Living Insight from Chuck Swindoll....

With temperatures soaring up in the low to mid thirties today, we took advantage of the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. We started off playing "Fox and Geese" on the pond (frozen, of course). After some time though, this fat, old, out of shape goose was weary, so we moved on through the woods just shooting at stumps with the BB guns. We ended up walking along the big creek, which was fairly solid, but had some open and flowing water. I let the boys go check it all out, warning them to test the ice, and not get too close to the open water. Well, here are the pictures, showing that they really didn't heed my advise.










Zach did fall in, but was able to catch himself, so he didn't get soaked. We got cold pretty quickly after that though, because he was a bit wet. So, instead of staying out and playing longer, we had to head back to the house sooner than we would have otherwise.


As we got back inside, I thought to myself how I too, sometimes like to be right on the edge. Maybe you have times that you also enjoy playing too close to the edge, I don't know. What came to my mind, and what I'm attempting to convey here is that we do often tend to linger just at the edge of the forbidden. Living on the Ragged Edge came to my mind, and I hope Chuck doesn't mind being quoted here, but on page 4 in the study guide of Living On The Ragged Edge by Charles R. Swindoll he points out some conclusions drawn from the life of Solomon.
The sensual lure of something better tomorrow robs us of the joys offered today.
In our case, the thrill of playing at the edge, on thinner ice, robbed us of the joy of staying out longer today. We came in because the boys were lured into a "thrill" and it ended up sending them back to the house.
The personal temptation to escape is always stronger than the realization of its consequences.

Again, in our case, the temptation to enjoy the thrill of perceived danger was stronger than the realization of its consequences. They didn't think about having to go back in once they were wet!


I'll leave you to draw your own applications. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!
I think we're going to play Sorry. How ironic!
But first....here's a picture of the little woodsmen sitting in our favorite red bud tree.

Record Setting Cold!

We were about the only school in the area to have classes today! Our temperature was about 14 below zero. School started two hours late, and after lunch I am driving the third grade classes to Keokuk for Bald Eagle Appreciation Day. I'm hoping to get some really good pictures. I came home mainly to get my camera, because I forgot to grab it when I left for the morning run.
Here at our house, the bird feeder is abuzz with activity. I counted 18 beautiful, bright red cardinals at one time in and around the feeder. They can go through a 50 pound bag of seed quickly!

Sunday Afternoon Fun!

After church, and a fine dinner at Mom and Dad's, Tyler, Dennis and the boys went ice racing with Michael on Kern's pond. It was a perfect day for it...not too cold, but cold enough! The pond had about 8 inches of ice.

Tyler put ice screws on all their tires, as did Michael and Dennis. Without those, they would have no traction. Tyler and Dennis have done this before, but it was a new experience for the little guys. Of course, they loved it. They wanted to keep going after the old guys were ready to go, but there will be other days.





































These big boys will race anything. You may not notice unless you inspect this picture closely. There are two motorcycles and one four wheeler trying to beat each other around the corner. Dennis is leading, with Michael coming along inside going for the pass. Tyler's behind it all, just waiting for his opportunity to pass them both.
Tyler did this jump several times, coming up the pond levee and jumping about 60 feet out onto the pond. Dennis went over to stand in as a "measurement" for height, and Tyler went over his head! Dennis is over 6 feet tall, and he couldn't believe it!

Remember When.....

I've been doing quite a bit of reminiscing lately. I'm sure much of the reason I seem to be spending so much time "in the past" is due to the project that seems to be consuming so much of my time these days. At any rate, I've been remembering things that seem to be forgotten in today's world. For example, do you remember when...
Hubingers (yes, back then Roquette America was Hubingers) had an 8 o'clock, noon and 4 o'clock whistle that could be heard all over town?
Main Street was two lanes with diagonal street parking?
Kids fished in the pond at Rand Park?
The Keokuk Saddle Club was almost out of town?
Keokuk Hamilton bridge was a skinny little toll bridge? (most will remember this...because it is fairly recent)
Lee County Sheriff threw candy (Tootsie Rolls, of course) at kids when he saw them on the streets? And he always had a big German Shepherd with him too.
Graham Hospital and St. Joe Hospital?
The OLD public library? And the NEW library?
J. C. Penney's on Main Street?
The Apex Discount store?
Fun family outings such as walking the railroad tracks, biking River Road to Sandusky, boating, swimming and skiing on the Mississippi? Family reunions, where even the adults played softball?




Well, New Year's Eve, we were invited to Rockhold's for food and games. We had a wonderful time, and I wish that I'd taken more pictures, but while we were playing, we had to laugh at how things have changed. First, when we were kids, on New Year's Eve we would likely have been at church for the Watchnight service, which included food, fellowship, fun and games, as well as a time of worship. In addition, back then we would NOT have been playing cards! Although my family was a bit more liberal in that area, there were many who wouldn't play a game with a deck of playing cards. Yet, here we are, playing Texas Hold'Em with even the preacher and his wife! We had to laugh about that.
Back then, there were so many things that a proper and refined person just did not say or discuss. Apparently, that's not so any more either!
Certainly, things have changed.
Good or bad? What do you say?

Happy New Year

We have so enjoyed all the family gatherings over the holidays. We spent New Year's Day with Kuzzin Bubba and his Momma. As always, that was quite entertaining! Of course, there was plenty of great food, fellowship, fun and games. There were more than 100 in attendance, which may seem like a large crowd to some. However, last year I believe there were 130, so I think there were many who were unable to be there this year. We missed them, but it was, never the less, a very good time. I am very thankful for our family!



Here's Wally, wearing the "wild card" Chicken Hat! He had the option to exercise the power of the wild card and take a gift from anyone present IF he was willing to meet the requirements of the Wild Card Option. He chose to do so, and took a set of pliers from one of the young men. Of course, the person from which he took the pliers got to keep the Chicken Hat. Both seemed very pleased with the trade.



We have just one more family party to go. We'll be celebrating with the Mann family on Saturday. I'm hoping that all of them will make it. We don't live so very far apart, but it seems that we only see one another about twice a year, so we're looking forward to a good visit.

Happy New Year!

Posted By Request....

Since you asked, here are my photos taken of the eagle perched in our tree last Saturday. At least I think it was Saturday. We've been so unscheduled since the last day of school it's hard to keep track of days. I wish I'd walked a little closer to the tree, but didn't because I was afraid it would scare him away. We really enjoyed watching him, but have not seem him around here since Sunday. We're seeing plenty of the little songbirds though! In fact, today we're going to have to run to town for more bird feed! They eat unbelievable quantities, and the birds that come seem to announce to every bird in the county that we're serving, so the flocks keep getting bigger. We enjoy watching them though, and will continue throughout the winter. Many times recently, we've seen so many colorful birds in and around the feeder that it would seem the bushes are beautifully decorated. I'm ever amazed at the variety and beauty of each species. God made the heavens and the earth we see so beautiful, it's hard to imagine how beautiful heaven will be!






This may be my last post until after Christmas, so let me leave you with a Christmas card greeting.




When you get right down to it, He's the only thing that really matters. Merry Christmas to you!

Heartland Ice Storm!

School was canceled all over the tri-state area yesterday much to the dismay of students, teachers, and most of all, bus drivers! We started our Christmas vacation a day early. I confess, it did not upset me one little bit, but the little boys were truly disappointed, because Friday was the day they were to have their classroom Christmas parties. To help alleviate their disappointment, we had our own little "class party" at Mar's Old Fashioned One Room Schoolhouse. First, we baked cookies. I was able to find some little items to wrap up for party favors. We enjoyed hot chocolate in fancy little cups and saucers with warm cookies, played some table games, and each of the boys received a small gift. It was great fun. In fact, they thought it may have been even better than the party that would have taken place in their "real school".







After all that, we went out to slip and slide on the ice. Walking was a challenge for me, but that wasn't exciting enough for them. They wanted to ride their bikes on the ice and then they got the sled and saucer out.





It took them about two hours to get wet and cold enough to come back inside. Wyatt was tired, and said he wanted to take a little nap! Can you believe that---he's asking me to let him take a nap! That's a real switch! While he was resting, Zach played quietly and I cleaned up the mess we made baking cookies.
All in all, we enjoyed a wonderful day. Just before they went to sleep for the night, they both commented about the fact that we "didn't even go anywhere today". I told them that I especially enjoyed days that were spent entirely at home, and they agreed.
Indeed, there's no place like home!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas!!!

With Christmas less than two weeks away, we're still trying to find that "perfect" gift for several on our list! Actually, most of the shopping is done, decorations are in place, and we're just counting the days until school dismisses for Christmas break. They probably call it winter break, but we say Christmas around here! December 19th is the last day of school for us, and we'll be off until January 5th. Yahoooo! (Got it right this time, Charlie)



















During the Thanksgiving break, I bought sling-shots for the boys. They really enjoyed them while they were here, but their Mommy wouldn't let them take the sling-shots home. I can't imagine why! She said something about windows and cars and such, and that there was no way they would want the boys armed with sling-shots around their place. So, I guess they can look forward to using them when they come to visit.
The first weekend of December, we traveled with Gariann, Kirk, Nanci and Ron to Camp Forest Springs. We had a wonderful trip from start to finish. Thousands of laughs. Camp hosted a dinner theater Saturday evening, and we thoroughly enjoyed that. Since we came such a distance, we stayed overnight in the luxurious Ministry Center rooms and they even prepared breakfast for us before we left Sunday morning! I had never been so far north in the winter, and was pleasantly surprised! The snow was beautiful, and although the temperatures were hovering near zero, it was not miserable at all! In fact, although I did take a coat, I never once had to put it on.





















We're enjoying some winter-like weather here at home now. There's a little snow on the ground, with hope for more to come. We're so thankful for our family, friends, home, jobs, health, and so much more! And, in case we don't post again before the 25th, we wish you a very Merry Christmas!

November Snow!

It's SNOWING!!! Yippeeee! If the old wives' tale is true, that would mean we'll have 30 measurable snows this winter! I say "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!"

Friday, Zach and Wyatt helped put up and decorate our Christmas tree. Friday evening we hosted the Texas Hold'Em players. Everyone had a great time.

And Our President-Elect Is....

Wow! Can it be November already? Tomorrow is election day. We'll be casting our votes right after my morning route. According to the news, they're expecting an unprecedented voter turn-out. We recently received an e-mail with ten "election predictions". Regardless of who wins:

1. The Bible will still have all the answers.

2. Prayer will still work.

3. The Holy Spirit will still move.

4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.

5. There will still be God-anointed teaching and healing.

6. There will still be singing of praise to God.

7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.

8. There will still be room at the Cross.

9. Jesus will still love you.

10. Jesus will still save the lost.

ISN'T IT GREAT TO KNOW WHO IS REALLY IN CONTROL!

Thanks, Mary Ann, for sharing that e-mail!

Sunday afternoon the kids were here to ride motorcycles. It was a beautiful day. They rode the trails and hills, but they also found some other entertaining activities. They really had fun with an old, nearly worn out big bale ring.

They also had fun climbing our huge sycamore tree. Wyatt and Hannah were posing for pictures when we noticed that there was another face in the frame. Squeak had climbed up there with them.