The sheriff is here and she’s ready for any trouble that might be brewing.
Of course, with that mask you might wonder if she’s helping or stirring up trouble herself. Either way I’d be sure to stay out of her path. She doesn’t look like she will put up with any shenanigans.
This here sheriff is weary – it was obviously a long day on the ranch (plus the mask gets hot after a while).
Kathy
We have at our house a MOGL – it’s not a dreaded disease, a new cookbook, or a large bump on a ski slope. No, it’s a Mower Of Great Laziness! We’ve had this visitor here before. Last year the lawnmower would run for a minute or two before shutting off. You basically had time to get around the yard once. At that point you were pretty much forced to sit on the porch swing with your book, waiting until the mower was ‘rested’ enough to continue. A half an hour mowing job could be parlayed into a whole day’s work (with time for smoothie breaks).
Here David and Joshua check out the dandelion collection.
To my great joy, and Tim’s disgust, a visiting elf (no doubt kin to the shoemakers crew) came by while we were on vacation and had our mower repaired. Ah, the lawnmower was back in business. No more lazying around. The front AND back lawn could both be mowed in ONE day.
Boy, look at this beautiful dandelion garden.
It’s spring here in the beautiful northwest and we are very overdue in taking care of our lawn. We live in a lovely neighborhood. It isn’t fancy or pretentious but the homeowners do take care of their lawns. Driving up and down the street you are treated to sights of Japanese rock gardens, stunning roses, perfectly manicured lawns, and the House O’ Dandelions. Uh, that would be our place. I should say – The House O’ Dandelions and Other Weeds.
This is on the OTHER side of the backyard fence. The owner of this piece of property must use some pretty mighty Weed and Feed. Maybe it’s called Blackberry Miracle Gro.
Despite having skilled gardeners on both sides of our family, Tim and I do not have a single green thumb (or even a pinkie) between us. It wasn’t too long after we were married that we realized we were both waiting for the other person to take on the landscaping job. In my family it’s my father who is the gardener, in Tim’s family, it is his mother. It’s been almost 15 years (next month!!!) and neither one of us has risen to the task yet. I’m afraid we are doomed.
Even Sarah can’t help but point out the intense growth of dandelions raging around the yard.
Thankfully, this fact wasn’t known by the cul-de-sac police when we rented and eventually bought this home. Of course, with three boys (and one a teenager) you would think our lawn maintenance troubles were solved. Isn’t it practically a rite of passage that a young boy mows the family’s lawn? And with five children, there is surely always someone in trouble who needs a job (oh, weeding comes to mind).
Don’t worry, Mom, we’ll take care of these nasty, old weeds.
Joshua went out and used up an old bag of weed and feed last week. Is that really what it’s called? It does beg the question – are you feeding the weeds? That’s what it sounds like to me. Scary. It’s certainly working in our yard. I think the dandelions are multiplying on a daily basis. Joshua decided he had better mow before spreading out any more weed killer (smart boy, that one, and useful too). This was when we discovered the tragic news.
The MOGL was back and it might, in fact, be a dead MOGL (mostly dead, we’re not sure). This does not look good for our lawn and the hope I had for some kind of damage control on the dandelion explosion. Joshua isn’t taking the news very well.
I’m not sure that’s really a very effective way to get rid of the weeds, Joshua.
Kathy
Our church had a communion Good Friday service this evening. A gentleman sang Ray Boltz’s powerful song, Watch the Lamb. Tim and I both love this song and the gentleman singing introduced it by asking the congregation to imagine what it would be like to have been in Jerusalem during the time these momentous events were taking place.
When we got home, I happened to see a friend’s blog had a posting titled, Watch the Lamb. In it she had a You Tube video of the Ray Boltz song, complete with clips from the Passion of Christ. We watched it as a family and were all touched by the images of Christ going to the cross. The older children have seen different movies depicting Christ’s last days (our all time favorite is the Visual Bible Matthew) but still Rachel and Daniel were moved to see how beaten and bloody Jesus was on the cross. David was rather shocked by it all.
I don’t know how to put a YouTube clip on to the blog at this point (and my web guru, Tim, is already in bed) so go to Yvonne’s site and click on the play button. Watch the Lamb is a moving song about a man who goes to Jerusalem with his two little boys and gets swept into carrying Jesus’ cross.
Happy Good Friday to you all! Praise God for sending His son to die on the cross for us, that we could have eternal life with Him.
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die…” John 11:25-26a
How are you celebrating this Resurrection weekend?
Kathy
Today the sun was out and the weather pleasant and warm. It was wonderful!!
The three older children each spend time reading to David and Sarah on a regular basis. They are FANTASTIC helpers!!!!
Tim came home from work and heard me speak wishfully of getting in some exercise. He promptly sent me off to the Y. What an awesome husband! He knows I am thoroughly enjoying my workouts these days – he thinks I’m twisted and sick but that’s beside the point – and wants to support me as best he can. On my part, I made sure dinner was planned and set into motion before I left. Thank goodness for a capable 13 year old who can handle side dishes with ease.
Rachel and I drove off to the Y with our windows down, enjoying the sunshine and warm air. There were children outside riding bikes, people walking in the neighborhood, and just a general alive feeling in the spring air. Tonight, reflecting on how much I enjoy the sun and what joy and literal warmth it brings to my life, I found this passage in Isaiah:
The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Isaiah 60:19
How amazing to have this promise, to know that a time is coming when God will be our source of light! I think of how a sunny day can lift my spirits, transform my day and bring cheerfulness to the entire family. In western WA we do NOT take the sunshine for granted. And yet, I realize this joy is just a mere glimpse of the wonder and glory it will be to stand in the Lord’s presence and glory in His radiance.
I am, once again, so awed at the little glimpses He gives me of His character and richness. When I long for the sunshine and warmth of a spring or summer day, in some sense I am really longing for the time when:
Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end. Isaiah 60:20
As we approach Easter and Resurrection Sunday, I am humbled that the creator of the Universe, who died and rose again, wishes to reach out and speak to me in His Word.
Kathy
Our excitement for the day – Sarah and David got letters today from Grandma Honey!!! Grandma Honey (I’m pretty sure that’s her real name) teaches a class at our homeschooling co-op. She is beloved by children and parents alike. She leads the kids in songs, talks to them about the months of the year, colors with them and, at the end of semester, puts on a wonderful tea for the mothers and fathers complete with juice and treats.
Sarah’s brothers gather to see her exciting mail.
One family I know changed their schedule to insure their middle son could be in Grandma Honey’s class. She inspires love and devotion, doesn’t put up with any nonsense, and loves the children back with sincerity.
David has gotten mail before, so he was a bit jaded about it all. Sarah, however was enthralled with her letter. She spent some time trying to open it.
There was a moment of panic when Sarah couldn’t get her letters out of the envelope. “Help!! Is there a trick to this?” she cried.
One thing Grandma Honey included in her package of letters was a copy of the songs they sing in class. Tim came by at this point and read/sang the songs to David and Sarah (much to Joshua’s chagrin – some of those tunes stick in your head all day!). Sarah spent the next hour working carefully on the beautiful coloring page.
It’s such a blessing to have people in your children’s lives that encourage and love them. Who wouldn’t like a Grandma Honey?
Kathy