-day.

Kids getting together just to play.

 

Spinning on the stool.

Keeping it cool!

 

 

Her Daddy Always Said . 2010 

Old as she was, she still missed her daddy sometimes.

I guess because, in his eyes, she was his diamond mine.

Get your Bible and let’s go.

 

 

Too many years without her brilliant, jewel of a dad.

She has struggled, and been more than a tad sad.

Get your Bible and let’s go.

 

 

Days go by now faster now than before.

Still, his memory knocks on her heart's door.

Get your Bible and let’s go.

 

 

She is reminded of the quite example he laid before her.

Yes ma’am, no ma’am, yes sir, and no sir.

Get your Bible and let’s go.

 

 

Without him to polish her stones, she often felt alone.

Finding peace through the Hotline to Heaven phone.

Get your Bible and let’s go.

 

 

Old as she was, she knew the truth about things.

For her daddy gave his all to give her wings.

Get your Bible and let’s go.

 

 

Using her wings, the bells of heaven chime.

Her daddy’s words remind her each time.

Get your Bible and let’s go.

 

 

Reunion time is sooner than not; again they will meet.

Daddy and daughter together at the Savior’s feet.

Get your Bible and let’s go.

 

 

Acceptance . 2011

Life is a struggle; it ain't easy all the time.

If only you could accept me, I'd feel fine.

 

I might be … down and out without a dime.

Sitting in the high-rise, drinking wine.

 

Riding the tractor, down the row.

Entering data, kid in tow.

 

Delivering pizza, for a queen.

Running plays, for the team.

 

Building things, from the ground up.

Chatting by the water cooler, drink in cup.

 

Putting out fires, hose in hand.

Doing kids hair, with a rubber band.

 

Sitting at church, trying to learn.

In the courthouse, it’s my turn.

 

Teaching kids, what a day.

Musical instruments, I play & play.

 

I'm in your life, but you can't see.

I'm a little bit different than you think I ought to be.

 

Acceptance!

 

 

Empty . 2012

The vessel was empty, and you blessed it in time.

You filled the space with your miracle design.

Intricate details dark as night.

I was created in the womb, heartbeat to light.

 

You created me, a vessel, to be filled.

Overflowing with love through your holy will.

The love of Jesus you gave to me.

A sinner I am, you set me free.

 

It is my calling, from vessel to pour.

Sharing the never ending love with more.

More like Jesus we should be.

We are his vessel, never empty.

 

 

AMERICA . 2012

A-ll

M-y

E-nergy

R-ests

I-n

C-hrist

A-lone

 

 

The next book was this treasured ABC book about God.

 

 

Then, a story that God had given me in 2007 finally became an in print reality.

 

And now ... God still gives me words to share, and I still try and write them down so our grandgirls can read them and grow from them. Working on a rustic paper version of quotes.

 

 

 

Fresh Find: Anyone remember these? Spaghetti Ribbon Swag. We never had one, too poor, but loved the look of them!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm exhausted. I know you don't partcularly care, though. Ha! I cleaned out my closet. I had way too many clothes that I did not wear last year and shoes that I am not wearing so, they have gone to friends to go through and get what they can use. They then pass them on and on until everything has a new home. The closet is still full, but all ready for a new year; by color and solid sleeveless, short-sleeved and then long sleeved and prints by sleeveless, short and long sleeved. Pants by color and solid leggings, pants, and then prints. 

 

Shoes are by color and easy to find!

 

Tote/handbags are stuffed with travel pillows, a perfect size to stuff with to help each bag keep its shape.

Feeling successful!!!

 

 

Fresh Find: A sweet 55 Chevrolet Cameo!

 

 

I rarely get out of the car to take a picture. Today, I was called to stop and get out.

Often God calls me to a place to take pictures, and I'm wondering, why here. Then he shows me.

Today, I stopped my black tank at a neat and tidy little house. I got out and went to the door, knocked, and waited. A kind man answered the door, and I told him what joy his property brought me as I drove around town taking pictures, mostly of flowers.

He thanked me (I'm sure thinking I was crazy) and told me I could look around and take pictures.

I'm taking pictures, and I turn, and there is an oasis.

 

 

 

Not long ago, I overheard a bit of a conversation with a couple of people talking about me taking pictures, why 'eyes to see', and they just didn't get it.

So, 'eyes to see' is how I label each picture I take because my eyes are God's to use. He gave me amazing wiring through Aspergers to see things differently, to see life in pictures. I use a point and shoot camera and have no camera skills. I don't see things crisply or clearly, and I am blessed with what he allows me to see through the lens into his world. 

I share pictures to encourage and bring others joy. This is my calling.

 

 

 

Fresh Find: Sugru. A moldable glue that turns to rubber. Comes in colors, too.

 

 

 

Come to your passion or com2passion. Whatever our passion is we need to own it by coming fully into it. When we come into our passion, no matter what it is, if our heart does not have love, it is futile.

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:2

As we enter the time of year where we are led to think of others by retail giants, let's enter knowing that our goal is to com2passion. The change starts with us!

 

 

Fresh Find: Beautiful fused glass vase.

 

 

 

We have all heard the phrase; Everything happens for a reason. 

 

Ecclesiastes 3:1-15

 

Sometimes, more often than not, I start out my day with a plan, a plan that God changes.

I had to be at a dermatology appointment in Lubbock late this morning. It was my plan to go there and come right back because I had things to do. 

No, God led me to a place and shared his love with me there.

Old age is a blessing from the Lord. Please, keep telling me this because I want to know God is blessing me and using me, even as I enter my senior years.

When living by the Word of God, old age brings wisdom.

I always have prayed for wisdom. Guess what? God has delivered the answer to my prayer because he has allowed me many valleys to learn in. "Nothing grows way up in the atmosphere, up where the air is clear, but there is beautiful growth in the valley." [up]

Through our experiences we learn, we grow, we encourage others. Old age is the beauty of rose petals to share.

My Mother once had a rose garden @ 313 Irene Street. She took great care of the roses. I remember their beauty.

Today, I walked a path in a beautiful rose garden. Although many of the roses were nearing the end of their lives, they still held such beauty.

 

 

 

(There is an album on Facebook with all of the rose pictures from today)

 

God reminded me that there is much work for me still to do. That even in my old age, he will create beauty in me and through me.

 

Isaiah 46:4 And I will still be carrying you when you are old. Your hair will turn gray, and I will still carry you.

 

 

 

Fresh Find: Sweet drawer sachets.

 

 

 

Our sweet daughter-in-law brought over some peaches. These aren't just any peaches. They are peaches from the trees that my mother planted. Special peaches. It is so sweet that she, our son, and the two grand-sisters, shared with us.

 

 

Baking two peach-filled burritos!

 

Thank you, God, for the seed, dirt, moisture, sunshine and care of the trees so that they can produce fruit! Yummy!!!

 

 

 

Fresh Find: Fun vinyl album holder. Nothing sounds as good as vinyl.