Up On The Mountain

My sweetheart and I (and my puppy, Joey) returned home Monday evening from Clear Lake, high on Mt. Hood. We had an extended weekend in what is quickly becoming a favorite get-away place. We would have stayed longer if we could but life at home called us to return. We came back, rested and relaxed and ready to retire! Since that is not to be for quite a while we reluctantly returned to work and the routine of ‘real’ life. But we have dreams and plans to return in the near future – the very near future.

The skies were overcast when we arrived on Friday and we heard there had been rain showers throughout the day. It wasn’t long before very loud claps of thunder rolled overhead. Thunder storms had been predicted for the Cascade Mountains and they had arrived. The forecast was right. If you’ve never heard thunder in the mountains you’ve missed quite an experience. There we were – high on the mountainside by a beautiful lake and the thunder rolled like never before. It wasn’t long before the biggest raindrops ever began to fall. They sounded like hailstones as they hit the metal roof of our trailer! My sweetheart was not concerned at all – he had rain gear in the truck and he could put the ‘roof’ on the boat and go fishing! I, however, thought about the fact that – in spite of the rain – I would have to walk the dog! I could snuggle down in the trailer with my good book but it wouldn’t be long before duty called and I (who didn’t have rain gear but who has plans to get some soon!) would be ‘forced’ to go outside. The rain showers came. And they went. And then, early the next morning when a certain puppy and I opened the door and emerged from our warm cocoon-of-a-trailer – viola! There is was!!! Blue sky and a bit of sun beginning to peek through the clouds.

Joey and I began to walk toward the lake and there, at the edge of the water, was a father and his three young sons. They had driven to the lake for the day. The dad was cooking breakfast beside the water as the boys rode their bikes and played! Soon we heard him call the boys - ‘The blueberry pancakes are ready!’ Oh, I wanted to say I’ll be right there! Can you imagine? Oregon blueberry pancakes cooked on the grill right beside a beautiful high-mountain lake? I wanted to run back to the trailer, wake my sweetheart and tell him to hurry. The pancakes were ready! Instead Joey and I leisurely enjoyed our time outside and eventually we returned to our little cabin-on-wheels to prepare a delicious breakfast. Minus blueberry pancakes. You can be sure blueberries will be added to the trailer inventory by the next time we return to the lake!

Joey had his own little ‘safe’ play area outside our trailer. A place to chew his chew-bone, play, rest and be safe. While I sat nearby to enjoy the fresh mountain air he chewed on his little bone for a minute and two and then decided to sit and look longingly at the world outside his little refuge. The next day he discovered that he could pull back the piece of carpet and begin to dig – dig and dig and maybe tunnel his way out of captivity! But he was never given the chance to put his plans in action. There was no escape for this little fellow!

My sweetheart was anxious to get the boat into the water and check out the good fishing spots. He returned soon to retrieve a piece or two of additional equipment and he offered to take Joey and I for a ride around the lake. A scouting expedition! How exciting!

Joey had never been on a boat before but he was ready. He had his life vest and he was excited to go. I carefully instructed him in the proper way to wear his safety vest and how to conduct himself in the boat. He was a bit nervous at first but as long as he was with me he knew all would be well. The wind picked up and Joey and I shivered and snuggled a bit while under the cover of the boat ‘roof’. We quickly discussed our options and we asked my sweetheart to put the top down so we could enjoy the warmth of the sunshine. Not a problem. Soon it was done and we were enjoying a gorgeous, sunny day on the lake. Safe and warm together.

Our skipper was the best. My sweetheart could handle whatever came our way. We knew we were in good hands and we were happy to join him on this mission.

The warmth of the sunshine, the security of being held safe in my arms and the rocking motion of the boat on the water soon gave Joey a chance to take his morning nap.

Before we knew it our excursion was over and we could see our camp site again. Joey and I were ready to move on to the next pressing business. Play time and another nap for the puppy, a good book for me and fishing for my sweetheart. Joey and I were invited to ride along for the fishing trip but we didn’t want to disturb the fish – or my sweetheart – so we politely said ‘thank you very much’ but we have a lot of things to do. Birds to watch, ants to chase, tree toads to ponder and important things to check out!

So much to do – so little time. Oh, what fun we had in the woods. Each of us enjoyed our time away and we can’t wait to go back again. When we do I’m sure we will pick up right where we left off. Resting and relaxing and not worrying about a thing. Except maybe what happened to those pesky squirrels!

God Sees What We Can't

No one is like the Lord our God,

Who rules from Heaven.

Psalm 113:5

On a trip to the United Kingdom, our family visited a castle. In the center of the garden sat a maze. Row after row of shoulder-high hedges, leading to one dead end after another. Successfully navigate the labyrinth, and discover the door to a tall tower in the center of the garden. Were you to look at our family pictures of the trip, you'd see four of our five family members standing at the top of the tower. Hmmm, someone is still on the ground. Guess who? I was stuck in the foliage. I just couldn't figure out which way to go.

Ah, but then I heard a voice from above. 'Hey, Dad.' I looked up to see Sara, peering through the turret at the top. 'You're going the wrong way,' she explained. 'Back up and turn right.'

Do you think I trusted her? I didn't have to. But do you know what I did? I listened. Her vantage point was better than mine. She was above the maze. She could see what I couldn't.

Don't you think we should do the same with God?

from 'Next Door Savior'

by Max Lucado

Photo compliments of art.com

Planning and Cleaning and Packing, Oh My!

Today is a very busy day! There’s lots to do. We’re getting ready to go away for a few days – just my sweetheart and I. Oh, yes, and Joey (the puppy!), too. Has it already been a year since our last excursion up the mountain to camp and fish and enjoy a few days in the sun? Yes, indeed, it has! Tomorrow we are going to a beautiful lake up on Mount Hood - a quiet place where we love to go. My sweetheart will fish and I will talk to God and Joey (and maybe myself!) and read and knit and perhaps do a bit of writing.

Joey and I will go out for walks and a few boat rides with my sweetheart. Joey has his own little life vest so he can be a safe and savvy – cool dog – boater.

Over the next days I’m sure there will be a nap or two. For Joey, I'm sure. Maybe for me!

That’s tomorrow – but no nap for me today. There’s work to be done. Our little home-away-from home, cabin-on-wheels, has been in winter storage mode and today is the day to wake her up – get her ready for Spring and Summer and the Early Fall season ahead. Time to clean and wipe out the dust that settled in during the long winter months. Time to restock cupboards and drawers with supplies that couldn’t stay onboard through the cold season that has passed. Time to fluff and phoof and make things ready. Time to prepare for rest and relaxation without a care in the world.

And then – tomorrow when my sweetheart returns from work – we will drive a short distance to the place we will call home for a few days away. Surrounded by quiet and the gentle sounds of nature high on the mountain. Until then, I’ve got to get busy – there’s work to do!

Special Treasures

In the middle of the busy-ness of life I'm always amazed how a new treasure can touch my heart deeply and make a difference to my days. Once again some special treasures have found their way to my home. And they bring a bit of sunshine to my days and put a smile on my face. Smiles because of what they mean. Smiles because they remind me of dear ones who are close to my heart. A letter. Just one part of the alphabet - but with such deep meaning. A special letter! The beginning of the last name my sweetheart and I share. While walking through Marshall's last week with my dear little mother I spied this single 'S' and immediately knew it was waiting there just for me. At first I thought I would repaint it but now I'm not sure. It would be perfect with the touches of red we're adding to our bedroom redo. (See the colors of our new quilt?) Where to better display it? It's ready to go. As it is. Or, I could add a burst of new color to another room. And I could repaint it to better 'go' with other things throughout our home. I'm not sure where it will be displayed in the end but you can be sure you will see it again. Somewhere. When the decision has been made.

The thoughtfulness of a dear friend who understands the meaning of friendship - true friendship - brings a smile to my face. A friend who listens and loves and laughs. And, at times, shares my tears. A friend who knows how to make me smile.Yesterday a visit from my dear friend, Betty, of SammyGirl, brought a bit of refreshing to my weary soul. A time to catch up - and a time to sneak away to do a bit of thrifting nearby. Look what she gave me! Now the search begins for the perfect place for this treasure. Not only does it touch my heart - it reminds me to 'Begin each day with a grateful heart.' How appropriate. With a grateful heart. Hmmm. . .where have I heard that before?

He Is Able

He is able, more than able,
To accomplish what concerns me today.
He is able, more than able,
To handle anything that comes my way.
He is able, more than able,
To do much more than I could ever dream.
He is able, more than able,
To make me what He wants me to be.

Song: 'He Is Able'

Words and Music by Rory Noland and Greg Ferguson

Slow Me Down, Lord

Ease the pounding of my heart by the quieting of my mind.Steady my hurried pace. Give me, amidst the day's confusion, the calmness of the everlasting hills.

Break the tensions of my nerves and muscles with the soothing music of singing streams that live in my memory.

Help me to know the magical, restoring power of sleep. Teach me the art of taking "minute vacations"...slowing down to look at a flower, to chat with a friend, to read a few lines from a good book.

Remind me of the fable of the hare and the tortoise; that the race is not always to the swift; that there is more to life than measuring its speed.

Let me look up at the branches of the towering oak and know that it grew slowly and well. Inspire me to send my own roots down deep into the soil of life's endearing values...that I may grow toward the stars of my greater destiny.

Slow me down, Lord.

- Wilfred Arlan Peterson -

'In the name of Jesus Christ, who was never in a hurry, we pray, O God, that You will slow us down, for we know that we live too fast.'

-Peter Marshall -

In Memory. . .

Of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

Photo courtesy of Associated Press