Monday, February 28, 2011

BOOM...RATTLE...SHAKE!

BOOM...RATTLE...SHAKE = LIGHTNING...THUNDER...EARTHQUAKE!!!

With the season change to spring comes vast weather changes; last night was no different.  By the way, that was a second 'thunder in February, frost in May'!  Something we're not used to in this part of the world is earthquakes.  Oh, sure, yes we're near the New Madrid Fault so tremors can be expected, but they are very rare.

Much of the local papers & media have been filled the last few months with reports of small tremors and earthquakes in Central Arkansas, near Guy & Greenbriar.  Over the course of these months we have felt nothing in Northern Arkansas or Southern Missouri . . . . until last night!  4.7 centered in Greenbriar, AR; followed by three in the 3.8 vicinity.

Now, I didn't feel the whole house shaking, stuff on the walls moving that others did, but I do recall hearing some rattling. I just thought it was thunder from the pending storms headed our way!  Never thought anything different.  It felt like one of those deep thunders that rattles your inards.  Didn't know anything about the earth quaken until this morning when it was on the news and facebook was flooded with reports.

I believe God gives us warning signs everyday.  Now, whether we choose to listen is another story.  Yes, yes, yes, I know....people have been speaking of the 'end times' for years.  I do believe the end is near; we're a whole lot closer today that we were yesterday.  Is it in my lifetime?  Who knows.  No one knows; we just have to be ready.  But, I do believe God is trying to shake us up a bit and open our eyes to what's going on around us.  For example; the Oscars.

The 83rd Academy Awards was on last night.  I do not think God is very pleased with the types of filth coming out of Hollywood; just like I'm sure He's not pleased with the turmoil in this world.  The movies might not necessarily be bad, but the people making them are representing and condoning things that are probably not too pleasing to Him.   For example; I was all excited about "The King's Speech" winning Best Picture and getting to see it until . . . the guy giving the speech at the end thanked his boyfriend!!!  Totally turned me off and I probably won't be watching it. 

I realize these are my opinions, but they are opinions based on facts backed up by the truths of the Bible.  If we, as Christians, continue to 'accept' and 'get used' to things unpleasing to God what makes us any better?  I heard someone say over the weekend that they are 'getting used' to seeing/hearing about homosexuality.  I'M SORRY, but I COMPLETELY 100% DISAGREE with that statement.  If we continue to 'get used to' we are accepting something not of God.  I know folks and have friends who live this lifestyle.  I'm not saying they're not nice people because they are good people.  Just being good or nice doesn't give us an eternity in heaven with Jesus.  This goes for all sin.  It's high time to step up.  All it takes is one spark to ignite a wildfire.  Just think what one voice can do. 

I realize sin is sin and I'm not putting myself on a pedestal.  I have my faults that I have to ask forgiveness for.  But, God is pressing us to work for Him, to lead by example, to be a light and spread His Word.  I'm listening God, help me to be brave to do Your Will!

Until next time . . .

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Thunder in February, Frost in May & 11 months

Hello blogger buddies!

Happy, happy Thursday.  Well, we are officially-unofficially into the Spring weather season.  In other words . . . thunderstorms have returned!

That's right.  Woke up this morning, early, to thunder booms and lightning cracks, and pouring down rain.  On my journey to work I could see a slight tint of green in the pastures.  Such a welcome sight, too.

Like I said, woke up early; about 4:14 AM.  Jasper was spending his second night in a row out of his pen..YAY!  He sleeps on the porch on his pillow, which is now a soppy wet mess.  The sound of the rain on my metal roof woke me up.  Such a peaceful sound, but it's been a while since I've heard it.  I was getting up to check the pup since this was his first time to sleep on the porch during a storm.  As soon as my feet were to hit the floor . . . . BOOM BOOM from thunder and then CRACK CRACK from lightning.  Like to have scared me to death! hahaha

With that, I immediately remembered the old wives tale "Thunder in February, frost in May.  Oh, and my pup was fine.  He was asleep all cozy and snuggled in his house on the porch; thunder never phased him.  So, mark your calendar and see if we have a frost and final cold snap in late May.

And . . . Jasper is 11 months old today!  Happy 11 months old to my sweet pup :) 

all curled up with his blanket :)


Until next time . . .

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

"Sit boys!"

Yes, this is another post devoted to the pup as well as his two compadres on the C Ridge.  Those compadres would be Ben, 13 1/2 year old Lab and chief of the C Ridge and Tucker, 7 1/2 year old Lab and boss of the C Ridge.  So we have:

Ben - 13 1/2
Tucker - 7 1/2
Jasper - 11 months

Here's a little history:  Ben taught Tucker.  Tucker is now teaching Jasper.  Oh help us!! hahahan

With that much Lab walking around you can imagine the tail wags, barks, licks, etc that goes on.  They are a crazy trio.  We have taught all our pups to sit and shake.  Jasper can pretty much sit on command, but the shaking part is still a work in progress.  Oh, and something they all three know is "you wanna bite?"  You say this or stick your hand in your pocket and they sit without you even asking them to! Ha

But, when you want them to sit, you can imagine the chaos and fun that goes with getting three feisty pups to sit and stay seated at the same time.  Here's pictures to show the fun:

Dad was saying over and over:  "sit boys, sit, good boy Tucker, sit, I said sit, sit down!"  ahaha  Oh the joys of the pups!

L to R:  Ben, Jasper (blue collar), Tucker (orange collar)

Yay!  They all did it.  You can see dad saying "good boys!"



Tuesday, February 22, 2011

My Sleeping Beauty

asleep by the end of the driveway

Japser, my spoiled pup! 

If I'm not home of an evening and I fail to leave my porch light on then Jasper camps out on my mom & dad's front porch until I get home.  But, he won't come home unless I pick him up.  Not all a bad thing because I don't want him to get used to following me and thinking he can follow me out or chase cars . . . that's a no-no. 

So last night, I failed to leave the light on and got home late.  Jasper was sleeping very cozy on mom & dad's porch.  I had so much fun getting him in the car.  He would just put his front feet in the floor board and stand there.  Finally, I had to hoist him up in the car.  By the time I got to the end of the driveway he was sleeping almost soundly; well enough that he was snoring.  And, the driveway is barely .10th of a mile and my mouse is barely .3ths of a mile from my folks. 

Sleepy puppy had to wake up to get out :)
Why don't you let him sit in the seat, Lindsay?  Well, he used to and I didn't really mind it as long as the blanket was down.  But ever since dad made him get out of his tractor seat Jasper thinks he can't get him my seat.  So, he curls up in the floor.  Silly puppy for being so smart!

I know, I know.  He's spoiled rotten.  I talk about him all the time.  I honesty can't help it.  Never knew I could or would love my pup so much.  He's my buddy, my protector and depends on me.  Truth be known, I depend on him too; to cheer me up, to make me laugh, to make me smile.  He knows I love him and I know he loves me! Dad tells me not to get to attached just in case something happens to him.  I understand that because I would be heartbroken if something untimely happened to sweet Jasper.  But you know what?  Just like in life with people, if we don't love them with all we are while we're with them, in fear of getting too attached, then what's the use?  Live & love like there's no tomorrow because God doesn't promise us tomorrow or that next breath.  Love & Live the right now because this is the moment God promises. 


Until next time . . .

Monday, February 21, 2011

Follow-up to February 18, 2011 post "Graying"

Some of you read my February 18, 2011 post titled "Graying".  Well, over the weekend I received a bit more information on the story.

My dad was talking about finding the pups on his return home with the truck and tractor; which prompted my new information.  You see, dad had been gone a long time; long enough to unload a trailer load of round bales of hay (qty 15), make two trips there and back for the delivery, as well as load and unload the tractor....that translates into well over an hour.  Anyway . . . .

Apparently the pups didn't head toward dad until his final return trip home.  He had to pull a steep hill out of the river bottom and this of course caused his truck to pull down and get loud . . . it's a Dodge 1-ton w/loud pipes.  This river bottom and hill is a good 3 miles or so from my house.  When the air is right you can hear the river running so imagine hearing a loud truck.  Again, anyway . . . .

Well, come to find out it wasn't my dog, dearest Jasper, who decided he needed to go on a road trip.  It was Tucker! And Jasper followed.  Tucker goes with dad during the summer when he's haying for folks.  Tucker saw dad and the tractor go out and just assumed I guess.  Well, the pups had to have heard dad pulling that hill and Tucker was on the run!

So, after all that rambling, I still have more gray hair because my pup gave me a scare.  But, at least I know he didn't willfully go to the highway and that far away on his own and the record is straight on whose dog is the true brat!

Until next time . . .

Friday, February 18, 2011

Graying

If you were to visit me at my cube today you could probably find more gray hairs on my head!!  WHY?  I'll tell you why and it can all be summed up in one swoop . . . Jasper, my lovely 11 month old lab (on the 24th).

My dad called me earlier to inform me he was almost in trouble.  I knew immediately what or better yet who he was referring to because of that statement.  I asked, "what did Jasper do?"  He begins to explain to me the events of his day which involved driving the truck w/flat bed trailer and tractor.  Well two of those items, truck & tractor, immediately scream "Jasper is near!" because he goes wherever they go.  Truck, tractor, and four wheeler automatically overrule me and what I say.

Well today, that just about got young Jasper and his teacher, Tucker, into heaps of trouble.  Oh, I'm sure they felt part of the trouble as dad gave them a real good scolding, but.  Back on track Lindsay.  Ok, so dad leaves the house.  He had been gone a while.  As he was returning home some movement out in a field caught his eye.  Now this field in mention is about two miles from our county road and the highway runs in front of it.  You're beginning to figure my graying moment aren't you?  Dad says he looked out in that field and said, "I know those pups!"  Yes, you guessed it, Jasper (and Tucker) followed dad out.  They were out in the field sniffing, chasing, swimming in the pond, you name it.  And boy were they glad to see dad!  He didn't have any trouble getting them to jump on the back of the truck.  He was glad to see them too, especially since he didn't know they were gone in the first place.

Scary thing is . . . dad had been gone a long time.  There is no telling how far away they actually got.  

As I think about all this I bet Tucker didn't willingly follow dad.  If truth be known he went with Jasper to keep Jasper out of trouble.  After all, Tucker is supposed to be teaching Jasper.  At least I hope Tucker didn't follow dad because if he did we're going to have a real problem with the pup who loves to go everywhere!  Let's just pray he doesn't!!

"Dear Lord, please help me teach my pup to stay home!" Amen.

I'll be purchasing a new box of mocha hair color the next time I'm at the big box store because I'm sure there's more gray in my hair now than there was when I got to work this morning.

Until next time . . .

Thursday, February 17, 2011

The Mug!

Greetings fellow bloggers!  Happy almost Spring!  It's a beautiful, slightly windy, 72 degree day; Spring is definitely in the air in the Ozarks.  The birds are beginning to sing and there is a slight burst of budding on some trees.  Hopefully they won't get bit by frost.  But, the weather is not what I'm here to talk about today; although the weather is nice!

Okay, here it is . . . the blog post you've all been waiting for.  I found the perfect coffee mug!!  I know, how exciting, right?!  I've been on the lookout for such said mug.  I always knew that when it was the right one it would sort of have this glow about it, this 'WAAAAAAAA' **said in an orchestra/organ type sound**

You guessed it, I found it.  Not intending on going to the Christian Bookstore Outlet today, my sister informed me at lunch she needed to run by.  So, I was on board.  I was just walking around looking at all their pretty decor.  And when I say pretty, I mean 'WAAAAAAAA' **said in the above same fashion**  If I had the funds and a large enough house all their decor would adorn it.  I'm just sayin!

I was just moseying around and there it was; perched on a shelf.  The color grabbed my attention at first.  I'm a sucker for black and white.  Those colors are simple, classy and just plain elegant!  I had to have it because I knew this was the mug I'd been waiting for!  Plus, it fit perfectly how I feel every moment of my life.  Who knew it would take so long to find the right mug?  Feels a little like trying to find the right feller.  But, as in the case of the mug, when I know it's the right one I'll just know!

"Give Thanks - Every good and perfect gift is from above!" ~ James 1:17


Until next time . . .

Friday, February 11, 2011

SnOw much fun!

First of all...It's been a month since my last post; sorry readers, work has kept me extremely busy during the first quarter of 2011.

Since my last post, we have had 3 more snows.  I think we are at the end of Fogs in August = the number of snows for winter.  Goodness I hope we are.  It's been such a cold winter with subzero temperatures and wind chills and SNOW!  Granted, the snows haven't hung around long, but still soooo chilly.

A blog wouldn't be complete without mention of Jasper.  I was actually looking forward to snow this year because I just knew he would love it since he is enthralled with water.  Well, I was right.  Jasper loves, loves, loves snow.  He'll romp, roll, and stick his nose in it.  On one of our recent walks he discovered a grapevine branch hanging from a snow covered tree.  The included video is of that such moment.  You can't see it really, but snow was falling all over Jasper from the trees above.  Also, you can't hear it, but he was growling at that grapevine like crazy; grrr grrrr grrrr!  Enjoy!



Until next time . . .