Shirtless in the Eighties

I know what you're thinking.

Yes . . . exactly what I was thinking

when I came across this slide.

I'd seen lots of skin

on shots taken at home, but . . .

On the golf course?

It seems like it was the thing to do . . .

since I noticed that his golfing buddies did the same.
Somehow it was normal and the right thing to do in order to unwind.

I'll be nice, but you get the drift . . .

at home in our family room. Daddy was home to romp on!

This photo just tells me a lot about the happiness

shared in a simple room.

Allow me to digress.

A small TV that sat on a night table. Obviously, no remote and I remember the cable was easily accessible. Benji found great delight in unplugging it to listen to his sisters screams. No such thing as renting movies, since we had not bought the latest in technology - a VHS player. Family night meant playing hide and seek or maybe snakes and ladders.

And who displays trophies on a fireplace mantle today? Would they not ruin the home decor? But at that time we proudly displayed family achievements.

The round brown vinyl hassock in the background, in front of the fireplace. Oh what fun the kids had with it, setting it on its side to lean against it with their tummy and rock back and forth with. Other times it became a stage to perform on, or maybe just to wheel or race someone around on. After many years it got tossed, looking rather like a worn out trampoline.

Okay. . . so much for the shirtless eighties . . . and blogging while scanning.

From Tulips to Hockey

For everything a season . . . while the tulips are standing at attention in the fields, the hockey season is almost over. I came home from our girls outing on Tuesday just in time to brush my teeth, put on some lipstick and hop into the truck with my H. We do this about twice a year, not because I’m a huge hockey fan, but because I love this kind of time together.

I enjoy the drive into Vancouver, the city that holds memorable childhood and sweet dating memories for us.

As soon as we got to GM Place, we picked up our usual Whitespot Burger with fries and headed to our seats. We finished them up just as the lights turned down and 18000 (minus one or two) fans went crazy while the teams skated onto the ice. Vancouver versus Colorado. I found it particularly interesting on this night, as Kristal and Shaun were in a moving truck to Colorado this week.

The starting line-up stood while both national anthems were sung.

Roberto Luongo, team captain for the Canucks and Gold winning medalist with the 2010 Olympic Team Canada, is ready in position. I read that he was inspired to become a goalie after he was cut from his peewee hockey team.

It was a game that kept us guessing to the very end, as Daniel Sedin tied up the game (3-3) during third period, forcing the game to go into overtime and finally a shoot-out.

Vancouver Canucks players Wellwood, Demitra and Kesler all missed on the shootout. Colorado's Duchane ended up scoring the wining goal.

I didn't get a winning shot either, but I had to take it, because I’m always intrigued with this huge lit up globe against the night skyline. Oh, and I think the most exciting part of hockey is just beginning, seeing the Canucks have earned themselves a favorable spot in the playoffs with the Northwest Division title.

We will be enjoying those games in the comfort of our family room.

MGCC Field Trip

Yesterday . . . those of us who could . . . left our kitchens and posting . . . to do some field work. . . or rather . . . find some other interesting things to report on. We met first thing in the morning and headed to La Conner, where we had arranged to meet with Ellen.

Ellen is the one sitting between Kathy and Lovella, here at the Seeds Bistro. Marg and Judy are across the table. This was the first time we met Ellen in person, after sharing a blog for 22 months, and it wasn't strange at all. She had driven about an hour north for this meeting and even came with a little gift for each of us. We had a great time chatting it up during a little walk in town and having lunch. After lunch she left us, since she had already been to the tulip fields last week.

We parked at Tulip Town, watching the grey skies and shivering in the cold breeze.

Lovella, in her cute wind and water resistant attire, set out as our tour guide.

I soon forgot about the cold, while Marg wondered why, on her farm, they are growing corn!

I watched the professionals to see how it's done . . .

and proceeded to take my own pictures . . .

It really wasn't hard.

Actually it was hard to stop.

The variety and the colors were breathtaking!

On our walk back, another friendly customer offered to take our picture. Poor guy, he didn't realize that meant five cameras! We made it back to safe cover just before the rainstorm hit.

The food, the flowers, the stop at the mall . . . I enjoyed it all so much . . . but I realized that what I really enjoyed the most was the sharing we could do as we walked and during our drive. It's all about relationships . . . without them the things we do would not have much meaning. Thank you my friends . . . and to those of you who could not be there, you were not forgotten. One day it will be all of us.

Easter Thoughts

We were a small bunch for Easter this year. Not much fuss . . . a small turkey, some paska and one tiny basket. With our first grandchild living close, I wasn't even quite sure of what kind of traditions we should begin. I was lazily getting ready for the day, when I suddenly imagined the excitement of children finding their treasures not much unlike that of the joy of those who found the empty tomb!

Yes, sometimes it’s about
what we don’t find! The place
they had laid Him was empty!
The Bible tells us that Jesus
showed Himself to hundreds
of people after His resurrection
from the dead, promising hope
for eternity.

I’m reading a book by Donna Parton, called Let Your Life Count. This book is not about being the next Billy Graham, but about using everyday circumstances to love on people. For example, how many people wake up in the morning, asking, “God, if you are real, show me a sign.” I may pass them in the park, in the mall, sit next to them in a booth or stand behind them in a line-up. The frazzled mom with cranky kids in her cart - was she the one who cried out in desperation? Can I do something? Can I pray for her? Can I offer her some words of comfort? Could I be the answer to her prayer?

I know that as a Christian
I've fumbled greatly, but I
also know that in Christ I can
find forgiveness and new
beginnings. I know that I don’t
have to be anything but who
He created me to be, using my
abilities to be a sign to others
that He is indeed alive and real.

“Every kind gesture done on His behalf becomes a trail of footprints upon the earth; proof positive that God not only exists but a sure sign that He is living in your neighborhood.” D. P.

My Ebenezer

There is an intersection, not far from our house, that I used to drive through almost daily when our kids were in high school. One early evening in the Fall of 1997, I was coming home from watching one of Ben’s games, when a vehicle suddenly crossed in front of me, without stopping at the stop sign he had. At the speed I was traveling I had no chance to avoid him. All I had time for was a prayer of a few words as I faced the inevitable, a most helpless feeling.

I was not aware of what happened next but, apparently, as I T-boned the other vehicle, it spun and hit me on the side as well. All I know, is that I thought I was breathing my last, as the airbags most likely knocked the air out of me.
One doesn’t forget this kind of an experience. Thankfully no one was seriously injured this time, and it wasn’t long after this accident, that a traffic light was installed at that intersection. But, although it’s been more than ten years, I will often say a prayer of thanks when I cross it now. I think of how life could have changed from that moment . . . just a normal everyday moment. God said it was not time yet, and He held out His hand, for which I am so thankful!

In the book of Joshua we read of how God opened up a way for the children of Israel to cross the Jordan on dry land. When they had crossed over, the Lord told them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan and place them at the site they would be staying the night.

This monument was to signify to future generations God’s care for them at a particular time.

Another story of God’s care and protection is recorded in 1 Samuel. At this time Samuel took a stone and set it up, naming it Ebenezer and saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”

Throughout the Bible we are reminded to remember what God has done.

On the night that the Lord Jesus was betrayed, when He had given thanks, He broke the bread and said, "This is my body which is for you, do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, do this, whenever you drink it in remembrance of me." (1 Corinthians 11: 23 - 25)

In the time of Jesus, the cross was a symbol of torture. Today it is a symbol of salvation because of His death, giving us another reason to remember and give thanks. The significance of the cross offering hope, not only for this life but, for eternity.

Happy Birthday, Natalie

Dear Natalie Ryan,
Today we remember with joy the day we first met

you in the hospital four years ago.

Your mom and dad carefully

buckled you into the carseat for the first time

and took you home to love and care for you forever.

You are a very special girl

and we want you to know that we love you.

We pray that you will grow and grow

and know how much God loves you and

always wants to give you what is best.

We miss spending this day with you,

but when we see you next time

we will do something very special, okay?

Maybe you can start thinking of what that will be.

Happy Birthday!
Love, Papa and Mimi