Friday Foto Friends ~ Humbled and Blessed

Happy Friday, Friends!  Time for some "fotos" from the week, and yes, I actually have a few this week!

Can you guess where we were yesterday?  Maybe these lovely ladies serenading us on the mandolin by the light of the moon with a basket of beautiful flowers (lilacs, maybe?) will give you a clue!

Or perhaps this cute Flapper Girl, enjoying a delicious Sundae with a cherry on top will help you to figure it out...

Perhaps this handsome fella sitting on the rocking chairs on the "front porch" will give you a better clue...

Give up? Well, maybe seeing these two smiling faces from their rocking chairs on the front porch will certainly give it away! Of course! We were at Cracker Barrel! Now if you live in an area of the country where they don't have a Cracker Barrel, I am truly sorry for you! 

Anyway, yes, we were enjoying a late breakfast yesterday morning at Cracker Barrel in between my appointments at the Univ. of Florida Neuromedicine Hospital in Gainesville, FL.  We had a lot of time to kill in between appointments.  My first appt. with the neurosurgeon was at 9:30 a.m., and then he sent me for more x-rays, and after that I was blessed to actually get an appointment at 2:30 p.m. for a Nerve Conduction Velocity test, followed by and Electromyography Test (EMG). I say "blessed" because this appointment only became available due to a cancellation that morning. Otherwise, the next available appointment would not be until December!  So, even though it meant a long wait, we knew we could not pass up on that opportunity.  

Therefore, hubby and I spent the intervening time enjoying a late breakfast because they did not serve lunch until 11:00 and we got there at 10:30. After that we shopped a little in the store of the Cracker Barrel, and then went on to do a little more shopping at a couple of other stores in a nearby shopping center.  After that we went back to the hospital to just wait it out...and it turned out my 2:30 appointment did not actually happen until about 3:30, so it really was a long wait.

While we waited for my appointment we had time to just sit and observe people around us. I can tell you it was a humbling experience. My problems seem so small when I see what others have to live  and deal with in their lives. One young woman in a wheelchair, totally incapacitated and who could only make low guttural sounds to make her needs known, was being lovingly cared for by, I assume her mother, who had to be at least my age.  After watching this dear soul for a while from a distance, we both concluded that she was actually an intelligent young woman, trapped in a physical body that she had no control over. It was very heart breaking, and as I said, humbling.  Her image has not left my mind even yet this morning, and so I lift up a prayer for her and her mother, that God would somehow brighten their day and give them a sense of His presence and peace in their lives.

Regarding my own situation, I will have to wait on the neurosurgeon to get back to me with the results of the tests to determine what is next. His first thought before seeing the test results was that he does NOT think I am a candidate for surgery yet.  However, from what I was able to ascertain from the neurologist conducting the nerve tests, there is nerve damage in my arm, and so something will have to be addressed. I will wait and see just what that "something" will be.  Meanwhile, I guess I keep going to physical therapy...

So now for some more happy photos from my back yard on Still Waters Pond:

The Sand Hill Crane Family flew in again for some dessert. It was fun to watch them poking around in the grass, digging up whatever it is they like so much.

There actually were three of them, the mother, father, and grown baby, but it was hard to get all three of them together in one photo.

I always feel honored when they come to visit.

We do enjoy what God provides to bring some beauty and joy to our days.

And that would include this Rose of Sharon, that continues to blossom in the "Secret Memorial Garden".

The leaves are starting to turn yellow from the heat and sun and also because it is "fall" approaching. But even that variegated color is lovely, don't you think?

And these little red maple leaves are growing up from the stump of the tree that was cut down recently when we had some tree work done. I was not thrilled that they cut down this tree, but they were trying to open up more light into that area so the trees in the "secret garden" could get more sunshine and actually be healthier.  However, I intend to let this maple tree just grow right back up if it so pleases.  It looks like it wants to, don't you agree???

Oh look! We have a new inhabitant in the birdhouse!!! Actually, there are two interesting creatures on this picture!! I wonder who would win that battle...the lizard or the wasp?

Yes, this lizard has taken up residence in the Bluebird house. He pokes his head out throughout the day to catch some bugs and say hello!

He has claimed it as his own, but when the bluebirds come back to roost in the spring I hope he knows he will have to move out!!! This is their house, and he is just a squatter who has no proper lease!

But I guess it's okay for him to stay and take care of the place until they return. 

Even little lizards need a warm, dry place to live.

Here's some thoughts for today:

Romans 12:9-16

9.  "Let love be without hypocrisy. 

Abhor what is evil, 

cling to what is good.

10.  Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love,

in honor giving preference to one another;

11.  not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;

12.  Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;

13.  distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

14.  Bless those who persecute you;

bless and do not curse.

15.  Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

16.  Be of the same mind toward one another.

Do not set your mind on high things, 

but associate with the humble. 

Do not be wise in your own opinion."

Thank You, Lord, for these thoughts and lessons today.

I am humbled and blessed.