a pair of new eyeglasses John 9:25 GNT One thing I do know, I was blind, and now I see.

Able to See

John 9:25 GNT  One thing I do know, I was blind, and now I see. Ahhhh…. The feeling of new glasses. That crisp clean vision that you didn’t realize you were missing until you put on those brand-new glasses.  My sister tells of putting on her glasses for the very first time as a child,…

Isaiah 43:2 GNT When you pass through fire, you will not be burned; the hard trials that come will not hurt you. Wildfire burns brightly in the night

Happy Birthday Smokey

Columbia River Gorge, Washington looking to Oregon Isaiah 43:2 GNT When you pass through fire, you will not be burned;     the hard trials that come will not hurt you. Smokey Bear has been on a mission of wildfire prevention since 1944. As a part of the WWII war effort following Pearl Harbor, the Forest…

dark ponderosa pine forest with sunshine clearing in the distance John 20:27 GNT Stop doubting and believe.

Big Foot Doesn’t Believe

Willamette National Forest, OR John 20:27 GNT Stop doubting and believe. I have a sticker that reads, “Bigfoot doesn’t believe in you either.” It’s been a long-standing joke in my family to keep your eyes open for Big Foot if we leave our high desert and travel over the mountain passes to the valley.  According…

gecko in leafy habitat Proverbs 18:24 ESV A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Sticky Fingers

Liam the Lizard (aka Gecko) Proverbs 18:24 ESV A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Liam the Lizard (actually a gecko) came to live at our house at the request of my son. I was impressed by the tiny creature’s abilities, and…

Living Room Bullfighter

Living Room Bullfighter

My dad’s painting purchased in Spain, painted with a knife Proverbs 15:1 NIV A gentle answer turns away wrath,     but a harsh word stirs up anger. “I HATE YOU!” I regretted screaming those words at my mother before the screen door ever closed behind me. I had no reason to be that angry with…

Proverbs 3:7 ESV Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. Northern Pygmy Owl sits in a pine tree branch

Wise Owl

Northern Pygmy Owl Riley Ranch Nature Preserve, Bend, OR Proverbs 3:7 ESV Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. Ancient Greek, Roman, and European cultures have long associated the owl with wisdom. One theory suggests the round, glasses-looking, pensive eyes of an owl along with the bird’s…

horses grazing in a green pasture with tall pine trees behind them and a snow cover mountain. Psalm 42:5-6 NLT Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God!

National Velvet’s Pie

Black Crater and horses, Black Butte Ranch, OR Psalm 42:5-6 NLT Why am I discouraged?     Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God!     I will praise him again—     my Savior and my God! Before Elizabeth Taylor grew up to be a stunning, seductive Hollywood star, she was…

golden sunset over the Three Sisters Mountains covered with billowing clouds. John 14:2 NLT There is more than enough room in my Father’s home.

Room for More

Three Sisters Mountains, Sisters, OR John 14:2 NLT There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. Even though my mom has been gone from this earth for nearly 30 years, in my mind’s eye, I still see her sitting in her green chair reading a book. When I was far from home, at…

yellow rose surrounded by green leaves Hebrews 13:5 GNT For God has said, I will never leave you; I will never abandon you.

A Rose from Mom

My Garden, OR Hebrews 13:5 GNT For God has said, “I will never leave you; I will never abandon you.” Last night was an intensely painful, sleepless first night following a surgery. As a caregiver, it’s so hard to see the ones you love suffer. You know in a heartbeat that you would take their…

Psalm 118:24 NLT This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. bright orange and yellow sunrise with sun beams rises of the rocky Grand Canyon

Singing for Joy

Sunrise at Grand Canyon National Park, New Year’s Day Psalm 118:24 NLT This is the day the Lord has made.     We will rejoice and be glad in it. One of my favorite times as a teacher was singing, This Is the Day, with the kids first thing in the morning. With the singing and dancing,…