Friday Foto Friends~ Odds and Ends

Happy Friday everyone! It's been such a beautiful week here in north central Florida...we've had nice cooler mornings, starting out in the low 60's, and only getting up into the mid 80's for most of the week, with lower humidity.  It's been delightful, even though we still need rain so badly!  As I look ahead on my weather app on my phone, it appears that next week we might start seeing a change in the weather patterns, with some rain predicted each day,  (Oops! That just changed! No rain in sight until at least next Thursday or Friday! Bah Humbug!) and the temperatures starting to rise back up a little bit to more normal levels, low 70's to high 80's.  But if it brings us rain anytime, I will be thankful!

I've recently noticed a plant growing in my butterfly garden area that suddenly had quite a growth spurt, which totally surprised me.  But the biggest surprise was all of a sudden I saw this flower blooming on it! What?  A flower?  I had no idea that plant was going to get a flower on it when I purchased a very small, scrawny stick of a plant early this past late spring at the farmer's market.  It looked interesting and different, so I bought it without really knowing what I was getting! (Probably not a good idea, but in this case, it turned out okay!)

 

So I had to use the Google Lens app on my iPhone to find out what it is, and here's the scoop via Wikipedia:  It is called Roselle  "Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) is a species of flowering plant in the genus Hibiscus that is native to Africa, most likely West Africa. In the 16th and early 17th centuries it was spread to Asia and the West Indies, where it has since become naturalized in many places.[1] The stems are used for the production of bast fibre and the dried cranberry-tasting calyces are commonly steeped to make a popular infusion known by many names, including carcade."

Here's a picture from a distance, taken from my porch this morning, so you can see what a strange looking plant it is:

The flowers bloom in the morning, 

but then they fold back up in the afternoon sun. 

Here's another link for some more information.

https://www.gardenia.net/plant/hibiscus-sabdariffa-roselle-grow-care-guide

I had no idea when I bought this plant that is could be used for tea, medicinal purposes, and even some jams and sauces.  I'm wondering if anyone else knows anything about this plant, or if you know how to use it?  I'm not much into using natural things like this for tea or other things, so I don't know if I will try it or not...we'll see...but I can still just enjoy the beauty of the flowers while they last.

Here's another flower that finally decided to bloom! I bought this Rose of Sharon bush this past summer also, and I've been waiting patiently for someone to come dig a hole for me so I can plant it in the ground. It has become so rootbound in the pot that I have to water it constantly to keep it alive...and I really was afraid I was going to lose it,  when all of a sudden it decided to bloom! 

Hooray!  Now maybe this weekend I can actually talk one of my strong sons into getting it planted in the ground for me!  I wanted this particular plant because I had one before in the original Memorial Garden for our son Matthew that we created back at our previous home. When we moved here to this house 6 years ago I brought the Rose of Sharon plant with us, along with that beautiful Don Juan Rose bush that blooms every so often.  The Rose of Sharon did fine for a few years, but finally died.  So when I saw this plant at the farmer's market I decided to get it and try again.  

The other day we were taking a little ride in the evening, and we saw this young deer on the side of the road, eating his supper I guess!

Upon closer look, we realized there were actually two deer!

I love seeing them, don't you?  As long as they aren't eating my flowers, they are just fine! (Yes, they do that!

Now here's a bit of an oddity!  I pulled this apple out of the bag of Gala Apples that I bought recently from Walmart.  I don't think I've ever seen an apple with such a line of division of color on it before, have you?

It was literally divided in half by the brighter, bolder red color on one half, and the more yellowed mixed with red color on the other half!

What a phenomenon!  

It tasted the same all the way through, however!  Makes me think this apple was a product of some genetic engineering...what do you think? Yeah, I guess I probably don't really want to know the answer to that! I wish I could grow our own apples, but that just doesn't happen here in Florida. I tried once, but the apples never got beyond the little green apple stage and the trees eventually died.  I'm glad we are going to go to the mountains of North Georgia next month and get some fresh apples straight from the orchard...

Okay, here's another odd sighting this week...yes, that big red spot is hives..actually on my upper thigh. It is about the size of a 50 cent piece.  

Here's the strange story...I had to be placed on some antibiotics this week for an infection, which I won't name.  I had forgotten that this particular antibiotic had caused this strange itchy spot to appear in times past. (several times, actually, before I realized what it was! I thought it was a bug bite at first). It's been a few years since I've been prescribed this medication, and probably because I had mentioned to the doctor before when this happened, but apparently it didn't make it into my records and there's a new doctor and he wasn't even looking at my files when he asked about what antibiotics I could take, and frankly I had forgotten about this one. But the next morning when this spot started itching on my thigh and I looked at it I remembered it right away...and called the doctor's office and told them. Of course they said not to take anymore doses, which I knew that much already. They prescribed something else, but it was also another variety of antibiotic that I cannot take, so I had to call them back and tell them that so they could prescribe something else!  They finally got it right, and I am doing fine now, but think what could've happened if I ignored the symptoms?  I also told the doctor's office that they need to start paying better attention to my records!!  This was on Tuesday, and the spot is still slightly visible on my thigh, but thankfully it stopped itching when I put some cream on it and took an antihistamine. What's weird is that there were no other spots, but I did feel some itchiness in other parts of my body.  I am thankful that I am feeling better now, and that nothing really bad happened.

I guess you could say I'm cleaning out my photo files on my phone today! Here's something else I found that I took pictures of recently, but haven't shared yet.  Have you ever made your own "Maple Syrup"?  No, I don't mean the kind that you get from Maple tree sap. That's the REAL maple syrup, and there's quite a process to making it. First, you have to have the right kind of sugar maple trees, which are primarily up in the northern part of the country. Then you have to know when to "tap" them to gather the sap, usually in the spring. Next you have to boil the sap down to get the syrup, and I believe the formula is that it takes 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of Maple Syrup. Those of you who have done this may correct me if I am wrong.  

Pure Maple Syrup is the very best, but it is also rather expensive. When we lived up in New England we used to get some from friends who had their own Maple Syrup business.  However, throughout the majority of my life, I have mostly used Log Cabin Maple Syrup, which is not the real deal, but at least it doesn't contain High Fructose Corn syrup, so I prefer that one above most other commercial brands.

But there have been times when I couldn't really afford to even buy that, or I would run out of it, and then I would make my own "Maple Syrup". Here is the recipe that I've used for many years:

It's pretty simple, and tastes good too. Our kids never knew the difference!

I found this little bottle of Maple Flavoring in my cupboard the other day, and it was almost completely empty. However, there was at least 1/4 teaspoon left, (which probably had become mostly just the alcohol with a little flavor left, it was so old!) Rather than waste that last drop, I decided to make a batch of syrup since hubby was hankering for some French Toast.

I've had this glass syrup pitcher for years. I think it came with Log Cabin Syrup in it one time for an anniversary or something, but I can't find any information on that to prove it, so maybe it was from a different syrup company.  If anyone else knows for sure, please let me know. It has an old sailing ship embossed in the glass.  I've always used this pitcher to hold and serve my homemade syrup!

I used Italian bread from the Walmart bakery to make our French Toast. They have been selling these loaves of bread for just $1.00 for this past year, but only recently increased the price to $1.47 or something like that. Either way, it's still a great deal, and makes great French Toast!

Oh, here it is with the syrup poured over it.

Yum...however, I really can't eat this very often. Too much "sugar" for me, but hubby sure loves it.

Well, I've been working on this post all day, in between running errands, fixing lunch, taking a nap, and all the other stuff we do every day.  It's time to get it finished so I can move on to something else! 

I went outside for a minute, and this is what happened:

The kitties came running over to me, and after I petted them both they started loving on each other too. They are so sweet...they always make me smile.

Awwww...

Yes, I am thankful...

1 Samuel 2:1-2 NKJV

Hannah’s Prayer

1 And Hannah prayed and said:

“My heart rejoices in the Lord;

My horn is exalted in the Lord.

I smile at my enemies,

Because I rejoice in Your salvation.

2 “No one is holy like the Lord,

For there is none besides You,

Nor is there any rock like our God.

Amen.

Monday Monday and the Tuesday 4~Let's Blog!

Psalm 113:4-8

The Lord is high above all nations,

His glory above the heavens.

5 Who is like the Lord our God,

Who dwells on high,

6 Who humbles Himself to behold

The things that are in the heavens and in the earth?

7 He raises the poor out of the dust,

And lifts the needy out of the ash heap,

8 That He may seat him with princes—

With the princes of His people.

Gulf Fritillary Butterfly 

I know, it's Monday. I haven't written much since last week..just haven't had the heart or desire.  But I decided it's time to get back with the program. Even when difficult things happen to zap our energy,  life goes on, and we need to seek God's strength to persevere and keep moving forward.  

The weather has been glorious and so we've taken a few little walks.  It's so good to get outside in the fresh air (and away from the TV and Internet) and just breathe in God's beauty around us.  I've seen a few things that have caught my attention and made me smile, like that butterfly above.

And then look at this Beauty Berry bush...some bug must've eaten all those holes in the leaves, making them look so delicate and lacy! 

I think they look really pretty, even if it is a kind of destruction...sometimes beauty comes out of things that were not intended for good.  

It reminds me of this story in Genesis chapter 50, after Joseph had been sold into slavery by his own brothers, and then many years later he is in a position to provide food for them while they have been suffering through a famine in their land.  They were afraid that Joseph would not treat them well after what they'd done to him, but look at what happened instead: 

 

"19 Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? 

20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, 

in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive."

Morning Glory growing wild in the weeds

Isaiah 61:3 

"...To console those who mourn in Zion,

To give them beauty for ashes,

The oil of joy for mourning,

The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;

That they may be called trees of righteousness,

The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”

I love it when God gives us pictures of His love and grace and comfort even in nature. After all, He created it, and it's here for our benefit...to behold His beauty in creation, and to be reminded that He is close to the broken hearted and those who mourn.  Not only that, but what man intended for evil, God turns into good.  As the result of the very sad death of one of His servants last week, Charlie Kirk, who was a strong believer and witness for Christ, there has been a revival going across the world of people who are now more and more committed to continuing that work throughout the world and becoming the hands and feet of Christ on earth. May they stay true to that purpose and not lose sight of WHO it is for, Jesus Christ... and not just a movement in memory of or allegiance to a man that they admired and loved, but for the actual furtherance of The Kingdom of God.  That's my prayer...that God will use this moment in time to draw many to Christ for salvation before His return.   

So now that brings us to the Tuesday 4.  I hope you don't mind that I am combining these two today.  The questions have made me think about the real reason that I enjoy blogging...so let's proceed...

Let's Blog!

Welcome once again friends to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 and how about talking about blogging this week since it's something we all do anyway.
Get yourself a cuppa, come sit down at your computer and let's think about blogging for a bit....

Blog is short for Weblog, a log or diary on the World Wide Web or internet. Your journal or diary can hold personal stories, ideas, opinions of all kinds and can be private or public as you wish. It is an excellant way to document your life or interests.


1. Why did you begin blogging?

Click Here for a link to a post I wrote a few years ago about why I love to blog

To sum it up, I blog to because I love having a place to share my heart with others...and to share the beauty that I see around me here in God's beautiful creation.   My initial beginning was because I was discouraged from writing a book due to many reasons...the cost, the lack of "audience",  and all the other little details that go into publishing a book that maybe only a few people will read.  I went to a Christian Writers Conference, and the only thing I learned there that was helpful to me at that time was someone was giving a class about blogging. I had NO idea what a blog was, or how to do it, or what impact it could have...but I came home and looked it up on my computer and found this blogging program, and well, the rest is history. In my mind, this has become my "book", and it is free to publish, and free to you, my readers!  And every "chapter" is something fresh and new, whatever God leads me to for that day. It has opened a whole new world to me, and I am very thankful that God led me to it!


2. What benefits does blogging offer you?

Well, see question #3 below...yes, I have made some very good friends, both in person and through cyberspace. I consider that a great benefit!  Blogging also gives me a way to communicate with people all over the world, people I would never have had any opportunity to know in any other way, and you have all enriched my life with your stories and encouragement.  I also believe that blogging is a great way to stimulate mental acuity. As we age, finding words becomes more and more difficult, and blogging has helped me to keep thinking and striving to improve in my writing skills while I still have my mental faculties!   I hope I can keep it up for a long time!

3. Have you made friends from blogging?

See question #2 above. Yes, I have met in person several wonderful people, and I think that has been the best surprise of blogging of all!  But even for those I have not met in person, I still think of you all as friends...we share so many personal stories and look into the hearts of one another through good times and bad, in sickness and sorrows...and we lift each other up and encourage each other with words of hope and wisdom and joy.  I seriously wish we could all meet in person someday. I would just love to hug every single one!!  Maybe in heaven there will be a special place just for bloggers! LOL.


4. Where do you get ideas for things you blog about? Do other bloggers influence you?

Well, this weekly Tuesday 4, thanks to Toni Taddeo's influence and our current hostess Annie, have been great about giving us ideas to write about each week. This is really the only weekly meme that I participate in, but I enjoy reading what everyone writes in whatever format you choose.  And yes, your thoughts and questions and ideas do influence me in a very positive way. I've learned so much since becoming a blogger. You've opened up a whole new world for me, and I love it.  

Now, for a great big thank you...for quite some time most of you know that I've been praying for some good new neighbors to move into the house next door to us.  As I mentioned a week or so ago, the new neighbors did finally move in and I met them in passing on the road. Well, today the man and his father actually came over to our door and introduced themselves to us! The daughter is working as a caregiver for an elderly woman, so she stays there during the week.  But here's the good news!  They are a fine Christian family, and I do believe that God has answered our prayers by bringing us some really good neighbors!  Praise God for this answer to prayer!  Now I pray that we will be good neighbors to them as well!  Thank you all for your words of encouragement and prayers for this situation over the past few months!  I knew you'd want to know how it all turned out!! God is so good!!!

In closing, I will share this little quote from a devotional calendar that I have. I thought it was some good food for thought today in particular:

Wherever we are, God has placed us there for a purpose.  We are to use these gifts, whether it be our home, our blog, or whatever talents we may have, for God's glory and honor and to be His ambassador of hope to others along life's way.  And that is why I love to blog in a nutshell.

Now let's go see what others are writing about this week here at https://tuesdaysplace.blogspot.com/

Double Sorrow In Our Land

 Today is September 11, 2025.  Between the horrific events of 24 years ago on this day, and then the very tragic event of yesterday, September 10, 2025, i.e., the assassination of a very fine Christian young man, Charlie Kirk,  who was killed because he stood up for his beliefs and spoke the truth to a new generation and the evil ones in this world could not stand it, so they tried to stop his voice from speaking by killing him, between these two very sad events, I just wanted to withdraw from social media for a day and take some time to pray, mourn, and seek God's peace in my own heart again.

So we took a ride to one of our favorite places not too far away, Lake Swan Camp. (You can click on that link for an old post telling more about why this place is so special to us.)

Jeremiah 31:9 NKJV

"9 They shall come with weeping,

And with supplications I will lead them.

I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters,

In a straight way in which they shall not stumble..."

It was a picture perfect morning...our early morning temperature was all the way down to 68 degrees! The sun was shining, and the skies were clear and beautiful and the lake was smooth and calm...

Isaiah 33:2 NIV

"2 Lord, be gracious to us;

we long for you.

Be our strength every morning,

our salvation in time of distress."

When my soul is troubled, it's always a good idea to just get away from the noise and the news and the turmoil in the world and find a place of solace and peace for a little while.

I was really thankful when hubby suggested this ride. He could see that the news from yesterday was really getting to me, and I needed a break away from it all to be refreshed and restored in my mind and spirit.

The camp has this fun little putt putt golf course that we always enjoy playing, even if we don't do very well at it...it's still relaxing and fun and takes our mind off of our worries or concerns for a little while.

Don't ask who won the game. We sort of lost count of our number of strokes and decided to call it a tie.

It was a peaceful diversion that we needed today. I am thankful for God's provision in a time of need.

Psalm 16:8 NKJV

8 I have set the Lord always before me;

Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.

I don't know how you are all dealing with these double sorrows today, but I am sure it has affected most of us in similar ways.  

Below is a link to the post that I wrote regarding September 11, entitled "I Didn't Want to Remember Today".  I originally wrote it on September 11, 2011, on the 10 year anniversary of 9-11-2001. Then I added updates each year for several years with information that was current to each year.  Rather than update it again this year, now I have this new sad event to add.  

Click Here for my earlier post regarding September 11, 2001.

1 Peter 5:8-9 NKJV

8 Be sober, be vigilant; 

because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, 

seeking whom he may devour. 

9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

Tuesday night we started back to our choir practice at church.  Appropriately, the song we practiced to sing this coming Sunday is this one:

It is a medley of One Day We'll See Jesus, and Soon and Very Soon We are Going to See the King...

We didn't record our choir singing it, but this video is the song we are doing. I think you will enjoy it...we didn't know then what would happen the next day, but I feel like we are getting closer to Christ's return every single day.  I know I'm ready for Christ to return anytime...I hope you are as well.  

I just found this picture and message on Facebook and thought it was worth sharing... from "Beauty for Ashes, Hope and Healing in Jesus Christ" facebood page, regarding the passing of Charlie Kirk.

"Seeing what happened yesterday through spiritual eyes.

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The devil tried to assassinate the truth, yesterday.

The devil tried to assassinate The Truth more than 2000 years ago. But the grave couldn’t hold Him! His name is Jesus Christ, and He is the way, the truth, and the life!

Because Jesus lives, you can’t kill a Christian, you can only change their address.

The martyred hero Charlie Kirk stood for the truth, he stood on the word of God.

The truth will never be silenced. What the enemy meant for evil, watch God turn it for good.

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭50‬:‭20‬ ‭

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭6‬ ‭

Lord, raise up a generation of young Jesus loving, God-fearing Americans by the millions to continue the work of Charlie Kirk! The gospel will go forth! In the name of Jesus.

Pick up the baton, we have a race to win!

In His Amazing Love,

Beauty for Ashes-Hope and Healing in Jesus Christ

#charliekirk
Photo credit: Silent Preacher"

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Tuesday 4~ Things to Ponder

 

Things to Ponder


Welcome back to another of Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 memes.

From Annie, our hostess:
"Across much of the USA autumn has come early.
It's so nice and chilly here that I made myself a nice cup of pumpkin spice coffee today, an autumn treat I really enjoy, While I enjoyed my cuppa I was pondering a rew things I want to do with my home."

Here are some questions for you to ponder:


1. If you could live in the world of any movie, which one would you choose and why?
I had to "ponder" this for a minute or two...and finally decided upon "Anne of Green Gables". Why? Well, because I loved her story, and as many of you probably already know from previous posts, Anne was one of my mother's favorite characters, and when I was born and my mother saw that I had red hair, she wanted to name me after Anne. So my name became Pamela Anne, with an e!   I still hope to actually visit Prince Edward Island someday and see all the places where the story came from, even though Anne is a fictional character, her story took place there where the author, Lucy M. Montgomery lived.  

2. If you could have coffee or tea with a woman from history or from fiction come to life, who would that be and why?
Oh goodness, I'm having to "ponder" that thought as well! There are so many wonderful women in history...I think of Queen Esther from the Bible book of Esther, I think of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and even Mary Magdalene, who was the first one to actually see the Risen Christ, but on a more personal note, I think I would love to meet and visit with my Great Grandmother Alberta "Birdie" Sowers Milsom. She was my paternal grandmother's (Elva Sowers Hill Mursch) birth mother, but she gave up my grandmother for adoption when she was just 5 months old.  My grandmother never knew her birth mother or birth father, but through Ancestry.com and my personal DNA studies, I have discovered who she was, but I've never been able to find a picture of her.  I would love to meet both her and my great grandfather, William Frederick Milsom.  I've written their story HERE, "Elva's Story, a Story of Sacrifice and Love", at least the story that I was able to figure out based on the genealogy documentation. I would love to find out just how close I was to the real reasons why she felt she had to give up my grandmother for adoption.  Hopefully my grandmother has already met her birth parents in heaven and she now knows the whole story.

3. If you could create an autumn-themed festival, what unique events or foods would it feature?

You've probably already seen these photos from the past...Click HERE for the story for these pictures

Way back when we were young and full of energy, we often had some kind of fall party or festival at our churches.  Since churches didn't really celebrate "Halloween" per se', we still wanted to have some kind of fun activities for the children and families.  So these pictures are from what we called a "Hobo Party", where people dressed up like Hobos and we played fun games like bobbing for apples and other similar fun activities.  We've also had a fall festival with different kinds of "booths", kind of like a little carnival, with outdoor games, ring toss, dunk the youth pastor in a tank of water, or a fish pond where children could "fish" for prizes...all kinds of fun things.  

There may have been a cake walk where the winner gets the prize cake.  Children may wear costumes, but preferably the non scary or gruesome type. One time the kids had to dress like their favorite Bible Character and we had to guess which one they were.  I know a lot of churches nowadays may have a "Trunk or Treat" kind of activity, where cars open up their trunks full of treats for the kids to come and get candy in a safe environment, where there will also be games and other food.  

Yes, that's me, the old Hobo, with our youngest son Scotty!

This picture below was way back when I was an almost teenager. My girlfriends came to my house for a Halloween party, and we dressed up like "Beatniks" (who remembers those?) and we played games and just had a lot of fun being silly. I'm the one on the right with the nylon stocking on my head and the Bongo drum.

If I were to try something like this today, first of all, I'd have my head examined. Second of all, I'd enlist as many younger people as I could to help.  We'd have apples, Hot apple cider, apple cider donuts, pumpkin spice muffins or cake or pies, maybe a pumpkin carving contest. If we could do this outside where there is a fire pit, we could roast hot dogs and also make s'mores. There would be baked beans and probably coleslaw available, and chips or whatever people want to bring to make it a fun time.

4, If autumn had a personality, how would you describe it, and what kind of friend would it be?

These questions today are sure making me have to think! I guess that's what "ponder" means! LOL.  

If Autumn had a personality, it would be warm and cozy with just the right amount of spice and welcoming fragrances of baking apple pie, filled with cinnamon and nutmeg and maybe just a hint of mace.  Mulled Apple Cider simmering in a pot on the stove, and perhaps even a pumpkin pie baking as well.  Her outside air would be crisp and fresh, with just a hint of smoke from a wood fireplace or bonfire or the burning of autumn leaves wafting in the breeze. Autumn would cover me with a comfy flannel shirt or sweater, blue jeans and hiking boots, and together we would walk through the woods and watch the falling leaves as they crunch underneath our feet along the trail.  My friend Autumn would make me feel revived, refreshed, and renewed, after a long hot, muggy summer that was filled with health issues and hibernation from the heat.  Autumn always makes me want to get outside and enjoy the beauty of the her glorious colors before they disappear and fade into winter.  She gives me energy that I'd long forgotten I could still find.

In the rural areas of the country, Autumn is a time of harvest. The crops are all gathered into the barns and stored away, so that the animals and people may have plenty of grain for the coming winter months. In the Bible, Jesus talks about the harvest time from a spiritual sense.  Many seeds have been planted in the hearts and lives of the people. There is a harvest time coming, when Christ will return to redeem all those souls who have had His Word of truth and life planted in them.  Like good farmers, Christ is depending on those of us who have already believed and received His Word  to be busy in the fields, sharing His love and planting more seeds among those who may not have heard the truth yet.  And, just as the farmer plants, nurtures and tends his crops and gathers them in during the harvest time, we should be helping to nurture those who are still tender plants in need of care, and helping to encourage them to full growth and maturity so that they will be ready for the harvest time that is coming.

Matthew 9:37-38 NKJV

37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 

38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

If Autumn were a friend and personality, she would be an encourager and helper in the time of harvest, both in the physical and the spiritual sense.  This life is short...and for many of us we are in the autumn of our lives...and we need to be ready for winter and the true harvest that is yet to come.

That's a Sycamore tree leaf! I told you before it was big! Now you see it for yourself next to my size 9 shoe! LOL.

Jeremiah 5:24b

“Let us now fear the Lord our God,

Who gives rain, both the former and the latter, in its season.

He reserves for us the appointed weeks of the harvest.”

By the way, that reminds me that we've been getting some nice rain the past few days, and more on the way! Praise God!  Still Waters Pond is soaking it up like a sponge! Hopefully there will soon be enough to make her overflow with gladness!!

1

“Great is Thy faithfulness,” O God my Father,

There is no shadow of turning with Thee;

Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not

As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

“Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!”

Morning by morning new mercies I see;

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—

“Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lord, unto me!

2

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,

Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,

Join with all nature in manifold witness

To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

3

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,

Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,

Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Okay, I think I've pondered this subject long enough.  Now let's go visit our friends and see what they've been pondering about this today! Thank you for visiting and for your friendship always.