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.

. . .safe?

Posted on November 19, 2015 by oct17

I remember my grandfather’s sharp command, “Run to the storm cellar; a storm is coming.”   Satellite or radar wasn’t around  to predict possible disasters way back when.  If the sky warned of an impending storm, everyone at my Papa’s house was imprisoned for … Continue reading →

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cycles . . . on the journey

Posted on October 26, 2015 by oct17

Early morning on September 9 I just knew we were being invaded by a spaceship.  A massive ball of light looked dangerously close.   I was walking in the morning darkness but quickly ran into the house to ask Tom what was going on in the eastern  sky.    He … Continue reading →

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. . . always thirsty. . .

Posted on September 17, 2015 by oct17

One morning  last week, Tom and I were presented a robust concert on the deck.  Birds were everywhere–darting here and there and back again– in trees and bushes.  The hummingbirds fighting more vigorously than usual.  But all were singing.   Though a strange cacophony, there was  a certain joyfulness.  Tom … Continue reading →

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the journey begins . . .BEFORE

Posted on August 27, 2015 by oct17

(Some readers may find the last picture offensive. But please read to the end.) I turned the outside faucet on a couple of nights ago to water some drooping potted plants and  noticed I had a visitor resting on the top of the spigot.  … Continue reading →

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time for the climb? . . .

Posted on August 17, 2015 by oct17

Oh, to be as persistent as a squirrel. You know, they have no idea that they can’t.  They try and try–everyday, twenty times a day.  These long tailed rodents have never listened to anyone telling them it is impossible to raid the feeder on … Continue reading →

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mandevilla and marriage . . .

Posted on July 10, 2015 by oct17

for Hailey . . . I planted a Mandevilla vine late spring near the deck. The soil was good; the container was large enough for  growing a large happy plant. Tom prepared a trellis for its potential climbing.  The young creeper looked promising, healthy and strong, green vibrant with … Continue reading →

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dancing . . .and resting . . .

Posted on June 22, 2015 by oct17

It seems such a small thing to write a weekly blog.  You would think that anyone who loves to write, who joys over words, whose morning walks in the garden and time in the Word  brims over of life would have no … Continue reading →

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overflowing . . .

Posted on June 2, 2015 by oct17

Today is another cloudy, gray day in Lebanon, Tennessee.  The grass is as green as Ireland now due to the downpours in the last few days.  But before the rains came, the garden was brittle and brown; inch-wide cracks opened in the yard.  We watched every black … Continue reading →

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in whose stength . . .?

Posted on May 22, 2015 by oct17

I was reading in Psalms 18 one morning this week–giving thought to words describing powerful attributes of God. You know words like rock, fortress, shield, deliverer, my stronghold—just what did it mean that He is my rock or my shield in today’s world? … Continue reading →

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letting go . . .

Posted on May 5, 2015 by oct17

Tom wanted to fasten one of our bluebird houses to a more stable post.  Last Saturday was moving day.  Presuming  the nest inside was an old nest –no activity, no eggs, no birds, he dumped the nest.  Within an hour you should have seen the frenetic activity … Continue reading →

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