Sign of Spring

Here in UpState New York we yearn for signs of spring on this 11th day of April with a cold rain coming down and temperatures in the 30's. Observe this brave crocus bringing color and hope to all on this dreary and gray day.

"The earth sings a song of gladness.

The earth sings a song of praise.

The earth rises up and laughs at me

Each time that I forget

How spring begins with winter

And death begins with birth."

(from a poem by Nancy Wood)

Don"t Give Up!

This is a very beautiful video with a great message based on Josh Groban's song, "Don't Give Up". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Swl4YKCOetc&feature=related#

And this very funny video on the Mega-Church Pastor. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yb9DF16Fx8k##

A New Season

Opening day of baseball.....a day filled with optomism for all fans no matter what team they root for. Everything is even and anything can be imagined. And if you win the first game....as my beloved Mets did.....then, O My! But there is the memory of the September collapse of last year and the year before when our dreams turned to ashes. William C. Rhoden in his commentary titled; Anxiety of being Mets Fan, suggests. "........the baseball fans of America are united by hope. Except in New York, where Mets fans bravely face a new season with optomism and dread." And "On a day usually reserved for declarations of joy and optomism, Mets fans watch and worry."In this season of new birth with the good news of Easter still ringing in my ears, with my tulips and crocuses poking up through the melting snow, and with the sighting of two robins today......I've made the decision to live in Hope. Hope that Santana will make the difference as he and Pedro Martinez become the greatest 1-2 punch in pitching. Hope that this last year at Shea will be one for the ages. Hope that I will even attend a game for the first time. GO METS!!!!!!

Growing Older

You may notice in my profile to the right that my age has increased recently. Half a century plus a decade plus three years equals sixty-three years. I have discovered that the experience of "growing older" becomes more meaningful as my age increases. The key, I think, is to focus on the "growing" and not the "older". Each year of life is an opportunity to experience, learn, and create. I am reminded of these words.

Good friend, don't forget all I've taught you;

take to heart my commands.

They'll help you live a long, long,time,

a life full and well.

Don't lose your grip on Love and Loyalty.

Tie them around your neck, carve their initials on your heart.

Earn a reputation for living well

in God's eyes and the eyes of the people.

Trust God from the bottom of your heart,

don't try to figure out everything on your own.

Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;

he's the one who will keep you on track.

Don't assume that you know it all.

Run to God. Run from evil!

Your body will grow with health,

your very bones will vibrate with life!

(from Proverbs, chapter 3, The Message//Remix,

The Bible in Contemporary Language by

Eugene H. Peterson)

Happy Easter

Mary, John, and I experienced a delightful Easter weekend visit to Savannah, Georgia. Skies were mostly blue, the sun was warm, and the temperature was in the high 70's. We arrived from Florida on Friday afternoon, visited a quilt shop and the 8th Air Force Wing Museum. In the evening we walked the riverfront and had seafood gumbo and beans with red rice at the Bayou Cafe. On Saturday we took a historical trolley tour of the city. We were able to see the wonderful old buildings, the beautiful squares, and learn the history of the city. John even had the opportunity to play keyboard and entertain at an art gallery in The City Market. Lunch was at the historic Pirate's House where we dined on fried chicken, lima beans, collard greens, scallops wrapped in bacon, and other delightful dishes. Sunday morning we were blessed to worship at The Lutheran Church of the Ascension. This historic church is home of a vital and active congregation. Easter morning worship included a bell choir and a trumpet player. Following worship we attended a breakfast with a petting zoo in the church basement. It was a wonderful way to celebrate Easter morning.

Quilting Festival

We accompanied Mary to a Quilting Festival in Trenton, Florida. It was a beautiful warm day for the event, here are some pics.

Florida lifestyle

Well, we have been here three weeks now and I am finally adjusting to this Florida lifestyle. The pace is slow and relaxed, the sun is warm, and the opportunities to experience nature abound. Earlier this week we traveled to New Port Richey to visit with friends Don and Betty. They are staying in a beautiful home on a canal with a pool. We had a lovely 24 hour visit. Mary and I were celebrating our 41st wedding anniversary on Tuesday so Betty was kind enough to take John to a movie so that we could celebrate. Mary and I visited Tarpon Springs where we enjoyed a wonderful meal at Hella's Restaurant and Bakery. We had scallops, shrimp, fish, and vegatables all cooked Greek style. All of it was delicious.

Paradise

If "Paradise" is a place of peacefullness and quiet, lush and green, with a tropical beauty; then the small house we rent here in Weirsdale, FL. is paradise. Our two bedroom "villa" sits on 6 beautiful acres of woods surrounded on three sides by an orange grove. There are a couple of orange trees on the property that are filled with delicious fruit which we squeeze many mornings for fresh juice. We also have a friendly owl who is kind enough to pose for photos. What follows are some photos I took the other morning.

We have been in Florida for over a week now and I finally have the opportunity to post on this blog. We have been very busy with getting settled, hosting daughter Carla and grandchildren; Kaylyn and Brendan, and visiting with nearby friends. I've also run into some computer gliches that delayed this post. Anyway, we are having a great time and enjoying the mild weather. We arrived on Friday evening, 2/22, following a 12 hour drive form North Carolina. It was 34 degrees when we left the motel and it warmed up slowly throughout the day. When we saw the welcome to Florida sign, we reached 70 degrees for the first time and within 15 minutes it reached 80! Welcome to Florida, indeed. Saturday was a day for unpacking, shopping, and becoming reacquainted with the area. On Saturday evening we enjoyed the free entertainment and dancing at Spanish Square in The Villages.

Sunday we atttended worship at St. John's Lutheran Church in Summerville where we connected with Rich and Louise from up home. After worship we enjoyed coffee and conversation on the porch of our Villa. Monday we enjoyed our much anticipated trip to Hommossasa Springs to visite Pokerbluegill (Dewey and Elizabeth). They took us on their pontoon boat down the river past "monkey island" as we spotted three manatees along the way. Then a lunch of fish and stone crab before visiting the wonderful wildlife park nearby. There we learned about manatees closeup and viewed gators, birds, bears, panthers, and Lu the Hippo. It was a great afternoon that concluded with supper at Fat Boy's BBQ.

Carla and the grandchildren arrived on Thursday and we met them at Universal Studios where we toured the Islands of Adventure. We returned on Saturday to visit the Universal Studios park. Lots of rides, shows, and smiles.

We also had a great lunch at Gator Joe's where Brendan snacked on gator tails and frog legs.