I’ve lived in the Deep South all my life… on the same piece of property…and I must admit, I’m quite fond of the place. But, if I had to pick one thing that I don’t like, it would be summertime. It seems that the older I get, the hotter it gets. I don’t have any evidence to support that, so you’ll just have to take my word for it.
Yesterday, all I could think about was how hot it was. Then it occurred to me that last year at this very time, Joel and I were packing for Alaska, where we found lows in the forties and highs around sixty.
I thought about how nice it was

to walk barefoot along the beaches of Cook Inlet, and

stand in awe of snow capped volcanoes.
I thought about the house

on the peaceful shores of Daniels Lake, where we could easily find the bathroom in the middle of the night, because it never got dark.

I thought about Mom and Minx, and how Mom just lets me make myself at home.
I thought about how nice it was to sit in the dirt

and pull weeds while rocking a wool shirt…IN JUNE.
And I wished that I was there. And I would be…if it weren’t for those blasted mosquitoes.

Wednesday morning,

Piper and I made the drive to

Tamp and Grind, the starting point for our weekly field trips.
We were the first ones in our party to arrive, so we passed the time by making conversation with those who frequent the place. There was one little girl

that Piper kissed,

and made VERY happy. So if he doesn’t work as a therapy dog, maybe he can try politics.
Along with Nancy, we were to rendezvous with

Cookie, and her human,

Stephanie.
Not only are Piper and Cookie in the therapy dog program, they both have a little trouble keeping their mouths shut around other dogs. So, in order to remedy that,

we just threw them in the ring together. And, it worked pretty well.

Piper wanted Cookie to play in the worst way, but when that didn’t happen,

he turned his attention to Stephanie.
We plan to get Piper and Cookie together again…and then again…because they say the third time is a charm.

Some spaces in time are very brief, lasting only a moment. If we ‘re not paying attention, they they will slip away.
Others can be revisited, but each experience will always be different.
And some spaces in time last for a season, never to be repeated. Embrace them, for they are rare. Take notes. Take pictures. But most of all, take time to make memories.
Don’t ignore the little things, for when it’s all said and done, it’s those little things we struggle so hard to remember.

Join me on Wednesday, July 2, in “A SPACE IN TIME”. (As the time draws closer, I’ll give directions on how to get there.)

Pat Garrett was asked if he was nervous when he shot and killed Billy the Kid in the dark. “No,” he answered. “A fellow with nerves wouldn’t last long in the business I’m in.”
As far as I’m concerned,

that goes for the hog hunting business also.

But Phil…well, he’s kinda like Pat Garrett. He’s been following pig trails and trying to get in the heads of those ‘nosy’ nighttime share croppers.

Then, he catches them in snares and hauls them out one at a time.
We got to watch Phil work his magic the other day.

He gets a hold of those things, throws them, kneels down on them,

hobbles them so they can’t walk, and carries them to the truck.

The whole process was worth watching…from afar of course. And the one who got the biggest kick out of watching that ‘nassy pig’ get what was coming to it was

the girl next door.

The writer of Hebrews encourages us to show hospitality to strangers, because, without knowing it, some people have entertained angels. Just the thought of that will keep you on your toes. But, all too often, we don’t take the time to really enjoy and get to know those who choose to visit us…no matter what species of created beings they are.
I’ve got this jar on the porch that I planted moss in…

just because I like moss.
Well, Sunday, when we got home from church,

there was a katydid perched inside that jar. I’m not sure when it showed up, but it stayed till dark. Katydids are more often heard than seen,

so since it saw fit to stop by, I decided to get to know the thing. Now, there are some interesting characters who stop by here,

but most of them don’t have sticky pads on their feet.
We tend to assume that most creatures are put together pretty much like us humans. We forget that although God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow…He is NOT dull, and likes to mix things up a bit.
Come to find out, my little green visitor

sings with his wings. Its ears are on its front legs instead of the side of its head. And,

the little booger breathes through ten tiny holes on each side of its body, and each one of those tiny holes has tiny nose hairs. When it inhales and exhales, you can actually see its abdomen expand and contract.
I’ve gotta tell ya…that’s the first time I’ve ever watched a bug breathe.

Saturday before last, Engeline Tan showed up at our house.

When she shows up, she’s usually dragging a few more folks along with her. She’s kinda like a little Siamese cat that appears on your doorstep bearing gifts. Only Engeline is Chinese/Indonesian born in Holland and lives in Houston. The gifts are very nice and interesting people who are not from this country.
We met Engeline when she worked for Chevron. But now,

she’s a freelance photographer.
The last time she blew through,

she brought us Ad and Monique, two delightful individuals from Holland.
This time she brought two of her cousins…

Melonie, a neurologist in Leeuwarden, and

Lloyd, a student and musician from Delft.
Thank goodness they spoke English! (In addition to at least three other languages.)
Engeline had brought them to Louisiana to see New Orleans and the bayou country, and somehow we got put on the tour. I was glad. Engeline and her entourage are always fun … and full of information. For instance, did you know that Indonesian people

sit like this a lot? Yep. It’s real convenient…they just sit on their calves. Engeline said the only problem is that when you get older, sitting like that cuts your blood off. So, it’s probably better that I can’t do it.
The trio stayed the night.

Sunday morning, we enjoyed enjoyed a late breakfast together, and were able to get in a little more visiting before

they had to head back to Houston.
Engeline has a thing for fresh eggs,

so we sent a few home with her…..and asked to be included on their next tour.

Wednesday last, Piper, Nancy and I went on another field trip. As in the past,

we met at Tamp and Grind. The object was for Piper

to work on his social skills, a task which involved him sitting

and letting people pet him.

He actually did very well, but did not seem to understand why this nice lady didn’t pay him any mind

when she came back out of the coffee shop.
Next, we went to a senior living community called

Emeritus. This was a serious test for the boy, and I was a little nervous. It’s a good chance that the stars were all aligned for a whale of a Maalox moment, but Piper came through hands down…

on top of his head…

on the back of his head…

behind his ear…

over his eyes…

on each side of his face…

and under his chin. THAT’S MY BOY!

Last year two chicken nests were sufficient. But now, since I have more girls,

things have become a little crowded.
I’m not very well versed on the ins and outs of egg laying. I’m not sure if they sit there and work one up, or if it just hits them and they think, “Oh my, I’d better get to a nest”. If the latter is the case,

then these girls were in a bind.
I feel certain that this

is a result of one of them thinking ahead. She probably figured that if she could pull this off, then the next day she wouldn’t have to fight the crowd.
So, I hurriedly threw together additional nesting space. This one has no divisions, but I figured it would do the trick…I mean, it’s better than all that waiting in line.

Then, I’ll have time to work on a whole row of individual stalls…with a top. The trouble with a nest that has no top is that it doubles for a roost, and that leads to a mess.
But, as Doris Day would say:
Que sera sera
Whatever they do they do
You just have to scoop out the pooh
Que sera sera

On Wednesday, July 2, I will begin publishing an additional blog called

My favorite songwriter, Michael Card, says that we are part of eternity stranded in time. I like that. The thing is, even though we are stranded in time, time doesn’t stand still. With all of our busyness, we let precious moments and potential memories pass us by, all because we fail to take the time to make a space in time for that magic to happen.
“A SPACE IN TIME” documents my personal journey to create and embrace spaces where relationships are strengthened, life is savored, imaginations roam free, and memories are made.
I would love to have you join me on my journey.

Yesterday evening Josie and I hung out while the rest of her bunch went to karate. We picked squash

and she helped me wash it,

and get it ready to bake.

We petted bunnies,

and sailed through the air in the pink swing.

And we drew horses on the chalk board.
Then, after she went home, I took a bath. Now, normally I wouldn’t mention such a thing. You see, we have four bathrooms, but only one of them has a tub. And it is gearing up to be remodeled…and can’t be used.
Soooo, I washed out this

galvanized tub and fixed it so I could have me a bath.

I ran some hot water in it…

and waited. Then, just as day was surrendering to night, I settled into the lavender infused, shoulder deep water, sipped an Italian cream soda, watched the flickering candle flames, and listened to a whippoorwill. I’m not sure I remember EVER enjoying a bath this much.