Al, you're wearing me out!

Yesterday, when I got home from work, I came into my office to put down my stuff and was greeted by Al (the killer cat) acting strange(r) and a mysterious fluttering noise. It didn't take me too long to pin down the source of the fluttering noise. A small bird was flying around my office. Back and forth he went, from his perch on the shelf and another perch on a picture frame. And Al? Complaining all the while. I went and fetched my charming and helpful hubby who clarified that when he looked for the bird, he was looking on the ground. It hadn't occurred to him that the bird had survived Al's attention.

So - he began the game of "catch the bird". The bird exited my office and went into the game room, eventually hiding in a window. He escaped my manly hunter-husband and flew across the room to rest on another picture frame. My studly hubby snuck up on him and caught the little birdy with his bare hands. Birdy was safely released after this brief, but action-packed drama.

Look at what the cat dragged in

Al has been up to his usual mischief. This weekend he brought in his biggest catch yet. This snake is at least 5 feet long! Although he shows a bit of a nip on his skinny neck, he seemed to be holding up okay. Hubby released it into the wild behind our backyard. We wish him (or her) well.

Then Sings My Soul - More Love, More Power by Jeff Deyo

This says it all for me today. I'm extremely tired at the end of a long week (2 weeks?). I had a lot of things I wanted to get done today but I've spent the bulk of the day revamping my other blog. Now that we're hitting the hottest time of day, it doesn't seem reasonable to start the yardwork, does it? If I do nothing else, I will worship You, LORD.

More Love, More Power
by Jeff Deyo

More love, more power
More of You in my life
More love, more power
More of You in my life

I will worship You with all of my heart
And I will worship You with all of my mind
And I will worship You with all of my strength
For you are my Lord
You are my Lord

More faith, more passion
More of You in my life
More faith, more passion
More of You in my life

I will worship You with all of my heart
And I will worship You with all of my mind
And I will worship You with all of my strength
For you are my Lord
You are my Lord

More love, more power
More of You in my life
More love, more power
More of You in my life

I will worship You with all of my heart
And I will worship You with all of my mind
And I will worship You with all of my strength
For you are my Lord
You are my Lord (2x)

Is Al disgusting or is it just me?

Is this possibly part of the frog whose head was left in my closet? I don't think so but I'm not calling CSI to find out.

My crime scene photos are enough of a reflection into my fascination with all things morbid.

Happy Saturday, y'all.

Bluebonnets, a Texas tradition

This image is actually from my archive. I couldn't stand to leave the froghead on "top" since I'm pretty lax in keeping this blog up-to-date.

Back in April, the bluebonnets bloomed. This is an annual event in these parts. The bluebonnet is our state flower and it grows wild in fields and along the Texas highways. On a trip to Houston a few months ago we were amused by all of the cars pulled over to take photos of loved ones amidst the beautiful blue flowers. Here are at least a dozen families in one field trying to snap that keepsake. Funnier were the people pulled onto the shoulder. The resulting image will belie the proximity to 70mph traffic. Ah, the beauty of photography and the magic of perception.

Al, please stop eating frogs.

Yes, that's the head of a frog. And one limb. Laying on the floor in my closet.

Take a closer look. Just the head here. The special-effects required to fake something this gross are beyond my capability. I am capable of taking a close-up of a disembodied froghead, though.

Yes, I knew Al had something he was chasing/playing with/torturing to death. Yes, I knew Al had killed the frog. No, I didn't remove the little corpse. Yes, I did mention to my husband that there was a dead frog in my closet. And then...there was just a head. And one limb. That'll teach me.

Then Sings My Soul - What Could Be Better by 33 Miles

It's been a great week. The AWI conference was "all that and more". Squeezing the sessions into an already busy week was a challenge, but the rewards were well worth the effort. Being able to walk out of my corporate cubicle into the work environment drenched in the Spirit, spreading the Spirit, spreading the joy and wonder of God's love by simply being open - what a blessing! It's what I imagine when I think of living out God's kingdom here on earth.

None of the petty stuff, the office politics, the immediate "crises" of today's emergencies...none of that is what's important. Living in the Spirit, listening to God, walking with Jesus - that's what's important. It carries me when I'm too tired to walk. It lets me dance on the streets of gold in my heart and soul at the end of a week of meetings and conference calls and all of the patience I can muster. What Could be Better?

What Could Be Better
by 33 Miles

I’ve heard it said today
Is all we’re given
Tomorrow may not come
So you better start living
I guess it all depends
On your point of view

Pardon me if I
Just don’t listen
To everything the world
Say’s I’m missing
There’s nothing here and now
I’m gonna hold on to

Chorus:
I’m living in the days ahead
I’m already dancing on the streets of gold
Can’t stop celebrating in my soul
I’m living in the days ahead
Nothing on earth could ever compare
Can’t wait for the day when I get there
When I see Jesus face to face
Tell me what could be better
Tell me what could be better

If home is where the heart is then I’m in Heaven
It’s the promise of tomorrow
That I’ve been given
Who is waiting there I am living for

He’s everything I love
And I believe in
And I can hardly wait
Just to see Him
And hear Him say well done
I couldn’t ask for more

Chorus:

Life is full of ups and downs
Inside outs, round and rounds
Can’t blame me for dreaming about it

Chorus:

Chefmate Popcorn Popper

This is truly an unexpected form of entertainment. I'm pretty sure it shouldn't work this way. I did find online reviews from folks who clearly had a similar experience. Note to self: Read reviews BEFORE purchasing new toys.

Then Sings My Soul - Every Time I Breathe by Big Daddy Weave

I've been working on "transforming my mind, heart and soul" since a series of sermons our priest gave at the start of Easter season. I've come a long way in my faith journey as a result. Part of the process has been taking intentional time to talk with God. Not "to God" mind you, but "with God". Listening for the Spirit. Obeying. God is always right, so arguments are not very productive - but God is interested in what I have to say. It makes for a fascinating dynamic.

One down side is that the closer I feel to God during my quiet time, the harder it is to go out into the world. The trick is to remember that I'm carrying His light, His love, His warm embrace into the world with me. And may His glory shine from my face! Alleluia!

Every Time I Breathe
Big Daddy Weave

I am sure all of heaven's heard me cry
As I tell You all the reasons why
This life is just too hard

But day by day
Without fail
I'm finding everything I need
And everything that You are
To me

Chorus:
Every time I breathe You seem a little bit closer
I never want to leave
I want to stay in Your warm embrace
Oh basking in the glory shining from Your face
And every time I get another glimpse of Your heart
I realize it's true
That You are so marvelous God
And I am so in love with You

Now how could I after knowing One so great
Respond to You in any way
That's less than all I have to give
But by Your grace I want to love You not with what
I say
But everyday
In a way that my life is lived

Chorus:
Every time I breathe You seem a little bit closer
I never want to leave
I want to stay in Your warm embrace
Oh basking in the glory shining from Your face
And every time I get another glimpse of Your heart
I realize it's true
That You are so marvelous God
And I am so in love with You

Wrapped in Your mercy I want to live and never leave
I am held by how humble
Yet overwhelmed by Your majesty
Captured by grace and now I'm finding
I am free
You are marvelous God
And knowing You is everything

Weirdness

I'm sitting in the hall outside of a meeting room in my building. Well, not my building really. Today is a cruel reminder of that. In my new role, I'm a contractor for my old employer, paid for by a supplier. Although the role change is effectively a promotion, I'm a supplier and that means there are certain topics of discussion that I cannot be privy to. Which means that occasionally I'm asked to step out of a meeting and sit in the hall. Today this happens to be in a centrally located hallway.

Naturally everyone who happens to walk by sees me sitting cross-legged on the floor and somehow assumes I was naughty and kicked out of the meeting.

Awkward!

'Til the Cows Come Home

Whether or not throwing our grass clippings over the fence in a big pile on the undeveloped ranch land is the right thing to do or not, is NOT the subject of this post. The eight cows (future steak) that graze regularly on the clippings and produce manure that I use in the compost - they are the subject of this post.

Our youngest mowed and piled up the grass. I spent the afternoon pulling Mexican petunias that were taking over one of the flower beds. Between trips to the grass pile, these guys showed up and hit the buffet. Eight, yes eight, shoving, jostling, pushing cows. The grass was piled so high I was afraid these fellas were going to come over into our yard. Note to self: keep the gate closed!

A Woman Inspired

You can click here to read my thoughts on "A Woman Inspired." I encourage you to consider participating in the June 8-11 event.

Some days just call for flowers

Then Sings My Soul - Something to Say, by Matthew West

I love when "Then Sings My Soul Saturday" dovetails with "Cafe Chat". Today I've been thinking about fulfillment, and how we are each called to fill a need. God empowers us, enables us and calls us. It's our job to listen and step out in faith. I've got something to say, and I'm saying it. I'm living it. Sometimes I'm writing it. I need to be doing more of that.

"Something to Say" by Matthew West

Wake up, 7:32 AM
Can’t believe it’s time to do it over again
Yesterday, it took all that you had
And you’re wondering if you’ll ever get it back
But the whole wide world is waiting for
Waiting for you to step out that door
Come on, and let your life be heard today
You’ve got something to say

If you’re living, if you’re breathing
You’ve got something to say
You know if you’re heart is beating
You’ve got something to sayA
nd no one can say it like you do
God is love and love speaks through you
Got it, you got it
You’ve got something to say

Listen up, I got a question here
Would anybody miss you if you disappeared
Well your life is the song that you sing
And the whole wide world is listening
Well the answer to the question is
You were created, your life is a gift
And the lights are shining on you today

Spring in Onamia

Trout Lily (an endangered Minnesota wildflower)
Dandelions
Trillium (this one was new for me - a wildflower of the north. Very striking. Grows in the drainage ditch along the side of the road.)
Dogwood Tree
Tulips in a planter in front of a flower shop. They were so strikingly beautiful they looked almost fake. Almost.

Family Reunion

We spent the weekend in Onamia, MN visiting with hubby's family.


Mostly 5 uncles he didn't know and an aunt in declining health. We left early-summer weather in TX and arrived at early-spring weather in MN.
We stayed at a joint called the Soo Line RV & Camping Hotel. Sounds like a good time? It turned out fabulous. The hotel was quaint.

I learned about things like "Off Sale Liquor" but completely forgot to ask about rutting. I think they mean the roads. I'd hate to think this was a warning about deer behavior.

Then Sings My Soul - "I am a Friend of God" by Israel

It turns out I should probably accept the fact that I don't travel well. We are in the middle of a quick trip to Minnesota for a mini- family reunion (on my husband's side). The last half of the flight involved me spending lots of time negotiating with my stomach. Negotiating that went something like "no barfing, please, no barfing, please no barfing...." And in the middle of that I kept reminding myself that I am friend of God.

Engineers are problem-solvers

The other day I arrived at the office about the same time as one of my engineers. He'd played racquetball on the way to the office and had forgotten to bring a belt. He scrounged up a cord from the box of discarded electronics in the "hardware reclamation bin" (otherwise known as dumpster diving). Here's a picture of the fashionable outcome of his efforts:

The only thing that might have topped this look would have been if he'd used a mouse cord, and left the mouse attached.

Then Sings My Soul: “Here I Am” by DOWNHERE

There is a long preamble in this video, with a story of how this song came to be. I love hearing the artist explain background, but if you don't – jump to about the 6^th minute of the video to just hear the song.

This week has been rough. In many ways I've felt inadequate. I've felt my failings, my shortcomings. I can only cry out to God that I'm still here. I'm still willing, with His help, to do whatever it is He wants me to do. I will continue to do my best, even if from where I'm sitting it seems I'm falling short – that's relative to my own expectations. From God's perspective, maybe I'm doing just fine. I trust His purpose and His vision.

Downhere - Here I Am
From the album Ending Is Beginning
Sometimes Your calling, comes in dream
Sometimes it comes in the Spirit's breeze
You reach for the deepest hope in me
And call out for the things of eternity

But I'm a man, of dust and stains,
You move in me, so I can say

Chorus
Here I am, Lord send me
All of my life I make an offering,
Here I am, Lord send me
Somehow my story is a part of Your plan,
Here I am

When setbacks and failures and upset plans
Test my faith and leave me with empty hands
Are You not the closest when it's hardest to stand
I know that You will finish what You began

And these broken parts You redeem
Become the song that I can sing

Chorus

Overwhelmed by the thought of my weakness
And the fear that I'll fail You in the end
In this mess, I'm just one of the pieces,
I can't put this together but You can

Chorus

Here I Am, all my life an offering to You, to You
Somehow my story is a part of Your plan
Here I am

How do you want to go out?

Pat was in his 60's. In the middle of a bunch of amazing activities. Brokering deals. Volunteering. Developing property. Snap. Gone.

I asked hubby - he said "as long as it's fast and painless." Me? Snatched up like Ezekiel. You? How do you want to "go"?