It's Been a Long, Hard Winter

Yes, as you might imagine, there's a story behind this interesting photo!

Every few weeks I get to brown bag it for lunch with my youngest sister, who works at a local mortuary. We often eat with the maintenance guys, who are just plain fun. There's a reason for their wonderful humor--I think these great fellas must have a certain brave, cheerful constitution to do the job they do! The grounds sparkle with their hard work.

The last time I visited, I noticed their gloves drying beside the woodstove. I was struck by the various attitudes exhibited by each one. The sight filled my eyes and made me laugh.

I asked the fellas what they'd call these pictures--smiling they said, "A long hard winter." They're going to be receiving a signed, matted, framed copy of each for their wall.

Lady Bug Snuggle

Yesterday, I was out stacking firewood. The temperature was starting to dip near freezing when I found this colorful little ladybug snuggling into the folds of the bark of the cedar tree!

Just a few days before, we'd run out of firewood--left with only a bunch of spindly stuff that burns way too hot. I wasn't looking forward to our next heating bill . . .

Sissy called wondering if I would be home in the next hour or so. She said she'd be calling about a project they'd been working on. She wouldn't tell me what it was. I was sitting at my desk when the phone rang.

It was my sweet Sissy. As we were talking, a red car pulled into the alley.

Said I, "Someone just pulled into the alley." I groaned. "I wonder if its the census people wanting answers for that American Community Survey . . ."

Clytie remarked, "Look out your window."

I did. And Clytie jumped out of the car! I screamed, she screamed I went running out through the kitchen door into the muddy alley in my bare feet. Dad and Mom popped out! I was hugging them all. I've missed them so much.

And then Clytie opened the back of the vehicle--somehow my brother had stuffed at least a half a cord of wood inside . . .

Last night, sitting in front of a lovely warm fire as the dew froze on the grass and windshields--I thanked God for my family. For the wood and that blessedly hot fire.

As you can see above--our little fire faery was happy too!!!

Surprise in the Woodstove

Nope, no fire faeries this time! This afternoon I was adding wood to the fire when I noticed a miniature forest of mushrooms on the end of this log! These tiny mushrooms were smaller than a pencil eraser!
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I was enchanted. Aren't they delightful?

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DADDY UPDATE: Dad went to the neurosurgeon for his checkup. Though the bones in his neck have made progress healing, he must wait for a CAT scan and those results before the surgeon will allow Dad to take the brace off. He's allowed to have it off three-four times per week to eat and rest. Please continue to pray for Dad's fractured neck bones to heal. Dad is frustrated and unhappy--please pray that God will give him distracting spots of joy throughout each day.
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Thank you so much for all your prayers, love and concern.

Face in Flames

A few nights ago, I was watching the fire playing around the end of a log in in the woodstove. Something looked rather strange, so of course I grabbed my camera and started clicking.

Later, I was going through the photos and I was astounded to see a faint face to one side of the flames. Can you see her? She doesn't too look happy, does she?

Heart of Flame

This photo is for my sister Clytie--Queen of Hearts! My husband and I were enjoying a quiet evening together, snuggling on the sofa watching the lights of the Christmas tree and the play of the firelight upon the bricks. Suddenly I saw a glowing red heart in the flames. To my husband's astonishment, I leaped to my feet, grabbed my camera, pulled the screen door from the woodstove and started clicking away.

Poor fellow, he's getting used to my odd behavior when it comes to sudden-impulse-camera-shutter-clicking!

Have a wonderful weekend!