Arkansas Monsters

What I dislike most about Arkansas - monsters. Yep. HUGE monsters - spiders, bugs, chiggers, etc. I was sitting on the patio the other day when out of the corner of my eye I saw something HUGE scurrying across the floor - I could only grunt, oh, oh, and run. Fred wondered what was my problem - when I could talk again I said "SPIDER" and pointed. He cornered it, squashed it and said, "oh for gosh sakes". I had the job of wiping up spider guts from the chair. Lots of them. But other than the monsters, I do love Arkansas, Where else can you get you teeth cleaned and your watch fixed all at the same time?? Only in a small town. We had our yearly dental appointment last week when, as I was sitting in the dental chair, the pin came out of my watchband. I told the dentist and he instructed me to sit still until he was done. then I stood up, the pin fell to the floor, he picked it up and proceeded to fix my watch for me. I love it!!!!! At one time previously, he drilled a small hole in a shell which I made into a necklace.

I know you are probably going to say, "oh no, here we go with the birds again", but I marvel so at the glorious creation of the Lord. I get such joy in the birds, the flowers, the beautiful Ozark Mountains, all of the earth.  As we are enjoying our down time, these things become so much closer to me. God created heaven and earth and everything creature in it. We are all one in nature.

papa cardinal in all of his crimson glory

even the blue jays are stunning

the woodpeckers love the bird feeders

the baby bunnies come up for grain

our daughter's 15 year old  hydrangea bush

they start out purple and the turn to blue



even the domesticated animals - our daughter's rescued dog, Gretchen



and also Diggler

We celebrated all sorts of birthdays and our anniversary this week-end - daughters Chandra - 54, Brenda 52, and Connie 50 as well as our 55 wedding anniversary. A busy month as all of these important happenings are within 4 days of each other. Our youngest daughter escaped the May plague, but was fortunate enough to be born on Christmas Eve!!!!! As usual, we celebrated with grilling, cake, and lots of laughter and remembrances.

 

 let the grilling begin - corn on the cob and grilled chicken sandwiches

 one of our twin great grand-daughters - Kenzie

and her "Sissie" Kinley

always sisters and holding hands

and wearing their boots

 such precious ones

pretending to be shy

 

 

On Saturday we went to the Fayetteville Farmer's Market, which is so much fun to just walk around and enjoy the sights. Such a variety of fruits and vegetables as well as authentic Ozark crafts. Every Saturday is an adventure in itself

 making wooden utensils on the square

 white oak hand woven baskets

 home grown fruits and vegetables

bouquets of all kinds

 a local musician and his best friend

hand turned wooden bowls

organic veggies

 everyone brings their dogs for a Saturday outing

 landscaping everywhere

 these look so healthy

 even bison meat

a local banjo player

 fresh eggs and hand spun yarn

our daughter, her husband, and the twins also enjoying the perfect day

 

At Prairie Grove Christian Church this morning, Vance continued his series on "Beginnings" as he delved into the story of Noah. The idea of the ark and all the animals two by two, have graced many nursery cribs and walls. But really, the rest of the story is no fairy tale. A huge flood encompassed the earth and killed every living thing except those in the ark. God was grieved at the way mankind had forgotten Him so He actually rebooted creation - He started all over again with Noah and his family, because Noah was a righteous man and found favor in God's eyes.If you read this story you know this story does not end happily ever after - Noah sinned and fell from grace. Because of grace, he was forgiven. God knows we sin but has promised to never destroy the earth by flood again. He shows us His promise every time we see a rainbow. In some versions of the Bible the rainbow is mentioned as a bow - have you every noticed that a rainbow looks like a bow, pointed toward heaven. The arrows of God's wrath are also pointed toward heaven, promising forgiveness, not towards earth to show destruction. Isn't God great?? A loving God who previously cleansed the world, and now grieves at the shape the world is in today.

 

As this Memorial Day approaches, let us not ever forget all of those who fought to preserve the right for us to live free as we choose - if not for them I could not be free to write this blog. So every time you see a service person, thank him or her for their service. My father was part of a Red Cross volunteer group who served overseas in WWI - not joining the military, but serving our country never the less. To him and all military people from  the Civil War until the present day, I salute you.