Hummers So Close Their Wing Wind Blew My Hair

Wow, what a memorable morning.
Woke up after sleeping 9 straight hours without waking up...miracle, thank you Jesus!
When I took Ikey out, the hummingbirds were just everywhere wondering why there was no juice in the feeder.  So I went straight away and got it off the porch, cleaned it and filled it up.
When I went out to the front porch to turn it over to let the juice flow down and the reservoir fill up, the birds began to fly up to me.  I'm standing there holding the feeder and they are all around it.  I remain totally still, continuing to hold the feeder.  It's less than 12" from my face.  Talk about "up close and personal".  I'm just sitting here with this look of wonderment and disbelief on my face...really, the breeze of a hummingbird's swift moving wings on my face?
A hummer lands on the other side and begins to drink.  I can see him through the glass!  I peer around and I can see him.  The three I saw start that dashing about like they do and I just stand there.  THEN, one lands on the side perch where my finger is, touches his feet and his feathers to my FINGER.  He is 6" from my face, basically sitting on my finger, drinking!  Oh my Gosh!  I'm holding my breath.  I am beyond blown away.  The red throat just glittered.  As he backs up and just flutters in place, literally my eyelashes are moving from his fanning.  Crazy unbelievable.
I decided to hang the feeder and just stand there.  They swirl around me so close I just know they are going to hit me, but they don't.  They are all over and around me, literally blowing my hair.  They land and drink and I'm just in awe.  I decided to grab my phone and try to get a photo.  My phone is about 6" from the feeder.  In this photo you can just barely see on bird off to the left.  You really just see his white belly under the light fixture.  They were however, way closer than this one appears in the photo.

After a while of this just unbelievable experience I decided to let them enjoy breakfast so I moved off to my rocker on the porch and watched from a distance, just listening to their fluttering wings and their chatter to each other.
God, you truly are a God of wonder.  Oh mighty God of wonders, you are amazing.  I love you day and night.  In the struggle and in the blessing, you are mighty, you are worthy, you are holy.  I praise you for blessing me daily with your awesome sights and sounds.

1 Chronicles 16:8-19

Thank God! Call out his Name! Tell the whole world who he is and what he’s done! Sing to him! Play songs for him! Broadcast all his wonders! Revel in his holy Name, God-seekers, be jubilant! Study God and his strength, seek his presence day and night; Remember all the wonders he performed, the miracles and judgments that came out of his mouth. 

Encourage One Another, continuing the journey on fresh paths.
Blessings and love to you, xoxo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7F-B2DLvAQ  for Chris Tomlin live

Lord
of all creation Of
water earth, and, sky The
heavens are Your tabernacle Glory
to the Lord on High God

of wonders beyond, our galaxy You
are holy holy, The
universe declares Your majesty You
are holy holy, Lord

of heaven and earth Early

in the morning I
will celebrate the light And
as I stumble through the darkness I
will call Your name by night God

of wonders beyond, our galaxy You
are holy holy, The
universe declares Your majesty You
are holy holy, Lord

of heaven and earth

Be Careful of Your Words; They Cut to the Bone

You can never unhear a word spoken to you.  You can never take back a word you have spoken to someone else.  Be very careful of your words...you can affect the rest of someone's life.

Proverbs 18:21 ESV

Death and Life are in the power of the tongue. 

Ephesians 4:29 ESV 

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up

Proverbs 12:18  ESV

There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing

Proverbs 15:4 ESV

A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit 

Proverbs 29:20 ESV 

Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?  There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Proverbs 15:2 ESV

 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.

Proverbs 27:2 ESV 

Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.

Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)

²⁹ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Encourage One Another...THAT is what we are called to do.
Blessings and love to you, oxox!

Psalm 19:14 ESV
Let the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

"Like a Good Neighbor....Your in Good Hands"

It's funny.  When I was thinking about a good name for this blog, two insurance commercials came into my head.  Did you recognize them...State Farm and Allstate?
The blog is about my neighbor Billy.  The first week I moved into this little house, he came over to meet me.  He was a little older than me.  He is the father of the couple who lives just behind me.  He had moved his 5th wheel in behind them and been living there a year or so.  We had a great first visit and shared about our lives.  He met my pup and they, like us, were friends from the start.  Although he walked with a cane, he offered to come over and help with anything he could or to let my pup out any time if I needed him to.  I told him I would take him up on that for sure.
It wasn't long after that that he did actually come over when I had to be away all day and let Ikey out.  Ikey really loved him.  I did ask him to occasionally let Ikey out for me and sometimes it was after dark when I got home.  He always left the front porch light on for me (Motel 6) and turned on the kitchen sink light for Ikey so he wouldn't be home in the dark.  He is truly a very sweet and thoughtful friend.
Since his family lived right there next to him he didn't really need me to do much for him, however, I would bake and take him cookies,  brownies or gingerbread or and sometimes a to go benefit dinner plate from town.  We were both grateful to each other.
In the winter he tripped in his back yard and broke some ribs.  He also had some other injuries that he didn't find out about until later.  He wasn't getting around too well so I was able to find someone else to help me (thankfully my BFF works just up the road) let Ikey out if I had to be gone.
About the time I broke my arm, he also was having trouble with his arm, the injury he discovered later.  To make a long story short he went to Cibilo to live w/ a friend and closer to a doctor and a rehab facility.  We've talked several times on the phone since then, however, I have not seen him since sometime before I broke my arm.
Today Ikey and I were just relaxing after a fun day of kayaking yesterday and there was a knock at my door.  It was my friend Billy and his friend Pat.  I was so glad to see it and it was so good to see him and meet his friend.  They didn't stay long but a long enough to catch up and find out that he is having surgery in a few weeks.  He is very reluctant which I can certainly understand, however, being in serious pain for the rest of your life is not a good option.  So he is courageously decided to try the surgery in hopes for a good outcome.  He looked really good and it was good to see him up and around but I could tell he did not feel well.  I am prayerful he has a fabulous outcome.  I got his current address and will be in touch.  I also asked Pat to let me know when he was having surgery and to stay in touch. She invited me to come visit...I loved that.  I am so grateful he has someone who is willing to help him in the difficult time and that he is willing to accept that.  Sometimes we are hard headed when it comes to such things.  Sometimes we have to let people help us...God sends us help in mysterious ways.
Their visit made my day.  That you God for sending my friend to lift my heart.

Hebrews 13:1-2 Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. ² Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.

Encourage One Another, continuing the journey on fresh paths.

Blessings and love to you, oxox!

Gratitude...Sometimes It's Hard

“If we do not feel grateful for what we already have, what makes us think we’d be happy with more?” — Unknown 

When I saw this on a post this morning, I knew it was God talking to me.  I'd been listening for him this morning and he spoke to me through someone else, which he often does. After the quote it says unknown...I believe it was spoken by God.

I live in a community where oil production has become a huge industry.  While it has trashed our countryside with oil tanks and pump jacks, gravel pads and destruction of the land, our roads are littered with 18 wheelers carrying bad water, gravel and oil.  I grumble about it all under my breath.

It has however, created great wealth for many, some who already were doing financially well and some who were not.  I've often asked "why not me"?  I've judged who should get it and who should not based on their character or what I think I know about them.  Seriously?  I know nothing this side of heaven.

The truth is, it indicates I'm not grateful for what I have.  And seriously, what I have is all I need.  I'm not doing without.  I'm not hungry or thirsty.  I'm not walking naked or in torn and tattered clothes.  I'm not scraping the bottom of the barrel.  I'm not sleeping in the street.  I'm not walking 10 miles into town.  I'm not begging on a corner for money.  I am not alone without family nor am I friendless.

I've eaten breakfast this morning and had tea on the front porch of my quaint little house in the country. I'm dressed, after a good night sleep inside with the air conditioner on.  I'm ready to go where ever I need to in the car sitting in my driveway.  I kept my healthy grandson for two days and an overnight this week.  I have a pup I adore.  I'm headed to a friends for a holiday weekend.

This stuff is all temporary anyway.  The greatest prize is heaven.  I just needed a reminder.

I am blessed abundantly and I must keep my eyes on my prize.
My God is a God of many blessings.
I pray to be a child of gratitude and the greatest prize is my goal.  What more do I need?

Philippians 3:14 

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Encourage One Another, continuing the journey on fresh paths.
Blessings and love to you, oxox.

The Resident Toad... Plus One

Yesterday while watching and waiting for the Toadster to return to his home so I could get a photo of him, I found this "plus one" in the same frog nest.  Look close.

 This was him last evening after dark as he was coming out to hunt I suppose.

He also tried to move away from the camera...I was using a flash.

So this morning when I found Toadster back in his hole I don't really know if T2 was in there too or not.  A friend told me she had 4 toads in one hole at her house , so I guess they think the more the merrier.
Anyway, I'm glad to have them eating bugs and spiders and the like off the front porch.  I had seen some even smaller than this in the yard several weeks ago, so maybe these are husband and wife.
I love a story with a happy ending!

Gen 9:¹⁵ I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life.¹⁶ Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenantbetween God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”

Encourage One Another, continuing the journey on fresh paths.
Blessings and love to you, xoxo.

The Resident Toad

OK, call me easy to please, but this little find just makes me happy.
Some weeks ago I saw a big toad/frog in the yard.  I also saw a couple of small ones.  Didn't think much of it, just happy to see some bug eaters.
A week or so ago, I was sitting out on the porch after dark watching Netflix on the computer.  I heard something moving around in my flower bed.  I thought, oh no, an armadillo or skunk or SNAKE.  I grabbed my little flash light and sneakily peered over the porch looking with my flash light.  Low and behold, it was only that big ole fat toad.
On another recent day when I was watering the plants on the porch, that big fat toad jumped out of one of the pots and scared me to death (I had recently killed a Copperhead in that same flower bed).  I thought hum, that guy is living around here I'm going to have to keep my eye out for him.
As it turned out, he now lives in that same pot.  I see him almost everyday except when he has gone "out to eat".  I kept hoping to catch him out to get to photos of him, but had only seen him either out of the pot (empty) or the pot was filled with a big fat toad.
Today while watering the flower beds it was my lucky day.  They boy was seeking a snack.

I got quite a few shots but it didn't seem like the boy really liked his photo taken because he would move out of the view of my lens.

I was persistent however, and got some good views.

I could see him catching things by his movement however, I could not catch him in the act.  The funny thing is, he has to go up and down my porch steps to hunt in the flower bed and return to his home.  I think that is so cool.  I wonder things like how often does he have to eat, how long does that food last, does he drink water?  In my wondering, I gathered this information about the differences between frogs and toads.

What is the difference between Frog and Toad?

• Frogs have smooth, shiny, and permeable skin, but it is a rough, dry looking, and leathery with warts in toads.

• Frogs live in semi aquatic habitats. However, toads are more adapted to stay without water compared to frogs. In addition, toads come to water only during their breeding seasons.

• Frog has a narrow body and waist, but toad has a broader and puffy body.

• Frogs have long legs (especially hind legs) those are used for hopping and fast swimming, but toads have short legs for walking rather than hopping.

• Frogs have webbed toes but not toads.

• Frogs have teeth on their upper jaws but not teeth in toads.

Read more: http://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-frog-and-vs-toad/#ixzz3BVhMl6Sl

I keep that pot moist as he burrows down into the pot to sleep.  Sometimes I have to look hard to even see him in the pot and sometimes he's easy to see.
I took a couple of photos of the "empty" hole in the pot.

After some time, here he is back home, full as a toad I suspect.  Look close because he's hunkered down.

I figured after this much time in residence that this guy needed a name...so "Toadster" is what I have chosen.
All he needs now is his own address!
Happy hopping.

Genesis 1:24

And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals, each according to its kind.” And it was so.

Encourage One Another, continuing the journey on fresh paths.

Blessings and love to you, xoxo.

My Horse is a Little Bit Trendy

I see these fly bonnets worn by horses in all the English competitions all the time.  They often have rhinestones or jewels sewn on them and are often bright colors with lots of detail.  I think they are more for glam, but in the show circuit they are also for muffling out sound for horse's keen sense of hearing.  I, however, decided to purchase one for fly control.
We ride all through acres of country and there is one spot in a several acres located near a pond and a creek that harbor these nasty "horn" flies.  There are a bunch of them. Their bite is like a needle going into your skin.  And for some reason they mostly go for the ears on horses.  Me and my boy HATE them.  He's flicking his ears and shaking his head and I'm slapping and swatting for about 10 minutes on our ride.  Disgusting and disturbing!
So, we took this into our own hands and here is our result...

The little tassels are pretty much for decoration, however, they can also keep the flies away!  I have to say, the boy does not seem to mind it too much.  When those dastardly flies land on his ears, they cannot get through this fabric because it is not tight on his ears.  The part around his head is knitted yarn and it is too thick for them to penetrate.  Success!  We are both happier.

Where I ride, no one is used to seeing anything frivolous or fancy and everything is done just the good ole cowboy way.  Thank goodness for Mosey I'm not stuck in that ole timer way of thinking or doing things.  I'll do whatever it takes to make things better for him and for  me.
Some old cowboy at the barn said while laughing "what's that THING on your horses head?"     "Peace and serenity" I said and kept right on riding!

Mark 4:39

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Encourage One Another, continuing the journey on fresh paths.
Blessings and love to you, xoxo.