Daybright

This Indian summer day was so bright and glorious that all the outside jobs, the mowing and painting and livestock chores, seemed like so many fun and games. If only I could do laundry and dishes and cleaning outdoors!

"For you are all children of light, children of the day." --1 Thessalonians 5:5 ESV

Frost

Overnight, rain-snow and heavy frost had turned summer's botanic beauty into a bent and slimy and blackened mess.  When we were surveying the unsightly garden casualties the next morning, Hubby pointed out an exquisitely fashioned ice-painting on the pickup hood. I was reminded that I always have a choice: focus on and fret about the ugly, or look upon and be grateful for the beautiful. 

"I want to see beauty. In the ugly, in the sink, in the suffering, in the daily, in all the days before I die, the moments before I sleep." --Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts 

Saving Summer

If the weatherman is right, these and many other of my petaled friends may soon be frozen under frost or snow--perhaps even tomorrow--so I took some photos today of their bright little faces. Here on this page they can bloom forever!

"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying." --Revelation 21:4 NKJV 

A-1

I had a volunteer product inspector in the freshly-cut hayfield this morning: Samson. According to Sampson, the Alfalfa Palatability Rating is A-1.

Samson has obviously grown into his name, wouldn't you say? We estimate his weight at 650 pounds.

"It is strength which endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us." --Colossians 1:12 MSG

Wow Walk

I love to hike anytime, anywhere, but now--when summer still has center stage but autumn waits in the wings, peeking out from behind the curtain--hiking is positively sublime. 

(Photos taken atop Casper Mountain this weekend.)

"For we walk by faith, not by sight." --2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV

Transfiguration

Although the goaties' pen is nearly a quarter of an acre in size, the heat makes them laze in the shade instead of run and play. Ergo, my little ladies have grown in circumference. Even Blueberry, who used to be quite svelte, has pudged up. 

The evenings haven't been as sweltering as previous, so the Round Ones are taken on fitness walks a few times a week, in which they participate with great enthusiasm. The only glitch: they snack nearly the entire time!

              Blueberry and Jubilee

                           Minnie

"We are transfigured by the Spirit of the Lord in ever-increasing splendour into his own image." --2 Corinthians 3:18 PHILLIPS

The B&B

Tigger's interpretation of the bed-and-breakfast:

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning." --Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV