Golf Season

Well, tonight is my second week on my golf league. I only know one person in the league. I met her through a mutual friend, and she was kind enough to ask me to join her team. Last week was the week we set out handicaps. This is the time to golf poorly - right? The idea is to golf a moderately bad game so you can have a high handicap. Obviously, I didn't get the memo in time. I golfed a 47 - parring 4 holes (9 hole league). I never golf this well!!! Oh well, there goes my handicap for the season. Nowhere to go from here but down!!! The weather is rather rainy today, so we'll see what tonight brings.

Here's my quote for the day....

If you watch a game, it's fun. If you play at it, it's recreation. If you work at it, it's golf.
Bob Hope (1903 - 2003)

Springtime in Montana...

Well, guess what!! It snowed again. I golfed in 80 degree weather Tuesday night and today we woke up to snow. I know that every state makes this claim - If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes - but in Montana, it is especially true!!!

We are hosting a party for one of my best friends, Robin, tonight at our home. We have known Robin and her husband Steve for 30 years. They have been a real blessing in our lives. We expect about two dozen people tonight, so we will be cozy in our little house.

My thought for the day is this..."I went out to find a friend, and could not find one there. I went out to be a friend, and friends were everywhere." Anonymous

31 years and counting.....

Today is Bruce's and my 31st anniversary. Its been a wonderful ride!!! We have had many great times together. We have two wonderful daughters, two terrific sons-in-law, and the cutest granddaughter in the world!!

Bruce has been my best friend and will always be. I have always been able to count on him to lift me up and love me. I thank God for him. I don't always tell him how much I appreciate him, and I am going to change that right now.

Life has not always been easy, but we have tried to keep God as the main focus of out lives and He has blessed us with manifold blessings.

Here's to another 31...at least!!

Anniversary Angst...

What do you get a man who has everything he wants and/or needs??? Our anniversary is fast approaching and I have not one clue as to what to get Bruce. I did get him tickets to see David Copperfield here in Billings, but that doesn't seem like much. He always seems to come up with something nice for me at holidays, birthdays and anniversarys and I am always scrounging at the last minute because of lack of ideas. If any one of my 3 or 4 followers have a suggestion - I am very open!!!!

As an aside, I had a great surprise this past weekend. I had known that a gentleman was coming to visit our congregation regarding a new work he is undertaking in Chicago, but I never heard his name. As it turns out, it is Kerry Holton - my youth group leader from my senior year in high school in Oklahoma. I hadn't seen him in 30 years. It was so great to see him again. I only wish his wonderful wife, Becky, had been with him. It is always a blessing to see old friends and renew those relationships. God is so good!!!

Just for fun - here is a Montana "no trespassing" sign.

The Death of Winter - HOPEFULLY!

Is Spring finally here? One could only hope!! We have been teased with nice weather about once a week for a month, but then it will get cold again and snow. I like winter just fine, but it should end sometime in March. I am so ready for warm weather and sunshine. I am ready to hit the golf course, and I know that Bruce is ready to go fishing. Unfortunately, we have no control over the weather and must live with what we get.

Every day on my way to and from work, I look for two hawks that live near me. One is a large, immature hawk (I'm not sure what kind) who lives about a block or two from here. I see it almost every day sitting on top of a utility pole. Once I even saw him dive down to capture his dinner. The other hawk I see is a Kestrel-which is my favorite species of hawk. There are actually a pair that live about two miles from my home. I see one of them almost every day on the power line. It just thrills me when I see them-OK, I get cheap thrills-but I do love to see a hawk flying - or even just sitting.

God has given us so many wonderful things to marvel about in our world. I hope you take time today to just revel in God's nature.

Lily's First Birthday

This weekend Bruce and I went to Idaho for our granddaughter Lily's first birthday. We had a great time!!! She is so sweet and such a cutie. We only wish we could see her more often. It was so nice to visit with Jim and Alyson. They have made such a nice home for themselves and they are such good parents. We were privileged to meet many of Jim & Alyson's friends at the birthday party. I am posting a couple of pictures - one of Lily and me, and one of Lily with her birthday cake (all over her!!). Alyson saved her first taste of chocolate for her birthday. She is a true Blackketter girl - she loves chocolate!!!!!!

Awesome Responsibility

Its been several days since my last post, so I thought I would bring the blog up to date. For those who read my blog - probably just my daughters - Bruce was installed as an elder in our congregation today. Its an awesome responsibility, with which I think he will do well. The Lord has truly blessed us in many ways. Not the least of which is a wonderful church family.

We are getting excited to go to Lily's first birthday in a couple of weeks. I cannot believe she is already a year old. Where does the time go??????? She is so cute - as you can see in the photo. It will be fun to be able to spend a few days with Jim & Alyson and Miss Lily. Please pray for fair weather and good roads.

And to end my blog for today, just a little quote about babies.....
When babies look beyond you and giggle, maybe they're seeing angels. ~Quoted in The Angels' Little Instruction Book by Eileen Elias Freeman, 1994