Sunday, September 24th

Spent the day with Mom, Beck, and Da Boys. Yes, they have grown! Went out to eat and the "Sedgwick County" Zoo (Rory made sure we specified which zoo), then had ice cream and played at the "Sedgwick County" Park! Even got to swing.

It's always neat to be that close to a gorilla and to compare how much bigger his head is than mine. That's the first picture below.

It looks like they're winking, but the sun kept hurting their eyes.

Took a lot of pictures just for practice. The more I take, the better I'll get, right?

Chrysalis

This afternoon while I was trimming my catmint, I found this on the ground underneath it! I'm excited because I sometimes see catapillers in my yard, but this is the first time I found a pupa! While looking at the gold and being able to see the wings and all the detail, it reminded me of these Bible verses:

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. Psalms 139:13

Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalms 139:16

The Final Move

Heard a young girl sing a song
To her daughter in her pale arms
Walkin’ through a rainstorm
“Because you’re here my little girl
It’s gonna be a better world”
She turned her face to mine
I saw the answer in her eyes
I shrugged her half a smile and walked away
It made me smile, and it made me think
And now it makes me sing what I believe
Something right went very wrong
But love has been here all along

--some of my favorite lyrics this month by Chris Rice. I'm always looking for some big purpose, but maybe it's more simple...not curing cancer or the common cold. There are other things this song is trying to say, but that's how it spoke to me this month.

Hillsboro Arts and Crafts

This was on September 16th. Heard it was big, and they were right. It took us a few hours to get through the whole thing. It was "only" 91 degrees, so we also purchased a lot of bottled water. In the first picture, Mom is buying a skirt from her favorite clothing lady--a jean skirt made out of old jeans.

Aunt Janice with Mom and some lady in our picture--Check out Aunt Janice's little Baby Jesus creche thingy she's holding!

Aunt Janice and Mom resting--

We had bierocks for lunch, then went to Aunt Janice's where Uncle Bob fixed a good meal (Thanks Uncle Bob!). It was a good day!

Mushrooms Again

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.
Psalms 84:5-7

Butterfly House at Botanica

Sunday, September 3rd

Missed Josh's First B-day, but got to celebrate Mason's Sixth (next-door neighbor). Had a great time! Even got to make a sand castle (or earth lodge) and s'mores. Thanks guys!

Labor Day Reminiscing

Are you in this picture? I'm not, but have been thinking a lot about family this weekend. I wasn't born yet in this one. Finally went through the pictures my mom brought down in May/June. My birth announcement was in the pile, too...I now have proof I was born overweight...10 lbs. 4 oz.

Siblings piece

Finally made something with my favorite pictures of my grandma and some of her siblings. I tied the two pieces of painted board together with rick-rack to make a V so it can sit on a shelf.

Comparisons

Isn't the rose on the right prettier? They are my Lady of Guadelupe Floribunda roses and smell lemony sweet. I love how the back side of the petals is a deeper pink.

Comparing yourself to others can be a good motivator. Other times it can get one in trouble. It's hard not to do. When I compare myself to others I need to remember to have patience and this, too, may pass. But, it may not. Life isn't fair. Other people may be in different stages of their life.

Lord, please give me patience and help me to count my blessings.

We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.
2 Corinthians 10:12

Rabbit Sighting

We sure have enjoyed the rabbits in our yard. They are good exercise for the dog and like to go under our deck. I seem to be able to get closer to them this year.

Nicey-nice things

My mom is always astounded that I don't watch the news regularly. One reason is that not everything on the news is nicey-nice/happy-happy. I figure that if something really big happens, someone will ask me "Did you hear about such and such?" It also may be biased. I've also been teased that I only like nicey-nice movies also. I do watch non-fiction movies with violence, though.

To my defense, I'm more content in my own little world. I do realize that in order for me to make the world a better place I need to know what's going on and reach out to others which is sometimes a struggle. I sometimes love my own little hermit-like existence. But I guess that's not what I'm here for.

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Philippians 4:8 NKJ

FUNGI--It rained last night.

These wild onions are the only other thing that has come up this month besides the surprize lilies. I'm waiting for the obedient plants to bloom which should be soon.

Anatomy Guy Challenge from Assemblage Arts Group

Hot enough for you?

Surprise lilies

The surprise lilies are blooming now. They are sometimes called naked ladies because the leaves come up in the early spring and summer and then disappear. Then the stems come in late summer all "naked".

Lilies are some of my favorite bulbs. This was done during Asiatic lily time, earlier in the summer when I was playing with collage.

My friend Melanie did a painting on a window, and I had to try it. I painted it all on the back side and had to look at the front every once in awhile to see what was taking shape. It was really fun! If I ever find a window for $1 at a garage sale again, I will surely buy it.

This was done this spring.

Art Doll

An art doll done at Mrs. O'Leary's last Saturday. The face is of my Great-Grandma.