Author Archives: oct17

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About oct17

The little girl in me loves bird watching, butterflies, sunrises, sunsets, walks in the rain; the adult I am enjoys the same. I sense God's awesomeness in all of life--what wonder there is in slicing a leek or cutting open a pomegranate. I have many favorite things--a formation of Canadian geese flying overhead, the giggles of my grand daughters, the first ripe watermelon in summer, snowflakes on my face--these gifts from my heavenly Father delight me continually.

. . . in the dark . . .

Posted on September 12, 2019 by oct17

  Tom and I were walking in the dark; the moon was hidden with clouds, blanketing any light to see our way through the trees. Tom had brought a flashlight along, so he decided to use it. That was a … Continue reading →

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. . . when I can’t sing . . .

Posted on August 16, 2019 by oct17

There is no sweet nectar . . . . . . anywhere. Returning home after a few days away, I noticed the three hummingbird feeders drained of all liquid. Used up . . . These tiny birds love that sweet … Continue reading →

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. . . growing my beard . . .

Posted on July 10, 2019 by oct17

It was flying straight towards me.  I ducked . . . a  male cardinal hit the clear glass pane with a  bang. Windows without screens invite winged creatures to fly straight through them.  The bright red bird was stunned . . … Continue reading →

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. . . protected . . .

Posted on June 11, 2019 by oct17

Tears splashed my face as the words of Even If . . . washed over my heart at a funeral this past Sunday. What a testimony in song at the memorial service for Cheryl. Our church had witnessed a four-year … Continue reading →

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. . . with a sacred scar . . .

Posted on May 14, 2019 by oct17

“Begin praying My compassion for your father.” The whispered words jolted my quiet morning thoughts as I looked out over the mountains of East Tennessee . “I want you to love him as I do.” I said NO. For months,  … Continue reading →

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. . . tattooed . . .

Posted on April 12, 2019 by oct17

“Of course, it was painful!” “Sharp and  continuous from beginning to end– for twenty minutes. And worth every minute of it,” Ahnna, our granddaughter adamantly confirmed of her recent tattoo on the back of her right arm.  She has joined … Continue reading →

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. . . in the storm . . .

Posted on March 15, 2019 by oct17

I remember the day . . . some parts not so clearly. But I do remember the storm. Strong March winds rocked the vanilla colored Volkswagon as we headed up the mountain. Dark clouds filled the sky, and pelting rain … Continue reading →

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. . . fearless?. . .

Posted on February 19, 2019 by oct17

The view from my kitchen window looked more like spring than January.  Families of squirrels  skipped playfully in the warm sunshine.  We were enjoying days of rare temperatures the first week of a new year. These furry rodents were taking … Continue reading →

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. . . content in the impossibles . . .

Posted on December 11, 2018 by oct17

I was terrified. One of my greatest fears is failing. Being disappointed in ‘me’. So when a friend artist invited me to attend a painting class last weekend, I laughed, “I cannot draw a straight line. I drew stick people … Continue reading →

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. . . caught . . .

Posted on November 9, 2018 by oct17

A recent garden guest has been quiet, unassuming— not disruptive in any way.  For weeks. In fact, we hardly knew she was around.  But there she was! Near the entrance of the front door.  Lurking, plotting to catch other visitors … Continue reading →

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