White Christmas

Actually, it was a white "week before" Christmas.

We were warned to expect a couple inches of snow, but the weather prognosticators have been soooo wrong this year, I only believe it when I see it. For once, they told the truth! We measured 3-4" in our yard, but a friend about 15 miles away received 8" and got to post the most gorgeous video ever of her horse running up to her from across the pasture. It's gotten over 1200 views on FB! I'm just a little jealous :) My beautiful afghan hound didn't glam out for the camera this time.

There's no disagreement that this year has been one wild ride. In fact, that's probably the only thing we all agree on anymore! But it seems like just last month it was summer and the hummingbirds were zipping and zooming around.

And here it is, just 5 days before Christmas!

I know we all want 2020 to be over, but I wish the years weren't flying by so quickly. I'm starting to feel the pressure to cram before finals!

 

The Last Leaves of Fall

This is my favorite time of year. The very turning of the calendar to October brings a big smile to my face! But the stars have not been aligned in my favor to get any great fall pictures. We took an early vacation this year, before the leaves started to change colors. Then, whenever I had a free weekend, the weather didn't cooperate.

Finally, this past Sunday, while there was a leaf or two still on the trees, we took a short ride to a nearby lake. It's pretty small and you'll totally miss it, if you don't know where to look. The only reason I knew about it was I read a short article recently about the little donkeys that hang out there. And we've lived here for over 30 years! (I guess I don't get out much...)

Look, there's even a bit of a hill! 

Ok, now about those donkeys ... I don't know how many there are, but we saw four. And I just read that some goats live there too. The goats and donkeys were hired by the city with the official title of Vegetation Management. What a great idea! 

Here they are. They were quite focused on their job and not too interested in posing for the camera.

I can't resist being amused at the irony of going to look for donkeys right after last week's insane election. [And I promise that's the only reference I'll make.]

They only looked up when they noticed Khaleesi. See her front paw lifted up? She was like, whaaaa...what is this strange dog? The dog and donkey glanced at each other, then went about their business. Neither was fazed by the other.

I think this is the best picture I've ever gotten of her. She was so happy to be out in the sunshine in a brand new place. So many new smells! (don't worry; I edited out the leash).

Oh, we saw one other critter hanging around the lake.

And then it was back up the hill for a country ride home.  Somehow, I'm gonna use this last photo in an interesting digital collage.

And definitely gonna get a 5x7 print of Khaleesi's pic!

 

Trump Parade

One of my favorite things to do, especially on a cool, autumn morning, is grab my camera & a coffee, and go shoot some pix. This morning brought me a unique opportunity! The local Republicans organized a Trump parade and it was launching not far from my house.

The air was cool but not crisp, the sky was blue, and people were in a festive mood. Say what you will about Trumpsters, but they're always fun to be around. (You don't see anyone throwing a Biden parade or flotilla, do ya??)

They came with their cars, trucks, and motorcycles decked out in support for the President, the USA, and law enforcement.

The parade route was a big loop around Tulsa, starting at the community college south campus, traveling north on the highway, then west to loop around downtown. They would return by a different route, thereby pretty much encompassing the whole city. Organizers estimated about 2 hours to make the run.

I ran into some friends and enjoyed chatting with them.

I loved how the morning sun was shining through the flag.

This photo doesn't show the size of the crowd, which actually increased after I took this. As they were driving out, I asked a police officer what his estimate might be. He said it looked to him to be between 300-400 vehicles total.

I met some ladies who said it was on their bucket list to be part of the RNC, especially this year. They finally got picked as representatives and were so excited! Then it was canceled due to the pandemic. They were extremely disappointed and hope to get to go next time. Although they really wanted the Trump experience. 

Before the parade started, the organizers called everyone to come near the stage. He said "We're Republicans. And we pray and say the pledge before every event." The crowd cheered! He led us in prayer for the President's health and speedy recovery, for the election, for the nation. Then, hands on hearts, 100s of people said the Pledge of Allegiance.

Lots of red in this crowd!

 Not sure who Hazel is - a Democrat convert? -  but she loves you!

Back in the day, like waaaay back, like before Christ, there was a nation who wanted to be like their neighboring countries. Everyone had a king but them. Dummies didn't get it that their King was actually the Creator of the Universe! So they raised their voices and said, Give us a King! and God heard them and was not pleased. You should go read this story in 1 Samuel 8, but I'll give you a quick synopsis:

Samuel appointed his sons to be leaders over Israel (first mistake - sons aren't always the ideal heirs of a leadership position; nepotism at its worst). They fell into a classic politician's trap - enriching their own bank accounts by taking bribes, maybe even from lobbyists, and perverting justice to remain in power. The elders went to Sam and said, your kids are crap, give us a King like all the other nations.

Samuel went to the Lord, who said, give them what they want but warn them what it will cost. The way verses 11-17 describe it, well, gee - makes me think of socialism.

But the people refused the warning and here's what they said in vs 19-20: We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.”

In other words, "we don't want to do anything; we want the government to take care of us."

God gave them what they asked for and Saul fit the bill. He was tall, and good looking. In fact, the Bible says there wasn't a better looking man in all of Israel. A regal, handsome guy like that would make a great king!  Sadly, he turned out to be one of the worst.

1 Sam 16:7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Our flag has red and blue in it. Democrats and Republicans both have a voice on November 3rd. So even though this post was about the Trump parade, what's really important is that you vote. But make it an informed decision. Vote for what the man stands for; know what the people behind him intend to push. Don't be swayed by outward appearances. If you can do that, then come Inauguration Day, no matter who's taking the oath of office, you can be at peace knowing you did your part and God will take care of the rest.

Sunflowers & Hummingbirds

Two years ago, I read about a large sunflower field in Lawrence, KS. It was too late in the season to see them, so I hoped to go last year. However, the weather wasn't kind to the fields last year and the flowers didn't bloom well. The owners have a Facebook page to keep the fans alerted to the flowers' progress (click here https://www.facebook.com/GrinterFarms).

This year looked promising but we only had a one day opportunity to see them ourselves. So last Monday, I grabbed the Canon, hubby picked up the coffees, and Khaleesi the Afghan Hound hopped in the back of the SUV. Off we went on a little road trip.

The field was not quite what I expected. I was imagining acres & miles of big, beautiful sunflowers. (The farm is 40 acres, which is nothing to sneeze at.) Sometimes my expectations are a little unrealistic.

One of the fields was blooming but "not mature" as the lady at the little store said. The other field was just beginning to pop.

But we always make the best of things and have a good time no matter what. I did manage to snap "a few" pix, as you can see. 

The flowers had their backs to the parking area this day and I didn't want to trudge all the way to the other side in the semi-muddy field to get a facing shot. (But thinking back on it, after driving 4.5 hours, that was kinda stupid!)

It's funny, but in my search for the perfect, flawless, flower, it seemed to me that each one has a personality!

Just like us, each flower was in a different place on its life journey. 

Some rose above the others. 

And some were broken.

Some, even though they were growing up among flowers who were further along, didn't let that discourage them. They kept growing, trusting the Creator's plan for them.

They steadfastly keep their faces towards the sun, trusting it to strengthen and nourish them each day.

There's a little story going around social media that on cloudy days, sunflowers face each other, to share their energy. It's very sweet, but experts say it's not true. They face east for the early morning sun and track it all day, facing west as the sun sets. In the morning, they repeat the process. However, when they mature, they remain facing east all day.

 

Here's a little bit of fun information from the internet......

"Sunflowers are more than just beautiful food -- they're also a mathematical marvel. The pattern of seeds within a sunflower follows the Fibonacci sequence, or 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144... If you remember back to math class, each number in the sequence is the sum of the previous two numbers."

I never found the "perfect" sunflower for my picture frame.

But, I did find an entire field of happy faces!

Speaking of big smiles...

The hummingbirds have been really active this summer!

We have so enjoyed watching their aerial antics.

I still haven't gotten the great hummer shot, but the last one in this series might make you smile.

"You lookin' at me?"