Beauty and Grace

We were blessed with this gorgeous rainbow after a bout of storms this afternoon ... there was actually a double rainbow, but my photo was unworthy, unfortunately. Someday I really should take a photo course and figure this whole photography thing out!

This is such a wonderful sight with day lilies, pansies, hostas, strawberries and a tomato plant with this gorgeous mountain as a backdrop. So nice to see all the color!

Aren't they beautiful? And they are every where this year, thank you snow! Guess we'll be doing some splitting and replanting after the blooms are gone.

Upclose and beautiful!

And a growing hornet's nest ... which is growing at an alarming rate. This is under one of the benches on the front/side porch. Paul will be doing a hornet's nest removal soon. Yikes!

And this picture is from Paul's visit to Orlando. He and his daughter, Nina were able to fit in a canoe trip down the Wekiva River --- well, up the river actually. I miss scenes like this one ... but I wouldn't trade it for what I get to see here in the mountains. We are so lucky.
Here, where when I hear the goats bleating for too long I know to go outside (and drag Paul or call Mr. Boone) and get the little goats out of their trouble ... trouble like stuck in the fence for example.

Here, where I can drive to Tennessee and on to Beth's mountain, walk in her house to feed the cats, look out the back door and see a fawn or a doe standing there waiting for her corn. The gorgeous trust and beauty of a wild animal, such a sweet gift.

Here, where the thunder sounds like it's cracking the mountain rocks in half when it storms.

Here, where a mom can have a funeral service for her child and bury her right on her own mountain with a service filled with friends who give love, support, food and hugs freely and from the depths of their soul.

Here, where jobs are HARD to come by, faith is a given, and the things that REALLY matter (friendship, charity, love, etc.) are abundant and given freely.

Life is good. Summer is awesome.

In spite of the devastation and confusion in the world, it is so wonderful to have beauty and grace all around to be thankful for.

And, an update on Paul's dad ... he's doing quite well from what we gather. Sounds like he's healing by way of good nursing from Paul's mum ("B") and the perfect timing of the World Cup. Timing is everything, eh Mel? ;-)

And Rick seems to be coming along from his hip surgery too ... cheers for a speedy recovery, Rick!

Happy Trails to all!

Paul & Cheri