Hidden Talents

Do you have a talent that seems to have been hidden, only to be discovered by accident?

I was asked to visit an art group that meets at our local library.  I went to watch, and was pulled in by the talents of the ladies in the group.  One of them handed me a piece of paper and some paints, and a picture to try and do.  I was hooked.

These are three I have done, from photo's I liked in magazines, except for the bottom flower which is made from our dog Halo's foot print.  I really like how it turned out!

What hobbies or talents do you have that you seemed to stumble on?

A Different Kind of Fostering

Life has taken turns since I was last on.  Ken and I began to foster dogs, as we couldn't see having more but wanted to help the ones awaiting homes through foster care.  Well, we took in several, and I'll tell you it is hard letting them go, you can't help become attached.  But.......

 As you can see, three have become adopted, by us!  Halo is a senior beagle mix the no one else wanted.  So we adopted her.  What a love!  From not being able to barely stand, to an active playful pup again!

 Our little Peanut, or Puddles as Ken calls her, came from Animal Control.  She was found wondering in the country.  She has one eye, which has a cataract. so she is blind.  She also can't hear, and has only two back teeth.  If I hadn't picked her up through Michigan Animal Crew, she would have been euthanized.  After all, who would want a dog figured to be at least 15 that is deaf and blind.  Well we did!

And lastly, George.  George came from a hoard in Cotterville twp.  He is a purebred Norbottenspetz, a rare dog originating in Sweden and Finland. He was one of over 100 dogs running free in a house, living in their own filth.  We fostered him, and because of his barking issues, no one wanted him.  We fell in love with him.  He still has his issues, which we are working on, but he is ours, and no one will ever neglect him again.  So you can see, our "no more dogs" rule, didn't work out that way!!!

Back to Stay

Good evening to all my old blog friends!  I've been absent for awhile, too much face book.  With all the political uproar, I have made the decision to come back "home".  Here I have always found peace, friendship and camaraderie. I look forward to re-connecting with all of you, and catching up on all your posts.  It's so good to be back!!

Santa Claus?

Everyone that knows my husband Ken, knows he's a little on the eccentric side.  Last January, he decided he was never going to cut his hair or beard again.  And he hasn't. So my son and daughter-in-law bought him this tee shirt for Christmas.  It will chart his growth with little captions that explain the length.  Right now he is at lumber jack.  I'm curious, when I take his photo at the end of the year how long in will be.  It's already longer than when this picture was taken at Christmas!  It was funny the number of kids who thought he was actually Santa Claus.  One mother we were sitting by in a restaurant used the fact that her son was sure he was sitting close to Santa to get him to eat his dinner, telling him that Santa was watching and if he didn't eat he wouldn't bring him anything for Christmas.  The little boy finished his plate, never taking his eyes off Ken!

I Believe.....

"God said, one man and one woman.  If you are the Christian you profess to be, you would feel the same way too."  This is part of a very nasty e-mail I received from a person that belongs to my church. 
Besides being shocked and hurt by many of his comments to me that left my jaw on the floor, all because I told him to send me no more political e-mails, as he and I are in two totally different camps politically.  But of all the insults this one bothers me the most.  The operative words here for me are "if you are the Christian you 'profess' to be".  So.  In the opinion of many, you must be a cookie cutter Christian, all have the same beliefs and values, and if you don't then you are not a true Christian?  I was told of his many offices and accreditation's, President of this, chairman of that, but what have I done to profess my faith and belief in Christ? I didn't realize you had to have titles before your name and fancy credentials to enter the kingdom of Heaven. 
My faith is extremely important to me.  It has gotten me through some terrible times, and helped me to cross many a stormy sea.  I can't imagine my life without Christ as my redeeming Savior.
I guess what I'm trying to say, is be true to your God, and true to your values and moral standards.  We are all different.  We all worship in a way that is glorifying to our Savior.  To be told you are anything less, is an insult. 

A Special Birthday

August ninth is a special day to me, the 100th birthday 

of famous author and illustrator Tasha Tudor.

Besides her obvious talents with a pen, she had a great love for her gardens, 

and her sweet corgi's.

Her illustrations in so many children's books were and are the best in my eyes,

These are some of my favorite pieces,

showing her amazing talent.

I just love this one of a sleeping child on Christmas Eve.

This one touches my heart because

this little girl reminds me of me.

And who can forget her art work in "Wind in the Willows"

Happy Birthday in Heaven Tasha,

your talent will live on for many generations.

Sun Bathing

A beautiful day today, the sun is shining, temps in the 70's, just perfect! Toby and Tyler seem to be enjoying it also, laying in the sun on our four season porch. Tyler, on the wicker, and Toby on my grandmother's rocker, were just a little annoyed with me for disturbing them for a photo. But where is Andy?

Well he likes a little more direct heat, so he prefers the windowsill behind the curtain!