Sunday

 This morning was slow and poky.  Just like it should be.  I was a patio sitter for a while just watching what ever there was to watch.  I heard the BiG woodpecker several times but never saw him thinking if I sat very still he might visit.  That didn't work.  

We were off to church.  There was good conversations with a few ladies about world wide communion Sunday, the first Sunday in October. The question...how can we visually and liturgically make this Sunday more meaningful to folks with world wide in mind, who will be with us. I went hunting with Heidi for some visual things somewhere which we could not locate.  So the brain wheels are starting to move.  

Then it was on to the sanctuary for worship. Darren titled the sermon Shoots and Ladders.  In the game, sometimes you are going forward and sometimes you are sent back.  That game is played throughout life. It was a great sermon with words that let to visual images in one's mind.

Home again and I remembered the chicken wire for protection for the tomatoes that I mentioned in the Sat. blog.  WELL!  One day to late.  We have huge cages around the tomatoes.  Last night, there was a huge party again.  The chair was knocked over and I found the racoons tried to climb the tomato cages pulling one completely over that had been anchored with heavy cement blocks. 

And that lead to tomato eating again.  So before tonight, I need to get that problem solved. 

                                                    Racoons have eaten more than we have.  

There will be more chicken wire with poles added to fortify and protect.  Will I win.  That remains to be determined.

                            Protecting these tomatoes means it's more difficult for me to pick them.  
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I'm sure the marauders will be back. Lucky for us, the third tomato plant is in another area of the garden.  I would guess soon to be discovered. 

                                            Roma Tomatoes hiding.  I hope they succeed.

Saturday's soccer game was a bust with France having a poor first half.  England having a great first half and the tide was almost turned to do the opposite for the second half.  I said almost but not quit.  So it's on to more soccer for this afternoon.  The last FIFA for sure.  But there are other games happening and I'm sure FIFA has peeked the interest in the game for many folks.  I found some big girl playing games.  They are really fit for sure to play that game.  I wrote the blog in the afternoon and added pictures as the game ran down to the 90 minute mark.  Way to much for me to watch with a score of 0 to 0,  It gets a little hairy for me. 

So the beat goes on with the tempo picking up for me this coming week.  Staying on top of all the appointments should keep my mind pretty sharp.  Well, I hope that is the case.  I hope to share some Ramona news for you tomorrow evening.  

I followed the kids north by text this morning wishing to be camping along side of them.  My mind went through so many memories compiled many years.  That alone is a gift to have. 

  

Eli, Jacob and Adam.  Every year since these boys were born, there always is a stop north of the BRIDGE.  There is a picture taken and a gas fill up.  It happened again.  Eli will be a H S Senior and Jacob is in college.  Adam is out of H S and working.  They are BIG boys. There has been a UP trip every summer since before Jacob was born.

Gas stop with boats on top of the car and bikes on the back of the trailer which is full of camping gear. It's a designated camping trailer that stays mostly full of gear until unloaded at C Harbor every year.

 

Another tradition started 53 years ago. A stop at Hilltop restaurant for HUGE sweet rolls.  One makes a big meal.  

                                        And then there is the co-pilot on his cushy seat.  

I still think about the UP in so many ways wishing there was a magical tube that would transport me there.  I pray that the Canadian fires will not deter them although in other years the smoke and smell were hard to ignore. The predictions don't look good.   

Out UP friend Leslie will have breast surgery for cancer Tues.  Yes...that still is happening to so many of us. At this time her prognosis is good which we rest on.  Prayers for Leslie and Ramona in the coming weeks.