Rims, Spark Plugs, Zinnias and Books

 After several rainy and stormy days it looks like the next six or seven days will be nice with moderate temps. It was downright hot yesterday afternoon. Well, not in the mountain term. Friends in Houston living in those feel like temps of 115...well, yes, that is truly hot. 

The open pasture across the road and behind the houses is being prepared for hay baling. Something I didn't think we would see again. Lots of fields are preparing for hay cutting. Since these days this week are relatively rain free. The fragrance in the air is so sweet. 

We dropped over at some friends last night. Had a great visit with wonderful people. 

One thing I know is this, I don't like car issues. We took the Mustang to the guy that all recommend to fix or straighten the rims on the Mustang. At first we thought we could just buy steel rims and replace the aluminum ones. Ha, no can do. Yesterday, we were in downtown Asheville two times after not being there for about nine years and worth the trip. All four rims were bent and the guy performed miracles on the back right passenger side rim. He said that's where you put the worst one when getting tires, so that makes me think that this was a known problem but no one said a word. We have been looking for solutions for over a year. I would think if a mechanic knows his stuff, they know what causes the problem. Where we have gone since 2017 should have said something. Last year it all began over a diagnosis that we got a second opinion on and had fixed elsewhere. Two months later calling to let us know the part was in, we told them it was fixed. Wanted to know where we went and we withheld that information. After taking the Mustang for the rims when Roy started the car the check engine light was on. Dang! In everything give thanks, repeat 100 times. This morning he was able to take it over to our new mechanics and they are replacing spark plugs and a starter coil. It has been misfiring. I had noticed that but what do I know? Well, not much but I can usually detect the not normal in the Mustang. 

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And what a difference spark plugs and ignition coil make. Last September is when this all started but we had been hearing the tire noise for much longer than that. Of course the former automotive shop had us down for a total replacement of very expensive parts but didn't address the issue. To start the journey of Mustang healing, a friend's husband trusted and long time mechanic did the initial work...then when knee replacement indicated he might retire, another local shop was recommended. They did the oil change and noticed the rims were bent. In joy we put the top down late yesterday afternoon and took a drive. It was the first drive in a long time that was totally fun. For this we give thanks! 

This week has not gone the way I anticipated. We are working on VBS stuff in class on Sunday so I am not preparing a lesson. That takes so much pressure off to enjoy the week. I should have had three books read already but sadly I am close to only finishing one. Yet, having a few mechanical issues resolved is so welcomed. 

The highlight of the week is with cooler evening temps, we have opened windows upstairs much to the delight of The Boys. I could not help but think of those long ago and treasured summers at my Grandma B's home out in the country. Those plastic curtains whirled with the breeze. In my bedroom I slept at the end of the bed to keep my eyes on the neighbors. I've written about this before but I never really knew people who drank beer every evening of their lives. I felt certain I needed to be ready in case they came over and bothered Grandma. She assured me they wouldn't and they never did. Beside my watch duty, I always loved the fragrance of the outdoor air at her house. So these past few nights sitting on the daybed with the windows open have been so restful. When it is dark I turn out the light and just watch the big fir trees move in the gentle breeze. 

While it was cool this morning, we put some zinnias in an old stump. I had read about how to do this, like it was really complicated, ha. Now, we need to add some water to the plants and the seeds. Then we shall see how this really works. 

Nice cool evening so I put on my garden flannel shirt. Roy and I dead headed roses and pulled a lot of invasive vines and weeds. Fed the Feral Fam including the kittens that Cutie moved while Mike the Mower Man was here. 

Think I'll go upstairs and start a new book. Finished up with Miss Budge for the time being. I love some of her writing and other times I am skimming cause too many words. 

Joseph of Genesis, Man About Egypt and Man of Many Coats

 This morning when Roy and I discussed, oh let's say Joseph cause that is where I am in teaching, I asked him what the normal SS lesson would be from these passages. His response, learning to lay things down for the Lord. Well, yes, if you have been a life long Sunday School attender this would be a theme one would be well acquainted with. My counter was, I think what we need to teach and learn is, something meaningful, coat, was taken by Joseph's brothers, he was sold into slavery and he began life as a slave in a military man's house. Never once do we see Joseph vow revenge to make his way back to Tara I mean Canaan to take back what is rightfully his and then destroy his brothers! He had their example from how they rid the land of Shechem of all the men and boys, then taking the women and children as well as possessions into their own household. They did that in response to their sister being raped... Joseph could have said if and when he made his way back, I will do to you what you did to others and me. Now, I don't know but, this theme would be a men's retreat theme cause they are all so h3// bent on being manly men, fighting men. But Joseph lets men's retreat planners without a theme that they like. Joseph kept looking forward, he knew God was with him and he set his actions and best in the present. So, he became the best menial task servant possible in Potiphar's house. We don't read that on breaks Joseph regaled his friends of talk about a stolen coat and the sweet, sweet revenge he will be taking one day. 

I have several friends who grew up in military houses. Their father, at this time of life of military leaders, were career officers. The stories they told ran the gamut of the best childhood ever to we grew up as soldiers. If the home is being run by military procedures you can be noticed for your excellent grasp of them or you are horribly slovenly, thus spending a great deal of time doing KP. Working at Potiphar's was probably very hard, but yet God is with Joseph and Mr P notices how well Joseph works. So promotion time to personal assistant. I was a personal assistant to a very wealthy widow. I knew a lot about when and where money went and how much she was worth. I remember one thing she always asked, please tell me when my checking account goes below $30,000. I just don't feel good unless there is $30,000 in the balance. I would agree but my goes below number was $30.00. She had a home in Jackson Hole, WY where she spent most of her summers. One year she fell and broke her hip. She called and asked me to go to the house, I had a key, and get several items out of her underwear drawer. She wanted clothing that she used when she had broken her other hip. I felt so uncomfortable rummaging around her underwear drawer to send the items by Fed Ex overnight. When I called her back to confirm the package was on its way, I told her how weird I felt going into her bedroom and going through her underwear drawer. She put me off and said oh good grief Nancy. You know everything about my financial situation, going through my underwear shouldn't even embarrass you.  This story just to show how much you know about your employer's life when you are truly a hands on, in the home personal assistant. Soon Joseph was over everything, home, property, crops and flocks. Mr P only had to worry about what he was going to eat or maybe menu choose what he was going to eat. We do not read that Joseph tells anyone he is working so hard in order to return to his family and take care of a family matter, oh and get some clothes to bring back to the job.  

We don't know how soon Mrs. P was sneaking peeks at Joseph because we are told that Joe was very handsome and well built. I played tennis with a woman who had the best ever, good looking husband. Several times Roy and I went out to eat with them. When they came into the restaurant, the place would almost come to a stop cause they were two very beautiful and good looking people. Then the place saw Roy and me and everything returned to the normal chaos of serving food. I was always happy that the hubby talked so much cause I didn't have to sneak peeks of him. I hung on his every word. Is it hot in here? Oops, I digress. Anyway Mrs. P lets Joe know she is available any time, any place or whatever. She gets bold and says, come, on sleep with me. Verse 8 says Joseph refuses and then begins avoiding her at all costs. Basically, Joseph we are told, refused, avoided and finally had to run. Being the fine, fine woman that she is Mrs. P calls out to the servants, men, who she has sent away to come and see what that Hebrew that her husband brought home has attempted. It just seems like these guys would have known what was going on and maybe knew someone who had the same experience with her. She is blaming this on Mr. P since he brought Joseph into the home. This seems like a weak attempt at having an alibi. Since I have seen and read several mysteries and cop shows, it seems to me that when someone comes to violate a person, usually the attempter tries to get the attemptees clothes off before disrobing. So, she has his cloak. She told the servant men one thing but says to her husband, Joseph tried to fool around with me. Most of the commentaries I have read think that Mr. P was upset because he was going to have to take over all those responsibilities he had given Joseph. This was a death sentence offence, but Mr. P had Joseph thrown in prison to save face.  

Mrs. P has betrayed her husband using the cloak meanwhile betraying Joseph by telling a story about his cloak. There is a whole lot of betrayal going on. She is betraying herself. 

Joseph is thrown into prison. Once again we are told that the Lord is with him. Joseph excels in being a model prisoner. He moves up in the ranks and trust of the warden. Because the Lord is with him, his service makes the warden's life a bit easier. We also meet the baker and butler in prison, thrown there by Pharoah himself. They have dreams and Joseph interprets them. Thus they come to pass and although he asked to be remembered by the butler, he totally forgets him until Pharoah has dreams. Then the butler remembers. I'll stop here and say, although we don't hear from Joseph too much while he is in prison, we don't hear him saying, now I have vengeance concerns for my brothers and the butler. No, Joseph continues to serve, with forward looking eyes and presence. He is not wasting energy on the past. He remembers but it doesn't take up every moment of his life. 

There are so many who have decided to keep looking back. They are frozen in a time which clouds every decision, word and thought. There might have been so much more enjoyment in work and fun in between. It is easier to stay frozen that moving forward. The longer the frozen the harder the thaw. Recently I read a few books that put this all in perspective. Chad Bird is one of those authors. Also, the Miss Budge series is insightful as the main character begins to thaw out and she is seeing the Lord is in  those small details of life. Her hard rule living brought no joy, not even in the suffering which spiritual  rule makers and followers adhere to, cause you know suffering is so spiritual, especially when one doesn't want to make any changes. I've reread some Charles Swindoll books and to a lesser extent Luci Swindoll quotes and how the both of them hate legalism. Being legalistic, you can't manage to move forward. When frozen in time, you're being held in past by words or the voice of one from the long ago who were critical and not very encouraging and your sense of ideals, that you feel unable to attain, is what impresses you, be it money or beauty or artistic talent or even the gift that God has given to someone else, but not you. 

I am an applicable style teacher and while I wish I could give you four ways to achieve like Joseph or Don't Be a Mrs. Potiphar in three easy points. But I can look into these passages and apply them to whatever is facing you and however you feel like your past has been stolen from you. How fortuitous to see two Esau McCaulley quotes this morning.

That interior voice that only speaks to you only of your failures and shortcomings is not the voice of God.

Sometimes you have to tell your testimony to yourself to remind yourself of how far God has brought you. 

Joseph is the first mention in the Old Testament of "the Lord was with him." We don't know if Joseph had a wrestle with an angel experience or a Hagar experience of the God who sees me, but he knew the Lord. He knew the Lord was with him. 

Finally, a story that has it all...lots of Bible stories have it all but this particular one emphasizes clothes. Favored son coat, a cloak is all you get Mrs. P, orange is the new black prison clothes, the prison release change of clothes and finest linen, from Pharoah but not Eileen Fisher or J Jill. I remember something Peggy, Gertrude, said to me a long time ago. We were doing a Mildred and Gertrude thing for Jersey Village Baptist and we had a set phrase to interrupt the meeting and start our performance. The lady accidentally said the phrase and I came in making my way to the front, but I noticed her panicked face and knew it wasn't the cue...so I just sat down at one of the tables and said to them, uh we need to be paying attention to ________. Quit looking at me I am sure you've seen a beautiful woman before. Afterwards, Peggy said to me, isn't it fun what you can get away with saying while wearing a costume. She was and still is right. I don't think Joseph's clothes were costumes but it is tempting to think about after reading an article about the Imagery of Clothes in these passages. 

Yep, fancy coats and ultimately man about Egypt. Joseph's story is just beginning and it is multi layered. 

Thoughts and Dead Heading Roses

 In the midst of several projects this week. My attention span for such is usually limited, so I try my hardest to limit distractions and as they say, keep my nose to the grindstone. Yes, and that is why I am blogging this morning, cause you know...distractions. Roy has gone to workout after having his workout cut short yesterday. Since we have schedule conflicts with his workout in the next few days, I suggested he go and then do the Wednesday shopping at the Publix. I know those rude people are going to miss me. He is a much better shopper than me, I just come along for the ride, mostly. I did make a quick list for him beyond the usual purchases. 

After several days, we had our first sighting of Beanie, a long standing member of The Feral Fam. It is not unusual for him to be absent for several days, but he had been gone a night longer. Roy said Beanie ran into the garage when he opened the door to put out dry food. Yay, happy to know that Beanie is back in the fold for a while, I hope. We also have a young black and white cat hiding out in the garage. I think it is Boo Boo Kitty. She always looks like she wants to trust us but at the last minute her feral ways come into play and she runs. Like a vet told us several years ago when a feral cat wants to come in and find safety and you rarely see them, it has been traumatic experience that will put them in. Long ago Riley was that way and didn't come out for seven days. 

Sometimes when pondering deep thoughts and such, I think about how life comes full circle in so many areas. Studying and teaching Genesis might do that to a person. Watching the ups and downs of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, although they knew, saw and believed God's faithfulness and the bad decisions of Lot, Esau and a few of Jacob's sons might bring that attention to those thoughts. Maybe it's due to the fact that we are purchasing our final resting places tomorrow. Just happy that although we won't be here, being in heaven, we will have our places in the grand state of North Carolina, but more specifically in the mountains of North Carolina. And we are near the softball field, so that's kind of fitting as well. I always loved playing softball and when we were first married Roy played on the church team. He enjoyed the friendships and fellowship, mostly. Let's just say what Excel is to me, is what softball is to Roy. We both had doctor appointments this week. Nothing bad, mostly good but the whole medical system is so different now. Roy needed a tetanus shot. Last year I did too but they gave it to me in the office. This time for Roy he had to go to the pharmacy downstairs, fill out more paperwork, they had to go through the system online to see if he had one in NC before, uh no. They looked at Texas but gave up cause we had been waiting for almost 45 minutes for him to get a shot.  

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I told a friend yesterday that this past week I have really felt old. Many reasons for feeling that way. The highlight of feeling old was backing up when I thought I was going forward. At least it happened at home and the big container that holds hoses and outdoor junk took the brunt of the hit. So no structural damage to the house. We will have to get the truck to a body shop and get an estimate. All last week I kept thinking, we need to move that container. Yes, the wonderful gift of procrastination paid off. 

Yesterday, and now his name escapes me, but he and his family are missionaries. He grew up at Newfound and when they are home on furlough or break, he usually preaches one Sunday. That one Sunday was yesterday. I love to hear him speak because he is so honest with his thoughts and feelings yet he is so honest and enthusiastic in the work that they are doing. God is doing something special with them and their outreach. Most missionaries I've heard throughout the years are boring and stick to a script. Hey, he showed their churches with lots of tambourine playing. Has anyone ever been called to serve just for the tambourine playing? 

I finished reading The Swamp Kings a week or so ago. Wow! The legacy, if you want to call it that for crime and shenanigans, is almost unbelievable. The downfall of this generation for not getting away with everything that their ancestors did is, social media. I had to quit reading it before going to bed. It kept me from sweet dreams and a good nights sleep. I am finishing up a Mildred Budge book. I have read all the books out of order, mostly, but the plots aren't that difficult to follow. The beauty of the books is observing the ways that Mildred grows, letting go a lot of rigidity and realizing that legalism rather than relationship has governed her life. It all fits in with the readings from Charles Swindoll on legalism as well as the insights garnered from the book by Chad Bird, Limping With God. Thanks Sandy for posting about this book on FB. I mainly got it since it deals with Jacob but the layers on this story has been most rewarding and edifying. We can live in a joyless circle, even when we know that joy is a strength, a fruit of the spirit and doesn't come with happiness but can be experienced in some of the lowest times in life. Years ago a friend told me about her pastor who was the most joyless pastor she had ever seen as well as the least thankful. He rarely if ever thanked his congregation for participating or initiating, or anything associated with growth. Not in numbers but in spirits and hearts. She realized this influenced her attitude. She finally left knowing if she didn't that she would go down a road she didn't want to travel. She wanted to be joyful approaching her quiet time or Bible reading plan. She wanted to be expectant in the Word and sing praises to the Lord in joy, not in duty. When she left her church she also had to leave her job...there at the church. She lived in the Chicago area and we lost touch soon after making her move. I think of her now and then because I thought she was so brave. You didn't see people making those kinds of decisions like that back in the olden days. 

Yesterday, I read about a Houston friend that is going into hospice, at home. I thought about our friendship and her influences on others, me included. Sometimes the blessing of working at a church is the people who become friends. Talented in design, presentation and artistic endeavors, as she volunteered those gifts at church. She was so helpful when we built our home in Cinco Ranch. I loved those times as we went to look at furniture, or talk with the builder reps and then usually wrap up our time with lunch. Lots of laughing for sure mixed in with the serious business of home decor. Her specialty, French country, my taste rustic chic, with a touch of arts and craftsman. Her patience is to be commended. She and her hubby came through the Asheville area early on in the adventure of the mountains. We all had lunch together and a wonderful time. We both began heart journeys around the same time. I always laugh and tease about the apple picking ladder she bought on our behalf to hang in the entry way of our home. That ladder never made it to the wall and lived nearby the fireplace in CR. Since there are many apple orchards in our area, we brought it up here. Lived by the fireplace for a while and now located in the dining room. It is a proud apple picking ladder that holds some of the finest sock monkeys and a lumberjack, for that dining experience ambiance. 

Dead headed roses this evening. Didn't really make a dent but it is a start. Spot came over for dinner so I had to help guard his bowl from the others so he could eat his supper. 

Weeding and Planting...With Lots of Rain

 This past week has held lots of weather patterns. Storms to light rain, warm to very cool temps, lots of sun and lots of darkened skies. As I watched the weather patterns from the front bedroom, I was entertained then scared by watching the clouds. This is the first time I have seen a weather system move into our area from the west but the clouds in the sky moved rapidly east. When those skies opened with heavy rain, my goodness, in the nine years of living here, seeing beyond the middle of the front yard proved difficult. Just a silver sheet of precip. 

Yesterday, we planned a quick stop in Weaverville, then head over to Burnsville. A giant oak tree had other plans for those of us hitting the roads. Around 5:30 am, this oak toppled over near the Alexander bridge making access to the bridge harder. Power lines also went down with the oak. Around 8:45 am someone posted an all clear...but it wasn't. We made a quality decision to tack the first part of the trip to the end. We headed over to the road taking us in the scenic back way into Madison County. We were not disappointed by our decision. Yes, it added time but I hadn't been this way in years. Of course more homes being built and we saw one home with a driveway that pretty much went straight up to the house. Bet winter is fun and bet all your vehicles are 4 wheel drive. Once we hit town, a train stopped progress, well for us. It was kind of fun to grab some pics. We got to Pig and Grits a few minutes before they began serving lunch, but we were able to sit at a booth with a menu and try to narrow down all the delicious choices. We ended lunch with banana pudding...so good...and went over to Christy's Crafts. Great visit and brought home some wonderful things. Then quick stop at TJs for more zinnias. All in all a fun day and the road home was oak free, as far as the road is concerned. The Boys and The Feral Fam were all happy to see us or rather see us for the ability of food being provided. 

We got a lot of work done in the front. We planted zinnias and marigolds. Then we prepared the bed where we put wildflowers and such. The official start gardening is after Mother's Day but we cheated a bit and put in a few things before Mother's Day. 

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Good Monday morning. Taking the opportunity to ease into the day because the end of the week holds early morning wake-ups. Roy is going over his to do list, not from me, but his own. He is motivated that way. I kind of keep my list to myself and only I know if I got things done or not. 

Think the plane landed in yesterday's lesson. I am at a frustrating point right now. My usual notes up to the present consisted of three main words with an arrow onto the next point. That's when I had a great memory now, being so easily distracted, I over write notes. Yesterday, I stuck pretty much to going through the verses and talking about the importance or what can be learned. So when I looked down at my notes, I had covered several pages. With the tendency to sometimes go on a bunny trail, it is important to me to cover several wonderful things I found in the week of study. We got through to Joseph loosing his boss suit and being sold into slavery by his brothers. That family had a whole lot of hatred bubbling up and now to the boiling point of acting on that hate. Joseph must have been lonely with way older brothers and a baby brother. The brother's lives changed upon the arrival of Joseph, moved away from Laban, Joseph and Rachel kept to the back of the family groups in the anticipation of meeting an angry Esau, and now the tunic that placed Joseph as the boss in his father's favoritism. 

A week or so ago Fido had a problem with one of his back legs. Looked like maybe a sticker or something but it was a slight bit of a wound. Had some meds and got them into him. An afternoon of rest and he was good to go. Spot's wound is looking better and he is letting Roy get closer to him. 

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I so enjoyed seeing Mother's Day pictures of friends who attend various churches, mainly back in Houston. The family pictures or at least moms with kids pictures, standing in front of various backgrounds that the churches provided are so special. Not so much the new idea anymore, but on one Sunday morning there is joy. Joy in taking the time to go to church with mom or the joy of celebrating her. Flowers given out, prayers for mom, grandmothers, aunts or women who have invested in lives etc...  Taking care of feral cats is not the same as motherhood but we feel a sense of doing what the Lord would ask. Early on I read that if the Lord brings them your way, do your best to help them and if they move on or don't survive, you did the good thing of taking care of them. Even with the Feral Fam and The Boys, Roy has them on a schedule. As much as we can, we try to keep to the schedule cause it is helpful for outdoor survival and indoor survival, mainly for us. Mr Mo, GMoey and Willie know when bedtime is and they hang around us waiting for the call of snacking that is the reward of going to bed. 

With the cool temps yesterday morning, we got some work done out front. Weed pulling, trimming up the shrubs, and planting some miniature roses. Things grow quickly here and that includes weeds. By the end of the summer the shrubs that were trimmed will be back to the size they were. The peach tree is loaded and the apple trees aren't too far behind. The blackberries also have lots of blooms and the tomato plants are growing nicely. Two days after Mother's Day, the official planting time. I have already written that info but it is good to remember when the official planting season begins. 

Near Hit But It Was a Miss

Exciting times around here as we dodge storms in the area. Well, we didn't exactly dodge them but around us no hail or wind damage. Mars Hill and Barnardsville got hit and I saw a picture of the freeway between Mars Hill and Weaverville during the storm and the road looked like winter had hit with so much hail, large hail. The first storm of the day had intense rain and the sky got dark rather quickly. The wind picked up and we had a couple of thunder bunders. Then the late afternoon, sun came out and dried up all the rain and the itsy bitsy spider...oops. Last night we got Fido, Beanie and Coco in for the night. They weren't happy but I bet around midnight they were happy to be high and dry. So the middle of the night storm was intense lightning and thunder. It woke me up and knowing going back to sleep would be difficult, I got up and worked on my lesson and checked radar every few minutes. Even after the storm had mostly moved on, we had quite a bit of rolling thunder but soon everything settled back down. 

 This has been a social weekend, well more so than usual. We had our first meeting since forever for Women's Ministry. Had breakfast together and had a great time. Then today, since Roy is taking pics for VBS, we went to the lunch and training after church. Visited with friends and once the regular meeting was over, Roy and I were free to leave. 

With two days of rain everything has greened up even more, if that is really even possible. This next week I'll be out in the garden dead heading roses. They are blooming gangbusters this year. Also need to get the supplies for Japanese beetles because they will be showing their unwanted selves soon. 

Don't feel like I landed the plane on the lesson. We circled a bit about the first few verses and I threw myself off when I had trouble pronouncing a word because in my haste of writing out notes I misspelled a descriptive word. Even though writing out notes helps me remember, I do need spell check. Since childhood I thought spelling is just the ability to memorize letters not a skill set. Once that got deciphered we moved on. We've slowed down and are a little behind what Lifeway has scheduled. We will get into Genesis later since that is next on the docket, but our pastor is still going through the book of Acts. Kind of like the same time frame that Brother John used in preaching through Revelation. Reference for long time members of HFBC. We will wrap up the last part of Chapter 35 and then move onto Joseph. 

We added a trip to Sam's for our regular routine. Cat litter on sale and Fancy Feast restocked. Roy got vitamins and our all important snack, cashews and we were on our way. Although we had another reminder that I can't throw anything like I used to. Roy didn't think the salad mix should go in the cooler...uh, yes it should... and I admit to being frustrated but as I aimed to throw the bag into the cart, it slipped in my hand and hit Roy on the chin. He was not happy and I was telling him, I was aiming for the cart, not you...I am throwing like a girl. We both busted out laughing cause he knew I don't do things like that and my recent history of throwing things to him or out in the yard has been abysmal.  Ugh! First stop of the grocery stores was Ingles cause they have Pepsi Zero and Zero Sugar Sunkist on sale. Roy went in and took care of that. Then we went to Publix. I had an interesting near encounter. We pulled into a parking spot next to a hoarder car. The backseat was filled to the top of the car with stuff. The older lady got in her car just as we pulled in. She started the car and then sat there...another older type woman was honking her horn to get the lady to backout to no avail. We began our trek into the store when at that time hoarder lady started backing up. If I hadn't glanced down for a split second she would have run me over, but I saw her backup and brake lights light up and I used my hand on her trunk to move and jump out of the way. In the distance I can hear a woman cry out thinking I'm about to get run over. I made it out of the way and the woman just kept backing up as another car on the row behind us is backing up as well and the driver makes a maneuver to dodge her car. At the time I thought wow, that was interesting but Roy told me last night he thought she would run over me and it scared him. I remember at the time thinking I should hit her trunk with my fist to warn her but something or shall I saw Someone encouraged me not to. Most people would stop their motion but I think she would have sped up. Other than that, the shopping trip was uneventful. Our Wednesday reward, BBQ from 6 Pigs BBQ across from the post office. Delicious!   

The Wednesday Wrap Up on Thursday

 It has been a little bit since we have had dense patchy fog and this morning the fog is slowly lifting. After a mostly rainy day, fog comes along and covers the land. The sky was so beautiful last night with the rain gone and the bright white clouds rolling along. The setting sun cast a brightness atop the mountains in the distance. It was as if we were experiencing three spheres of weather and treated too verdant greens and crystal blues. This afternoon, I will get some sunflower seeds planted as well as some seeds for wildflowers. The roses this year are budding out something spectacular. Vivid pinks, sunny yellows and bright red roses. Sometimes it is too much to take in, but I take it in. So thankful for our Creator who has given us these colors painting the landscape. 

At the beginning of the year as I started blogging, I tried to capture some memories of the long ago. I felt rather strongly about this and blogged a bit more than I have in the recent past. Now that we are in spring, I give the growth and weather updates. There is a mention or two of lessons involving research and study, usually. When I first began blogging I took up topics that I felt strongly about and I sometimes still do that. But now, it is a more settled time and more of time for me doing something that I love. There are topics I would cover now but wisdom dictates that wouldn't be prudent. Ah SNL...back in the day reference. 

Roy is finally in Genesis on Sundays. My class is slowing down a bit as we round the turn into studying Joseph. We are at Bethel with Jacob right now as he is in the last lap of becoming the next patriarch after his father. Jacob has been dragging his feet as of late, taking his time to arrive where he has been called to live. This morning Roy and I were talking about Lot, cause that is where he is at and then chapter 35 where we are. The difference we noticed was in the road trip. Lot couldn't wait to divide off and live his own life with all this stuff and the nostalgia for his time in Egypt. Jacob's road trip is full of moving on and then sputtering. Being a devote of Michael Card's teaching using our imaginations to see the scene we are reading in its entirety. Moving those tents back then did not include pop up tents or campers. We were remembering some of the trips that we took here before living here. The journey was never too much. Roy and I would make that first day of driving, the hardest one and we got in the habit of going to Chattanooga because our niece was in college there. The next morning we took the back way to Asheville with a slower pace, then vacation really began. Now, that we live here and even with several trips back throughout the years, that journey doesn't hold the same alure it once did. The world has changed and we have changed. 

I behaved at Publix and didn't see or run into the rude couple. We actually shopped like we were adults and our cart didn't look like we eat the same as college students. On the way home we did our Wednesday lunch stop picking up 6 Pigs BBQ across from the post office on the river road. Delicious! They will also be at the Madison Market next weekend. After eating lunch we headed to Ducketts. They just got a new shipment in of plants and we wanted to check out what they had. Year before last I bought plants from them and was thrilled with the price and the outcome. Best $20 spent yesterday was a tray of zinnias and the flat includes 36 plants. That that was a great deal. Also picked up another hanging plant for the front. On the way to and back from Clyde, we saw a large panel truck that had ran off the road as you are going up the mountain from Clyde. Looked like a back broken axel. Must have been the theme of the week cause several rigs have slid off the road and into a culvert. 

While we planted zinnias, the Feral Fam had a wonderful time chasing one another in the tall grass. It looked as if we had planted kitty cats. It was hard not to tear up because Cha Nay-Nay would have been out there with the others chasing each other and then the hose as Roy moved over the yard to water the new flowers just planted. 

Woke up at 3:00 am and couldn't go back to sleep. Got up and worked on the outline for Sunday. It is one of those lessons where you could go point to point to point or mainly focus on two highpoints. Think I am going highpoints.