Good Morning Friends! I hope this first week of the new year has brought you joy and many blessings.
I've tried to spend a little more time out on the porch or in the yard, getting some fresh air and contemplating life from the porch swing.
I've had a few "minor" health issues lately, minor in that I do not consider them to be life threatening, praise God, but just something to deal with and pray for God's intervention and healing. I find that when I seek God's will and direction for my life most of all, He helps me to cope with whatever kinds of issues come my way with trust and faith. There's that word again..."delight"...
"I delight to do Your will, O my God,
And Your law is within my heart.”
Psalm 40:8
I told my hubby it was time for a little road trip through the forest to see what we could see and go meet some family/friends for lunch on the other side of the woods. I was hoping to see a bear as we traveled and had my camera ready just in case, but alas! The only bear I saw was this big old fella at the restaurant where we met our friends for a little late "Christmas" visit.
This bear was quite tame and friendly, and I had no problem giving him a "bear hug".
I neglected to take any pictures of our friends, (actually it was my hubby's brother and wife, and a mutual friend of ours that we always try to see during the holidays and exchange some gifts)
But while we were waiting in the lobby of "The Mason Jar" restaurant for them to arrive, I took a few pictures of the pictures on the wall that you may find interesting. I know I did.
This one was interesting to me because this was the Lake County (FL) Sheriff's Department back in 1956. A few years after this my mother became a secretary in this office and she worked with all these deputies and sheriff, and I remember many of them. This picture was taken in front of the courthouse where she worked.
This was one of the deputies. Take a look at that car! 1957 Plymouth, I think.
Now, this was a bit before our time, but it shows how life was here in this part of Florida back in the late 1800's or early 1900's. Yes, that man is sitting on top of an alligator!
And this old fella had quite an interesting set up for going hunting in the Ocala National Forest, with his trusty hunting dog beside him. That deer looks like he is posing for that picture, but I don't really think so. No self-respecting deer would ever sit like that. Although I may feel sorry for the deer, I know that hunting has always been a way of life and feeding your family here in these parts of the woods. People depending on having venison to survive back in the day, and the woods were full of deer. They still are today...just drive down through the forest at night and you will have to be careful not to hit one when they leap across the road in front of you.
Okay, now on to some fun. You may remember I told you about Mark the Moose HERE last week. Well, this friend that we went to visit with yesterday loves to give "interesting and fun gifts". You may also recall when I shared pictures of a previous gift, The Alpaca wool "nesting globe", that I received in the mail from my friend. I may have told you that she also is the friend who loves to exchange pink flamingoes with me. Well...looks like "Mark the Moose" has a new dancing partner:
(I guess I should have staged this photo a little better...now you see the REAL dining room table, littered with mail and a salt shaker turned over on its side when I tried to move things out of the way for this wonderful "show"! LOL)
You must click on this video to get the full "delight" of this gift. The flamingo is singing "Girls Just Want to Have Fun". And of course, Mark the Moose is just singing his song too...
Oh yes, I was "delighted" with this gift! LOL. And so was my hubby. LOL.
Well, sometimes girls do just want to have fun. And I did have fun yesterday. It did me good to get out of the house and on the road and to see some "fun" people.
And so I must bring this to a close so I can get a move on for today. But first here is a sunset from the other night that I thought was pretty.
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
Psalm 119:105
When we seek God first and foremost in our lives, He gives us light and joy (and delight) for each day.
Oh, and I don't know if you can see them or not, but the Sand Hill cranes were over on that little marsh island in Still Waters Pond, dancing around like Pinky Flamingo and Mark the Moose.
"Girls just want to have fun!"
Okay, that's all folks!
Have a blessed Friday and weekend.
