Nuthin' But Blue Skies

What weather we've had this weekend! Ahhhhhhhh. That's the sound of a great winter sigh being released on a warm afternoon. We all went for a walk/roll down the street with the doggies, to the Wildlife Ramp/public water access.

Oriental hosted an annual boat show this weekend, and nautical vendors near and far came to display their wares to prospective buyers. And quite a few boats appeared in our harbors. This one, the "Toddy," was a special treat to the eyes. Lots of gorgeous woodwork.

I felt she could be drifting down the Nile with Hercule Poirot or Humphrey Bogart aboard.

Our flowers continue to greet spring and favor us all with their beauty.

Another boat on display is this slim beauty on a trailer -- again, fine woodwork.

And speaking of spring beauties, here's a photo from many years ago -- Julia and Anna -- in front of my tulips when we lived in Iowa. Julia was two years old, and Anna was about ten.

I mentioned wisteria, that elegant purple vine that attacks trees in such a disarming way. People also have wisteria shrubs in their yard, and it's very pretty.

For those unfamiliar with it, here's a close up. The clusters dangle like thin chandeliers.

Back down at the Wildlife Ramp, several weeks ago someone ran his boat into one of the three floating docks there and broke the dock in two. The authorities removed the pieces, and today I walked down and saw the new improved dock. It's at the end of this long ramp.

Atop two of the four poles are seagulls perched as if standing guard.

Guard One

Guard Two

Only a few yards away are the crumbled remnants of an older dock or pier, only its rock and rubble remaining. It's another reminder that even the brilliant things we make are destined for a timely end, and all of us fade away on this planet.

This morning at church we heard the sad report that a local pastor was killed yesterday morning in a motorcycle accident. He was about 60 years old, I think. He's in glory, and learning all there is to know about eternity, but his church and family are left in shock and grief. It is only God's providence that decided that that pastor's time of testimony here was complete, and he was ready to go, but that Adam still had work to do for the kingdom and could remain -- albeit with a damaged leg. It could so easily have been Adam that was taken, except that God said, "Not yet!" And so, it is impossible for Adam to have gone, because it wasn't time. I'm thankful for a God who rules all such things.
To end on a light note, here's Beau. Those glasses sat on his nose for about 1/2 second, but I got the pic!

Have a blessed week, everyone.