70 Years

A car ride maybe didn't do Dad's favorite lemon filled cake any favors as far as appearance goes, but what does that matter when you are celebrating a special dad at a state park with beloved family?

Truth and Beauty

As a week of treatment takes its toll on my body, soaking up beauty is vital for my soul. While my Sunday was mostly spent between bed and couch, I took an hour to attend virtual church and another to fill a page in my nature journal with one of my many favorite flowers. 

In the evening Hannah and I  decided to rewatch a movie we viewed during a long, monthly treatment last week. "Esther" by Sight & Sound Theatres combined truth and beauty in a way that was just what our souls needed. "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10).

Afternoon Tea with a Neighbor

A home garden tour followed by herbal tea from said garden made for a refreshing afternoon. Chamomile for me, please!

Descendants

Every year after a delicate Cool Wave Pansy was gifted Mom for Mother's Day by her greenhouse owning daughter and family, we have had the delight of finding its baby descendants in the lawn off the deck where the original parent resided. Their cheery faces never cease to delight my soul.

Father's Day

Our Father's Day activities this year included running after this little guy. It was great.

As I grow older I particularly like Father's Day. As the family in my nation disintegrates, my understanding of the worth and necessity of the God-ordained position of fatherhood grows. And as I honor my earthly dad, I love to think on how he has helped me better understand certain characteristics of my Heavenly Father. May there be many happy returns!

Father's Day Preparations

Allergy friendly rhubarb cake cooling.

Non-allergy friendly lasagna assembled.

Gifts wrapped and in process of being decorated.

A little more vacuuming of a crunchy front entry to come.

Nearly there!

Confession of a Knitter

I have a confession to make. It has been two months since I last touched a pair of knitting needles. Yesterday I decided to give them a try and found that they did not deplete my energy levels if used at the right hour and did not irritate my nervous system. That was a relief.

Skirt Sees Light of Day

I have a stash of skirts long and short (as in just below the knee) which I used to wear to church every Sunday morning as well as to dressy occasions. Since chemical sensitivities and extreme fatigue set in, these skirts have hardly seen the light of day the last seven years. The youngest ages about six and the oldest turned 17 years old this spring, so I figure that all but the most classic styles will  look rather dated when I enter into society again. It is definitely time to wear my more practical skirts at home. This one, bought for my cousin's 2006 wedding, is going to keep me cool and airy after my sauna session and shower on this warm day.

One Last Time

Yesterday Hannah and I had our last appointment with our chronic illness doctor before her retirement. While many patients run from one specialist to the next, Dr. V's extensive and growing knowledge has given us a one stop shop the last seven years. We have always gone trusting God to direct her with the right next steps for our treatment. Now we are trusting Him to lead us to the next doctor in His perfect plan. How good it is to be safe in the hands of our Father and Creator!

Instead of risking another chemical sensitivity disaster with an AirBnB, we opted for camping in a beautiful, bluff country state park.

The river was the most serenely peaceful, stunningly beautiful bit of creation I have seen in some time.

The wild flowers and native trees weren't half bad either. Moths, butterflies and fireflies were not so photogenic but certainly worth mentioning.

Before heading home, we drove through another state park. Perfectly rustic.

Intricate Artistry

A wind storm came through recently bringing welcome rain. It also brought down this bit of God's intricate artistry.

A Day for Massage

Hannah's and my wonderful massage therapist came to our house today to bring relief through her skilled hands and encouragement through conversation. At the end of my discussion filled session, Lori said how much she loves "solving the world's problems" with us. I replied that Jesus is the solution. She heartily agreed.

Attractive, Comfortable Clothes

While not a panacea for all of life's woes, attractive, comfortable clothes can be an extraordinary balm on an ill day, raising my heart in gratitude to my Beautiful Savior.

Trimmings

The Great Bedroom Cleaning is done, and though Hannah and I are physically a little worse for wear, our bedroom sparkles down to the trimmings. Thankfully our lovely curtains are made of very fake and wrinkle resistant material. All that needed a quick steam press were my dresser scarf and the dainty, crochet-edged linen cloth that currently adorns the shelf above my bed. While I was in the mode, I ironed my latest lace makings. More pillowcase trimming to come.

Preceding the Storm

Last night's storm front was preceded by a mighty wind. Had it been daytime, the sky would have been black with the blowing dust of this very dry spring. As it was, our bedroom air filter cranked up to high gear and our room was covered in a thick layer of grit in no time. Needless to say, windows were closed when we realized what was happening. Mercifully rain soon came and we could once again open the windows for a bit of a cooling breeze.

Today has suddenly become cleaning day. How grateful I am to know that "Jesus does all things well," or I would be crushed by this task on an already too busy week. How will Jesus show Himself today?

Created Equal

I came from the freezer with a hemp seed chocolate chip bar apiece for Hannah's and my dessert only to find they were not created equal - in size that is. Of course I corrected that error with another trip back to the freezer.

And What Came of It

Remember my aunt's peony bouquet? This is what came of it.

Peony Bouquet from Ruth

For those who aren't in the know, Ruth is Mom's sister.

Watercolor Play: Fragrant Cloud Rose

Watercolor play from last Sunday.

Original rose photo from last autumn.

Making Friends

Landscapes and I aren't best friends, though I'd like them to be. Even so I can tell we are getting along a little better than a year ago when I made my first two attempts at painting this local prairie scene.

(Pictured newest to oldest.)