Friday, July 25, 2008

FREAK INCIDENT

O.K.

So Murphy, our miniature Schnauzer, came back from the groomers a week ago. He usually has a place where he incessantly licks. This time, being no different. He chose his left rear paw. No biggie, right? Well, as the week progresses, he keeps going after his paw. By Sunday, he was obsessed with chewing his foot. Walk, stop, chew. Walk, stop, chew. On and on it went. Vet is closed on Sundays and Mondays (of course). So, Tuesday, I take him in. I'm thinking of just getting him a space-age cone collar. The vet looks at it and says his foot is infected and she would like to drain it, see if there is anything in the wound and start him on some antibiotics. Murphy isn't a fan of people messing with his foot, so it would require sedation. Great. I leave Murphy in trusting hands and go on about my day. I get a phone call about an hour later from the vet. Guess what they found in Murphy's wound?! Grass seed. Yup. Really. How crazy is that? How disgusting is that? He could have picked that up anywhere! Do you know how paranoid I am now of letting him outside?

So, now he dons a space-age cone collar. (he loves it. not.) He mis-judges his space and bumps into everything. It's the funniest thing! He has pretty much mastered the stairs, though. It's still funny to watch. The funniest thing is when he goes outside. He can't quite get a good sniff of the ground to decide where the toilet of the day will be and you can just see frustration all over him! He also can't see the squirrels approaching or streaking by him on the fence. He has that Batman thing going on where he has to practically turn his whole upper half to see.

food for camping trip: $ 75
tank of gas for camping trip: $83
removing grass seed the dog hauled home in his foot from camping trip: $127
watching your dog move about in a space-age cone collar: priceless

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Prayer

O.K., so James asks me this morning, "What have you been praying for?". Not a hard question. One so many times asked by him as well as other people. But, this morning it caught me by surprise. It was difficult to answer. I really haven't been "praying for" anything. My prayers have been more like running commentary on my day and thoughts and ideas and sometimes a little request for help in dealing with two boys and their antics. Sometimes, I would get a prayer request to pray for someone else and of course, I would intercede for them.

I remember a time when it seemed the only time I talked to God was to ask for something. Of course, there would be the usual comments and the gratefulness for what He has done and all of that, and then at the end, I would tack on a request (or two...or more). I thought about that time and wondered if James or my friends would like it if that's how it always was with me and them. I'd talk for awhile, maybe give them an opportunity and then, at the end of the visit, I would ask a "favor" or make a request that they do something. Now, I know God is way more patient than that and He endures so much from me. But this morning, my heart actually ached a little for Him.

I realized that during my time these past couple of months of not really making any requests of God on my behalf, I have been feeling...well, let's just say I've been feeling what the enemy would like for me to believe..."not spiritual". However, from God's perspective, it probably felt more like relief. Like His little girl was actually a bit content and satisfied, perhaps more trusting of Him and not so...worried. I wonder if I had actually been a little more "spiritual" than the norm in respect to mine and God's relationship. That whole trust thing. That whole praying without ceasing. I don't suppose my conversation with God should be peppered with "would you", "could I", etc. to be considered prayer.

Prayer is just talking with God. Sometimes it's me talking "to" God. Sometimes, maybe it isn't saying anything at all? Sometimes, I've noticed this too, that spending time with Him is sort of like laying under an umbrella at a warm beach, and not saying a word...for days (James & I have done that together)There is a comfortable silence and a special kind of knowing just being together. No words. Free and random thoughts. Sometimes, people come to mind and we talk. No big requests for immediate action. Would I consider myself out of relationship? So, what have I been praying for? hmmm.... it's a little hazy here at the beach, with God.

musings about this picture


I love that I captured this sunflower blowing in the breeze, with the river in the background. It's just a small, inexpensive Kodak camera that was used. Nothing fancy. I like that, too!


The flower, I'll call her Lizzy, really captures the essence of a sunflower. Here she is, in the sunny, warm desert, atop a hill overlooking the cool, blue river below. One can see that she enjoys the wind blowing through her petals. She's happy in the sunlight. She was created for this. That's why they call her a "sunflower". Yellow...the color of sunshine, of happiness, of freedom, of creativity, of free spiritedness. The brown in the center; solid, sturdy, dependable, anchored, thoughtful...not flighty.


The whole composition of this photo is just absolutely amazing to me. I feel encouraged when I see it. I'm going to enjoy it when it's January and it's dark and dreary outside, with cold rain. My picture of Lizzy will speak of another season; not just of summer, but of the heart and spirit.

Monday, July 7, 2008

Fairy Lanterns


Oregon is just fodder for my imagination. There are so many beautiful and interesting sites to see. So many smells, so many things to hear. Sometimes I feel how Dorothy on the Wizard of Oz must have felt when her black and white world crashed into the technicolor Oz. She slowly opens the door to her Aunt Em's simple farmhouse and there is all of this color and all of this overwhelming scenery that doesn't look like Kansas! I feel that way about Oregon. The colors up here are incredible. The smell of fresh air makes me dizzy and giddy. The sites are beyond words. I love Texas, just as I'm sure Dorothy loved Kansas and the farm, but, what a dream to experience Oz.


So, James and I were hiking up a hill next to the beach and I noticed these little flowers about the size of your baby toe's toenail. They looked like paper lanterns for fairies. Adorable, they were. Well, then, of course, I could just imagine little fairies everywhere along the forested coast using these flowers as lanterns. Then, a flood of ideas for a children's book overtook my mind. I really like how ideas come so easy up here.


By the way, the Tooth Fairy visited Autry last week and left a tiny, handwritten note:

"Dear Autry,

Thank you for the tooth.

Welcome to Oregon.

I am an artist and use teeth for my sculptures.

I live in the big tree on the shortcut to the sidewalk down at the end of your street. Say hi, when you pass by.

-Toothfairy-"


If you don't believe in fairies, then you may not want to live Oregon.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Things I love about Oregon






  1. berries

  2. 85 degree days

  3. 60 degree nights

  4. berries

  5. large mountains

  6. colorful flowers

  7. sleeping with windows open

  8. Burgerville milkshakes

  9. Skyline of Portland at Twilight

  10. Columbia River Gorge

  11. sitting outside anytime on a summer day/night

  12. the smell of the air in the morning

  13. Oregon Coast

  14. Farmer's Markets on Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays

  15. Esparza's Tex Mex on 28th and Burnside

  16. seeing Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helen's on a clear day

  17. A fountain RC cola at Helvetia Tavern (with their hamburgers and french fries!)

  18. berries

  19. hiking trails all over the place

  20. Oregon wine