I had a very quiet weekend–which I needed after a very busy month of July and first week of August. I watched an online auction and went to one estate sale where the basement was like a time capsule–red linoleum floor, pine paneling and glass block bar–where, I have no doubt, many good times were had back in the day. I hope they don’t tear down the house, but that is the current modus operandi.
On Sunday I went to church, but I didn’t stay for adult ed because I was feeling like I was in a DayQuil funk. (Yes, I have been fighting off a summer cold.) I went home and took a nap.
I caught up with daughter #2 on the phone. I did a little stitching…
…I read a little…
I am ready to face the week ahead.
Our restless spirits yearn for Thee, where’er our changeful lot is cast; glad when Thy gracious smile we see, blest when our faith can hold Thee fast.
–Bernard of Clairvaux, c. 1150 (tr. Ray Palmer, 1858)
Another week has come to an end–it’s Friday! I went to Hobby Lobby yesterday to get some Aida cloth and they have everything out for Thanksgiving and Christmas! The year is barreling by as usual. Time to take a deep breathe and consider…
This is the day the Lord has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
–Psalm 118:2
I am catching up after my wonderful interlude with the prairie fam. It has been dark and rainy, but I am crossing things off my to-do list. I am looking forward to a quiet weekend.
And I am always in the mood for this hymn. Here’s another terrific version:
Pray for the day ahead and that I might bring Glory to God, in word, thought and deed. I thank God thathis mercies are new to me every morning. I thank God that his grace is sufficient for all situations that I may encounter.
Good morning, readers! It’s Friday! And the last day of July! I have been busy all week getting ready for the arrival of daughter #2 and her sweet family tomorrow. They will joyously descend on my house and chaos will ensue.
Can’t wait to see everyone!
We have tentative plans to do many fun things, but rain is in the forecast all weekend, so we may have to adjust accordingly. C’est la vie!
And in case you have been wondering what the secret to a happy life is, here is Charles Spurgeon’s excellent explanation. “I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.” (Ps. 16:8)
Quelle weekend! Daughter #1 and I had a great roadtrip to Sedalia, MO on Friday. We stopped in Jeff City to do a little shopping (!) and go to Central Dairy for ice cream.
Then we proceeded on to Sedalia. On the way, we drove through Tipton and saw the giant Eight Ball, which is being painted and it looks like a scary spider is on top…
In Sedalia we checked into the historic Hotel Bothwell.
We sat outside for wine time and dinner.
In the morning we looked out our 7th floor window and there was a small crowd gathering in front of the Courthouse next door. Some people had signs and I thought–what, are they protesting?! Then I noticed the sheriff, who in dress and demeanor reminded me of Jackie Gleason as Buford T. Justice in Smokey and the Bandit. We ruminated on this situation for awhile and then we noticed all the cars on the block were from the seventies or before.
Well, we wondered, are they filming a movie here?! That might explain why the movie theater marquee was advertising Jaws! Also, the street was blocked off and what we thought was a street fair setting up was probably not. We googled “Smokey and the Bandit remake”. Sure enough, there is a new series for Netflix, which is intended to be a prequel to Smokey and the Bandit, which follows “the larger‑than‑life Sheriff Buford T. Justice and his loyal (if not always sharp) son Junior back home in Montague County, Texas.” The town of Sedalia will stand in for Montague County, Texas – home to Sheriff Justice. The show’s producers said they chose Sedalia because the “region’s look and spirit perfectly capture the world of Sheriff Justice” (a back-handed compliment methinks) and that they intend to showcase the town’s “character, charm and unmistakable Americana.”
When we asked at the front desk about it, everyone was very chill about the whole thing. Well, I guess those tax incentives for MO film-making are paying off.
After we checked out the scene outside, we went to our DAR leadership conference which was held at a nice church and where all the ladies looked like me or older. I sat with someone I have known since high school days–we even went to Smith together. It was very pleasant. We saw the Katy Depot and the Missouri State Fair Grounds on the way out of town.
We took the scenic route home in the afternoon.
Anyway, the moral of this story is, you don’t always have to go to some exotic place to have a fun time! Explore your home state!
On the way home, we stopped in Wildwood to pick up Mr. Smith who, it turns out, had a very fun time with the twins, who ran him ragged (literally).
He was a big hit at the farmer’s market…
…where he got his first pup cup…
Everyone was very tired when they got home.
On Sunday morning I headed to church where I was treated to the men’s ensemble singing “Jesus, Lover of My Soul” at the Offertory. How wonderful to hear the men’s voices! Also there was a good sermon on Psalm 34 (The Lord saves; we cannot save ourselves) and a wonderful adult ed class on Prayer as Encounter with God, led by our Associate Pastor. Church is such an uplifting experience every week!
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! 9 Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! 10 The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
How was your weekend? Mine was quite busy, so I needed a whole day to recover. Friday was a full day plus the fam came over for a little party that night. Then I spent the whole day Saturday at Innsbrook with my small group from church.
We had a wonderful time sitting around talking, eating our potluck lunch, sharing our spiritual concerns. And I got to take a ride on the pontoon boat. I was pretty tired by the time I got home! Nevertheless I roused myself and went to the early service at church on Sunday. I heard a good sermon on Psalm 33–our hope is in our faith in God, not in the things of this world. I was impressed by our young pastor who made a reference to The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) and its star Errol Flynn in the middle of his exegesis. Props to him for owning that movie! Then we had another great adult ed class on meditation and prayer, chapter 10 of Tim Keller’s book. This week it was led by my friend Dan, the optometrist. This has been such a good series!
After church I went to an estate sale at a really nice house. It was the second day, but I did find something–two lamps for daughter #2. Score!
Then I went to daughter #1’s pool with her, but we were only able to float for a short time before a storm rolled through and everyone had to clear the deck. C’est la vie. Wine time started a little early! Then I went home and collapsed, literally, before going back to church for the evening service which included a review of the PCA’s General Assembly meeting a few weeks ago. I was pleased to hear the update of our denomination, which is actually growing.
Here’s Andrew Ripp’s new song, which I really like (note pontoon boat):
Oh, I be singing! (and whistling)
Also, Union Pacific’s massive steam-powered Big Boy No. 4014 — 133 feet long and weighing in at 1.2 million pounds — passed through my flyover town yesterday and I heard it from my house. Quite a commotion of loud whistling–much more than the usual coal trains going through.
Crowds watch the train go through Kirkwood in 2021. (Webster-Kirkwood Times photo)
We are heading home later today, so pray for smooth travel with minimal delays and friendly skies. Meanwhile, I will say, a Lake Michigan getaway–highly recommended for what ails you!
Here are a few more postcards to inspire you…
But I have to say, these stairs down to our beach nearly killed me.
And, hey, while we were gone, daughter #3 finished her radiation treatments!
So far the weather has been beautiful here in Michigan and we have enjoyed many hours on the beach and in the sun. The girls love the water and don’t want to come out of it even if their lips are blue and their teeth are chattering.
So far the only downside is the persistence of sand flies in the afternoon.
Thankfully daughter #1 has taken a few photos, because I have been mostly phone free for days. Lovely, lovely, lovely.
We are having such a good time! We went to Holland for dinner last night.
dual personalities 