The Wilderness Park, Prattville, Alabama: Taking a Break in the Park

Yesterday morning I decided to grab my camera, ditch the outdoor chores, and head to the Wilderness Park here in Prattville, Alabama.  I'm so glad I did!  Although I wore flip flops, which was a poor choice for a roughly 1/2 mile hike, it was not that bad because I was constantly pausing to take pictures.  It was nice to get away from the routine for a while. 

As I was pulling into the parking lot, an older gentleman and his dog were getting in their car to leave.  As I wandered the path, I came upon a young couple relaxing on one of the many park benches, kicked back and chatting.  And as you'll see in one of the later pictures, young lovers have left their mark, too.

As you follow the path, the patch slopes down, leading you deeper into the park.  Shortly you come to a "Y", and if you take a right, you will go over the dam.  Above is a photo of the path going over the dam, with bamboo draping across, forming a canopy.  Looking off to the right side of this path the land slopes down into a gully with bamboo and other plants and trees crisscrossing.  There is a lot of downed timber and bamboo, but where something has fallen, more is growing in it's place. According to the sign at the entrance of the park, bamboo grows at the rate of 4' per 24 hours!

If you look to the left of the path, you will see a pond filled with downed bamboo and other trees, and a great many lily pads and lilies.  The water was still, and the sun was at a height to make great reflections in the water.  I heard deep-throated frogs calling, but never had the luck to see one. But I did get a shot of a turtle resting on one of the lily pads.

Of course there were other plants such as the fern in the photo below.  Everything contributed to a cooler temperature in the park.  And although you are only a few steps from the road, the sounds of traffic are muted or non-existent.  Instead you can hear the sounds of bugs and frogs, something skittering away in the underbrush, and even the hollow clacking of the bamboo hitting against each other in the gentle wind.

Have you had a chance to take a break and check out any parks  in or near your town?  I am fortunate that The Wilderness Park is less than a five minute drive from my home, and less than a five minute drive from the heart of downtown Prattville.  It's one of those spots that begs to be visited again.  One of those spots that appeals to people of all ages.

Reese

GIVE AWAY!

I forgot to mention in my post yesterday that I have a coupon for a FREE copy of Platt's book As One Devil to Another.  If you are interested, let me know!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Reese

BOOK REVIEW: As One Devil to Another

As One Devil to Another
By: Richard Platt
Published by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Copyright 2012

Have you ever wondered what the "other world" thinks about us?  Do they try to interfere?  Do they try to trip us up?  Do they try to help us?  Do they try to work against each other, as in the good side versus the evil?  In his new book As One Devil to Another, author Richard Platt presents his idea of what it could be like for the other side.  And for us in our daily spiritual walk.


It seems that poor Scardagger, a recent top of his class graduate (class valedictorian, to be exact) of hell's training school is now under the supervision of his dear, loving Uncle Slashreap, a wise, shrewd, very experienced devil.  Apparently Scardagger is having trouble with his first victim, a young woman who attends the university. She is a free thinker, heavily influenced by the modern world.  However, she seems to have an aunt who has great influence over her life.  A Christian aunt.  It has become the job of Scardagger to try to win the young woman over to the side of hell, to prevent her from committing to Christ.  But the problems with the aunt only magnify.  She is in the battle for the young woman's soul.  


As One Devil to Another is a one sided conversation, a collection of letters from Slashreap to his nephew Scardagger.  From his letters you surmise what is going on between Scardagger and the young woman.  As more letters are written, and as apparently Scardagger is not fully following the advice of Slashreap, you see more and more frustration from Slashreap.  At times this is quite humorous, as you can imagine what is going on behind the scenes.  At times it is eye opening and you wonder if there really is a spiritual battle raging over the souls of men (yes, there is!), which is not humorous at all.  


Mr. Platt's book is heralded as being comparable to author C. S. Lewis' book The Screwtape Letters.  Having not read The Screwtape Letters, I cannot make a comparison between the two. However, I have been a fan of C. S. Lewis since childhood (think The Chronicles of Narnia) and I can see some similarities.  Why not read the book and see for yourself?


In order to comply with new Federal Trade Commission regulations, please note that this book was provided compliments of  Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Mom's Gift

Following on the theme of Ann Voskamp at The One Thousand Moms Project, what is the best gift your mother gave to you?

Mine would be a life by example.  Putting her family first.  There is no way it could have been easy.  Mama and Daddy had six kids in 10 years.  I am the oldest, and when I was six we moved to Indiana so Daddy could go to college, studying to be used of God in service.  There were three of us kids at that time, with a fourth on the way.  While we were in Indiana, two more were born.  The fourth child was born with a birth defect and if not for the great doctors of the Chicago hospitals, he would not now be a wonderful husband and father of three great children.  There was a year or two of time in and out of the hospital, surgery, etc.  Daddy was in college, although he took time off with the problems of the fourth child.  Somehow, life went on normally for us kids.  Daddy worked full time and went to school full time.  And Mama worked full time to support the family.  We kids never knew the struggles that were going on.

When I was growing up, I took life for granted.  I never understood or even thought about the sacrifices that were made by my parents.  By my mom.  For us.  What they went through with a child who had a life threatening birth defect.  With three other kids, one only a year old.  Now as a mom myself, and having had to give one of my own children back to God, I understand just a tiny bit what my parents went through.  Having a child hurting, standing by and watching, not knowing what the outcome will be, tears a mother's (and dad's) heart out.  What does that do to relationships?  Relationships with each other, with God?

Thanks to both my parents for their strong faith in God, for leading by example, and for staying with each other for 45 years (this June).

I love you!

BOOK REVIEW: Selections from One Thousand Gifts

Selections from One Thousand Gifts, 
Finding JOY in What Really Matters
By: Ann Voskamp
Published by Zondervan
Copyright 2012

In Selections from One Thousand Gifts, Finding JOY in What Really Matters, gifted author and photographer Ann Voskamp uses her vivid photos and unusual writing style to record her thankfulness and praise to God.  

Challenged to list 1,000 gifts by a friend, Ann has written and collected thousands of blessings.  Some of which she shares in this book (and in One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are).  This is a beautiful little gift book, never a plain page, each elaborate design and the personality of Ann shining through.  A book you won't want to put down, but will want to read straight through and soak in.  And read again.  

Ann Voskamp truly has a way with words.  An unusual style, one that slows you down and gets you to thinking.  And personally realizing that I should be more thankful.  And wondering if I can find 1,000 things for which to be thankful?  Now I can't wait to get out my camera and my journal...

One Thousand Gifts, a Thousand Thanks is an app available for your iPhone/iPad and Android. Also available is One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are.  Don't miss out on visiting the website for the book and also the website for Ann Voskamp.  

In order to comply with new Federal Trade Commission regulations, please note that this book was provided compliments of  Shelton Interactive and Zondervan.

BOOK REVIEW: A Heart Like His

A Heart Like His
By: Beth Moore
Published by B&H Publishing Group
Copyright 1999, 2003, 2012

If you have never attended a Beth Moore Bible study, if you have never read one of her books, if you have never listened to her on the radio, you are missing a real treat.  This woman has wonderful insight into the Bible and into the hearts of women.

Unfortunately, the first time I attended one of her Bible studies (a DVD study at a small church), I was unable to concentrate on the study because I was so distracted by the trappings of the DVD -- the numerous changing of outfits, etc. during one session.  That experience turned me off on Beth Moore for a long time.  However, I am learning that I need to go below the surface.  I need to look into the heart, so to speak.  So when I was asked if I would like to review Beth Moore's book A Heart Like His: Intimate Reflections on the Life of David, I said yes. 

And I am so glad I did!  I cried through this book.  I was convicted through this book.  I was astonished, and reminded of God and His love for us, flawed as we are.  So many pages in my copy of A Heart Like His have pencil marks as reminders, and page corners turned down. 

Beth Moore begins A Heart Like His with David's "back story".  The events in Israel that set the stage.  Characters such as Samuel, Saul and Jonathan.  Israel's demand for a king, the desire to be like all the other nations.  The events that helped shape Israel, that ultimately helped shape David.  David's love, courage, wisdom, and fierce loyalty to God even as a young boy.  A Heart Like His takes you through David's entire life, ending with his death at the age of 70.  He was a beloved king.  He was a strong, valiant warrior.  He was a sinner.  He was a man after God's own heart.

In A Heart Like His you will find an in-depth look at the life of David.  What makes up his character.  David was definitely a flawed human being.  This Bible study brings out his sin with Bathsheba, the murder of Bathsheba's husband, the death of the son resulting from that sin; the rape of his daughter Tamar by his first son Amnon, the resulting hatred of Tamar's brother Absalom for Amnon, the murder of Amnon by Absalom; the attempted overthrow of David by Absalom.  On an on David's sins are pointed out.  But so to are the accomplishments of David.  His willingness to be led of God.  His relationship with God.  His brokenness and desire to return to God once his sins were pointed out. Over and over Beth Moore points out the chastening of God in regards to David.  The leading of David back to God.

Beth Moore has used this study of David to point out areas in our lives where God can use us.  Even when we have sinned and sinned greatly, God can still use His people.  The key is forgiveness.  He is always waiting, always willing.  It's up to us.

It would be a good idea to read this book slowly, in conjunction with reading the Scriptures involved, to absorb and apply the lessons of David.  There is also available an in-depth Bible study, 11 weeks, called David: Seeking a Heart Like His.

In order to comply with new Federal Trade Commission regulations, please note that this book was provided compliments of  Shelton Interactive and B&H Publishing Group.

Ramblings on James 2




Pond at my parents' house

 

On Sunday nights I have been attending a singles Bible study.  Just a bunch of singles from all walks of life, most of them over 45.  However, there are now a few of us under 45, and we are called the "babies".  I digress.  The last couple of weeks we have been studying the book of James.  Sunday night we were in chapter 2.  The first few verses, actually through verse 13, created a great discussion. How do we treat others?  What if we think someone is beneath us?  Maybe we think we have a better paying job, or they don't take care of themselves properly, or they don't look right according to our standards.  How are we supposed to treat them?  James uses some pretty strong language to let Christians know that we will be judged in the same manner that we judge others. 

One of our group brought up that we should be mirrors to others.  We should reflect back to them what we see, the reflection of God in our lives.  We should be showing love and not judgement.  Too many times I have to remind myself of that very thing.  Aren't we all created equal in God's eyes?  Haven't we all sinned?  None of us is perfect, not even close.  All of our righteousness is as filthy rags, as the Bible points out. 

Wouldn't it be nice, isn't it what God wants, that we reflect His glory, His love to others?  Just as in the photo above of the reflection of the trees and sky in my parents' pond, we should be reflecting to others our God.  If we are not living right, which happens to all of us, how can we reflect the true image of God?  How will others see Him in us?  It would be distorted, like ripples in a pond distorting the image of God.  Who would want to be a Christian if they see us acting like we do sometimes?

Matthew 5:16 says "let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."  Full circle back to how we treat others.  There is no way we can let our light shine for Christ, our image reflect His glory, if we don't treat others right.  And that brings us to the last half of the second chapter of James.  James asks Christians how they can say they are Christians if their actions say otherwise?  I think I have some work to do...

Reese

90th Birthday

My grandmother, Dot Coon

After weeks of careful planning, lots of hard work, and worry that the guest of honor might not be able to make it, the day had arrived.  The event was the 90th birthday of one very special lady, my grandmother Dot Coon.  A couple of weeks ago we thought we might lose her.  Yesterday we thought she was not going to be able to make it to the (surprise) party.  But she did!  She is one very tough woman.  All five of her children were there.  Most of her grandchildren were there.  And several great grandchildren were there.  And one great great grandchild.  All in her honor.  All because we love her. 

Grandma with all her sons and daughters and their spouses.

The day was perfect.  Hot, but not too hot.  A nice breeze blew through to cool things off.  The shade from the trees was wonderful and inviting.  The smell of the chicken being cooked over an open fire was incredible and made tummies rumble.  Getting re-acquainted with cousins was great!  And meeting spouses, children and grandchildren of cousins was a little bit daunting.

My dad with his mother.

My sister spent hours and hours in preparation of a book to give to my grandmother, from her children.  The best thing you could ever give to Grandma was a photograph.  Anything else she would just give right back.  So Daddy surreptitiously collected her photo albums and he and my sister culled thousands of photos to put together in a book.  Photos of Grandma's parents.  I believe even a photo of both of her grandfathers.  Photos of her as children. Photos of her and Granddaddy.  Photos of their children.  Photos of their families.  Six copies of the book were handed out, one to Grandma and one to each of her children.  Believe me, those books got conversations going!  And stories told.  I would listen to one, with my ears tuned to others at the same time. 

It was a long and tiring day, but well worth the time and effort of everyone involved. 

Thank you so much, Lord, for my Grandmother, for my family, and for the wonderful day You gave to us yesterday.

"Honor thy father and thy mother that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee."  Exodus 20:12

Reese

BOOK REVIEW: The Widow of Saunders Creek

The Widow of Saunders Creek
By: Tracey Bateman
Published by WaterBrook Press
Copyright 2012

This book has it all.  A tragedy in a young woman's life.  One from which she does not wish to recover.  Seemingly unrequited love.  Just a hint of the paranormal.  And overall, the love of family willing to help a woman get past her tragedy and begin to live again.  Throughout the book the love of God for His children shines through.

It has been six months since Corrie Saunders has buried her young husband, Jarrod.  A war hero.  That's what everyone says.  Even the military has called him a hero.  While he was stationed in Iraq he rushed to try to prevent tragedy by a suicide bomber.  But Corrie doesn't want a dead hero.  She wants her husband back! 

Ever since the funeral she has been living with her mother.  Now, she is determined to move into the home she had been refurbishing while Jarrod was overseas.  After all, the home had belonged in his family since his grandparents' time.  Now it was theirs, or rather hers.  And that was now causing another problem.  Some in the family felt that the home should revert back to the Saunders family.  After all, Corrie and Jarrod had not had any children. 

Corrie's first night in the home she wished for Jarrod so hard, was so angry and upset that he had left her.  How could he be so selfish to leave her?  In anguish, she cried out for Jarrod to speak to her. Slowly, the front porch swing on which she was sitting began to swing, as if it was being pushed.  Could it be Jarrod?  

Jarrod's cousin Eli has been helping Corrie re-do the house.  Can Eli also help Corrie learn to accept that her husband is gone?  What will he do with his developing feelings for Corrie?  Will Eli's love for God, his quiet faith help?

Read the first chapter and see if you can resist getting the book.  Author Tracey Bateman has successfully woven the elements of a good romance, a suspenseful look into the spirit world (it exists, and it is not of God), and the love of God.  I hope you will enjoy the book as much as I did.

In order to comply with new Federal Trade Commission regulations, please note that this book was provided compliments of  WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

BOOK REVIEW: Harriet Beamer Takes the Bus

Harriet Beamer Takes the Bus

Joyce Magnin

Zondervan 2012

Seventy-something year old Harriet Beamer thinks she can handle life on her own.  She is a widow who lives with her basset hound Humphrey  in the home built by her late husband.  She is involved in church, has a set routine, and wants nothing to break her out of if.  Harriet has a son who lives on the opposite side of the country, in California of all places, and she believes the greatest thing that could happen would be for her son and his wife to present her with a grandchild.  But she is beginning to lose hope that will ever happen! 

The adventure begins when Harriet’s son Henry and his wife Prudence come to celebrate Christmas.  Decorating the Christmas tree is something Harriet wants to share with Henry and Prudence.  But this one particular ornament – shouldn’t it be placed in just the right spot – it won’t take anything but stepping up onto a chair and it will be done.  Just one little ornament…  And that’s when disaster strikes!

What happens next sets the stage for Harriet’s grand adventure.  You know, placing a little wager that you are sure you can win, what’s the harm?  However, Harriet didn’t bargain for Prudence’s insistence on the terms of the wager.  And what is the wager?  Harriet’s house, and therefore her freedom!  If Harriet loses the wager she agrees to move to California to live with Henry and Prudence.  You guessed it – Harriet has to make good on the bet by selling her home.  However, what no one counted on was Harriet’s idea on HOW to get to Henry and Prudence’s place.  No jets or trains for her!  Once packed, she ships everything, including Humphrey. 

The grand adventure begins with Harriet boarding a bus.  A CITY bus, of all things.  She has decided she has to go to California, but it will be on her own terms, in her own time.  Determined to take alternative transportation, Harriet does things she never dreamed of doing.  She thinks and travels outside the box, outside her personal comfort zone.  And boy does she ever have some adventures! 

Harriet begins to realize that God is using her on this trip.  There are so many people she comes in contact with who need a kind word, who become interested in her adventure, who she is able to help and encourage.  And along the way she finds that she is learning to do as God wants her to do.  She is listening and responding positively to the nudges of the Holy Spirit.  She is learning to forgive, to let go, to let the past be the past.  And her relationship not only with Henry but with Prudence as well improves greatly.

I enjoyed reading the adventures of Harriet, and think you might, too!  Harriet reminds me of my own eighty-something year old widowed grandmother.  She even thinks the same and uses the same terminology!  Ms. Magnin has truly created a character who is both believable and inspiring.

In order to comply with new Federal Trade Commission regulations, please note that this book was provided compliments of  Zondervan.

New book called FEARLESS

Just when I am getting good and interested in the book, and have had to take a few very deep breaths to hold back some tears, the first chapter ends!  Wait!  I want to read more!  But in order to do that, I am going to have to go out and buy the new book by  Eric Blehm entitled Fearless.  Fearless tells the true story of Navy SEAL Adam Brown, who died the night of March 17, 2010 in the Hindu Kush Mountains of Afghanistan.

Take a sneak peak at the short video.  Then read the first chapter, and see if you are going to do like I am and go out and buy the book.  I am certain this is one book I will be sharing with my two teen sons, one who right now is toying with the idea of becoming a Green Beret!

Reese

NOTE:  Here's my book review:  http://reeseone.blogspot.com/2012/07/book-review-fearless.html

Photo Story -- Simple Things

Sometimes the simple things get our attention.  Like these daisies growing alongside the road.  I was on my way to my parents' place in the country Friday evening, where I was going to spend the night with my grandmother and then help my mother do yard work on Saturday.  I had noticed daisies out in the fields and thought it might be good to ride back out Saturday morning withMom to get pictures.  When I came to my parents' road, I pulled in and got out of my car -- with my camera.  And there, on the side of the road with my backside to passersby, I knelt down and took pictures of these daisies. 

Saturday morning I was awakened by a downpour.  Thunder was rolling and lightning was flashing, and you could hear the rain pounding on my grandmother's roof and windows. It was only 5 a.m. and I am not an early riser, so I snuggled down under the covers and dozed until time to get up.  I figured with all that rain Mom and I would have a mess working in the garden. 

 What we did was get up and roam around taking pictures.  I am a shutterbug, but Mom is the QUEEN shutterbug in our family.  Not to leave her out, my sister is the QUEEN of taking Mom's photos and turning them into awesome photo books (check out BLURB for ideas for yourself or your family and friends).  Mom had a new lens she wanted to try out.  A macro lens so she could get great close ups.  She normally doesn't use a tripod, but for Saturday's photos she did.  I on the other hand almost always use a tripod because I can't seem to hold my camera steady.  And I forgot to take it with me for the weekend!  Back to the rain -- it made for some beautiful photos!

I told Mom about the daisies and we loaded the chuck wagon with our cameras and camera bags, and up the road we went.  Mom saw thistle alongside the road and said we needed to make sure to go back and get some shots.  It's amazing how you can just lose track of everything else around you when you are taking photos. 

On our way back we pulled over to the side of the road and here are some of the shots I came up with.  Remember I mentioned I forgot my tripod?  I sure was wishing I had it!  But I like to get ground level shots, so it really wouldn't have done me any good.  In any case, I kept kneeling down, and once landed on thistle.  I came up in a hurry!  Probably just my imagination, but I itched and burned for a little while... But look at these pictures.  Some of these plants had both solid purple a yellow/purple blooms on the same plant.

Across the road from the thistle was a stand of grass Mom was interested in.  I was fortunate enough to be able to get this shot with the stormy sky as a backdrop.  But I had to get down almost into the ditch to do it.  Oh well, I had planned to get dirty in the garden later on, anyway.

Again, sometimes the simple things are what catch your eye.  Like these blackberry vines growing alongside the road.  Mom said she needed to have Daddy get rid of them, but first she wanted pictures!  She's right, they were pretty.

Mom's azaleas are in full bloom right now.  She has the reblooming kind, the kind with large blossoms.  Mine bloomed a few weeks earlier than hers.  Mine only bloom once, and have very small blossoms covering the plants. 

Some of the irises have started to bloom.  This variety is very tall (3' - 4' tall, maybe a little taller), with slender leaves that look more like grass than the traditional fan of leaves a lot of irises have.  I think this is called a flag iris.  The irises in my grandmother's yard should be blooming soon.  I believe hers came from her sister.   

Another knock out rose.  I finally figured out how to get closeups with my camera.  I had tried to get physically close to the subject, but all I got was blur.  I couldn't seem to get the camera to focus.  I finally discovered that I could back up a good distance, then zoom in 50x - 80x and get a good closeup.  Now I'm excited and want to do everything closeup.  Maybe I really should sit down and read the book that came with the camera...

Wigelia shrub growing in my grandmother's yard.  It's almost bloomed out, and a lot of the blossoms were becoming spotted, but they still made a good subject.

At the privacy fence between my parents' yard and my grandmother's yard sits this church birdhouse.  I couldn't resist the shot -- I love how the spiderwort sets off the gray of the wood.  By the way, my mother planted and takes care of the extensive gardens in BOTH of these yards.  I spend my Saturdays (and my sons when they are with me) helping out during the early months of the year.  After the end of April everything will be pretty much finished until next year.  My Mom is a big fan of perennials (they come back every year) so a lot of what we do is transplant or divide, etc.  The plants do the filling in for themselves.

You know, my sister, Mom, grandmother and I were downtown after church yesterday afternoon.  We went to the Greater Montgomery Home Builders Show (my Dad had a booth for his business).  Once finished, we decided to tour the downstairs of the Renaissance Hotel which opens into the convention center where the GMHBA event was held.  On the walls of the hotel are hung photos and paintings, and collections of fine porcelain, etc.  I noticed under one nature photo this caption: "Designed by Nature".  How about this caption:  "Created by GOD"?

Hope you have a great week and a wonderful Easter this coming Sunday.  Don't forget why we celebrate.  Just like Spring brings all things new, so does a new life in the risen Christ!

Reese
 

BOOK REVIEW: The Matthew 6:33 Piano Teacher

The Matthew 6:33 Piano Teacher:  How to Teach Piano for the Glory of God
Author:  K M Logan
Published 2012

When I was asked by Mrs. K M Logan to review her new e-book The Matthew 6:33 Piano Teacher, I jumped at the chance.  Although I am not a piano teacher, I do enjoy playing the piano.  For me, playing the piano is a form of praise and worship.  Therefore, I was very much interested in reading about teaching methods based on Christian principles.

Where does music come from?  The ability to write, play, read and sing music?  God-given talent plays a large part, but that talent must be cultivated with practice and teaching.  And what better person to teach than a Christian, someone who wants to give all the praise, honor and glory to God, and pass that passion on to their students?  That's what the new e-book, The Matthew 6:33 Piano Teacher by K M Logan, is about.  How do you become the teacher you are meant to be, a teacher who guides, inspires and directs students of all abilities and ages?

Mrs. Logan's well written new e-book gives great ideas, encouragement and advice for someone who thinks they might want to teach piano, or even to those who are already piano teachers.  As you can see by the title of this e-book, this is written from a Christian perspective.  Chapters include "Preliminary Questions", "Business Aspects of Teaching Piano", and "The Piano Studio".  Questions such as where lessons should be taught (your home, your student's home, a studio, etc.), what you should charge, and are you even qualified are all addressed in this book, including some very wise advice concerning protecting yourself from any hint of scandal (you will be teaching students, most often in a private setting).

The Matthew 6:33 Piano Teacher presents great advice that can be used by anyone who chooses to go into business on their own, whatever that field may be.  I highly recommend this easy to read e-book.  Copies may be purchased from Mrs. Logan's website, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

In order to comply with new Federal Trade Commission regulations, please note that this book was provided compliments of the author, K M Logan.