IN Carmel

                                        Number one is showing off.  There will be more competition soon.   Another morning of worship.  We were off to church again around 10 and bumping into the minister around 10:30 was asked to be a part of the welcome moments for our new minister of music.  Of course I said yes.  So, I had a line or two about a metronome keeping us in time in the welcoming remarks.  Fun, fun.  An unexpected moment that comes naturally at times at North.  We hope Theo is with us for many, many years having great musical skills that are a good fit leading North in worship.   A friend who knows Theo well working with him at Anderson University said he struggled wondering if his life should be one of ministering in the pulpit or music.  He chose music but certainly will now be ministering in ev...

 Pictures today were a little sparce so I'm including some sent from the Michigan Russell's Saturday.  It started with their usual run to the doughnut shop and coffee.  Then it was on to race watching Jacob and Abi at the starting gate.                                                                                            Ready, Set, Go!                They finished but how far did they run.  That question hasn't been answered as of tonight.                                         I would say that picture is interesting.  See...

 Another day to work on easy things and hard things.  The Living Strong group is working on solving some R issues.  I don't want to call them a problem.  It's an issue that needs solving.  R has not responded to anything as I write this.  So, visiting is a must to see if conversation will stimulate the mind once again.  We know bits and pieces about R but the puzzle is still a puzzle.  So, we're working. This morning once again was a beautiful morning to sit on the patio to watch the birds and think about the day.  The Cairn idea remained fresh in my mind and I wanted to shake that loose. Somehow, I wanted to create a Cairn with what I had in the garden.  And I did when I thought about changing what I had, using it in a new way.  A Cairn is a trail marker. It might mark a burial spot or be a boundary marker.  In modern times Cairns may symbolize meditation, balance and Zen. It is a Scottish Galic term meaning heap of rocks. Now...

 Thursday began with the realization this was a day that needed nothing to happen.  So that's what I did from time to time.  NOTHING.  Those days come along every once in a while.  Today was a once...                                                             Something unusual is going to happen. A few years ago, well quite a few years depending on who is talking,  June 4 was a very exciting day when the first baby for the Russell household was delivered.  Happy Birthday, Eric.  You have been a blessing.   I sat on the patio listening to the birds along with hammers pounding putting together a deck that was splintered by a tree falling at the neighbors.  There was the noise of a big truck going in reverse unloading another load of tree clippings at anothe...

 When walking the garden tonight, you will realize I picked different flower colors to photograph. WHERE SHOULD I START!  Yes, all capital letters.  It was a day like none other.  Really, not even close to something close to familiar.  Well, maybe.  No not maybe. So, where should I start? As you might have remembered, there is a class at the Y for folks with cancer.  I was invited to be a part of that group.  And I was.  I'm taking a break now for the next 12 week program but will probably attend in the winter.  One of the members is from Trinidad.  She has 3 children, none of which live in the area.  One is in Tenn. One in UK and I think maybe the third is in Canada.  She is looking forward to Cataract Surgery in a few weeks.  Currently, she is receiving treatment for active cancer.  I volunteered to do some driving for her.  Today was the day and Uber Lela was on the road to many places for many reasons....

                                                              It only gets better. Perennial Sweet Peas.   Are you wondering how anyone could spend so much time in the garden and still have more to do.  I'm wondering the same thing. I would think what's with you if you weren't me.  Morning after morning, day after day and then weeks and all the summer months.  There always is more if one wants to do more.  When more wears out then finished happens.  I'm waiting for finished at some point.  But then it's fall clean up.  I'm guessing finished might never really happen.  Did you follow me on that trip?  It's my place of escape.  Everyone needs a place no matter what the place might be.  Doug's is reading and old cowboy movies.  Ugh.  ...