Happy First Day of July!

Happy 1st Day of July!  The month where we celebrate our nation's freedoms, and essentially our own freedoms and hopes for a better future...

Our front door is proclaiming our pride in belonging to America, the land of the free!

And as is my custom on the first of each month, we have the "roll call" of the calendars!  I will start with this wonderful little Susan Branch calendar today...Oh, I love this picture for so many reasons....

That little redheaded girl with her sunglasses on reminds me of this picture and story HERE, of another little redhead with her sunglasses on, many years ago:

This quote below goes well with both of those pictures...

And of course, no July would be complete without a visit to the beach!  I wish I could say that I will be doing that sometime soon...I bet the salt water and air would be very therapeutic for us right now! Maybe not quite there yet, as hubby is still a few days behind me in his recuperation status, but perhaps we can think about it in another week or so. Sure looks inviting, doesn't it?  But thank you for your thoughts and prayers, and thanks be to GOD OUR HEALER, we are getting better day by day and we are so very very thankful!

I love this Thomas Kincade calendar, which always has the most beautiful paintings as well as the perfect scripture verses to go along with it...

Oh, who wouldn't love to be playing hide and seek in a field full of what my mother called "hay doodles"?  What a beautiful bucolic scene from our John Sloane Country Seasons calendar!

Again, another picture that reminds me of a precious old photo found in this old post from a few years ago.

This was on my Grandpa's farm back in the early 1940's. My Grandma Tedlie is on the far right. The other people are some of my cousins and my Aunt Belle. It was harvest time. Most of these people are already enjoying their eternal reward in heaven.

Then there's always time for tea, no matter what the season...

What a unique and interesting tea set! Maybe a little fancy for my taste, but it is lovely. And I totally agree with what Noel Coward said below:

Of course, here in Florida in July, iced tea is the most preferred form of tea!

So yes, we are getting off to a good start on our first day of July. We really are turning the corner on this covid thing, and I can tell a big difference in how I feel today.  Hubby had a later start than I did, and he's still got a ways to go, but he's getting there. So thankful for a cool house to recuperate in.

As  I've mentioned before, our kids were also sick,  but being young and more vigorous than us, they have recuperated quickly, and this morning they took off for their much anticipated trip to Minnesota.  Yesterday they wanted to come by to say good bye to us, and called us before arriving to let us know they were on their way home from the store and wanted to stop in.  So we got ourselves presentable and also prepared for the doggies to arrive like we usually do. We always prepare a bowl of ice water for them (with ice cubes in it) and set their beds with their toys  out in the living room.  The pups always expect things to be exactly like this when they arrive.  So you can imagine our disappointment when the kids arrived without the doggies!!!!!  What???? No puppies, I cried? (almost literally cried, still being weak and weepy with illness, I said).   Well, they were on their way home from the store and didn't have the pups with them.  We almost didn't let them come in the house! LOL.  But we did relent and had a nice little visit with them, but I let them know that I was very disappointed not to see the doggies before they go away for almost a month!

So, sure enough,  later in the evening they called again and asked if they could come back over and bring the puppies this time! Of course I said YES!!  I think they got the idea that we really care more about seeing the puppies than them! LOL.

Here's Sugar, who right away went and found her bed and her ball!

And here's Spice, who was having a "bad hair day". She was so funny. The pups had just been groomed on Thursday to get their summer cut before the trip.  Apparently Spice is confused about her tail that keeps touching and tickling her backside. She couldn't feel it as much before her coat was cut off...

And so she went through these antics of twisting and turning and flipping all around for the whole time she was here.  

She was so funny.  Every time she'd get up to walk, she'd twist around to see who was following her!  That tail kept tickling her behind and I think she thought there was someone else there!

I told Rose she was going to have to trim a few extra hairs off her tail or something, because it was obviously driving her crazy!  I said her new name was "Twisted Sister", because she'd walk all twisted trying to get around and look at that crazy tail following her.

Oh, and they certainly know who loves to spoil them!  Yes, Grandpa loves to sneak a few snacks to them when they come over, but he always asks permission first to make sure it's okay.  

Yes, I'm afraid we will miss these "girls" while they are gone for almost a month!  Oh, we'll miss Benton and Rose too, but honestly, they just aren't as much fun as these pups! LOL!

Well, I've sat here as long as I can for now. Time to go take a little nap.  I don't think we'll be having any big July 4th celebrations at our house this year. No home made ice cream or BBQ.  Our son Scott may come over the weekend briefly, provided we are totally well. We made sure he knew not to come this past weekend as we certainly didn't want him to get this bug!  It will be a very different and quiet celebration here than what we've normally done in the past, but sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do.  We are just thankful to be able to do anything at all!

So, since we are on the theme of furry friends...here's few 4th of July memes to close this out:

No matter what you are doing this week, always take time to remember the price so many have paid for our freedom to do whatever it is we are doing.  Here's a song that brings goosebumps to my body everytime I hear it:  "God bless The USA"

"Proud To Be An American"

If tomorrow all the things were gone I'd worked for all my life,
And I had to start again with just my children and my wife.
I'd thank my lucky stars to be living here today,
'Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away.

And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A.

From the lakes of Minnesota, to the hills of Tennessee,
Across the plains of Texas, from sea to shining sea,

From Detroit down to Houston and New York to LA,
Well, there's pride in every American heart,
And it's time we stand and say:

I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land! God bless the U.S.A.

And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I'd gladly stand up... next to you and defend her still today.
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A.

Amen!

 

Is It Really Friday Foto Friends Already?

Wow! Where did THIS week go?  Having a holiday in the middle of the week really messed up my sense of time...anyone else confused about what day it is?  I know I heard my hubby telling someone on Wednesday something about going to church the next day, as if it was Saturday...and I didn't correct him, because I was thinking the same thing...

But here it is time for Friday Foto Friends again, and I need to scroll back through the week and see if there are any pictures you haven't seen yet...if you have seen them already, please excuse me...I told you I was confused!

 I hope you don't mind more "Bambi" pictures!  After all, they don't stay little forever, much like our own babies, and so we need to enjoy all the beauty and cuteness of them as much as we can while we can.  As you can see by this picture, the fawns are always on the move...often making it difficult for the parents to keep up.  Anyone with a toddler can relate to this...

So this Mama caught up to two of her brood...

 And alas!  There are three little ones all in a row...

 Two of them scamper along behind the mama right away, and there is always that one who lags behind a bit...

 Actually, there are two mamas, and two obedient fawns...not sure who's who...but I'm sure they can sort them out...

 But this little one stayed behind...maybe she's the "middle child" and doesn't feel a part of the family...

 She just stands there watching them all go...

She doesn't seem to know what to do.  I am not really standing that close to them, but she can see me, and the others have already crossed over the dirt road to the other side and have disappeared from her view.

 I was surprised that no adult came back to encourage her to join them...made me wonder just why...

So she just stood there and looked around... This is a little blurred, but my final picture as I decided I'd better go away so the family will reunite.  I am trusting that they did so after I left.

I am wondering now if there are just 3 fawns as opposed to the four I thought I saw last week. They were moving around so quickly last week it was difficult to keep count.  Time will tell, and I will certainly keep you posted.

Now, what else have I seen this week?

Oh yes...lizards...

 These lizards where trying to shinny up  (or down in this case) the pole to the hummingbird feeder...

 Not sure if they were wanting to try out the nectar, or just wanting to see who could shinny up a greased pole. Yes, it is greased a bit...I put vaseline on it to keep the ants from getting up and into the hummingbird feeder. So far, so good. They haven't been a problem this year. But the lizards must think it is a new event at the summer fair...

Have you ever seen a greased pole contest before? I have...my Daddy actually made it all the way to the top when no one else could, and he won the $5.00 bill that was attached to the top! It was a tall pole like a telephone pole! I was so proud that he was my daddy and he won the $5.00!

(For the local folks, this was at tiny little town called Cassia, Florida, when they used to have their "Cassia Day", with all kinds of fun and games and good BBQ chicken, corn on the cob...happy summer memories from my childhood.  The thing I remember most about Cassia is they had the tiniest post office building ever seen!)(Here is a link to the Cassia Community Club Facebook Page, which has pictures of the place where we used to go so many years ago. I think the P.O. building is gone now. But I'm happy to see they still have the same kind of festivals there as in days of old.

This fella found his sweet spot in the shade...

I love looking at the reflections of the clouds in the pond...sometimes the reflection is clearer than the real thing!  We've had so much rain lately that our pond is getting really full...

For those of you who remember watching the Sand Hill Crane family nesting on that mud island this past spring, please note that the bright green foliage over beyond the pond lilies is where that "mud island" was.  It is now quite overgrown, and almost covered with water.

 Aren't these reflections interesting?

I will close with this picture of our American flag blowing in the breeze on Independence Day.

I trust that you and yours have had a wonderful week of celebrating our country's freedom.

Here's one of my favorite songs...

"I'm Proud to be an American"

by Lee Greenwood

"Proud To Be An American"

If tomorrow all the things were gone I'd worked for all my life,
And I had to start again with just my children and my wife.
I'd thank my lucky stars to be living here today,
'Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away.

And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A.

From the lakes of Minnesota, to the hills of Tennessee,
Across the plains of Texas, from sea to shining sea,

From Detroit down to Houston and New York to LA,
Well, there's pride in every American heart,
And it's time we stand and say:

I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land! God bless the U.S.A.

And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I'd gladly stand up... next to you and defend her still today.
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A.

Amen!

Now, let us travel over to Deb' place at Breathing in Grace and see what our other Friday Foto Friends are sharing.

Thankful Thursday for Friday Foto Friends...Combined!

I am writing this post on Thursday evening for Friday Foto Friends, because I don't want to wait until tomorrow and forget!  Today was such a lovely day in so many ways, I'd kind of like to make this a Thankful Thursday post, but then I wouldn't have anything for tomorrow's Friday Foto Friends!  So, I will be thankful on Thursday, but you won't know about it until Friday!  (Remember I told you I had "anesthesia brain"?  That explains my not making much sense...okay?)

To start the first of June off on a good note I took a little walk about the garden this morning to see what was blooming.  Right away I noticed this lovely magnolia blossom in the tree:

And just had to take its picture.  After that I cut it and brought it inside where I could enjoy its sweet lemony fragrance permeating our home.  So delightful!  Not too strong...just a light, pleasant scent that happens only once a year, so we might as well indulge ourselves!

And then I looked over and noticed that our crape myrtle trees are really starting to blossom in the memorial garden.  I love this shade of pink:

They are just getting started, so I look forward to their beauty all summer long once they open up.

As I wandered about the garden, I couldn't help but hear the sounds of very fast, extremely loud jets traveling rapidly overhead.

These are from the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, FL, and they often do their training flights over our area.

 They were circling around and criss-crossing above our house...I don't know if they could see me, but I felt like they were putting on a show just for me!  I saluted them and clapped my hands in joy at seeing them...and I thanked the good Lord for these dedicated men and women who stand ready to fight for our safety and security both at home and abroad!!

  Yes, "I'm proud to be an American....Where at least I know I'm free...

"Proud To Be An American"

By Lee Greenwood

If tomorrow all the things were gone I'd worked for all my life,
And I had to start again with just my children and my wife.
I'd thank my lucky stars to be living here today,
'Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away.

And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A.

From the lakes of Minnesota, to the hills of Tennessee,
Across the plains of Texas, from sea to shining sea,

From Detroit down to Houston and New York to LA,
Well, there's pride in every American heart,
And it's time we stand and say:

I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land! God bless the U.S.A.

And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I'd gladly stand up... next to you and defend her still today.
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A.

After the "air show" was over we were blessed by the arrival of some very dear friends...a precious couple that we have known for over 38 years.  They were members of one of our first churches my husband pastored, and somehow they've managed to keep up with us and have blessed us with their friendship all this time.  Today was especially wonderful because they both had just celebrated their 84th birthdays in the past couple of weeks, so even though we hadn't planned it, we still sang happy birthday and they blew out the candles on the table over cups of coffee and some store-bought cookies. (This was after we went out to lunch at the local "Square Meal" downtown.)  (Remember, I just had surgery this past week, so I haven't done any baking yet...but it's the thought that counts!)

My friend Evelyn is a very talented and "crafty" lady...and she did some uniquely special things for me that I want to share with you:

If you will notice, I am wearing a very lovely beaded necklace in this picture.
Here is a close-up of that necklace.  The last time Evelyn came to visit I asked her if she could re-string this necklace for me, as it had broken, and the green beads were originally from a very old necklace that had belonged to my Grandma Tedlie (maternal).  I had never been able to wear the original necklace, because the string was so old and the clasp was not functional, so it had sat in a jewelry box ever since my grandmother died, which was when I was still a teenager.  I had it fixed once several years ago, and added the black beads to help make it longer, etc., but that "string" and clasp also broke, so again, it sat in my jewelry box until my friend said that she did this kind of work and would be so happy to try and fix it for me.  So here it is...and isn't it gorgeous?

The detail on those scrolled beads is so delicate and perfect...she said they were handmade...which makes them even more precious to me.  So this was ONE beautiful blessing for today...but alas! Not the only one!

My sweet friend also does quilting...and again, the last time she visited I had showed her a quilt that was handmade especially for us by the ladies of one of our churches, but some of the fabric was beginning to wear and tear, and I hated to see it become unusable.  Well, Evelyn said she would just take that quilt home with her and see if she could repair it...and, so she did exactly that!  I didn't take a "before" picture, but this is the finished product:

I know you can't tell what she did...and actually, she did it so perfectly, I had to really look hard to figure out what she did...but she replaced several pieces and tried to match colors and fabrics as best she could...and it turned out so beautifully no one would ever know it was damaged and repaired!!

And then, just for fun, she created these two wall hangings actually from a couple of small pillows that were originally made to go with the quilt.  She had to use some of the fabric from the original pillows to patch the quilt, so then re-created the designs for the wall-hangings and had a little fun with it:

This lovely jeweled and jazzy butterfly is for me:

And THIS handsome "camouflaged" butterfly is for my hubby!

Aren't they delightful?  I was so surprised and thrilled with all of the marvelous things she did...how do you even begin to thank such a special friend?  Well, I gave her some of my broken costume jewelry that she can use on her future projects (you should see some of the jewelry she creates reusing old junk jewelry and buttons and beads)...and some fancy dressy "old" blouses that had interesting buttons and/or stitching, beadwork, etc., that she can repurpose into other projects...things I never wear out here in the woods...and then, well, bless her heart, she took along another old quilt of mine to see if it can be salvaged and repaired...which will be a huge challenge...So this story will have to be continued sometime in the future to see what she comes up with!

As we sat and visited together with the men, of course we talked about our current world/country situation, and how we as Christians should prepare for the future.  If you look too hard at the world news and dwell too much on all of the evil in the world, it can become frightening.  But we closed our conversation with the reading of Psalm 27...which I already quoted portions of in an earlier post this week...but it bears repeating again, at least this part:

3.  "Though an army may encamp against me,

My heart shall not fear;

Though war may rise against me,

In this I will be confident...

5.  For in the time of trouble 

He shall hide me in His pavilion;

In the secret place of His tabernacle

He shall hide me;

He shall set me high upon a rock.

6.  And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies

all around me;

therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy 

in His tabernacle;

I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord."

Dear Friends, Whatever may come in the future, we have confidence in our Lord God...He IS the strength of our lives (verse 1)...and we need not fear.  He IS our light and salvation...therefore of whom shall we be afraid?  

I hope that you do know this Savior, Jesus Christ, and that you have this confidence in Him.  If not, I would be so happy to introduce you to Him.  He's just as close as the mention of His name...only a prayer away.  He tells us in the book of Jeremiah 29 the following things:

11.  "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, 

says the Lord,

thoughts of peace and not of evil, 

to give you a future and a hope.

12.  Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, 

and I will listen to you.

13.  And you will seek Me and find Me, 

when you search for Me with all your heart.

14.  I will be found by you, says the LORD, 

and I will bring you back from your captivity..."

This is the same Lord, Jesus Christ, who spoke to the Israelites when they were held in captivity...and set them free from their bondage...and He is ready to release you from your bondage to sin and fear...if you will just seek Him and call upon His name....Jesus, Jesus, Jesus..."There's just something about that name..."

Okay, that's all for tonight/today.  I pray that you are having a blessed and happy Friday!  I know I'm going to have a great day...Thank You, God...for friends, family, and for Jesus!  Amen.

Now, it is already Friday morning, and time for Friday Foto Friends to begin...so let's go see what others have been up to this week, okay?  Bye now!!