Manatees and alligators and herons, oh, my!

After dropping Trey at the airport, we made a day trip to Blue Springs to see the manatees. We were told last night that someone that day had seen 8 or 10, but we were amazed and pleased to see many more than that! There are numerous springs in Central Florida where millions of gallons (in this case 100 million) of fresh water come from underground each day. The manatees are attracted to such places when the rivers turn cool; the springs are a consistent 72 degrees year round. The water is crystal clear and beautiful. (The air temp was great today, too. After a brief cold snap, the air was in the low 70s with a gentle breeze.)

We also saw, for the first time since moving to Florida, a couple of alligators. Here's a shot of one (on the far bank, thankfully).

And comfortably preening itself in a tree was this large bird, a heron, I think. (I'm not very informed yet about Florida flora and fauna.)

Tomorrow I think we may see some more animals of the domesticated kind: human sized mice and dogs, and probably some fantasy creatures like princesses, too. Can you guess where we're headed?

Toto, we're not in Jersey anymore!

Yesterday was mostly quiet, just four of us opening packages, lazing around, baking cookies, eating brisket and fudge. UNTIL . . . I checked the weather forecast, intending to call Lisa to tell her what clothing to pack. What?!! Tornadoes in the area? To our northwest, south, headed right for us! Off went the Christmas music! On went the TV! By the time we were aware that we might need to take shelter, the immediate threat was past. But folks in our area were in need of prayer. And tornadoes (tornado-like winds) did property damage in towns all around - to our west, south, east. It was fascinating in a "deer-in-the-headlights" sort of way to watch the television show rotating cloud readings as they moved past.

Our first Christmas Day in Florida won't be forgotten.

Lisa and her family and my parents are enroute to Florida. The weather has cooled, from highs in the 80s and humid to highs in the 60s and drier. What do we have planned? Tomorrow: meet David and Malia Carden (from Tennessee; we know them from New Jersey and Camp Manatawny. They are visiting Malia's family in Tampa) for breakfast probably at Cracker Barrel. Open gifts and eat turkey and trimmings meal, Bible class tomorrow night. Thursday: take Trey to the airport (bye, 3, sniff, sniff) and see manatees or Shuttle. Friday or Saturday: Disney's Magic Kingdom. Sunday Dad preaches in Kissimmee, Bob in Mount Dora, Lisa and family head home.

Then Loni and I have yet another week off from teaching to enjoy!! Yippee!

How Jersey are you?

Family, this one is for you!

You Are 66% New Jersey!

You've definitely got some Jersey in you. Congratulations, it's a great thing to be. However you're score could certainly be a lot higher!

How New Jersey Are You?
Make Your Own Quiz

And Tracy, you got me started - I was reading the old posts I missed in your blog! It's your fault I'm addicted. Must log off now, must bake, must wrap, must clean, um, maybe just one more quiz . . . .

113 of me!

HowManyOfMe.com

There are: 113 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

DVD - Invincible (Go Eagles!)

If you haven't seen Invincible yet, rent, borrow or buy it soon. It is a really good, feel-good movie! (And we enjoyed the Philadelphia Eagles connection, too . . . .) It's a Disney movie, rated PG with no language or situations to be wary of (well, in one scene the kissing couple moves into the front door of a rowhouse together, but nothing further is implied; and many of the scenes are in a bar where the character and his buddies hang out and he works part time).

Fern & Jerry Hill

Today is the 50th anniversary celebration of two very special people, Fern and Jerry Hill, founders of Timothy Hill Children's Ranch.

Jerry and Fern are widely and well-known in our fellowship and beyond, true and loving servants of the Lord and His kingdom. They established the Ranch in memory of their firstborn son who had a dream of opening a children's home/ranch for children and who was killed in an accident while still a child. Not only have the Hills established this ranch and are passing the torch to their sons, they teach and encourage on Long Island, NY and throughout the country.

They have been friends and encouragers of ours since our early years in New Jersey (wow! We have been privileged to know them for 25 years!) If you don't know them or the Ranch, check out the web site http://www.timothyhillranch.org/. Fern's book, Graduation to Glory, about Timothy's short but influential life, could be a manual for raising children. Fern and Jerry are wonderful speakers, together or apart. Fern is one of the most hospitable people I know, and I think Jerry remembers everyone he's ever met. These are incredible people, and I'm grateful for how they've touched my family's lives.

(These pictures are from the Ranch website, borrowed without permission. I was visiting the site today and discovered that today is the celebration. I just had to share this with you. I love these folks!)

Joseph's mite

One of the first members we met, and anyone meets, at Mount Dora is Joseph. Mount Dora has official greeters every week who rotate in the duty, but Joseph is "on duty" every week with an outstretched hand, a big smile, and a slightly garbled "Hi." I don't know how old Joseph is; it's hard to tell. His speech is hard to understand. He rides a bike to and from worship and is there whenever the doors are open. I ask him how he is and he shrugs a little and says, "Some pain." Truth is, he's in pain pretty much all the time, but (perhaps because he's one of society's fringe folk) he doesn't get much attention for it. He has some sort of job, I think, but it doesn't provide much. The folks here at MD are more aware of Joseph's needs so I haven't been too nosey. But the reason I write about him is because of something that occurred tonight.

I saw him this morning bringing grocery bags of wrapped gifts into the foyer. I didn't know what that was all about but didn't feel the "need to know" - maybe not my business. But tonight I saw him carrying some and offered to help him carry them wherever he was taking them. He accepted my offer to help and asked me to read the labels to tell him who they were for. As I assisted, I began to understand that Joseph had brought these gifts for the members. Each grocery bag contained one or more individually wrapped, tagged, and bowed gifts for various members of the church here. What? How did Joseph earn the money to buy whatever was in these bags? How did he buy and transport them to his home (by bicycle)? Who helped him wrap and label (and read the names from the directory?) each gift? (I know he has friends in the community who assist him in various ways as folks from the church do.) Some recipients, with a gentle, grateful smile, called him Santa Joseph. Soon it was time for worship and I excused myself to take my seat. He thanked my afterwards for my help.

I am reminded of the widow's mite. From my abundance, I have purchased and will wrap, bow, and label gifts for my family. I tried to stay within my budget, but I didn't have to sacrifice financially to give to my loved ones. From his limited means, Joseph gifted his spiritual family. I'm sure he sacrificed, but I sensed in him a quiet joy to have an opportunity to give. The modern day widow's mite. Something to think about.

Who Knew?

Snow in Florida - Who knew . . . that there would be snow in Mount Dora, Florida? Yes, there is snow in Mount Dora, Florida - trucked in from elsewhere, I've been told. On Saturday, area children had the opportunity to sled and slide on snow in Donnelly Park, the center of Mount Dora. And when Loni and I were at Curves this afternoon (Monday), looking out the window toward the park, children were still digging and making snowballs from the remnants, which is totally amazing considering that it was in the high 70s here today! (These are pictures of the park, but not of the snow. Floridians really decorate for Christmas, but hey, it's warm out. Perfect weather for spending hours decorating outside, and you need all these lights and decorations to enhance the holiday mood. I just wish I had a photo of that roof with those flamingos pulling the sleigh!)

Yes, today I had the windows open in the house and the car windows down, even this evening, and it was great! This is my kind of weather! Yeah! Oh . . . um . . . sorry to those of you in colder climes, um, you can boast next summer about your perfect weather while I'm sweltering in 90s and 90% humidity, okay? Just let me revel in this while I can, please? This is my trade-off for the four seasons and missing leaves and snow (from inside the warm house) and spring and reasonable summers. So, I'm going to enjoy it while it's here! Who knew?

Garbage Disposers - Who knew . . .that pasta is bad, bad, bad for garbage disposers? Who knew . . .that unclogging the sink clogged by pasta could be such an ordeal? Who knew . . . that fruit pits and grapefruit rinds are good for garbage disposers? Who knew . . . that you should run the (cold!) water for a minute after all the food was disposed of? Who knew . . . I could reach middle age (ahem) and not know how to operate a garbage disposer? Our landlords warned us when we moved in not to put grease in it, but that was a far as the instruction went. I told them that we had never used one! My mother told me that grapefruit finds were good for it. I knew to use cold water. But my knowledge and instruction were lacking!! Cleaning out the fridge last night, at bedtime, I thought, "Pasta is nice and soft, perfect through the disposer." NOT! First went the pasta, no problemo. Followed by the sauce, problemo!! Sinkful of tomato sauce/water - yuck! And who knew . . . that my husband could get it unclogged this morning and still leave for work before 8am?! What a guy! (Okay, okay, so he, the cabinet floor, and the kitchen rug got sprayed with chopped up pasta, and I got to clean the cabinet liner and replace the undersink contents and wash the rug and mop the floor before I went food shopping. However, the pipes and sink were clear, the kitchen cleaner than before the incident, and I learned some valuable lessons!) Who knew?

Christmas preparations in Florida

Hanging the lights - Sorry, Lis, that you're freezing in Virginia. We hung the lights today and I got a bit of sunburn. It was so nice today although it was chilly yesterday, by Florida standards. Yesterday was in the 50s and windy; I wasn't really dressed for the chill. Today was back to warmer temps. This morning Loni and I wore jackets to Curves, long sleeves late morning to buy our Christmas tree (see below), and switched to short sleeves to put up the house lights in the afternoon. It was probably in the high 60s or even low 70s. I'm liking Florida weather! Sounds nice to y'all, too, doesn't it? Down here they wear winter jackets, gloves and scarves in weather like yesterday's and this morning's. We probably will in a few years, too. Today, in between other tasks, I even did a little weeding and planting. I planted a poinsettia in the front flower bed. Lowe's is selling hanging baskets still. The downside of this still warm weather is that the wasps are still making nests, too; Bob had to spray in the eaves so he didn't get attacked.

It's always "fun" (a bit of sarcasm in the voice - hear it?) to hang the lights. I understand why some folks leave them up year-round. They are so pretty, though, that it's worth the trouble. We plugged them all in first indoors and thought we had way more than we needed. Not so! Just enough. Our previous house was a ranch style house; this one has gables which Bob had fun going up and down and all around! He's such a good sport.

Buying the tree - There are tree farms in central Florida, but we have a particular kind of tree we like that doesn't grow in Florida (or New Jersey), Frasier Fir. (They are the softest needled trees with pretty strong branches and arranged nicely for ornaments to hang well.) They sell cut ones at the local tree farm, but they sell them at the Publix grocery store, too, and at Lowe's, both around the corner. Why go all the way to a tree farm to buy a cut tree when you don't have to? We settled on Lowe's.

Finding a place for a tree in our house - There really is no place for a tree in our house. I measured and moved and removed furniture. I discovered that IF I moved a chair from one corner (by a doorway, the only doorway into the computer room; we could block it if we were willing to go in and out through the window!) to another spot where there's room for it (but not really), and IF we could find really skinny tree, it would fit in that corner. We did. It's taller than any tree we've ever had and very slender. It's not bad. I'll try to post a pic after it's decorated. For such a lean tree it's really quite full.

Fresh Florida fruit - Last week I told you about the just picked strawberries we bought, and this week I ate a grapefruit from a tree in our back yard! (It wasn't so sweet, but I think it was the variety of grapefruit and how fun to eat one right off the tree.)

A wreath for the car - While at Lowe's I bought a wreath to hang on the front of the van. Loni thinks this is quite weird. (I should have listed this as one of my weirdnesses!) While I was in the house hunting for wire, Loni and Bob hid it, messing with my grey head. (I'm going to retaliate by sneaking wreaths on Loni's Eclipse and Bob's pickup! Sh! Don't tell!)

More to come? I'll post more Florida Christmas prep as events occur, if they're interesting. I wish I could post that we watched the shuttle launch. We could have watched it! We tried Wednesday night but it was scrubbed. We forgot that it was rescheduled for tonight. And apparently the nighttime launches are pretty cool. We did see a rocket launch last month. The shuttle is said to be much more spectacular.

Have a wonderful Lord's day!

Tagged! Weird, who me?

So Lisa passed this along to Bob who tagged me (and Loni and Trey both posted their weirdness, too). But I checked out Malia's (who tagged Lisa) and she called it a meme. I didn't understand Wikepedia's definition, so I'm still not sure what a meme is.

1. My idea of cleaning includes reorganizing. It is hard for me just to clean and not reorganize in some way, trying to improve how things fit and look in my house. I like to organize and to be organized, although you couldn't tell it sometimes from my house and personal spaces.

2. Christmas music - must start playing it the day after Thanksgiving, or even the afternoon of Thanksgiving. Trey must have inherited this from me because he was complaining before Thanksgiving that I wasn't playing it yet. I have, hmm, how many CDs of Christmas music? (more than I can listen to in the brief season between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Just counted - that would be 40!) and must add to the collection each year. Which reminds me . . . haven't purchased any yet this year and it's December 2nd! I usually buy the Hallmark Christmas CD for sure but don't plan to this year. Not an artist I care for.

3. I hate getting a haircut because it never is what I want (except way back when my friend Teri cut it. Loni and I would drive 2 hours back to north Jersey for Teri to cut our hair!). I have a great hair, hair lots of women would love to have and often comment on (today it was a stranger in the Panera Bread bathroom). It's thick and wavy and graying gracefully, but I rarely manage to get a cut that works with my hair. Right now it is way past needing a cut but the last one was so bad that I dread trying it again! Gotta make that appointment (um, not tomorrow, it's Sunday, and not Monday, they're all closed, but Tuesday!! gotta remember to do it!).

4. I love the outdoors, if the temperature is right. I love being outdoors when the weather is nice (60s, 70s, 80s with no humidity) and there are no mosquitoes. I like strolling/shopping outdoors, walking outdoors, easy hiking outdoors, even weeding and yardwork outdoors if (the big if) the temperature is right. My idea of sightseeing/vacationing is outdoors walking rather than driving or being indoors. Beach, mountains, plains, canyons. Fresh air and the beauty of nature. I prefer having windows open, rather than AC or heat, if it's nice outside. So Florida might work out after all (hehe -- if I just stay indoors from May to October).

5. Like Lisa, I love to read, esp. fiction. (It took her and her siblings a long time to catch this from me!) I can get so lost in a book that it affects my mood. If the characters aren't getting along or the main character is unhappy, and I have to stop reading at that point, that's the mood I'm in, for a while at least. I read a lot and I read quickly, but I don't remember details of what I've read. Loni is much better at recalling plot details. I can hardly remember the title or characters in a book when I move onto another. Another reading weirdness about me is that if I want to learn something, I'm much more likely to get a book or look it up on the internet than take a class, watch a video, or ask someone to teach me. If, after I get a teaching job someday, Lord willing, I have the opportunity to continue my education, I really should pursue something about reading - teaching reading or doing media science.

6. I'm a picky eater. I don't like cheese, watermelon, mayonnaise, lima beans, sweet potatoes, any soda except cola non-diet, coffee. a long list! The reason I like to cook is so that I can cook what I like, the way I like it. I love chocolate but I'm selective: Hershey's, M&Ms, Milky Way Midnight - the cheap stuff. No Godiva for me! I only like some chocolate cakes and brownies, so I'll usually decline if I didn't prepare them. I like to travel and would have liked to be a missionary, but food would have been a problem. I rarely taste anything I don't recognize at potlucks. Sorry, friends.

I'm sure my family would have listed other weirdness about me, but these are what occur to me to which I'll admit.

Florida PLUS!

Plus! Fresh strawberries, picked this morning here in Florida, bought at a road-side stand, in December! (They were kind of bruised up, though. I've been told you can pick your own around here, but I haven't seen a sign inviting me to pick some. Maybe if I pick my own, they won't be so bruised. It's pretty bad to pay $12 for half a flat and have each one be bruised more than a little. But they sure are SWEET!)

Negative - Florida doesn't do good tomatoes. We moved from Jersey just as Jersey tomatoes were getting ripe and I MISSED IT! Boo hoo. I keep buying tomatoes from the stands around and they're just almost ripe and I think they come from TN or someplace, but not from here.

Plus (if you like grapefruit) - FL has good ones and they're just getting ripe. We have a grapefruit tree in our backyard and they will soon be ripe (I think).

Negative, maybe - I'll be checking this out soon. There are Christmas tree farms but the descriptions of the trees don't sound like any Christmas trees I've ever seen. We shall see . . . . soon.

Plus - putting up Christmas lights in shirt-sleeves. Negative - haven't done it yet. Bob was sick on Thursday, his day off, and it was drizzling when we got home this afternoon, Bob from his retreat and Loni and me from shopping.

Thankful Thursday

I've read on others' blogs that some blog "Thankful Thursday," a nod to Thanksgiving and a way of expressing profound and ongoing thanksgiving to the Father, Son, and Spirit for countless blessings. So I thought it appropriate to start the same on THE thankful Thursday. I'll start with Abraham Lincoln's words (borrowed from Malia) proclaiming the first national Thanksgiving observance:

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle, or the ship; the axe had enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years, with large increase of freedom.No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

(Lincoln had such a gift verbal expression!)

I'm thankful for:

my family (loving husband, Bob; daughter, Loni and son, Trey, who are home with us today; Dad and Mom, who drove the long hours from North Carolina to be here today, too; daughter, Lisa, son via Lisa's marriage Dan, grandsons Nathaniel, Jeremy, and Derek)

extended family in California, New Jersey and Texas

our new church family in Mount Dora who has been so gracious, loving, accepting and has become so dear

our church family throughout the world, especially in Tabernacle (miss you!) and Randolph, New Jersey

holidays, especially the winter ones

God the Father's sacrifice of His precious Son; Christ my Savior's willingness to die so that I can live in fellowship with Them forever; the Holy Spirit Who indwells me, comforts me, guides me

for my relationship with the Godhead Who brought me/us through the most painful year of my life so far with grace, peace, patience, and assurance (and support, too, from His Body)

Trey's here!

Trey arrived safely from Harding. We met Katelin briefly. We've enjoyed a good visit so far, showing him the local sights and going to the movies last night (Bond - Casino Royale - best Bond so far, although I would have preferred it without the torture scene). The church enjoyed meeting the "phantom" son, and we've enjoyed stories of his Europe experience. Today after worship we had a leisurely (i.e. slow) meal at Outback. The weather is very cool for Florida - 60s daytime, low 50s or maybe 40s at night. Sorry, Trey, hopefully there will be warmer weather at the end of the week when we go to Universal.

Gotta defrost the turkey tomorrow and mail a birthday card for Bob's mom's birthday. Loni is looking forward to a 2-day week! Oh, and it's time to get serious about Christmas shopping!!

Church connections

Tonight Bob and I were blessed with several instances of church interconnectedness; you know, where you meet someone in the church who knows someone you know . . . .

First instance: we attended the fund-raising chicken dinner at the Mount Dora Bible School. Susan Jenkins does public relations for the School and Home (and she's perfect for the job, an outgoing sweetheart!). Bob teased her about her accent, and she commented that she was a Texas girl. Me, too, I said (although my Texas connection is long ago, birth to about 12). She was from Ft. Worth. Dallas, I said. As we chatted, she said that she went to Fort Worth Christian School. Did she know Garland Johnson, I asked. Yes, and she knows the Jordan family, too. I explained that the Johnsons and Jordans were part of the Exodus Burlington Massachusetts church planting my family was part of in 1967. Garland Johnson was her PE teacher (after the Johnsons moved back to Fort Worth). Pam and Janelle Jordan were my age; we were in youth group together. Pam and Janelle, after their family's return to Fort Worth, went to school with Susan and are her age, too. She and I were friends with the same people at almost the same time. Small world in the Lord's church!

After the chicken dinner, there was a Southeast Gospel Hymn Sing (southeast of what? Well, I'm not sure. I think maybe Miami just might be further southeast in the US than we are. I need to inquire further on this topic). Anywho . . .

Second instance: a lady sat down in front of us, introduced herself, said she'd been looking for Bob and Pat Bliss. Her daughter knew us from working at camp or something. Well, she is Malia Carden's (http://maliakcarden.blogspot.com/) mother, Diane Ramsey. We know Malia from working together at Camp Manatawny in Pennsylvania. (She is married to David and they live in Tennessee. David grew up in New Jersey -- another connection, my dad was one of the ministers of his home church, Garretson Road/Bridgewater. Because of David's Manatawny history, he brings his wife and children to work at Manatawny each summer.) Malia's parents live in Tampa, and they came to Mount Dora for the singing. When Diane told Malia where they were going to be tonight, Malia said, "Look for my friends" or something like that.

BTW, Malia's father sang with a quartet during the evening - fabulous! (Our acappella singing group in Tabernacle, One Voice, called itself One Voice because that was our goal, to sing as "one voice." We didn't quite. This group does! And their harmony - Ramona, you'd be envious!)

Third instance (a little long and convoluted - try to follow along): one of the group, Rick Bonk, led singing for a good bit of the time we were present. He's got a great voice and led a bunch of my favorites, including "Days of Elijah." While introducing Rick to the group, James Moore from the Bible school mentioned that Rick's children were enroute from Harding. My antenna went up. Okay, a lot of Harding kids are enroute to various areas, including parts of Florida, and including this very region, tonight for Thanksgiving break. Trey, our son who is enroute tonight from Harding, is traveling to Florida (for the first time) with his girlfriend Kate (we don't know her last name yet) and with her friends, a married couple. What are the chances? Could they possibly be traveling together? Rick tells us that his two children traveling home are his daughter and son-in-law. Could it be? Further inquiry from us to Rick - anyone traveling home with your daughter and sil? Hmmm, a girl - yeah, her name is Kate, and - yup! her boyfriend, our son Trey!

Three instances of the Lord's small, small world in one night! Too fun! (Oh, and I almost forgot, Malia's cousin and wife worship with our daughter, Lisa, and her family in Blacksburg, VA. Make that four!) What a family is the Lord's church!

Speaking of the Lord's church, allow me to digress. I've been thinking about "the church of Christ" and how to regard it as something other than a denomination. "We" in the church of Christ claim that we're not a denomination, but we use the name "church of Christ" (big C, little c, which one is correct?) as a title even while arguing that it's not a title and suggest that it's the only correct name even while admitting that there are other names used in the New Testament. Here's a thought. How about, in our conversation with each other, just calling it the church (italics for emphasis)? You know, the Roman Catholics refer to their organization as "the church," and I believe they're incorrect in that claim. THE church is the one Christ established, the one which "we" try to be, and the one whose pattern we attempt to follow. What would it do to our attitude and mindset if we called ourselves, thought of ourselves as, simply, the church? And maybe it would generate conversation with others, church and unchurched. Just a thought. Ponder it. Comments welcome, requested.

Why do they call them whirlwind trips?

Because of the brevity of our time away, I refer to it as a whirlwind trip, but it was anything but. Mostly it was just slogging along the interstates. Loni and I spent more time on the road, I think, than visiting with family. I don't think we'll try such a long (1400 miles) trip for such a brief stay again any time soon, unless it's for a VERY good reason (like I needed a GRANDCHILD FIX!!).

We left Florida Thursday night (destination Christiansburg, VA) and added quite a bit of time to our first evening by stopping too many times to "see if this exit has an Olive Garden." Finally found one, but it was very busy. Although we enjoyed the meal, we got to the motel at nearly 11 instead of 8 or 9. Consequently, we did not get up on Friday until 7 am and, since we needed a couple of books on tape to make the miles pass, Cracker Barrel seemed the only logical alternative for breakfast. (We listened to a great book, BTW -- The Halfmoon Detective Agency -- adolescent lit, fun read!)

When we arrived in Virginia, we hung out in the great yard at Dan and Lisa's nice, new (to them, this past summer) house, welcomed Nathan off the bus (big boy kindergartner!), celebrated Derek's 2nd birthday (read about this sweet boy in Lisa's blog), ate a yummy dinner (thanks, Lisa), and watched Cars until after first Derek, then Jeremy and Nathan fell asleep. On Saturday we hung out, went to Sonic (family favorite!) for lunch, then to Walmart and Target, of course. Back to their house for hanging out and another yummy dinner and then left to drive to Charlotte to spend the night at the folks'.

We drove through the Blue Ridge mountains in the dark in a blinding, pouring thunderstorm (I thought any minute lightning would strike the car or we'd get washed off the mountain!). The rain was heavy enough for high speed windshield wipers nearly the whole way, and I got cramped fingers and a backache from gripping the steering wheel so hard and instinctively leaning forward trying to see through the deluge. We probably should have stopped to spend the night, but thankfully, God kept us and those around us safe.

Sunday morning we woke up in the folks' nice new house to sparkling sunshine and beautiful foliage, drove to worship with Dad and Mom, ate at a local buffet, and drove the many hours and miles home. (Lisa Scottoline, this time - interesting story and a good distraction, but wish she would clean up the language and, ahem, other things which are somehow worse to listen to than the skim in the text. Glad for fast forward on the CD deck. Don't recommend this one for these reasons.)

Loni and I were wishing that Mapquest would somehow calculate in some time for obligatory fueling and potty breaks. The trip took much longer than calculated and expected! We were glad to drive up Tremont Drive and park in our own driveway (and we know to add a couple of hours to the trip for slow traffic and those necessary breaks).

It has taken me two days to recover (Loni had to go right back to work Monday morning but there were no sub jobs Monday or Tuesday - thank you, Father). We both agree that a longer stay is a must to balance the rigors of this trip next time. And I think Bob won't let us go without him next time, either! (Thanks, sweetie, for letting the gals make this trip without you.)

November Weather Trade Off

Okay, I discovered the trade-off to yesterday's wonderful weather: a cold front passed through today and brought the threat of tornados! While we weren't immediately threatened, it was a little disconcerting to face this kind of severe weather in November. So, just to set the record straight - even November weather in Florida isn't perfect. (We needed the rain, though -- our gauge measured 1 1/4 inches.)

Sidenote - I left the windows wide open when I left for work this morning. Good thing the kitchen has tile floors and the windowsill is marble instead of wood. This house doesn't have the wide eaves and gutters that our NJ "parsonage" did, so I'll have to be more cautious. Other rooms weren't so dramatically affected, even the computer room, thankfully.

Loni and I are headed for Virginia and North Carolina Thursday for a 3-day weekend. We'll have to dig out the winter clothes, I guess! (Clean, but wrinkled.) I will actually have to wear socks and shoes other than sandals or Crocs!

Florida Trade-Offs 2

I'm not sure there's any down side to tonight's trade-off. Wiener and marshmallow roast, sunset bonfire, and softball and kickball games in t-shirts in November!

Today was Friends and Family Day at the Mount Dora church - after morning services we traveled (a whole 15 minute drive!) to Central Florida Bible Camp for a potluck (I estimate that there were about 130 there for lunch), afternoon games indoors and out, a devotional service (indoors), a bonfire/wiener roast and smores, and a hayride. The last part of the event was at the fire circle by the lake just after sunset. Sandhill cranes and a heron (I think) were on the lake. Horses grazed in the field by the home on the hill overlooking the lake. The camp is nestled under long leaf pines and pin oaks. It was a lovely day.

On an interesting side-note concerning our new location and our first Halloween here: our previous homes have been "parsonages" beside or near the church building, not in neighborhoods. This is the first time we've lived in a neighborhood (and it's a very nice one, too). We had been warned about Halloween - no, not pranks, but the crowds. We currently live in a neighborhood desirable to trick-or-treaters. People bring carloads of children from other areas to visit. I think, based on how much candy I bought vs. left over that we had about 150-200 kids. Whew! It was hard to even take bites of dinner between doorbell rings. A couple of the kids recognized me as a substitute teacher they had had. That was fun. (No, they weren't from the neighborhood here . . . .)

Dinner interrupted by doorbell reminds me of another Halloween treat we received: long-time friends, Bill and Margaret Stockman, whom we haven't seen in over ten years, stopped by for a visit on their way from their Kentucky home to their winter digs in Ft. Lauderdale. I managed not to poison Margaret (she has life-threatening allergies to additives like MSG which are hidden in many foods) so it looks like they'll return when they pass through again in the spring. We look forward to that.

That's another unexpected plus to living here: in the 3 1/2 months we've been here, we've had three families/couples visit us from our previous congregations. Fun! Our door is open. Come on by.

Call or email us to book your stay in our guestroom, and have a great week.

Trials and Tribulations of a Sub

. . . sub as in guest teacher, that is, not sub-human, although I feel like it sometimes.

Today was one of those days. One good thing (think positively, Pat, not negatively!) was that I don't have to return to their classroom tomorrow. Oops, that's not really a "whatever is lovely, etc." perspective, is it?

It started out so well. I was returning to a classroom with children I'd subbed with on a previous occasion, for two days, and had pretty good days. The first child into the room, a boy, said, "Mrs. Bliss!" and threw his arms around me for a hug, and then repeated the hug. Gonna be a great day, I thought.

Same child (related to Jekyl/Hyde?) got cross-ways with another student mid-morning and threw a temper tantrum, kicking his backpack and pushing his books off his desk across the aisle. Whoa! Without going into details, his actions and comments of other students (Mrs. X lets him do that) made me tread lightly, trying not to further exacerbate his anger. I try to do everything possible myself to avoid having to send a student to the office. In 13+ years, I've only sent 2 or 3. So I tried to ignore his attitude and continue instruction. (If looks could kill, I might not be blogging this.)

At lunchtime I passed through the teacher's lounge; Mrs. X told me that the other grade level teachers had been complimenting me from my previous visit to her class. (We'd gone on a field trip and they'd observed me with the students.) She told the others, "She wants to be a teacher," and another kindly commented that I was SO ready. Huh! I returned to the classroom for my lunchbox and then went back to the lounge to get the Mrs. X's advice concerning Jekyl/Hyde. "Oh, is he misbehaving for you? He hasn't done that for a while. I'm so sorry. Use such-and-such form from my desk and send him to the office if you need to." Ok, I felt better prepared. If I needed to, I would send him this afternoon and not feel like a failure.

After lunch, the assistant principal stopped in and asked how things are going. Okay, I said, except for J/H. "Send him to the office if you need to." But J/H's behavior had improved (probably because he saw my quiet conversation with Mr. AP?). Then Mrs. X popped in and called him out of the room. Good, she'll have a chat with him. But he didn't return for most of the afternoon. Hmm. Then, when he returned, he tells other students, with a big smile on his face, that he was playing a writing game on the computer next door! What!? He got rewarded??!!

Now, I want you to know that the rest of the class was mostly cooperative and sweet, if too chatty during transitions. Even J/H had his sweet side. Perhaps Mrs. X does everything she can to keep Jekyl in the classroom and Hyde out, even if it means jollying him along and bribing (er, persuading) him with special treatment. And I know there's more to this situation than what I see on the surface and I'm not privy to it, so I'll try to reserve judgment and be better prepared next time I go into this classroom.

I am grateful for all the lessons I've learned about classroom management from the various experiences, difficult and delightful, that I have had. I honestly think I'll be better prepared as a classroom teacher should God and the school district give me the opportunity.

I just thought I'd share "a day in the life." (Mothers, remind your children to be kind to guest teachers, please? Maybe they'll listen.)

Red-hat ladies and Christianity

As I thought about my previous blog, I remembered the red-hat ladies. Groups of them were at the Mount Dora Craft Show. I think it would be fun to be part of a group at such an event and able to recognize others of the larger group who have a kinship even without knowing someone wearing similar garb. You'd glance up, see her/his clothing, give a friendly smile of "sister- brotherhood" and maybe even start a conversation based on commonality.

We have occasions of meeting with unfamiliar brethren of like faith from time to time. It was a joy for us to participate in the Spiritual Growth Workshop in Orlando soon after we arrived in Florida. The majority of the people in the Rosen Hotel seemed to Christians, carrying Bibles and wearing identifying nametags. How encouraging to be with thousands of Christians together in one place, to meet brothers and sisters I had not previously known, and to praise God together in the sessions. (I wondered if and hoped that our group presented themselves well to the hotel, exercising patience in the restaurants, etc.)

Folks in the Mount Dora church have shirts embroidered with a logo to wear at events where you'd want visitors or other folk to recognize that you are associated with the church and are there to give assistance or meet a need. We were given shirts to wear at the church's "Back to School Bash" in August so that children and parents from the neighborhood would recognize us as hosts. Bob and I wore ours to the Mount Dora Bible School chicken dinner Friday night to identify ourselves as the newbies at the MC church. I was sorry we didn't think to wear them to the "Church of Christ Night" at the Orlando Magic pre-season game recently.

There's a song on Christian radio currently by Steven Curtis Chapman called "The Change" that addresses the difference between having and using all the Christian paraphernalia, which the singer says is "all well and good," and "the change. . . the difference. . . the grace. . . forgiveness. . . a life that's showing I'm undergoing the change." He says, "I want to live a life that's showing I'm undergoing the change." The paraphernalia may have a good purpose, if only to remind us of who we are and Whose we are as we go about our normal routines. I liked wearing my WWJD bracelet to remind myself to act like the Christian that I am.

Wouldn't it be interesting, on several levels, if we wore identifying clothing or marks as Christians? In Bible story visuals, Jesus is always the man wearing white with a blue sash. Would the world recognize me as belonging to Him if I wore white with a blue sash? How about a fish tattoo or earrings? In Exodus 21, a slave who chose to stay a slave to his master had his ear pierced at the door or doorpost. What kind of sign could a Christian wear? I know I'd better be extra careful in my driving manners if my van is sporting some sort of identifying bumper sticker!

I know our lives should demonstrate that we are children of God and that the Holy Spirit dwells in us, but what in my daily life sets me apart from other people who act in "good" ways? I hope people who interact with me frequently know by my life and speech that I'm a Christian, but what about strangers? How can I make a difference in one small interaction that proclaims Christ? If I take an action that assists a stranger and he/she thanks me, why don't I remember to graciously remark, "I did it because of what Christ has done for me?"

I'm often tongue-tied in conversations with those I don't know well. But I want to verbalize my faith as well as demonstrate it. Since I can't wear a halo or have the Holy Spirit flash a neon sign near me as I go through my day, I'll just continue to pray for growth, awareness, greater spiritual maturity, and for the Holy Spirit to remind and encourage me to be more proactive in my daily interactions and speech (and maybe a mental image of myself in a red hat or blue sash).

Life in Mount Dora

Currently the weather in Florida is great! Windows wide open, breezy, cool at night. It rained last night, but it was perfect for Mount Dora's Craft Festival today. The main streets in downtown Mount Dora are closed to vehicle traffic. Craft booths lined the streets for - how do you count square blocks? - 5 blocks long, three blocks across. Food vendors (we had funnel cake and Loni bought a turkey leg, among other things), all sorts of crafts from pottery, jewelry, paintings and photographs to wood crafts, florals, and the cutest lawn ornaments made of PVC pipe type material. We arrived about 9:30 - crowds not too bad. We left about 1 and crowds were shoulder-to-shoulder, literally. If the person/group in front of you stopped, you weren't moving. Add strollers, wheel-chairs and groups of red-hat ladies (you can't miss their attire or enthusiasm) to the mix and enjoy the slow pace. Shops were open, too; Loni and I each bought another pair of Crocs (have to have a dark color for fall/winter, of course!) and touristy Mount Dora shirts for the boys. Dan, wait til you see what we got you! Lisa, you'll like yours, too. Lots of people opened their yards, if they had room for any cars, and let you pay them for the privilege of parking in their yard. We parked at the Bible school (donation) and rode the shuttle/school bus downtown. I bought some awkward-shaped items and then had to try to avoid impailing anyone! The popular item seemed to be pussy-willow branches - go figure.

Tonight, Bob and I "crashed the party" and joined the senior saints (the group needs a name, like PrimeTimers or something. I'll have to campaign for that) for a drive to another county (Webster, in Sumter County), way out in the middle of nowhere, to the "Speckled Butterbean." No lie! Cute little place. We had a good time, but I felt a little guilty that our large group was taking so much space and crowding the locals. Nice buffet with salad and dessert bars, ribs, pulled pork, fried chicken, boiled okra, several types of beans, a squash casserole, peach cobbler, more. I didn't want to be tempted to over-do so opted for a plate: rib-eye steak and baked potato. Bob had prime rib. On the bus on the way home we sang spontaneous hymns and oldies like "Oh, ____, do you love Jesus" (remember that one?), "Bicycle Built for Two" and silliness like "Found a peanut."

Change the clocks tonight - hurrah! An extra hour of sleep, if I head there now . . . .Sleep well.

Florida Trade-Offs

Adjusting to living in Florida has been interesting, so I think from time to time I'll reflect on bad news/good news or "trade-offs." Here are some I've been contemplating recently:
bad news: 90 degree temps in October
good news: still wearing Crocs and sandals (and no pantyhose either - oops! sorry guys, TMI !)

bad news: no autumn leaves and no leaf piles
good news: flowers (bougainvilleas and hibiscus) still in bloom and no yard-fulls of leaves to rake

bad news: too hot to camp in summer
good news: great camping weather in October!

bad news: my wardrobe isn't very suited to FL
good news: I've had to do shopping at end-of-season sales -- how sad

bad news: lots of traffic in town (Mount Dora) because of all the events and festivals
good news: lots to do with all the events and festivals

bad news: alligators in the lakes
good news: lots of lakes - beautiful - and lots of interesting wildlife, like "exotic" birds even in the retention ponds!

I'll add to the list as things occur. Feel free to add your Florida (or other locales) trade-offs.

My wonderful husband

To start off my new positive thinking process, I'd like to share some things that are great about my husband (I don't brag on him nearly often enough, like hardly ever, which is my neglect, not his lack of great qualities!)
Bob is patient, kind, generous, hospitable, thoughtful, warm, a wonderful Bible student (he's my personal Bible concordance!), sweet, handsome (even more at 50 something than he was at 20 something), easy-going, easy to please (loves my cooking, no matter what I cook!), a wonderful father and thoughtful husband, affectionate, willing to do housework, willing to do all the driving on long trips, a fabulous grandfather, good fire-builder (useful on camping trips), compassionate.

I gave Bob a card long ago which still holds true: he may not be the man I prayed for, but he's the answer to my prayers. God knew what I needed I'm grateful that God gave him to me and me to him. He's way more than I deserve! Thank you, Father. Thank you, Bob.

Beginnings

My husband, daughter and son blog, and I like to write, so I've decided to join the fun. Blogging seems to be a good way to keep a group informed, and it seems to be a good way to share deeper thoughts and ideas. I tend to be a rather pessimistic-natured individual, so I've chosen to "think on these things" as mentioned in Philippians 4 as my inspiration to stay focused positively rather than as a forum for my too-negative thoughts. Lisa's blog is full of stories of her darling boys and sometimes profound; Bob's is thoughtful and/or funny. I hope you'll check their's out. Trey mostly shares tiny pieces of himself on his blog, at least the blog I know about, so good luck with that! Stay in touch . . . . (And I'm almost fanatical about grammar and spelling, so feel free to correct me!)