Month: June 2026

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Challenge, Family, Joy, Memories, Nature, Poetry, Praise, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender

Mother’s Day

This year to celebrate Mother’s Day my daughter decided we should visit the butterfly show at our local Krohn Conservatory. We had not attended for several years. It was a warm and humid day. Just what the butterfly’s love. The title was Monarchs, but I was disappointed that there were not more Monarch butterflies present. In fact, I saw none, even in the hatching cages. The children however never disappoint me at such a display. They are always in wonder and delighted when a butterfly lands on someone and they can see it up close! I just love when a child declares, “He likes me!”

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same subject opened

The above is the Morpho, largest in the display. The butterflies suffer damaged wings mostly from being caught in the covers of the circulating fans. They are still lovely and majestic though.

One subject, moving around for another sip and another. I believe this is a Julia. We grew these “Mexican Sunflowers” once at the edge of our compost pile. They were very tall and draw hundreds of butterflies!

A child pointed out this transparent winged specimen. How lovely!

It was a hard angle to capture this beauty. Called a Glasswing from Central America !

They loved feeding on the dishes of cut fruit.

It was fun to put another butterfly memory in the books. Thanks, Em!

How many butterflies can you spot this week around your home?

Butterfly Living © Molly Lin Dutina 1982 
Butterfly living, now that's for me!
Glory bound and incredibly free!
Made to be a joy to Thee!
Strengthen me for wings of liberty.

For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 NRSVUE
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. Romans 8:2 NRSVUE
Posted on in Art, Challenge, Faith, Joy, Listen, Look, Obedience, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender, Thanks, Yield

Trinity Sunday

Last Sunday we celebrated the Trinity at church. “O Father; who with the Son and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” ends the collect for the day. The unfathomable, unknowable, ever present and loving God. We practice devotion and know some how that the Trinity is one.

Our Prayers of the People began with: “God who is unknowable and yet as close as our breath, help us to see you. ” Yes, God, open our physical eyes and the eyes of our heart to know and see and experience you.

I have been taken lately by tiny diagrams. The above was on our bulletin cover.

Using the Grateful Living challenge I have noticed that a tiny image is used in the corner of each daily practice. This little line drawing summarizes the challenge of the day. Oh I wish I could draw like that!

Superhero
Sharing joy
One playful joyful way to stand up
Share joy with others

And perhaps that is how our Trinity one God does things. Simple line drawings, opening doors for us to share with others. As humans we complicate almost everything having to do with God. Jesus taught us simplicity. Will we cling to that simple way of knowing, being known, loving and loving others?

May you know the Trinity as One. May you see the path before you as well lit and as something you can follow. Look to the One who loves you best and take the next step!

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Beagle, Faith, Family, Humor, Illness and Health

Seasonal Allergies

I don’t know about you, but my ‘seasonal allergies’ have decided to afflict me year ’round! Climate change is likely to blame, but gosh. I am using up tissues as fast as I can find them.

If I go out and sneeze, I will invariably need a tissue within minutes! If I stay in the house and sneeze, better have a tissue close by. The other day I actually purchased tissues at a store because some how I had used every packet from my purse and not replaced it. Ugh! It was either that or sniff continuously through the store.

I just need to NOT run out of them!

Even the beagle gets runny eyes and a Benadryl helps her clear that up. And sneeze? Oh my can this beagle sneeze! Reverse and otherwise.

My husband says I sneeze louder than anyone he knows. I have to wave at him if we are in the car and I feel a sneeze coming on. Otherwise, he gets startled. Certainly do not want a car wreck over a sneeze! I do not understand people who do little tiny sneezes. I never function that way.

Itchy eyes, headaches, sneeze upon sneeze.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America says: Allergies and viral infections can cause rhinitis. The word rhinitis means “inflammation of the nose.”

Rhinitis! Yep I feel like a rhino when my nose goes off! Here is the least offensive diagram of rhinitis that I could find.

Yep, I’ve got it all!

So the next time you hear someone sneeze say, “God bless you!” Because only “Bless you” does not get it. And if you have a clean one, offer them a tissue.