THEY'RE BACK!!!

Finally, when I had all but given up hope, the honey bees are back.
I wondered where they were and if they would be back as the pin cushions are in
full bloom with nary a honey bee in sight.
This afternoon they came by in force all over the teeny weeny inkberry flowers
and I am joyed to see them.
I am glad that my little beds of perenial flowers find favor with the honey bees;
that they find food for sustenance and to make honey and that they pollinate my
flowers.
It's a small thing really. But I am truly grateful and joyed that they are back.

RGBP'S FRIDAY FIVE: INSPIRATIONS

Very quickly; this week

1. What has encouraged you?
I almost hate to say it, but a church I once served that really crushed me
has let it's next pastor go. I just discovered that this week.
He lasted two years. I lasted five. Although, I feel for him and pray that
he finds a new position (as I pray for myself),
I am encouraged that what is happening at the church was not all my fault
or even lack of trying. That has encouraged me immensely and I feel rather
vindicated.

2. What has inspired you?
When I see folks wanting to move forward into their future, uncertain though
it may be, having the courage, desiring to do something, and being open to
what God longs to bring them and calls them to.

3. What has challenged you?
Perhaps, the above as well. Finding a position more than extremely part-
time and dealing with a health issue.

4. What has made you smile?
LH. He has a good sense of humor. When mentioning a rather good-looking
larger Amish buggy that drove past the church he serves, he said it was
like "pimp my buggy" compared to other buggys!!! (Take off of "pimp my
ride" and tweaked cars!!!) We were on the floor laughing!!

5. What has brought a lump to your throat or a tear to you eye in a good way?
When I look with love and gratitude on my life which which I have been
blessed. When I behold the beauty of God's creation. When I am safe in
bed with LH. When I hold my family in my heart, prayers and thoughts.
When I rub and hug my greys. When I ponder the awesome love of the mystery
of God, the grace of my Lord and Savior, and the wonderful power and
work of the Holy Spirit.

RGBP'S FRIDAY FIVE - RANDOM EXTREME EDITION

Happy Friday to all of you. Today's Friday Five has no theme, other than randomness.
That's o.k., right?
So, just to get to know each other a little bit (even more) here is the meme:

1. What is the first thing that comes to your mind (right now) that you want to share about yourself.
I'll be out in the garden taking advantage of the beautiful day here. I think the dogs will
want a walk as well.

2. What is your favorite piece of jewelry or accessory? Why?
My Sheila Fleet sterling silver wave bracelet that LH got me for Christmas. I wear it. Alot.

3. If you could have a starring role in a T.V. show/movie/series, which one would it be, and what would your character be like?
I'm not really sure. I'm more of a behind-the-scenes person. But I could be an older eccentric neighbor on the Big Bang
Theory.

4. What is one thing you will eat this weekend?
Spinach salad that will complement the grilled lamb chops this evening.

5. How do you waste time? (If you do, that is...)
Watching reruns of the Big Bang Theory and playing a version of Solitaire on the computer.

I SHOULD -
be working on a newsletter article, but I'm not ready to work on it.
be looking for a little graduation advice piece I once wrote and continue to give to graduates
be washing windows, but it's going to rain today
be weeding the herb garden, but it's going to rain today
be thinking about this week's sermon
but I am not there either.
So, instead, I'm contemplating the buds of the Siberian Iris that may bloom this week, the tight buds
of my huge poppy plant, and the begonia that over-wintered in my upside-down pot. That one amazes me.
I didn't even try to over-winter that begonia. My intention was that it would die and I would plant
an impatien in it instead. I went to the pot in the unheated garage this spring and lo and behold,
there was a white stalk with a leaf on it. I took the pot outside and the leaf has sprouted two
more leaves, the stalk is now reddish and looks to have grown a bit. All without even trying!!!
What a surprise.
I have the hope that other things would spring forward in my life, but I am still waiting
on the Great Silence.
Maybe today is just a day to sit with that and God. Perhaps, that is what I should be doing
and not all the other things on my list and radar. So, today, I will spend as a day of
contemplation and prayer and the oil change appointment this afternoon. I will get to the
other stuff, but for today, contemplation and prayer. And it is enough.

RGBP'S FRIDAY FIVE - BIRTHDAY EDITION

1) What is the first birthday you remember?
I remember my 7th Birthday as the year I had no birthday party, which in those early
years were a big deal. You invited friends over, played games, had prizes, received gifts,
and had a birthday cake. We moved to a new house on my 7th Birthday and so there was no
party and I don't remember if we even had cake. I was pretty upset about not having a
birthday party. However, in the new house, I had my own bedroom and that was pretty cool.

2) Do you recall a favorite gift?
Actually, not really. My folks were pragmatic so it was an outfit, a Dr. Suess book,
etc.
3) Has anyone ever tried to surprise you for your birthday? Did it work? Was it fun?
In HS we decorated our friends' lockers with streamers, balloons, cards, etc. on the
sly with someone getting the lock combo number. When they went to open their locker
on their birthday morning it was stuffed full of birthday greetings.
My sister surprised me on my 50th birthday with a 3 day cruise to the Bahamas with
my niece. Every week, my sister sent me an email with what to pack for a "Girls
Weekend". She made sure I asked for the weekend off in advance. Finally,she had
to email me my flight e-ticket to Miami and I had a hunch. We met at the airport
and my niece was there too. Extra surprise! We had a most wonderful time together!
The best birthday celebration I ever had!

4) Do you have a favorite birthday dessert?
Usually a piece of chocolate cake or chocolate cheesecake.

5) Describe what would be your 'perfect birthday'.
The day off. Being with my family - LH, my sister and BIL, my niece and my
nephew and his wife. But, I don't think that will happen as we all live in
different states. Maybe for a milestone birthday it might happen. Course a
birthday in the middle of winter is always dicey with travel plans.
In the meanwhile, I'm happy to have the day off to read, shop, spend time with
the greys and have a nice dinner out.