Dot at Somewhere Over the Rainbow tagged me.  I have to list 7 random things about myself.

1.  I’ll start with one that Dot has already typed out.  “I can’t stand to have odd socks in my sock drawer….or anyone else’s for that matter. That’s why we have an odd sock basket, people!”  (Amen to that, Dottie!! lol  I would like to know if many socks ever make it out of your sock basket.)

2.  I’m not a stickler for the schedule and “a place for everything and everything in its place”, but chaos drives me nuts.

3.  I never had braces on my teeth.   From about the age of 10, I have wanted straight teeth. Or at least a smile that is less messed up.

4.  My sister and I are both loud mouths.  Her mouth has been a key factor in taking her son’s previously losing and mentally defeated soccer team and turning it around, much to the chagrin, I am sure, of the previous coach, who was forced to give up his team because of his horrible attitude, and said she would never win any games because she doesn’t have his vast coaching experience.  Now , because she doesn’t play “coach’s favorites”, a game that seems so prevalent in youth sports, and because she is a fountain flowing with instruction and encouragement, they are undefeated!!! You show ‘em, little sister!!

5.  Dealing with OCD every single day has enriched my life, or, rather, trusting God for the strength and grace to deal with OCD has enriched my life, and has caused me to be more likely to extend mercy toward quirky people.  “There but by the grace of God go I.”

6.  My bus driver in elementary school went to prison for murder.

7.  As the result of an unfortunate finger jamming incident, one of my fingers is longer than its mate on the opposite hand.  It doesn’t make sense that the jammed finger is longer, but it really and truly is.

If you are reading this, consider yourself tagged!

Homer and I pulled out the rarely used wide angle and telephoto lenses today since it was such a nice day.  Come to think of it, we never did get the pics off his camera.  Dub ended up using it the most.

The fragrance of the apple blossoms rushes in to meet me every time I open my door to go outside.  Ahhhh.  Is it any wonder that my favorite season is spring?

Homer is working on a project that has the theme “faithfulness”. We’ve been throwing out hints that might spark his creativity. We took our cameras to the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary this afternoon and had some fun looking for examples of faithfulness. I got several decent shots, and though I haven’t seen his pics yet, I am sure Homer did, too.

These poults were in in their nest under a bush. Both of their parents were within 3 feet of them the whole time we were there. The mama was never more than about a foot from them. The father was more interested in scaring us away than running away himself. We didn’t press the issue so I don’t know how far he would’ve gone, but I thought it was interesting that almost every Canada goose “on the nest” had a mate nearby, if not right next to her keeping his eye on things.

Aren’t they precious?

A sweet, fuzzy baby snuggling with its mama.

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Enough snuggling! Time to explore!

Shifting gears, there was lots of wing flapping while we were there. There also seemed to be a lot of competition. This swan was chasing off a goose.

We had a great sermon this morning. The guest preacher’s text was Psalm 4. I didn’t have anything to write with so I couldn’t take notes, but I left church encouraged that God is ultimately the only source of anything worthwhile in life and that He is faithful to take care of everything that comes along.

Evening Prayer of Trust in God.

For the choir director; on stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.

1 Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
You have relieved me in my distress;
Be gracious to me and hear my prayer.

2 O sons of men, how long will my honor become a reproach?
How long will you love what is worthless and aim at deception? Selah.

3 But know that the LORD has set apart the godly man for Himself;
The LORD hears when I call to Him.

4 Tremble, and do not sin;
Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,
And trust in the LORD.

6 Many are saying, “Who will show us any good?”
Lift up the light of Your countenance upon us, O LORD!

7 You have put gladness in my heart,
More than when their grain and new wine abound.

8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep,
For You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety.

It’s always nice to read this kind of thing from the mainstream media.