Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing
There is a field.
I'll meet you there.

ancient poet Rumi in the 1200's

"God and Sarah Palin" ~ an American Thinker article worth reading.

http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/07/god_and_sarah_palin.html

Wine Tasting in Temecula

Before DAaron arrived, Cyn & Anna took me to one of their vino haunts. We stayed the night and I'm happy to report that there was very little nasal disturbance during the wee hours of the morning. Way to go Cyn! :)

With all the visiting at each place, however, we only hit 3 wineries. Cyn was horrified, but I thought it was terrific! Go deeper in conversation, I always say!

Balboa Island stroll, looking like a Wilma & other random stuff

Yesiree, we had to get the annual Balboa Bar and on our way, we bumped into this Wilma sign. Cyn and I were notorious for calling anyone with a pulse,
"Wilma!" So there it is.

Too bad we didn't get a pic of the to-die-for Balboa Bars. But then again, who wants that on record after eating 4 - yes F.O.U.R. - chocolate chip cookies on the duffy. Great balls of cholestrol, hide the scales! But wait ~ at least we got the results of the BB. I look about 10 lbs heavier than when I got off the plane in LAX. Just a bad angle, I'm sure. Let's face it, a person can only eat, drink and be merry for a few days. Then we're back on the bike-er-eenooo!

The three dolls are 2 of Cyn and Dan's ~ Anna and Kirk who is heading to San Francisco State - and Katie, Nathan's girlfriend.

Smith pool: Floating margarita glass tells the tale!

Balboa Bay

Every summer Dan skippers a duffy in Balboa. We pack a festive dinner and savor while DanLee tells stories of his millionaire clients happily residing in their millionaire bay homes. Fabulous!

Obviously, Aaron is eager - I love that look - I'm hungry and Dan is thirsty.

The first photo of the Joy yacht is for our JoyFully Adored. Where were ya? Funny, we saw that same Beauty docked last year and took a pic, but I didn't post it.

Scripture memorization

Does not wisdom call out?
Does not understanding raise her voice?
On the heights along the way,
where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
beside the gates leading into the city
at the entrances, she cries aloud:
"To you, O men, I call out!
I raise my voice to all mankind."

You who are simple, gain prudence
you who are foolish, gain understanding
Listen, for I have worthy things to say
I open my lips to speak what is right
My mouth speaks what is true
for my lips detest wickedness
All the words of my mouth are just
None of them is crooked or perverse.

To the discerning all of them are right
They are faultless to those who have knowledge
Choose my instruction instead of silver
knowledge rather than choice gold,
for wisdom is more precious than rubies
and nothing you desire can compare with her.
I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence
I possess knowledge and discretion.

To fear the Lord is to hate evil
I hate pride and arrogance,
evil behavior and perverse speech.
Counsel and sound judgment are mine
I have understanding and power.
By me kings reign
and rulers make laws that are just
By me princes govern
and all nobles who rule on earth.

I love those who love me,
and those who seek me find me.

just a teaser

I'm Home Sweet Home, after 12 days with DAaron and my college roomie in southern Cal. The photos have not floated to a blog near you but they will. Meanwhile the blog natives are restless so here are pics of a couple of wineries we enjoyed in Temecula, Ca. Stay tuned, Friends and Fam, for the July vacaaa postings.

Mystere ~ surreal show at Treasure Island in Vegas with DAaron and Debbie the Mothah-in-law. But first, we had tapas at Cafe' Ba Ba Reeba. Fabulous!

Humorous note: Whenevah the kids would say, "Let's go out for tapas," I thought they were saying 'topless' and I wasn't interested. We were in Vegas, after all, and 'tapas' is a new word for me. Apparently tapas are appetizers but who knew?
Learn something every day from the chilluns.

For those who wait

John Waller's "While I'm Waiting" is dedicated to those of us who are waiting: Cheri O Matthews, DAaron and myself. I am waiting for "Righteousness to shine like the dawn, the justice of (my) cause to shine like the noonday sun."

Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings as eagles,
they shall run and not grow weary,
they shall walk and not faint.
Teach me Lord, teach me Lord to wait.

see Waller's video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XazqArchgR8

Walk, not just talk

Disciples simply are people who are constantly revising their affairs to carry through on their decision to follow Jesus.

You ravish people with the blessings of the Kingdom. You make them hungry for it. That’s why words are so important—we must be wordsmiths. You use words to ravish people with the beauty of the kingdom. It’s the beauty of the kingdom that Jesus said was causing people to climb over each other just to get in. People become excited like the pearl-purchaser—they will give everything to get in.

DW, of course

verse of the decade

Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,
be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don't take yourself too seriously-
take God seriously.

chippin'

Danielle and her dad used to practice their chip shots around the yard. Now she is doing it with her husband. amazing...

4th family fun

Freedom cookies created by ~ you guessed it, Elissa and Morgan.

Stogie corruption co-shared by Three Amigos: Gabriel, Aaron and Nathaniel. My dad would have loved that.

Remembering who we are ~ or Whose we are

We do not really need new theories, innovative programs, imaginative legislation, or rock star politicians in America. We live in a nation that once worked. Now we live in a nation that seems so much like the rest of the world. What made our nation great was never Congress, the White House, the Supreme Court, or other grand figures. What made our nation great was the character of our people.

We do not need glib words or exciting novelties in politics or in governance. We need honor, courage, faith, and clarity. Those virtues are not just the key to winning elections: they are the reason why winning elections matter.

lifted from an article by Bruce Walker, American Thinker
http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/07/palin_and_sanford_a_tale_of_tw.html
*****
This article offers an exceptionally cogent explanation for the disparity between those who "run the country" and the rest of us who actually live in it:
http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/07/palin_v_pundits.html

Learning the New Life of trust. He'll never let go.

A day at the lake

Surf's up with the rafts! 2 dollah, 50 cents for each raft. We all got one but not all of us used them, hmmmm?! You shore-huggers know who you are.

Ellie the GrandDog feared for her life. And by evening, Nathaniel suffered for lack of foresight in the sunscreen department. Next time, we're slatherin' ya, me Lad!

The best one-liner was from Elissa as Dan0 was running to be in the raft pic after setting the timer: "Baywatch!"

Dinner & fireworks

Grilled chicken breasts stuffed with artichoke hearts was the entree. The only one not savoring the yummy-ness ~ the chicken.

"Nothing says 4th of July like bottle rockets in one hand and a beer in the other," says Aaron Nadler.

chainsaw massacre and cuttin' a rug

Downtown parade

Parade highlights: the Scottish lads playing the pipes and enjoying the festivities with the Scottish Friends ~ Christy K and Jordan McKinney.
The parade officials mercifully limited the tractors to 50 this year. We left at half-time. 25 tractors was ample.

What's that gonna grow up to be?

We know the natives are restless for a photo excursion through the holiday weekend with the Murch chilluns. Coming to a blog near you.

Meanwhile here is Joy holding a newborn miniature clydesdale. Just kidding ~ not a clydesdale for HUGE SAKES, but some kind of mini-horsey. I wonder if Ellie the Grand-Dog was jealous?

Elissa & Dan0 ~ download all the photos to the mom and we'll get 'em blogged. Anything you don't want on there, keep to yourself cuz if it floats to me, it's out there. LOVE

Don't feed the bears

"Ke-mo sah-bee ~ What's that canister care's gripping?"
"Pepper spray, Tonto, for the dat-gum bears."

We each had our own. My concern: that the thing would pop its cork for no reason and render me blind for the rest of my days!