To the Cross

 There's a cross on one of the local hills that gets lit up at night,

shining as a beacon into the valley.

I tried taking a picture at night but, 

even though we could clearly see it with our naked eye,

the phone camera only picked it up as a large light. 

The landscape in this area has a different beauty altogether.

 This is near the parking lot

from where you can see part of the trail heading up.

 A very dry path, winding itself up and across a ridge and then up again.

There could have been snakes,

 but I only saw pretty flowers

blooming in the most unexpected places.

 The view from the top had me contemplating a passage I recently read 

where Jesus looks out over Jerusalem and weeps, saying,

"If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace!" 

Luke 19:41.42

How deep the pain, that many of His own people did not recognize Him,
the One they had been waiting for.

May we, who know the whole story,
even like the thief on the cross who acknowledged his wrongs,
recognize our Savior today.
This is the peace that passes all understanding.

Downtown Palm Springs

 We've driven into the Old Palm Springs center a few times this week for dinner.

It's funny the landmarks or places along the way that hold memories ...

a drugstore, a motel, a movie theatre or restaurant now out of business.

We walked the cobbled stone streets

lined with shops, ice cream places and restaurants ...

 

 my eyes drawn to the way they trim the (bearded) palm trees.

Are they still the same trees?

We talk about times spent with our growing family,

from tots to teen-agers to college days,

never dreaming that one day

they would be taking their families here.

One can only think so far ahead.

But now we know.

We're more than a generation older -

we are the old -

sitting on a patio,

enjoying the peace - yet remembering -

 the days we thought would never end.

Oh, What Beautiful Mornings!

As you can see, this is not my usual Fishtrap Creek walk ...

My H and I have been enjoying morning walks 

around the golf course in the desert, these days -

away from the usual. I've been very lazy,

but I wanted to just show you some of the desert beauty again -

so beautiful in it's own way,

Tall floral shoots reaching for the blue sky,

spun cactus balls,

flowers that look like brushes,

another shoot, (taken in a hurry)

a thousand tiny bells,

bushes covered in small, soft petaled flowers,

and one of my favorite -

a blooming cactus ...

all the while teasing me and gently calling me to a beauty
that reminds me of home.

Over the years this place has become like a second home to us.

I tease him about his Palm Springs office,

which I asked permission to use right now.

For a little while it's the best of both worlds.

Happy 13th, Natalie!

Oh the memories tucked in between 

baby bath snuggles

to getting our nails done ...

they fill my heart to overflowing!

Like any grandparent would say,

... it's been a path I never could have dreamed thirteen years ago!

Natalie, you have a joy in your heart,

a twinkle in your eyes, that we pray never goes away.

Your sensitivity,  kindness and generosity 

touch the lives of those around you

and bring blessings to us all.

On this, your birthday, our prayer is that

God will guide and protect you

as you enter the joys and challenges of teen years.

May you always know 

that you are fearfully and wonderfully made.

And loved for just the way you are. 

Papa and Mimi 

♡♡♡

Spring has Sprung!

It has become tradition to bring some sign of spring from the park

into the house ...

While last week we had snow coming down, 

 this week has brought us the most beautiful weather

with temps that feel almost like summer.

On, what I call the first day of spring,

the kids came for pancakes and a walk to the park down the hill.

The older ones on their scooters and Evy still in the stroller -

when it suited her.

The other part of the time I wondered why I was pushing a

stroller with whatever they did not want to carry. 

First thing upon entering the park we saw this turtle sunning itself.

They dropped everything to check it out

but, too bad, it heard them coming!

We continued on down the path ...

and saw the pussy willows are out!

She did not know what they were and

 was hesitant to touch them as first.

The playground was a good stop about the half way point around the lake.

The beaver dams got checked out but no beavers were home

with the water so low.

 I have no idea how many times and seasons I've walked this path ...

from watching for buds, to crunching in leaves ...

it's been a thousand times over and more,

either with my H, 

with a friend,

pushing a stroller on my own,

or trying to keep up with fast moving kids.

A place that has become very much a part of home.

And the Birthdays Keep Coming

Now that I've started mentioning each grand's birthday

I can't just stop ...

so here's a peek into a fun little breakfast time

we had with Landon on Saturday.

He turned eleven this weekend!

Birthdays are a time to reflect on the years that we've shared,

and reminiscing about Landon brings to mind

a blond little boy with the cutest smirk. 

Landon, you continue to have a smile that warms our hearts,

a softness about the way you treat others,

combined with an energy that makes life fun.

May God bless and keep you .

Love, Papa and Mimi

♡♡♡