Porch conversations

The television is silent. We visit. As the sun sets, we  see neighbors walking. We recall reunions. In the distance we hear dogs barking. We savor the the night.

Pets of the week, Angus, Tilly, and Willie

Welcome to a special International Edition of Pet of the Week. Angus, Tilly, and Willie live in Ireland.  Angus is a Irish Labrador Retriever. Next to Angus is Tilly the Jack Russell.  I am not for sure about the pedigree of Willie.  They live south of Dublin. 

Are you wondering how these cute pets landed as pets of the week. Mary ( my exercise buddy) was visiting her daughter who lives in Lexington.  As the unofficial "Miss Hospitality, I enjoy meeting new members in our Aqua Fitness Class.  

It was lovely to talk with Mary before and after class. She even read about Hooch ( a daily email about a black Labrador in Kansas). That reminded her of Angus.  So, that is how I was able to acquire this picture of Angus, Tilly, and Willie. 

Mary's last class was this past Tuesday, she will begin her return to Ireland today, Friday. 
She keeps pictures of her these dogs on her iPad. They are her sister's pets. 

As I plan my trip to England, I wonder, will I include a trip to Ireland. What do you suggest?  

Dinner Conversations

"The sea was before them, Pharaoh's hosts behind them, and the mountains around them. And all this, be it observed, permitted and ordered of God."
C.H. Mackintosh

Tonight's dinner conversation focused on Moses and the Book of Exodus. Written thousands of years ago, the truth in the book is still relevant.

Forgive everybody

“It’s one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, to forgive. 

Forgive everybody.”

Maya Angelou

Flowers are the creation of my friend Shelly. 

Hospitality

Last night, I felt like a guest in my own home. It was one of the few times when I was free from stress.  Cleaning and food preparation was  simple. No complicated new dishes... house clean...simple but pretty table setting ... music playing in the background. 

Once guests began to arrive, I was able to offer drinks and relax.   An unexpected guest... no problem,  simply add another table setting and a chair.


Our evening ended with kitchen conversation and a picture. 

Young and not so young Engineers 

Monday Musings ... Memorial Day

“And they who for their country die shall fill an honored grave, 
for glory lights the soldier’s tomb, 
and beauty weeps the brave.” – Joseph Drake

Where is the salt?

“God intends us to penetrate the world. Christian salt has no business to remain snugly in elegant little ecclesiastical salt cellars; our place is to be rubbed into the secular community, as salt is rubbed into meat, to stop it going bad. And when society does go bad, we Christians tend to throw up our hands in pious horror and reproach the non-Christian world; but should we not rather reproach ourselves? One can hardly blame unsalted meat for going bad. It cannot do anything else. The real question to ask is: Where is the salt?”

― John Stott

Serving

fresh flowers from the Bluegrass Farmer's Market

In the past thirty days, I have attended two weddings. Beside the traditional parts of the wedding ceremonies, there has been a sweet addition to each ceremony.

Foot-washing ... 

This ritual has been added as a visual display of how the couple will serve each other...

Dare I say this, serving is easier than submission. 

 "...Let love make you serve one another." 
Galatians 5:13 ( TEV) 

A May Wedding

A May wedding on a Friday night. 

Pet of the week, Willie

Willie is the pet of the week.
This adorable  longhair dachshund  lives in the neighborhood.
Special thanks to neighbors who take a moment and chat.
I love getting to know the neighbors.

"You know, a dog can snap you out of any kind
of bad mood that you're in faster than you can think of."
Jill Abramson 

Book Club

What did we enjoy about this month's book club selection? It depends on whom you ask. For me, I appreciated the quirky characters, the relationships, and the reconciliation between  mother and daughter.

In parts of the book, I cringed, laughed, and nodded with recognition. 

This month's book selection,  Where'd you do Bernadette by Maria Semple.
Our small group enjoyed a lively discussion.
Missing from tonight's photo, two ladies
they are engaged in a deep conversation somewhere in the bookstore.