Farm Fresh Tomato

I just had one of my favorite food, a farm fresh tomato sandwich. I slice my tomato nice and thick, slap some mayonnaise on two slices of bread and sink my teeth into bliss.

If I had bought my tomato from the store it would not have been the same. There is something about getting it fresh from a produce or farmer's market that makes it worth all. If I could pick it myself that would even make it better. The fresher the tomato is, the better the experience.

The sad thing is that I can only get them for a short time. Soon it will be back to getting them from the store. But until than, I will enjoy every bite of my farm fresh tomatoes.

First Day Of Autumn

Today is the first day of autumn. Summer is a thing of the past. I am not sadden over this fact. I am looking forward to seeing the colors of this season. The colors of fall warms my spirit.

I set off today to get pictures of these colors. A visit to Brad's produce gave me what I was looking for. Between the mums, pumpkins and other produces, I soon felt in the mood for autumn. I even bought some tomatoes and peaches to eat later.

My favorite flower of the season is mums. It is such a simple plant, yet its blooms spread out inviting you to partake of its aroma and beauty. So I did. If I had the money I would have bought up the whole lot and brought them home.

Today is the first day of autumn. I can't wait to enjoy the rest of the days of this wonderful season.

Gripped By Fear

Today a neighbor was gripped by fear as she tried to get back down from her roof. Tried as she might she was unable to summon enough courage to get on the same ladder she had just use to get to the roof. So she called for help.

Within minutes the fire company arrive and gave her the encouragement she need to overcome her fear.

What gripped you with fear? Who do you call when you cannot summon enough courage?

I call on God. Within seconds He is there. In fact, He never left me. I just have to call out.

Drive By

One of the thing I have learned while on the many vacations with my cousins is that you can take many pictures as you drive by the sites. Even the elusive bears, wolves and hawks can be caught on camera during our drive-bys. It is being at the right place at the right time and having your camera ready that you get the shots. Just like this hawk on our last vacation together.

This holds true as I make my way around town going to work, shopping or the church. My camera sits by my side, and I am ready to take the shot of what ever comes my way.

I got to thinking, how ready am I when trials comes my way? Do I try and drive by them? I am afraid the answer is "yes". When trials comes my way, I hit the gas pedal and try to speed pass them.

Than God tells me that He is sitting there beside me. All I have to do is be ready and let Him be in control. When I do, He helps me not to drive by but to stop and take the picture.

If you are facing any trials today, I pray that you don't try to drive by them. Let God drive you to and through them. With Him the picture becomes clear when you reach the other side.

They Beckon Me

After yesterday stress test, I got to talking to the nurses about photography. One of them ask me if I had taken any pictures of the sunflowers off of Hess Road.

"No", I said. "But I was gonna do it the next morning".

Last night it was not just the pain in my leg that kept me from sleep, but the thoughts about sunflowers. They beckoned me.

This morning I set off to get my pictures. I use to think that sunflowers were big, bulky and ugly. But there is something about seeing a whole field of them that takes your breath away.

It is only than I realize the beauty of the single sunflower.

We are like these sunflowers in some ways. When we band together under the power of God, we do amazing things. The beauty of each of us shine.

These days I feel like the big, bulky sunflowers. God beckons me and with the help of the other sunflowers in my life I will shine also.

Do I Risk It

Only a few things puts the fear in me. Reading this sign when I was at the hospital today did just that. I had to go, so I risked it.

In a couple of weeks I am risking something else. I am having surgery on my back to decompress a couple of discs. I have been dealing with just too much pain in my leg. Two of the discs are pressing on the nerves that runs down my right leg. It has made it hard to sit, stand or walk for any length of time. I have not be able to get a good night sleep for quite a while.

Today I had a lexiscan done at the hospital. This is a stress test done with a shot to speed up my heart rate instead of using the treadmill. When I pass this I will be able to have surgery. Within a few weeks of my surgery I should be able to walk again without the pain.

I miss my nature walks. I miss doing my blogs. I miss feeling normal. Even though the surgery scares me, I am ready to risk it. I want my life back.