Friday, August 28, 2009

Playing in the Rain

If you happened to be driving by Airport Road today around 2 p.m. then you might have witnessed a peculiar sight. Some crazy woman was standing outside her house with her arms and face lifted to the sky, and laughing while the rain came down in sheets. For those of you who aren't aware I live on Airport Road, and on occassion I've been called "crazy".

The spontaneous action to run outside into the storm gripped me when I first heard the rain on the metal roof. It reminded me of so many other storms during my childhood, and I LOVE a good rain storm. I also flashed back to several early memories I have of standing out in those storms fully clothed and feeling the clean rain soak me through.

As I stood inside my home watching the rain through the windows and being reminded of all those times I use to play outside during the rainstorm the only thought in mind was, "why not now?" Just because I'm an "adult" now doesn't mean I have to give up the pleasure of playing the rain. Sure, I certainly have plenty of obligations that don't leave me much time to soak myself in a good rain storm, but for those times I don't, why not!

So, just like that I walked out my front door and into the pouring rain. The rain was cool, the air smelled cleaned, and the grass was squishy between my toes, it was absolutely WONDERFUL! I promised myself this afternoon to not let it go so long again until my next walk in the rain.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Cravings...

I was having a craving today for Rice Krispies Treats. I simply can't remember the last rice krispy treat I've had, and I don't mean the store bought ones, I'm talking homemade. So, while thinking of rice krispy treats I stumbled upon a record of the world's largest rice krispy treat.

Check this out:

World's Largest Rice Krispies Treat

size - 12 ft. long, 6 ft. wide, 2 ft. deep, 2,480 lbs.

ingredients - 818 lbs. Rice Krispies, 1,466 lbs. marshmallows, 217 lbs. butter

where and when made - Iowa State University, April 2001

All I have to say, "That's A LOT of Butter!!"

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Country Scenery - Sunsets


As I sit out on my porch looking over the growing corn and watching the sunset over the distant mountains, this is what I see. Isn't our Lord AMAZING!!

In Honor Of...

....my friend Jake. Today is Jake Tillett's Birthday! On the count of three let's all say, "Happy Birthday Jake."

One...Two...Three.... "HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAKE!!"

After all that, I hope Jake is in the habit of reading my blog :)

I certainly read his, and I highly recommend you check out his latest post. Jake is quite gifted with words and I'm certain you'll find him amusing and enjoyable to read, even if you don't know him. If you ever get the chance, I also recommend getting to know him :)

I met Jake one Sunday morning shortly after he moved to Salt Lake City. He came visiting Discovery Christian Community Church, where I had been attending for the last year. After church services, as was many in the church's habit, we went out for lunch. Jake wasn't familiar with the area yet, and I offered him a ride to the restaurant. That was the start to our friendship, though it really got going when Jake kindly helped me paint the church coffee house (I always like people who help me paint).

For the next year and a half before I left Utah for Virginia I spent time with Jake (and several other of my "Utah Guys"...Tommy, Fou, and Jake). Lot of wonderful memories there! Then about a year and a half after I left Utah, Jake also left Utah for Mali, Africa.

That's where you can find him now, working in a clinic as a nurse. So, today I wish him a Happy Birthday and continued blessing as he serves the Lord so far from home. Philippians 1:6

Friday, August 7, 2009

Country Life

I'm back living in Bridgewater, in a cozy house on Airport Road. I love it there, the scenery (at this time cornfields almost surround me), my neighbors, and of course the peace and quiet. After living the last thirteen months in busy downtown Harrisonburg, the peace and quiet is most certainly welcome.

It's a welcome change, yet it hasn't necessarily been an easy change. I went from being responsible for a home that included myself and up to six others, to just having to take care of myself. I find that it isn't the responsibility that I miss (I'm enjoying the freedom from added responsibility) it's being alone that's harder to handle. Don't get me wrong I definitely need time to myself, just not too much time. I miss having people around me, the noises and fellowship they bring. As it is now, when I'm home by myself (which is most of the time) I can't get over how quiet it is and how lonely.

Another change is the lack of ready entertainment. In Harrisonburg if I wanted to entertain myself I could easily walk or bike to a number of different attractions; parks, libraries, restaurants, etc. Also, Sandal House was equipped with internet and cable television. Now I would never have thought that I came to depend on the internet or the television, but I'm finding that doing without either is harder than I thought it would be. I really dislike having become so accostume to both the internet and cable, that I'm determined to live without them for awhile and then make a decision if I'd like them later.

I'm already finding that both the internet and cable had become distractions for me. I was using time with both of those items that I've begun to use in more healthy ways. First, I'm reading more (actually I always read alot, but now it's even more). I'm in the kitchen more. I'm practicing the piano more. I'm outdoors more. I just have more time. Those are the advantages. The disadvantages are having to schedule my internet time at either the library or my parents, which could mean not even being able to check my email on a given day (that's difficult when I'm hoping to hear back from different possible employers). I also enjoyed watching the Food Network while I worked in the kitchen :) I've replaced that habit with listening to Praise and Worship music while I work.

So far that is life in the country. I'm enjoying being back on Airport Road, but still have some adjustments to make.