The Coo Coo Clock

Many years ago Gary bought a Coo Coo Clock. At the time his sister was taking a trip to Germany and he wanted one bought from Germany. I remember how important this was to him. He spoke of going to his Grandma's house as a little boy and how much he looked forward to seeing her Coo Coo Clock. He had always hoped that one day he too would own such a clock and the someday he would have grandchildren who marveled at how it worked.

That was years before our kids met their current spouses and years before our son and daughter-in-law had a baby.

But on a recent visit Gary saw his dream come true as our grandson just couldn't get enough of Gary's Coo Coo Clock. What a joy and what great memories are being made.

Things that rarely happen after 50

I was driving home from church this morning reflecting on the message and the really great service I had experienced. I took the back roads as I desired to have the windows open since it was not 100 degrees yet. Traveling main highways at 60 or 70 miles per hour with the windows down creates a wind tunnel in my car that wouldn't have been condusive to my mood.

No radio, the sunroof open with the sun shining on me, a comfortable breeze runs through my car. I am deep in thought as I come to a red light. I only notice the car in the left turn lane, just enought to admire it, as I pull up next to it. A yellow mustang with all the bells and whistles, tinted windows, and obviously welled cared for by its owner. I think of my little gold civic as it sits next to it and wonder, if my car had a personality how would it feel right now?

Would it be jealous or would it wish it could be just like this car when it grows up? Now 10 years old, with a cracked windshield, a dented front bumper, a deep scratch on the back bumper and a few other minor dings and dents; this little car just isn't what it once was when it was new. But it gets me where I'm going and still gets great gas mileage. I was so deep in these and other thoughts, probably smiling because of my mood, I never even noticed the window go down on the passenger side of the yellow mustang.

A very deep, sultry voice said "hi". Instinctively I said "hi" back. Since we were only about a foot away from each other I responded at an appropriate sound level (not too loud, not too soft). He said, again in that soothing voice that said hi, "how are you this morning?"

I smiled and said "I'm doing good." The light turned green and I proceeded on my way. The yellow mustang sat at the light until the car behind it gave him a gentle beep that said "hey dummy the light is green for you too".

I wondered, "was he flirting with me?"

NO way. He had to be my son's age. But it has been years since someone I'm not married to has flirted with me, so maybe I just don't know what that looks like anymore. Maybe he was just a very nice young man who looked past the cracks, dents, and scars of my little gold civic and just wanted to be nice on this gorgeous Sunday morning that the Lord has made.

Either way, I am amused.

Nature's Fireworks!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY 2010!

All pictures taken in our yard.

Stranger...old friend

Who is this stranger inside of me?
The person I don’t want others to see.

She is mean and angry ready to yell.
To control her is hard can’t you tell?

She wants to come out but if she does
Can I put her away and go back to what was?

If she says the things that are on her mind
Others will know she is NOT very kind

She doesn’t care what others think
I do...but does that make me weak?

Weak in my faith and my walk with the Lord
What He thinks should mean so much more.

He sees that girl hiding in me
He hears her thoughts, so how can it be

That He loves me still
Loves my will

Loves me when it’s hard to love myself
Loves me and puts me above all else

Again His love is a mystery
A gift that He wants others to see

God, help me get rid of that old friend
Who comes to visit now and again

Help me remember I belong to You
Help me put You first in all I do

Take captive every evil thought
Help me behave as I ought.

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