That Day

The years have come and gone. New buildings have taken the place of the old. People still fly across the country, albeit with more scans and body checks. Children have grown up. Life goes on. And yet……the memories of that horrible day, mixed with heroism, and the ultimate sacrifice of so many, remains. Although no longer as visible, there is a ragged scar, left on this country’s memory. It is a reminder of that fateful day, fifteen years ago. The day that so much changed….

A DIFFERENT WORLD

Image via Wikipedia

The day was normal. Just like any other. Elementary school children chattering with each other. My teaching assistant and I were working with our reading groups on that Tuesday morning. A sunny day, nothing out of the ordinary…and then a fellow teacher popped into my classroom to tell me to go and watch theTV in the school conference room. I excused myself, leaving my kiddos with my assistant for a minute.

I stared at the television, not comprehending what I was looking at. The plane, the World Trade Center, the fire and smoke. People everywhere. The second plane hitting the building. News anchors eerily silent as, even they, had no words for what they were seeing. Chills ran across me as I stared in disbelief.

I numbly walked back to my classroom. Knowing that life was different now.

I told my assistant to go to the conference room.

I looked at the faces of all my young students and realized that life as we knew it would never be the same. These children would grow up in a different world than I had.

And it made me so sad.

September 11, 2001 — We Remember

Challenge #12, Might-Have-Been

 

I often get asked, why in the world did you move here? The people who ask, are alluding to the fact I moved from Knoxville, Tennessee. Knoxville is a city nestled in a valley surrounded by the foothills of The Great Smoky Mountains. It is a place that many Ohioans go on vacation. Yet, here I am. My family and I moved to a rural area of Ohio, outside a tiny village whose population doesn’t even make it to “town” status. It is not unusual to see Amish families on the roads in their buggies.I admit, it is not a happening place. I miss restaurants, and all the shopping. I could be to most places in five minutes. With that said, when I lived in the city I didn’t wake to the sound of geese flying overhead, or the rooster crowing. I didn’t have the opportunity to witness open sky and wide, uncrowded spaces. These places to breathe and think and not feel so rushed. In the city, buildings crowded out my view of the sun rising, and city lights detracted from the brilliance of the night sky. My house was on a large double lot in the city, but there is no comparison to the twelve acres in the country. There is room for the family and dogs, cats, chickens, and horse.

When I am going about my business of feeding animals and other chores, I often stop and soak it all in. I am a country girl at heart. This life I’m living, bring me so much joy. If you had asked me a half dozen years ago, where I’d be, or what I’d be doing, I could have never imagined this. A new marriage and family, in a new house in a new state, in the country. It might never have been……but, I’m so glad it is!

 

Summer Days Are Sweet

So far this summer has been good for me.

I’ve had time to think…and not think. Sometimes I need that. I tend to dwell on things, worry about stuff.

It is refreshing to have some time to just relax and not to be chained to a schedule.

Trading in calendars and clocks for a porch swing and hammock.

Enjoying early mornings and slow evenings.

Cooking becomes grilling out.

Meeting new people, making new friends.

Sight seeing and soul searching.

Afternoon thunderstorms and evening lightening bugs.

Mulling over plans.

Wondering what lies ahead, as I sip my sweet tea.

Content.

 

 

 

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It’s A Choice

Being thankful is a choice.

Country Farm (Photo credit: Nature Pictures by ForestWander)

In choosing to be thankful for all things, a person can experience joy.

Not because life is always simple and easy, as anyone that has lived for any amount of time can attest.

But, because God has provided the greatest gift of all, in His son Jesus, and He alone is enough…

And yet, God chooses to gift us with so much more, abundantly, lavishly.

Live life with your eyes wide open. Open to all His great and wonderful gifts.

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all
times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV

Today I am thankful for:

* getting ready for the trip

* anticipation for what is ahead

* making memories with my husband

* healthy children

* hugs and I love you

* playing with the dogs

* early morning, feeding the animals

* rainy Monday

* shopping

* a clean house

* sunflowers

* a beautifully mowed lawn

* the back property fenced in

* taking beautiful pictures of the country

* sleeping in late

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An Evening Walk

Sitting on the porch swing last night, looking out across the yard to the field across the road.

I just love this scene, in every season.

There is just something about a summer evening in the country.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walking down to the mailbox…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Everyone is eating dinner…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Views from the front yard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Turning towards home…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Let Summer Begin!

The day started out gray, and for an early June day, chilly.

Beach shoes (Photo credit: @Doug88888)

No matter the weather because this is the first official day of my summer break.

The summer season is ahead!

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Today I am thankful for:

* sleeping in an extra half hour

* a quiet morning

* first day of summer vacation

* a more relaxed schedule

* my two younger children are counselors this summer at camp, a great opportunity

* a trip to Costa Rica, my first time needing a passport!

* looking forward to this adventure with my husband, making memories

* beautiful flowers on the deck

* my husband putting up a fence on our back property…it is a lot of hard work and he is doing such a wonderful job!

* God who loves me, even when I mess up…so many times.

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Remembering

This day is the day to remember…

all those brave men and women who sacrificed…

those that laid down their lives for their country.

They knew what so many of us often forget…

Freedom is never free. There is always a price to pay.

Thank you to the families of those fallen. They know and understand that sacrifice is real.

Thank you to those soldiers who paid the ultimate price.

May we, and this country,  be worthy of their sacrifice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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National Day Of Prayer

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who
comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who
earnestly seek Him. Hebrews 11:16 NIV

 

Prayer doesn’t need to be elaborate, with big words, or have utterances of a certain length.

 

 

Prayer is talking with God.

 

It really is that simple.

 

He tells us He wants His children to talk with Him. He tells us that in Philippians 4:6-7.  Do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your
requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses
all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 

Today is The National Day of Prayer……and there is much to pray about.

Not just on this one day, but every day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Be All Here…

I walked down the driveway, my dog pulling on his leash desperate to run through the emerald green grass, spotted with golden dandelions. I stopped for a moment to look back over my shoulder. The house sets in what used to be a field, blue sky as it’s backdrop. Chickens pecking at the ground, the horse grazing in the pasture, and the outdoor dogs laying lazily in the sun. The picture resembled something from a Norman Rockwell painting.

Do you ever have moments that seem to stand still? That is the time I experienced, ever so briefly, this morning.

How often do I rush through my days? And miss it all? And, why? Why do I do that?

Slow down. Breathe. Be all here.

I have to constantly remind myself of this. Over and over again. You’d think I’d remember, that I’d “get” it, once and for all.

But, I forget time and time again.

Memorizing this moment. Tucking it away.

Knowing just how blessed I really am.

 

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There’s No Place Like Home

I grew up in the mid-Atlantic state of Maryland, went to college in Tennessee, taught in a small town in the Appalachian mountains, moved to the suburbs, lived in the city where I could get to anything in five minutes, and now am comfortably situated in the rural countryside of west central Ohio. For me there is peace in the quiet. A slower pace, causes me to stop more often and appreciate the beauty that is all around me. Appreciation. Gratefulness. A thankful heart.

When was the last time you stopped and stared at the clouds, allowed the sunrise to take your breath away? Have you recently taken a moment to marvel at the rural art of fields dotted with round hay bales? Listened to the early morning crowing of the roosters? Saw beauty even in the bright yellow of dandelions?

Then, there are the barns. I love barns. They are utilitarian monuments to a hard working life. Some of them big and strong, others faded and worn. All carry with them, a story.

Yep. I love it. I admit it. I’ve lived all over and seen a lot but, in my heart I’m just a country girl.

Here are some pictures I’ve taken. Pictures of my life………