The Umbrella

The Umbrella, have you really given it much thought or just when it's raining. Quite frankly I was very thankful to God yesterday for giving someone, way back when, the wisdom to create it.

Did you know that the root word "umbrella" comes from the latin root word "umbra" meaning shade or shadow.

According the About.com the umbrella was invented over 4000 years ago to provide shade from the sun. Later the Chinese waterproofed it to provide protection from the rain.

The umbrella started to become popular in the western world during the 16th century and was considered only an accessory for women. Later Jonas Hanway started carrying an umbrella publicly in England for 30 years, he popularized the use of an umbrella among men. Many English gentlemen today refer to their umbrella as a Hanway.

An umbrella can also be known as a parasol. Where an umbrella is usually hand held and used to protect against the rain, the parasol is usually not waterproofed and is used for protection for the sun, "para" means stop or shield and "sol" means sun.

So there you have it, more information then you ever wanted about an item you probably only think about when you need it and are lucky if you can find it at the time.

Where's your umbrella/parasol?

Working in the back yard

Sunday I was helping B in the back yard. We have the stupid cable/electrical box in the corner of our yard along with the most annoying weeds God could have created.


I found this pvc pipe tucked up under the last board of our privacy fence. I didn't think anything of it, just grabbed it and was going to put it in the garbage. Then B says, "Oh, there was a snake in it." I turn around and there it was - on the ground all curled up.

I had gloves on and my common sense off, I picked up the snack by the very, very end of the tail and was going to wing him over to the other side of the yard. Instead I lost my grip on him and he flew into the neighbors swimming pool.

Boy can he swim.......
We have a gate between the two back yards so we went over to let them know they now had an occupant in the pool. I couldn't imagine diving in and coming back up out of the water only to be face to face with "The Snake".

Our neighbor grabbed the pool screen and after a couple of attempts scooped him out. By now the snake was pretty mad (of course I would be too).

I do not like snakes but I do not despise them enough to have killed it. At this point we weren't sure what to do with it. Actually I though about throwing it into the other neighbors yard. So our neighbor decided how to handle the unwanted swimmer. He's in snake heaven now.

Let's be perfectly clear, it is NOT my nature to get that up close and personal with snakes. Why I picked it up in the first place I will never know. What I can tell you is that I will never look at our neighbors pool again the same.

Oh yeah, the pvc pipe you saw in the first picture, it's still laying right where I dropped it and I will be a lot more cautious as we finish this project.

What crazy things have you found yourself doing when you weren't paying as close attention as you should have?

How Long?

I took my son to golf practice today. The profoundly simple wisdom that comes from a child is amazing.

As he placed the ball on the tee and prepared to hit the ball onto the driving range, a lady watching my young son from behind asked him a question.

"How long have you been playing golf?" the lady asked. "Since I started," my son quickly answered.

I chuckled at first but then a higher meaning came to light, a MountainWings Moment. I don't know whether more MountainWings Moments are coming into my world or whether I am just becoming more sensitive to the moments around me. This was a MountainWings Moment.

A MountainWings Moment is a moment of insight that transcends everyday reasoning and takes your spirit above the ordinary.

He did not need to rack his brain trying to ascertain how many months or days he had been playing golf. At his age, he really doesn't comprehend months or even weeks. He lives in the present. "Since I started."

That's exactly how long you've been a subscriber to MountainWings, since you started. That's exactly how long you've been (fill in the blank), since you started.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

One of the world's greatest and most well know quotes tells you not to worry about tomorrow. That also applies to yesterday. Most of our hurt and pain is because of the memory of yesterday or the fear of tomorrow.

In reality, my son had just begun playing golf when he placed the ball on the tee. He didn't care about all of the other times; hew was playing now.

Today - since he started.

When are you going to Start living a fuller life?
When are you going to Start experiencing the real joy of life?
When are you going to Stop worrying about all of the things you can't do anything about anyway?

It doesn't matter how unhappy you've been.
It doesn't matter how long you've been feeling unworthy.
It doesn't matter how deep you think the damage is.

What matters is when you really Start to see the light. All that matters is the "since you started."

So when are you going to start...

Then with all of your negative history and negative stuff, when someone asks you "how long have you been this happy?" You know the answer to give them.

-A MountainWings Original-

This devotion really touched my heart this morning and I wanted to share it with you. Mountain Wings has some great daily devotions that can be delivered right to your in-box. Click here to subscribe.

Have a great day.

Off To College

Well the time has finally come, what seemed like a life time to big K (actually, it has been a life time). She's starting a new chapter of her life, off to college she goes.

Here she is loading up what she thought was the last of her things she was taking with her. A couple of hours later she came home (she's only 10 minutes away) put some more things in the van of off she went with dad to unload yet another load.

This is her dorm building. No, it's not a prison, this is the route from the parking lot to the dorm. There are tennis courts on one side and a soccer field on the other side. That's little K thinking she was out of the picture.

Here we are unloading the first vehicle.

Big K standing in front of her new home for the next nine months. She doesn't look too excited to have her own place does she???? A place that mom and dad don't have a key to.

Here is the shoe box place she calls home.

The room is kind of L shaped. You can see there's not much space in the sleeping quarters.

This is her desk, probably the cleanest it will ever be, with another desk on the opposite wall and that's it for the room. But it's her room, a place she can call her own.

Big K and Little K.


For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Dear Hevanley Father,
Watch over her and keep her safe. Help her to make the right decisions. When she starts to wonder off the path, like we all do from time to time, gently nudge her back in the right direction. I pray that you will bless her dorm room. Make it a place of peace and tranquility for her. I pray that you will make this room a place for rest and study as well as a place to have fun.

I also pray that she may have many opportunities to share Your word and Love with people she meets while she is there.

I know you have a plan for her and I am anxious to see it unfold.
Thank God for being there with her when I can not be.

Amen.

Healthier Life Style

As you all ready know diets don't work it must be an overall life style change. God has finally gotten through to me in this area. I need to start taking care of myself.

Many of us moms/women put our families and others before ourselves, but how can we take care of our families and help further God's kingdom if we are not at our best?

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price, therefore honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

This healthier life style I am work on not only includes what I eat and how I move but also how I think and feel (mind-body-spirit). This will be a life long journey won't you join me?

Week 1 results to a Healthier Life Style can be seen here. You can also follow my journey by clicking on the link at the top of this blog "Journal To A Healthier Life Style".

A Pet's Ten Commandments

1. *My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
2. *Give me time to understand what you want of me.
3. *Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.
4. *Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.
5. *Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
6. *Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
7. *Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bit you.
8. *Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.
9. *Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.
10. *On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bare to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.

Take a moment today the thank God for your pet.
Enjoy and take good care of them.
Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience
without God's Critter.

Puppy Day Care

Can't have a Sweet 16 party with 3 dogs checking it all out, so off to "Puppy Day Care" we go!

Jake (the 3rd dog) is a great rider in the car. He's is the back pretending to be a human.

Sorry for the quality for the pictures, dd16 took them on her phone.

Have a great weekend.

No Parking?

I had a last minute luncheon date today with Big K, it was wonderful. We ate at the Olive Garden, I was surprised we had to wait on a Wednesday afternoon - go figure.

I had the Zuppa Toscana soup, salad, and bread sticks. I was trying a new soup and so glad that I did, I loved it. We had great conversation and continued to make plans for her move to the dorm - just 1 1/2 short weeks away.

When she came to pick me up she came into the office and announced that my limo was waiting. On my way out a coworker asked who had a white car. I said that it was my daughters, we're leaving for lunch, why?

Here's the reason he asked:


And here is her car:

Good job Big K, who taught you to drive?

16 Candles

The world is filled with good intentions and I am no exception. Little K turned 16 on Sunday. My intention was to have this wonderful, sappy post for her. To show her how much I have been blessed with her in my life. How she has changed me. As life would have it, I got the post 1/2 done and there it sits. Maybe I'll send it to her in a letter.

Anyway, Little K did turn 16 with or with out a post and because her birthday was on a Sunday she had to wait an entire extra day (a week in the life of a teen) to get her drivers license. And the wait was extended even more when she realized she had band camp in the morning and had to wait until after lunch to go to the DMV.

We get to the DMV at 1:15, after sitting there for about 20 minutes we were informed that the wait could be as long as 4 hours. I'm not sure how that breaks down in "teen time" but by the look on her face it wasn't good. The DMV had recently gone up on a new system and new procedures. Throw in the fact that the computers went down in the morning and that the public was not prepare with the proper identifcation it made for a long wait.

But we persisted and just 3 short hours later we had this:

She doesn't look a bit excited does she????


Pretty much by the time we got home it was time for her to leave for the 2nd half of band camp.
No problem for her, she just hoped right in. Of course she told me I was embarrassing her her with the camera but isn't that what we're supposed to be doing?



The problem was with mom. As I watched her drive away (alone) I fought back the tears. The tears of joy-my baby is healthy and able to drive on her own. And tears of just being a mom-my baby is healthy and able to drive away on her own.

Lord protect her each time she gets behind the wheel of a car. Give her wisdom to make the right decisions and keep her from harm. I can no longer be with her all of the time to keep her safe but I find comfort knowing you ARE there all of the time.
Amen

Happy Birthday Little K.