Real Light

It's another beautiful day in this neighborhood. The temperatures and humidity are much lower than last week.

When I take Libby out early in the morning and see the cottonwood leaves, shimmering translucently in the morning sun, I marvel to think they will be even more beautiful in the new earth. This sun is only temporary; it will pass away and we will finally see the light of which it is only a wavering reflection.

Revelation 21:22-25 (ESV) describe the light of the New Jerusalem:

"And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there."

Like Job, my hearts yearns within me (19:27)!

Summer Time

Where's the basis for those old song lyrics, "Summer time, and the living is easy"?

Grass and weeds grow at a phenomenal pace. Some of my work deadlines are farther apart in the summer, but extra business trips eat up free time. And summer is always full of family gatherings, which are great fun. Home, work, and family commitments leave no time for my "easy living" images of reading under a shade tree or lounging in a hammock.

Actually, high humidity and swarming insects often make staying indoors more attractive. Stifling days make one wonder, "How did people survive without air conditioning?"

Those days bring to mind the less-than-good old days of sweating and fanning one's way through an un-airconditioned church service. When I think of summer afternoons of my childhood, I remember playing in the shade of mulberry trees. The summer soles of our feet were stained purple.

I love the flowers blooming beside the roads now. The roadside table is spread with Queen Anne's lace and dotted with yellow wild mustard. Floating above is the delicate hue of chicory's suspended blue porcelain.

Summer Solstice

Yesterday was the first day of summer and the longest day of the year. Our current heat and humidity leave no doubt about summer's arrival.

As the sun was setting about 9:00 last night, its last rays caught a towering thunderhead in the east. The cloud glowed and reflected rays of soft, golden light.

It was as if the sun was rising and setting at the same time.

Matthew in the City

Matthew One (my “book boy”—thanks, Grace!) has grown up and gone off to the big city to make a name for himself.

Like any proud parent, I’ve been concerned and anxiously waiting to hear news of him. I worried that he might seem immature and his acne might break out.

Last week I hear that he made it through the first round of preliminary auditions. It may be another month before he’s called back for a second audition.

I remain in God's waiting room.

Libby's New Towel

My friend, Betty, sews beautiful and bright hooded towels for children. My mother bought one for each of her great-grandchildren at Christmas. I have a special one for each of my grandsons when they visit.


Betty also sews these cute hooded towels for pets! Libby had a precious pink one when she was a puppy, but--sadly--she outgrew it.


What fun to find a bright lime green "Sweet Towel by Betty" in the mailbox for Libby on Friday!


After her weekly Sunday shower, Libby patiently posed for pictures.

Unmiring "Matthew"

Those readers wondering about my progress on the series of four novels about Matthew may be interested to know that Matthew (aka Book Boy Two) has become mired in Valentine's Day mush.

I'm trying to pry him out.

Oriole Go-Round

For several days, I've been trying to shoot a video of an oriole spinning on our hummingbird feeder. He has broken off one of the bee guards and likes to perch and sip nectar. We've put out oranges for the orioles, which they eat, but this particular bird likes the hummingbird's sugar water. The hummingbird feeder hangs from fishing line to keep ants out of it. So when the oriole perches on the feeder, his weight spins it around. He spins and sips.

Every time I see the oriole on the hummingbird feeder and move to pick up the camera, he flies away. This is the sort of video I usually get:

Last evening, while Dave and I were sitting at the table eating dinner, Dave picked up the camera and captured this:

And I think that's a pretty good picture of our Oriole-Go-Round!