Snake Skin?

Well, I didn't think to get a picture - but here's the story - Bill saw what he thought was a snake skin out in the pasture, a rattler - so we had to have it to send to my nephew Liam (Yes, I do love my sister, but Liam LOVES snakes and creepy crawly things, so I have no choice but to send things like this to him).

Well Bill went bumping and twisting across the pasture in the Suburban to find the skin back and pulled up next to it so I could pick it up, the first warning sign was that it gave me a static shock when I picked it up, which made me not notice until way too late that it was far too heavy to be just a skin . . . .

The smell actually struck me first as we ambled the rest of the way down the drive toward the gate, sniff, sniff, what is THAT? Uh Oh.

The snake skin wasn't just a skin but a long dead snake, and upon closer inspection, you could actually see a small mouse or something hanging out of his body portion, the skin was actually still supple when I went to toss it back out of the vehicle but rest assured, I first checked to see if there was a worthwhile rattle to remove for Liam, there wasn't.

Lesson learned - pay attention when picking up dead things.

Silence

I finally got my Verizon card to work with my new computer AND took my laptop along on the 4 wheeler - up to the high country, took Bear Dog with me - the sun is shining, it's gotta be at least 60 something, the only sound is the wind blowing through the sagebrush.

This is my view

This week has been strange, a woman I used to work with and consider a friend lost her 21 year old son and the funeral was Friday. I of course, called and talked to all 3 kids and made sure they know just how much I love them, how proud I am of them, etc. and I called both parents - but I can't help but feel like I should express my thankfulness for all the blessings in my life. Someday I am sure I will have to deal with tragedy, with the unexpected death of someone close to me - but for now, I can only try to imagine the searing pain each time they think of Griffin and how much fun he had and how it JUST ISN'T FAIR that he is gone.

I know how much his family and friends will miss him, he will NOT be forgotten, I pray he is at peace now and I pray for peace for those here waiting to join him.

I'll be back in a bit to post again, but right now Bear Dog is quite insistent we take a hike.

Fear

I wrote in my Birthday reflections blog about fear - it is funny how yesterday it was a distant memory, properly placed in the box called "The Past" - and today - WOW - it flooded over me and knocked me off my center (The state of my balance was obviously much more precarious than I thought)

I continuously walk into situations assuming the best of people, and I really like that about myself . . until things like today come up. I find I question myself, I can feel my intestines twisting and I suddenly want to vomit, I want to pace until there is a path worn into the floor, I KNOW I am over reacting, because in the end, the only thing I have control over is that very thing, my reaction. And so I have to talk myself (and ask my Sister to do the same for me, just as I do for her when needed) through this and hope that I don't allow it to change the way I perceive things.

Note to self: I am OK, I like the fact that I trust and give, I will not allow another's need for control to change the person I am at my core.

Birthday reflections

On March 14th I turned 47, what a fun day, Bill took me over the Mountain and then, even better, back over again to the North past Shell Falls. It was a strange visit to the Falls, every other time I have been there, the Falls are defeningly loud, roaring over the rocks and down into the canyon, the sound adds to the drama.

This time, the snow covered the Falls almost completely, and although it was strikingly beautiful, it was eerie - just the muffled sound of running water in the background. I could still see the Falls rushing behind the snow and ice through 2 small breaks, but the scene was more peaceful than dramatic. A wonderful place to visit if you ever get the chance to make the drive over the Big Horns on 14.

Back to the Birthday reflections - so many people made comments like "Happy 39th" or "Did you finally reach 30?" I have to say - I have at least learned from every single year, most I loved - and I definitely earned each one. Why would I want to forget one, much less 17 of them (Hokey Pete - has it really been 17 years since I was 30?????) Even the very difficult years brought new wisdom, self discovery, new commitments to truth and integrity in every facet of my life.

True, there are times I need to review and recommit, especially when it comes to spending money - but absolute truth has become my strength and stability, together with Jesus Christ, who sustains me in ways I cannot express.

Bill continues to amaze me in his love, he is my closest friend, and he is still, the single nicest human I have ever met. Loud and obnoxious at times, usually the times I most wish he would be silent - but his heart is the kindest and softest, most giving, I have known. I am so very thankful he is in my life, each day is a blessing.

47 short years - I can remember when fear shaped every moment of every day - not necessarily justified fear, but the fear was incredibly real to me. I am sad at what I allowed myself to lose because of this fear, I cry when I consider what it cost my family. When I see it in another's eyes, it makes my heart ache for them - I know they cannot reach out for the fear is completely paralyzing. I am thankful everyday that Christ pulled me out of the mire that fear built around me - and then allowed me to blossom and move forward. I only hope my own children can see the importance of fixing their eyes on the Almighty when making their way through their lives - I pray daily for their hearts.

Thank You Lord, for each and every one of my 47 years - I pray that my 48th will be lived for YOU!

Word Picture

I was in Michigan again for a week, working trip mostly but I was able to surprise at least 2 of my children and my Mom - such a fun thing to do, surprise people!

I hate to travel with too much stuff, so I limit my packing to a carry-on only, this means I had to leave my camera behind (although I did consider leaving a few other essentials; underwear, deodorant, etc., but meeting customers without basic hygienic care didn't seem wise) and I missed it every day, especially on my early morning drive from my gracious Sister's house to my office in Hopkins.

In Wyoming our sunrises are beautiful and inspiring with the colors spreading across the sky with the hills and mountains silhouetted - but there is something we miss there - the huge red ball of heat rising up over the horizon, first in an almost blinding half circle as it rises above the flat line of the earth to the East, then as a barely wavering ball of orange, red, and yellows with barren tree branches silhouetted in front of it - I was also blessed with a low thin layer of fog in front of the rising sun.

My favorite Michigan scene: the long, leading lines of farmer's fields where tractors have tilled up the fertile dark soil in preparation for spring's seeding, in each long line there was just enough snow left to leave white stripes stretching across beautifully worked up fields, leading your eye up to the tree lines left between fields and the rising sun behind it - oh, and don't forget the thin line of fog just above the striped fields. Breathtaking.

I did not leave Michigan because I hated it, in fact it has so many uniquely beautiful places I have yet to see - I moved West because the mountains of the West call me, beg me to stand in them, on them, to comprehend the grandness of God's creation and the wonder of being a part of His plan.