~ Sam P. Spade, Secret Agent ~
All the dogs help with chores and seem to love being in the Ranger on a beautiful day. Here, we're cleaning out the livestock water tank; it tends to get algae and "seaweed" stuff that needs to, periodically, needs to be removed.
~ water tank needing to be cleaned ~
~ clean tank; please notice my little helpers ~
~ the view from my hammock ~
There's hay on the ground that, hopefully and God willing, will be baled today. Hurrah! It's always a good thing to have hay against the time of winter so the horses and sheep can eat. We've been so blessed to have dry hay every year, save one, and then were able to buy hay. God is good.
~ Sadie's nap time ~
This photo was taken last year and Sadie is too big to get in the hammock with me this year. With our combined weights, and the fact Abbie and Sam would want to climb in with us, that ole hammock can't handle the load. So, warm and fuzzy memories and photos will have to suffice. That and taking a lie down on the back porch where we all pile up like puppies.Are you familiar with Dr. Michael Youssef? He's Egyptian, by birth, and, now, a citizen of the USA for the past couple of decades. He's a wise man, filled with the knowledge of God and a thought provoking preacher. He has asked folks to join him in Praying for America between 4 July and 2 November. Yes, that's right, between our Independence Day and Election Day. He wants 100,000 people to join him and, yes, I've signed up as I believe only God, by the prayers of a righteous people, will change the direction our county is headed. As Dr. Youssef said, "Can we have the fruits of the tree if we destroy the roots?" You know not.
He says our prayers should "thank God for the rich Christian history of our country; we should pray for the repentance of individual and national sin; we should petition God for His blessing on our country; we should pray for wisdom and discernment for elected officials and ask God for boldness and strength to tell others about Christ." As a Christian, do you agree these are worthy prayers, no matter your political bent? As a Christian, please consider telling others and passing the word on your own blogs.
Quite often, I'll run across something in Blogland that really gets my attention. Such was the new to me blog, Getting There and the Father's Day post about their wonderful and beautiful wood toys for children. I'm all over hand made, hand crafted, the work of our hands and heart and, generally, will buy old, vintage, antique or whatever you want to call it, as opposed to the trash that's mass manufactured today. Visit Getting There and, please, consider buying one, or more, of their toys for the child or children in your life. No, I don't know Getting There from Adam's cat but just look at the quality of those toys. Have you ever seen better? I think not. Maybe I'm having one of those Poor, Pitiful Me days because I've never had children but these wooden toys absolutely grip my heart. You just know they'll be around for your grandchildren's grandchildren; what a magnificent legacy!
Exciting news...friends Nelson and Dianna have purchased a beautiful home in central Florida. They will use it, primarily, for their family but...but...I am SO excited because they have, quite generously and graciously, offered it to Dave and I for a week. Be still my pounding heart! I already have plans for the heated swimming pool and hot tub that include l.o.n.g. periods of the day, a good book and me. They have made it available for rent through VRBO, Vacation Rental By Owner, a business Dave and I have used in the past. When we travel, we prefer to live with and like the locals...we rent apartments, cottages, etc. and find it's about the same money as renting a hotel room. Plus, the added benefits include complete privacy, being able to eat in our own kitchen, more space and now...a heated pool and hot tub that aren't shared with a bunch of strangers and strange people -smile-!
~ heated pool and hot tub ~
So, in a few months, Dave and I will travel to Florida and, hopefully, family will be able to come as well. The house is in a great location...an hour or thereabouts from the beach, same time from Cape Canaveral, quite close to Disney, Epcot, etc., shopping, fitness center so I can drop those nasty ten pounds while I'm there -HAHAHAHAHAHAHA- and restaurants, wonderful food markets...er, excuse me while I wipe the drool from my chin. If you've ever thought about going to Florida, visit Nelson and Dianna's house and then look at their calendar to see availability. Tell them Sandra sent you; it won't do you any good but at least you'll have someone you both know to talk about -laughing hysterically at myself-.
Can you tell it's cooler weather? I'm absolutely
Blessings ~ cooler weather ~ hay ~ Nelson and Dianna ~ Florida ~ hot tubs ~ heated swimming pools ~ wonderful helpers ~
Dei Gratia,
Sandra
