Photo A Week & SoCS, Leaves & Flowers

Nancy Merrill’s challenge and Linda G Hill challenge both fall into today’s task – dead leaves and new flowers. The winter was very harsh with crazy amounts of snow and what little spring we have had has been so wet the flowers are just not doing well. They need sunshine as well. We are toward the end of June and we have not had an 80 degree day yet to speak of. Weird. Those who despise the heat, like my daughter, are happy about that but I like my heat. An now that I have said that July and August will probably be awful. Go figure.

So you see below the effects of too much rain and not enough sun. Leggy plants, dying leaves and poor bloom production. All the petunias in this area seem to be so sad.

I went Wednesday and bought replacement for some of my pots. Went with Zinnias and Marigolds as they are hearty and very colorful.

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My lilies look to be opening soon so I will post those when they do.

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But today I needed a new filter for my fridge which took me to Lowes which has an awesome garden section…yea, spent another chunk. Its okay, I will pay it all off next winter. That’s something I don’t want to think about – this past one never seemed to leave.

Gardening and writing are my two “me” times, oh, and then there is also the clowning and face painting. Some of us are just on the quirky side but if my quirkiness brings a smile, then the quest has been accomplished. My goal is that if I can make someone forget for two minutes the trials they are going through and smile at my flowers or my silliness, then that is a day well spent. Never forget the power of a smile, a kind word or a gentle gesture. It shows the reflection of God for that brief moment and shares hope with all that come in contact with it. So smile often, speak gently and periodically hug when you can…and always be kind.

nature — When you show kindness to others, you bring out the best of yourself. A side effect of this kindness brings a brightness to their world and a happiness to yours.

Gran-ma’s Cellar Door

Grand-ma’s Cellar Door

I stand and remember the wonder of this place, familiar smells are embedded forever

The three legged milking stool to stand on as she worked, with sun shining in her hair

The herbs are still there, were there even before, as great gran-ma was most clever

By planting them by the cellar door, the door great grand-pa had built for her to share

So when winters blast came through out the land, with white seeming to go on forever,

With simmering smells floated through the warm home, the cold could not compare

The love of family around a small table, only a candle for light, a memory that last forever.

Anita Neal

Come join in with Sue Vincent’s Thursday photo writing prompt. Use the image above as inspiration to create a post on your own blog… poetry, prose, humour… light or dark, whatever you choose, by noon (GMT) Wednesday 26th June. Don’t forget to use the #writephoto hashtag in your title so your posts can be found.

And those who know my writing, always know I close in a reminder to be kind. Kindness is a reflection of God’s everlasting love for all things.

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The Old Stone Door

Garden door

The Old Stone Door

This door seems too narrow, with no way to lock, a wedge pushing it always open.

The stone is so old with odd colored splotches, green moss growing all over it’s face.

This can’t be the way, no look at the door. It looks to small to be used as was spoken.

This is the garden, I know that for sure with tales of peace and beauty of this place.

But many remember a time of no peace, with shouts of anger and shedding of blood

With torches ablaze and sharp swords flying, an ear was taken, but now back as new

“Put away your sword”, he said firmly in love as they struggled standing in dark wet mud

Shall I not drink this cup the Father has given me? A cup allowing for of all things new!

Now, centuries later the garden lays quiet with forgotten memories of that time gone by

I walk through the beauty of flowers and trees and feel the reality this has had on me

Will I feel His love when I walk away from here, the beauty of flower and bright blue sky

Will I be able to use the love I feel, and bring it as proof, an everlasting love for all to see.

Anita Neal

There are times when fellow bloggers post a picture that is so inspiring that I ask permission to try to write a post worthy of its beauty. Today, Ken of tallulahbass created a post for Norm for the Thursday doors and posted this door. I thought it was a beautiful door and thought of the Garden of Gethsemane wondering what it would be like today to walk through that garden.

As we remember the everlasting love he has for us, let us remember to share that love with a loving smile, maybe a gentle touch for a hurting soul or a helping hand for those in need. And always remember to be Kind.

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Revitalized Doors, Thursday Doors

It’s Thursday and a day we join in with Norm and our shared loved of doors. What wonderful stories the imagination can have as we look at some of the really old one. We have an area that we are trying to revive bu calling it a historical neighborhood. We aren’t all neighborhoods historical that were built over 100 years ago. Now that I am older, 100 years doesn’t seem that long ago.

This neighborhood has it usual transitions of original fine homes that got neglected and people left. Then other people moved in not understanding the value and letting it decline further then sold for “pennies” to those who could barely afford the “pennies” who showed no love to the homes only to leave them abandoned. Now investors who see the value in the wonderful homes have moved to revitalize them and bring them back to their glory days. I have seen this pattern i n every city. We are currently fighting for the beauty and value of our courthouse.

But today I offer you glimpses of revitalization of this neighborhood showing the condition of how some still are but the transition of the revitalized ones.

The beauty of this one is hidden by the tall grasses but as it sit on the hill surrounded by massive oak trees, it was probably a beautiful porch to sit on and enjoy the rockers.

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I love how this garage was turned into a fun living space and the owners understood the value of doors as he worked on repairing and staining one.

I though these two interesting. The larger door is a revitalized firehouse. No sure if it is a working firehouse or now a home. It’s still a neat door. The other picture is a set of doors we pass daily that I have always wondered “how many garage doors do you really need?”

Other pictures below show continued revitalization of this neighborhood. Some houses quite striking and some kind of plain but still reflecting new life.

As you look at these wonderful doors, remember we ourselves are also beautiful doors. Some of us older still with many wonderful stories to tell; some with a face lift trying to fight that ever present aging factor and some with new parts as some parts just no longer work properly. But we all can be beautiful in what is on the inside of that door if we allow our hearts to shine forth the kindness God once intended us to show. So even if your door seem a little worse for the wear, open your door and shine forth the gift of kindness that God so wants to to share.

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Our Firm Foundation, One Liner Wed

I had such a wonderful meeting with my friend Rob yesterday and he reminded me of how the “father of lies” can easily deceive us into believing we are not good enough, not doing anything right and just how poor a job as a Christian we are being. I stand on the rock knowing he loves me and that these thoughts are just what they are lies.

In the devotion book by Sarah Young called Jesus Calling today’s devotion is just a reminder of how much he is always by us and always has our hand.

I AM YOUR FIRM FOUNDATION on which you can dance sing and celebrate My Presence. This is a holy calling for you: receive it as a precious gift.

My guidance for each of my children is unique. That’s why listening to me is so vital for your well being. Let me prepare you for the day, point you in the right direction. I am with you continually, cling to my hand. June 19.

Wow, what a joy to know he is always there for us. May you each enjoy his peace and love this day. Hold on to him tightly and he will guide your way. Enjoy the beauty of this day…and my flowers. That is one way he makes me smile.

Linda G Hill always gives us fun for 1liner Wed, so enjoy each others post.

And as always remember to be Kind. It is a true reflection of God who loves us and watches us.

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A Day of Honor

Today is Father’s day, a day where we honor our fathers here in the US. This is my dad. He was a good man, had his faults as we all do and I miss him greatly.

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Being a parent is tough work and should be taken seriously as we are creating the next generation, the next government or the next way of thinking. That has a lot of punch and truth to it.

So we take this day to honor all fathers for task at hand of being a parent. It is a wonderful hard job but also has so many beautiful attributes. We stand beside you, encourage you, will pray for you and will listen to you when needed. Always remember you have the Father in heaven who is always standing by your side to guide you as you guide your children. Follow His lead and remember the main lesson he taught all of his children… Love. Love your children as the father in heaven has loved you even through all the muddy footprints. John 13:34…Love as I have loved you.

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You Never Know….

Those who read my post know that I push kindness. There have been many a boiling cauldron that has been extinguished by kindness showing a better way to resolve a hot mess.

This summer, I have been hired by the city to participate in the park parties that they will have in various parts of the city, a total of 7 parties. There was live music, food vendors, games setup, the city officials were there to answer any question people may have and even the library people were there setup explaining about their summer program. Then there was me, the face painter – hey we made the newspaper. Cool.

I have been face painting since early 2000s and do it more for the fun of it than to make money. Don’t get me wrong, you can make some serious money if you get real good but that is not my focus. I charge enough to buy more paint because I buy the professional stuff which isn’t cheap, but safer to use.

If you see that yellow paper behind my young model, those are the 6 faces I would paint for this particular party. They will change each party. This model is getting a jaguar face. They really don’t care how great it is, they just want to play – so lets play. I will post some periodically through the summer so you can see how much fun we are having.

OK, so there is a story behind the title and I am getting there. This neighborhood is close to my church so I am familiar with some of the kids as I have done other functions at this park. There is a home of mentally and physically challenged that we have done things with so I knew some of the guys(adults) that were in line to get their face painted. The first guy came in and could talk real well and wanted the 3 horned dinosaur. He loved it and I chuckled with him as he laughed in the mirror. The next guy was in a wheel chair but could walk a little. So they got him up and helped him get into the face paint chair. His right arm was drawn in and not usable but his left arm was good and with that arm he pointed to his shirt. He had on a power ranger shirt. I don’t like doing the super heroes as they are BORING in face paint but for him, sure. So we did the red power ranger. He could not speak but could hear and understand very well and he was super excited on how well his face looked. He tapped his chest in a gesture of him loving it and I patted his hand and told him I was glad, and he smiled. They got him back in his chair and I went to the next child. But before I could get started good, I heard the guy from the wheel chair come beside my booth. His caretaker said “He wants you to have his star.” I asked her if he had made it and she said yes and showed me all the things he carried with him that he had made. I almost cried. I told him thank you and to come back to see me. Here is the star.

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My whole point in this post is to remind everyone to never pass on an opportunity to be kind and gentle. No small act of kindness is ever wasted. I have always believed this but this was an opportunity where God affirmed just how much kindness matters. So always be kind.

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Funny animals

I don’t care what anyone say, animals have personalities and are funny. There are even websites dedicates to pictures of animals doing funny things. And now there is a TV show about animals doing funny things. I think we humans think animals are funny because we try to relate to them in a human manner. I laugh at the picture below because it reminds me of what my brother said in the caption to me all the time when growing up. He was not allowed to tell me to shut-up.

Going to work this morning I had to laugh at what I saw. I could not stop to take a picture as I was on the bridge going over the Mississippi with morning traffic and rain. Yes more rain. Sometimes you get to the point where you laugh about the continuing mess as long as no one is getting hurt. We have been very fortunate in that from this continuance of this mess. But humor is where we are with the ridiculousness of this current flood – since mid March. The river is finally coming down and around the ball field there is a lower walkway with a chain link fence on the river side. The fence is your standard 4 foot high which stands another 2 feet above the river, 6 feet of water height where water should not be. That fence is just now beginning to show. Today the top rail was about 1/2 exposed, enough for the ducks trying to line up and sit on it. The current is still very swift so you got about 8 ducks in a row trying to sit on a rail as the current rips by them periodically pulling them back into the river. I chuckled the rest of the way to work. Animals doing funny things.

Thank you to all the photographers in the world that capture life’s funny moments that makes us all smile. And remember smiling is infectious. If you smile at someone, it forces them to smile back. So smile often and always be kind.

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Time to Be Silly

I posted a serious message from my heart this morning so now it’s time to be silly. Those who read my work also know I have a QUIRKY clown side. I saw this picture on Facebook and today is the perfect day to post it. Some of you may have seen it before and some may not get it but the picture alone should be enough to make you laugh at the ridiculousness of it. And after yesterday, LORD helps us get through this week.

Remember laughter makes you smile and smiling can facilitate kindness. So laugh, smile and be kind often.

laughter ds3 — Happy Hippo from Debbie Smyth, Travel With Intent

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Picture it…

Picture a favorite beach scene. You are sitting relaxed in the loose sand dunes just above the beach. The sun has warmed the sand and it tickles as it shifts through your toes. The sound of the turf is melodic as it pounds on the beach. The seagulls are calling each other as they slowly fly through the gentle breeze, that same breeze that brushes across your face. You inhale and you can almost taste the salt of the warm sea air that you are smelling.

Not big on the beach? Then picture the soft tranquility of a mountain stream. You are sitting on a felled tree that is now becoming a bench for anyone on the trail. The stream beside you is bubbling along the rocks as it heads though the forest to the nearest river. The clean air is as refreshing and clear as the water in the stream is cold to the taste. In front of you off in the distance are the mountains, maybe their tops are dusted with snow. The sweet smell of the evergreens is pungent and reminds you of Christmas. Over head a lone eagle floats with little movement as he soars of the updrafts.

Maybe you are not a nature lover? Maybe your enjoyment comes with an evening of dinner and beautiful music at an outdoor park. The smells of various foods wafting in the air mixed with warm summer night as the stars slowly begin to show their presence. Soft conversations with strangers around you creates friendships of similar interest. The orchestra or band is warming up their instruments for a night of expected pleasures.

Then picture this…..

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You are sitting in a dark room.

There is no sound because you are deaf…

There is nothing to see because you are blind…

There is little to smell if anything because you have no reference to what smell is…

There is little to touch as your body has no sense of feel due to being paralyzed.

Senses…Sight, Hearing, Smell, Taste & Touch…Gifts from God for us to enjoy His mighty creation. If all of your sense are working, praise God and enjoy these gifts. If you know those who are missing one or more of these senses, then share with them the beauty of what they don’t have so that through the senses that they do have working, they can get a glimpse of its beauty.

And remember as you enjoy your gifts, to share the joy that they bring you with others in hopes they may understand the beauty of it and share it themselves with others. And always remember to be kind. Kindness is enveloped in all of there gifts.

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