31 Days::Day 10 - Mélange...

There's something about the Herbert Hoover Dike around Lake Okeechobee that captures my eye and camera lens every time - and I've hundreds of photos to prove it. Maybe it's the contrast between the bright green grass and the cloud puffed cerulean sky - or maybe it's the mystery of what I can't see on the other side. 

Twice we've driven up a single-lane access road to the top and looked out across the vast shallow lake on one side and sugarcane fields on the other, but it's only a tiny section in the 140 mile long dike. Most of what's on the other side will always be a mystery.

Day 10 - II Timothy 4 {The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. vs 18}, prepared sautéed brown sugar pears with vanilla ice-cream and gingersnaps for dessert {lovely, yes?}, a single load of laundry.   

31 Days::Day 9 - To continue on...

The pre-dawn dark of night paints the world black beyond my windows, but it does not darken my relief at waking without the worst headache ever of yesterday. I know the sun will soon bring light and the mercies of a new day speak much encouragement to me this morning as I am grateful beyond words that the day past is behind me.

With only a half day at home, to shower and dress and put on a little makeup might be the only "lovely" I bring into the house today, but it will be a major improvement from yesterday, I assure you. My aspirations are a little higher, though, so I'll write my just one thing goals below as motivation for accomplishing them.

Day 9 - II Timothy 3 { ...continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it... vs 14 }, prepare an arrangement of flame bush flowers and beautyberries for the house, sweep and clean back porch after cutting the flowers and berries for the arrangement in this humid morning heat, I'm switching this task out for the cooler cleaning out the fridge. =). 

31 Days::Day 8 - Strengthened by grace...

Flower heads droop and sparkle 

In the thick patch of autumn grass 

Where dragonflies with their gold dipped wings 

Cling. Still.

And the last wild orchids

Bloom gentle in the scrub oak's shade. 

Day 8 - II Timothy 2 { ... be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus ... vs 2}, if there ever was a day to walk in grace, it's today - when Emily and I both woke with the worst headaches ever, nausea and vomiting. Was it the Cuban sandwiches or the shrimp or simply a virus? Who knows, but clearly, just one thing will likely be replaced by just no thing today. Tomorrow will surely be better.  

31 Days::Day 7 - I {LOVE} Sunday ...

... Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
~ 2 Timothy 1:2 ESV

Day 7 - II Timothy 1 {... for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. vs 7}, sabbath rest.

   

31 Days::Day 6 - Pursuing righteousness ...

Drop Thy still dews of quietness
Till all our strivings cease;
Take from our souls the strain and stress
And let our ordered lives confess
The beauty of Thy peace.
~ John Greenleaf Whittier

Day 6 - I Timothy 6 { ... Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.~ vs 11}, baked a loaf of blueberry orange bread and drizzled it with orange blossom honey {okay, so it was to take to a barbecue at Betsy's house, but while it was baking the aroma was perfectly lovely}, washed the bed linens.