Alrightnowyoutellme (9)

Seriously, tell me. Knowing my lack of ability in the observing of details concerning butterflies, I need all of the help I can get. I have an idea of what this might be but I do not want to embarrass myself by being wrong again. This was found on the lilacs right off the edge our deck last summer. So jump in and see if you can tell me what these are.

C'mon get involved... we already know it is a butterfly...right?

March Madness

Alright already, where do I live; the north pole? I can hardly believe the snow, it is almost depressing. This sort of thing is very maddening in March. I even missed church last night because the road we live on had so much snow on it.

We have had Robins and Red Wings in our yard already this year and then the snow; oh well. We saw our first Robin on St. Patricks Day this year; which was before than my brother-in-law Bruce, I think he thinks it is a competition of who is going to see a Robin first. I won this year...maybe I am making it a contest all by myself.

I have no new Robin pictures for you but I did see this funny little deer on the sidewalk this morning shortly after 6 a.m. I purchased a trail cam for Mary this last Christmas (but this is a much nicer photo than the trail cam) and we have enjoyed having deer in our yard, right up until they begin chewing on the perennials, or tipping over something. I don't mind too much though it is a nice diversion from the routine.

We had a big winter storm move through yesterday, and this little deer was trying to get food that the birds had dropped from the feeder into the new snow.

This Is Only A Test

I am old enough to remember when at any given moment, yes, even in the middle of my favorite television program (arghhh) the network would flash the test pattern screen and the annoying tone. It was only 30 or 60 seconds but it came unexpectedly and it made for a very long 30 seconds; "for crying out loud, Giligan was just about to kiss Mary Ann...". I was totally helpless to the plans of the TV station and network. It was an unwelcome interruptionan with that infernal tone; Lord help me! But I guess I could always turn the channel and pick up another show if I chose to, so all was not lost.

Unfortunately, interruptions in life seldom last only a minute or less, and they are often unwelcome and unexpected. We may not be able to see things headed our way when we become the unwilling the subjects of the "Network's" decisions; we may not be able to control that sort of thing, but we can control how we respond to life's interruptions. We must find a way to keep our attitudes in check. We are all faced with opportunities to live a blessed and vital life each day, unfortunately each opportunity is hidden in the "unwelcome interruptions" that the Lord allows to come our way.

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes.
Chuck Swindoll

The Persister

Persistence is defined as a firm or obstinate continuance in a course of action. If there is one thing I have learned, it is that every new day brings a new opportunity to give up. I am not speaking of "giving up" although many do every day. I will not be one of those. Really I am willing to guess that within the next 24 hours you will have an opportunity to be offended. Offense is almost a given in all of our lives. The question is not "how" we are offended but what we will do "when" we are. I have had people tell me that I could not possibly offend them; seeing as being offended is a choice, they might be right.

But really, things will come along everyday that try to derail our good intentions, but we must stay on track and see our dreams and goals through to the end. Maybe you want to be the next Iron Chef, don't be discouraged when someone tells you that your cooking is terrible; get back up and pop a better bowl of popcorn. What if it is your dream to fly an airplane don't stay grounded because your mom is afraid to travel by anything but a car...or covered wagon. Dream big and don't listen to the nay-sayers; persist, and be persistent.

Here are some of my favorite persistence quotes.

When the world says, 'Give up" Hope whispers, "try one more time"
Author Unknown

Fall seven times, stand up eight.
Japanese Proverb

Consider the postage stamp: it's usefulness consists in it's ability to stick to one thing until it gets there.
Josh Billings

Difficult things take a long time, impossible things take a little longer.
Author Unknown

Don't let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyway: we might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use.
Earl Nightingale

I can do all things through Christ who give me strength.
The Bible

If you are on the right track, facing the right direction, keep moving ahead.
Mr Toad

Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent."

Calvin Coolidge