Monday Night Sunset and More...

I looked outside and could see that there was a beautiful sunset, but it wasn't showing up well from our house,  so I told the hubby to "hurry up and get dressed and let's take a ride over to the boat ramp at Lake Ida really quick before the sunset gets totally down and we miss it."  I think he grabbed his pants and shoes and wallet and keys faster than I've seen him move in a long time.  We drove the back roads from our house to that neighborhood, less than one mile, and we got there just in time to see the last of the colors slipping quickly down behind the trees. Thankfully there was still enough beauty visible to be worth the trip.  This is what we saw:

Jeremiah 32:17 "Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You."

Then I heard the honking of some Canada Geese, and was thrilled to see they were there on the lake, preparing for take-off:

(Yes, there were a couple of people sitting on the dock, fishing. I apologized for interrupting their peaceful evening. They didn't seem to mind.)

As you can imagine,  I was pretty excited to be able to witness this beautiful sight...not just a sunset, but the geese taking off in flight, heading off to their nighttime resting place, wherever that may be on the other side of the lake somewhere.

I watched until I couldn't really see them any more, and the sun was almost totally down, so it was time to head back home.

It was a trip worth taking, and I'm so glad hubby was willing to humor me in such a hurry! 

We've missed seeing the Canada Geese on our own Still Waters Pond this year, thanks to the lack of rain and the fact that the pond is totally dry. I am thankful to know that they still have plenty of places around where they can swim and fish and build their nests. Life goes on...just not on our pond this year. I am still not too sure if our Sand Hill Crane couple is building a nest on the pond or not.  They do land on the pond every day and go around behind the island where they nested last year, but I can't get around there to check because I'd have to cross over the new neighbor's yard to get there and see if there's a nest.  We will just have to wait and see if they present us with any new baby "colts" in the next month.  The cranes are not as dependent on having a full pond upon which to build their nest, but the fact that there is no water makes them more vulnerable to predators who can walk across the dry pond to get to their eggs or new babies...so that makes it a little more precarious for them. Like I said, time will tell. We will definitely be watching.

On another note, I keep trying to get a picture of Blackie with Lily Grace...but Blackie isn't really all that interested in sweet little girls dressed up for Valentine's Day.  

That, plus the fact that he really doesn't like to have his picture taken at all makes it difficult to get a good photo when he's on the move.    Oh well, we tried, Lily!

Maybe next time!

Tomorrow (Tuesday) will be a busy day, so I probably won't have much time for visiting/reading/commenting. Hubby and I both have fasting blood tests first thing in the morning, and then we will go out to breakfast to "break the fast".  After that there is a Celebration of Life at our church at noon, with a reception to follow.  Sadly this is for a dear lady who was very sick with COPD complications for a long time, and she was quite ready for Jesus to take her home.  She is greatly missed...a former children's Sunday School teacher for many years, and also she was very active in our women's ministries.  She leaves behind a husband and adult children and grandchildren.

We have another dear lady in the local Hospice house right now. I went to visit her and her husband on Saturday. She was not responsive at all, but I do believe she could hear and I hope she knew I was there. This dear lady is the one who crocheted a beautiful shawl/cape for me while she was actually doing chemo! (the story is HERE). She has been battling cancer for about 2 & 1/2 years, and a stronger woman than her I do not believe I've ever known.  She truly has fought a hard battle, and was so determined to keep fighting, but it appears that her battle is almost over, and soon she will be able to say with the Apostle Paul: 

2 Timothy 4:7-8 NIV

" 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 

8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, 

the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, 

but also to all who have longed for his appearing."

I am truly going to miss her smiling face and determined spirit.

Tuesday night is choir practice, and we've started working on our Easter Cantata, so that takes some extra work and energy in addition to our regular music that we prepare for each Sunday.  It's hard to believe Easter will be here before we know it. I believe Ash Wednesday is next Wednesday, February 18th, so that is the beginning of Lent.

Of course, this weekend is Valentine's Day, and then hubby's birthday is on Monday, the 16th, but we will celebrate with our kids on Sunday afternoon.  I am trying to convince him to go look at a new recliner (for him). His is in pretty bad shape and it's time to replace it.  The kids have already told me that they will chip in to help cover the cost as their birthday gift to him.  He doesn't know that yet, but I may have to tell him so he will be more willing to go shopping for the chair.  Hopefully we will do that this week, but it probably will have to be ordered and so most likely it won't be delivered until next week.

I guess that about sums it up for now.  I will check in with you all as soon as I am able.

Psalm 89:1-2 NIV

"1 I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever;

with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known

through all generations.

2 I will declare that your love stands firm forever,

that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself."