MYSTERY SOLVED

A while back I was complaining because my Crepe Myrtle tree had only one bloom on it. I couldn't believe that on this whole little tree only one bloom emerged! How does that happen I wondered? Wouldn't you think there would be some buds too? Well...here they are! , I
You can just see the beginnings of "barely there pink" (I think that's the name on a paint tag!) And here too...

And again here...

Well now it is a week later and look - there's a few blooms appearing...this is going to be so pretty when it fully blooms. I'm seeing them all over my neighborhood and now, finally, mine is beginning to show!

Here...

...and here...gotta love 'ol Mother Nature...not until she's ready!

PACKING FOR A JOURNEY

A young Christian packing his bag for a journey

said to a friend, "I have nearly finished

packing. All I have to put in are

a guidebook,

a lamp,

a mirror,

a microscope,

a telescope,

a volume of fine poetry,

a few biographies,

a package of old letters,

a book of songs,

a sword,

a hammer, and

a set of tools."

"But you cannot put all that into your bag,"

objected the friend. "Oh, yes," said the Christian.

"Here it is." And he placed his Bible in

the corner of the suitcase and closed the lid.

-Anon.

Thank you to our hostesses, Ginger and Charlotte for bringing us Spiritual Sundays.

A WEEKEND VISITOR

Thank you for coming to see me Gramma! I just love it when we have company and I can show what I am learning to do. I am learning so fast it is hard to keep up with me. Right now, I'm just sitting here having a good time with my Mommy and Gramma who keeps flashing lights in my eyes! Well, I know Gramma hasn't seen me since the beginning of summer when Daddy and Mommy and I took a trip to Gramma's house and the Jersey Shore. I have grown up so much since then...I can tell Gramma is surprised by how much I've grown.
This is so much fun! I am learning to do so many things all at once and my Mommy is getting nervous just watching me! Just wait til I get a little older Mom - you'll need those Mommy "eyes in the back of your head" so you can keep up with me! Whee! I'm on my way now!

And here I am standing up (almost) all by myself - I can do this Mom I promise I can! You don't have to hold me up! I know you're just being extra careful that I don't hurt myself and I love you for watching out for me! You're the BEST MOM!

OLD FRIENDS

OLD FRIENDS

There is no friend like the old friend,

Who has shared our morning days.

No greeting like his welcome, no homage

Like his praise.

Fame is the scentless sunflower, with

gaudy crown of gold;

But friendship is the breathing rose,

With sweets in every fold.

-Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809-1894)

WHERE ARE THE REST?

Is that it? One little bloom on this very large Crepe Myrtle? I was very disappointed when I saw that only one bloom had appeared on my "Dwarf" Crepe Myrtle. This bush/tree was covered in gorgeous magenta blooms last year. I'll keep you posted on when or if there are any more pretty flowers!

TWO POEMS FOR SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS

Growing Old Let me grow lovely, growing

old - -

So many fine things do - -

Laces, and ivory, and gold,

And silks need not be

new;

And there is healing in old

trees,

Old streets a glamour hold;

Why may not I, as well as

these,

Grow lovely, growing old?

-Karle Wilson Baker

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PRESCRIPTION FOR LONELINESS

Art thou lonely, O my

brother?

Share thy little with another!

Stretch a hand to one un-

friended,

And thy loneliness is ended.

-John Oxenham

Thank you to Charlotte and Ginger for bringing us Spiritual Sundays.

GOLFING ANYONE?

Getting out my golf clubs after my friend Joyce and I decide to go to one of the local golf courses and get in some practice. I haven't played golf for ??? years and I am very rusty but I do want to get back into playing again. Joyce's reasons are a little different - - she has never played in her life and has only been on the driving range a couple of times this past month but she wants to play in a tournament being held in honor of her nephew who died tragically a few years ago. Needless-to-say, she doesn't have much time and I found out that she has NEVER putted or been on a putting green! I did introduce her to it today and she did very well...she is a very positive person and I know she'll be playing the tournament like a pro!

We arrive at the golf course...a small, nine hole course that has very inexpensive rates and caters to ladies! Tuesday is Seniors day, Wednesday is Ladies day and Thursday you can get a cart, play nine holes and lunch for $23.00! We picked Wednesday.

Joyce changing her shoes and getting ready to go to the driving range.

Putting in not my strong suit...and I really need the practice on my "short game" - that is putting, chipping the ball onto the green and hitting out of the rough and sand traps.

Joyce hits one out more than 150 yards...she can really wallop that ball!

Me on the driving range and I had just hit a good shot with my three wood (my favorite club)

~Well, it has been a fun two hours and now we're hungry and decide to go out and have some breakfast. I know we'll be back to actually play this nine hole course...but not today...not in hot, humid 90+ degree weather in Southern NJ!