Hello everyone (rather large assumption on my part that people are actually reading this…) it’s been a minute since I posted anything. Not because I don’t have lots to say, Lord knows I can ramble on (you shush Peach) it’s just I’ve been busy with way too many projects.
Also, in the mix, has been the loss of family members, my older brother passed away late July he went to be with my Mom, Dad and younger brother in heaven. This has a way of letting you know how precious and relatively short life really is.
Peach and I made a pact to at least live longer than my mom’s age of 90 couple months shy of 91 when she passed. So we are going to do our best to keep that promise to each other.
The “Change” part of this post if not obvious is that family passes and new ones replace us, it’s never not hard to say goodbye to family lost, but holding on to the knowledge that you did your best and will see them again in God’s house, at least for me gives comfort.
Sorry, it’s not a happy post. I’ll get back to those soon. I was just left to realize, there are only myself, my sister and one brother left and that’s a sobering fact. So we have to do better keeping in touch, and just generally checking on each other. Anyways, I truly hope y’all live long fulfilling lives and stay in touch with family while you can.
There’s a song by Cody Johnson that says it quite well, it’s called “Till you can’t”
Peach says: Quiet day, chores and piddling. Took a quick moment to freeze frame (thank you J. Girls Band!) my mimosa blooms.
I have strong, happy memories of hanging out in a mimosa tree in our front yard, in the front corner of our circular drive, as a youngun.
However, as an adult we’ve never had a mimosa successfully. Which is pretty crazy, because they are considered like a weed version of a tree here in Florida. Finally my Dad got me a cutting that I did not unalive. 🤣🤣
I love, love, love these blooms! 🥰🥰🥰
Our soil is not great for growing anything. Which I have no idea why, but, it’s the truth. So, it has taken many years to give us blooms like we got this year. We got our First Lady year. And many more this year.
Flowers, plants, trees, anything growing, dogs, music, politics, all make me miss my Dad, make me remember him fondly. (that’s an understatement). My kids (grown men with families, but still my kids 😍) also cause me to think about my Dad. Hard to explain. I just miss him.
You’d be amazed at what that gardenia bush has done, Dad. Amazed.
Miss and love you.
“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” — Isaiah 40:8, The Amplified Classic.
Haven’t been able to be outside during this chemo for skin cancer and been feeling like I got run over by a bus. So I have taken a few new photos and some I have shot in the past and made a short video. Check it out if you have a minute, it’s short and not that bad. All the plants and flowers are stuff we have planted and are growing around the place.
Peach here: I am a huge Sci Fi fan. No apologies! I grew up in a time where Sci Fi was really coming into its own. I think I was 13 when Star Wars started and was a child when Star Trek came (and never really went) and then there was Space 1999, and Buck Rogers 21st Century (or something or other) and on and on.
So, it shouldn’t be a huge surprise that my mind sometimes reverts to Sci Fi scenarios for life’s plot lines. I think in movies, and tv series, visual stories!
Today as I listened to some good, anointed teaching while I made our late lunch/early dinner (that’s how we roll on days off!) I pictured Jesus approaching the lead supporting character who is in her home doing ordinary life, much like I was at the moment.
“Peach, I have need of you! We need to talk.”said the man with the brown eyes, brown beard, white robe and sandals.
Peach looked up from her laundry basket at the breakfast nook. “I’ve really gotta stop staying up so late scrolling on my phone at night,” she thought to herself.
“You are absolutely right about that! We will definitely talk more about that soon!” He grinned.
“*Now then, as I was saying, I cannot move freely and openly on my own among all the people at this time. That is in the future that I will do that. It’s not time yet. However, I have a great deal that needs doing in this moment of time, out and among all the people. People that need help. **Need the Word for this moment in their life. ***My word is a light to them. Life to them. They need healing. Provision. Guidance. Encouragement. Wisdom. So much. I need to work through a vessel. Speak through a vessel. Serve through a vessel. Fight through a vessel. Build through a vessel, will you be my vessel?”
“How do I help with this, Jesus? I have no idea how or where to begin. I have to finish this laundry, then I have to get ready and go to work my closing shift at that big store.” Peach said with a touch of exasperation. (I mean, He should know my schedule, she thought).
“Yes, you are right, I DO know your schedule, Peach. That’s actually perfect. Because you are committed to me and understand your place in this season, you are available to me. As you yield to me through the prompting of the Holy Spirit, I am able to inspire and empower you to speak righteous words of light and truth, wisdom and life. I will guide you in acts of service, generosity, courage, protection. Many hands make light work. I am working through so many more than you realize. It will not be you on your own power, left to your own devices. Never. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Not ever.”
Peach looking dubious, “I don’t have to go to some far away country? Or a huge urban city where I don’t know anyone?”
*******”That is certainly where some are called. But, have I ever called you in that direction or in any way hinted that was where I was leading you?” Jesus asked patiently.
“No. Thank goodness,” Peach sighed with relief.
Jesus looked quietly at her for a moment. “I need you to be my hands and feet. You are connected to some people who are very valuable to me. Who aren’t sure what to think about me. If I’m real. If I’m trustworthy. Some people you are connected to, have been so hurt, so damaged in this world, they have quite understandably given up on me completely. Believing I’m somewhat of a fairy tale. A bit of wishful thinking.
I want to work throughyou to bring them kindness, truth, provision, laughter, hope, in all sorts of usually very simple, mundane relational ways,” He explained to His protégé.
“I am not very outgoing, Jesus. And I am not always good at being expressive. Sometimes I’m shy and I pull back,” she stated pensively.
“Let me give you a vision, an insight into some circumstances a couple of people you come in contact with are facing right now. I think it will help you understand the needs people often face, which you normally never see,” Jesus entreated Peach.
She looked at him with a willing expression. “Ok, I’ll look, help me see.”
She reached out her hand and looked into His eyes.
He grabbed her hand and looked back into her eyes. She was silent as His eyes faded away into a broader scene right in front of her. She saw the struggle, the loneliness, the hopelessness, the despair and the strangling lies of the enemy entrapping the two people Jesus was showing her. It hurt her inside to comprehend the depth of their suffering.
The vision faded. But, they still looked in each other’s eyes for a moment, seeing the impact it made on each other.
She nodded. “Thank you for trusting me. I do feel absolutely inadequate to this task. But, I know You and Your ways enough to know that ****You do Your best work in the foolish and the weak!! *****When I’m weak then You can be strong in me! And boy! Do I ever feel weak! Lol!” she laughed.
“My strength is made perfect in weakness and the ******love of the Father has been shed abroad in your heart. You will be a great help in expanding my Kingdom in this earth, so long as you stay connected with me, surrendered to me and my leading through the Holy Spirit, prayer and my Word,” He encouraged her.
As He got ready to let her return to her chores, she called out to Him. “Jesus, I’m grateful to be able to partner with You, to serve You and bring You to others. But, why me? I’m an older woman, of no significant education, or station in life. My biggest claim to fame is You, my amazing husband, our awesome children and children in love, our precious grandchildren and nieces and nephews, and our friends like family. Why me? There’s nothing noteworthy recommending me to this task, that I can see.”
“You were available. And you were willing. These two qualities are quite rare, even more so in a pair,” her Savior explained.
Peach’s mind was in an overflow of ideas, realizations and expressions of gratitude for her assignment, and the fact that King Jesus had been preparing her all along.
“I better get hustling, I don’t want to be late!” she said out loud to herself.
“Batman, You aren’t going to believe this!”
Supporting verses:
*“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” — 2 Corinthians 5:20
**“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer” — Psalm 19:14
***”Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” — Psalm 119:105.
****”But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;” — 1 Corinthians 1:27
*****”But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9
******”And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” — Romans 5:5
*******”And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation” — Acts 17:26
Howdy, y’all, been a minute since I posted anything so I thought I’d pop in and make sure the place is still running right. Good to see everyone and hopefully y’all are doing well.
Not sure if I mentioned this before (pardon me if I did, getting old, memory plays tricks) but on the off chance I did not, here goes. Peach and I love taking photos (now that, I know I mentioned before) on our travels and honestly, just about any time we can. It’s a hobby that both intrigues us and drives us batty at times. But it’s fun to try and capture what the eye sees at that exact moment in time, and to be able to see it again anytime we want, and relive that moment. Sometimes we print, or even pay a fancy online place (know any good ones lemme know) to print out a particular photo we like, there are a few hanging around the house as we speak. Peach loves colorful scenes and photos of trees against the sky, and she is awesome at taking them. She also likes landscapes and flowers, and just about anything in between. It’s fun watching her really get into taking photos either with her phone or our old Nikon D3400, she’s gotten really good with either.
Me, I like landscapes and sunrises and sunsets too (put a few on here over time I have), but here as of late, I’m finding that I like Black & White photos more and have been trying my hand at those. Totally different type of photography, for really good photos it’s not as easy as just converting to B&W on your phone or in photoshop, for good B&W you need to plan and take them in B&W, shades are different, light is different and other things. Anywho I’ve take a few recently (y’all may have seen one or two) and I actually turned them into a YouTube video (how about that, I figured it out all by my lonesome). Put some relaxing music with it and *poof* there you are, give it a look and listen, and if inclined give it a like (👍🏼), I think it came out pretty ok.
It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. AND ALL HIS ACQUAINTANCES AND THE WOMEN WHO HAD FOLLOWED HIM FROM GALILEE STOOD AT A DISTANCE WATCHING THESE THINGS.” – Luke 23:44-49, ESV.
~ Holy Saturday ~
I’ve been thinking a lot this week about the awfulness of that in between. That Saturday steeped in death, and that APPEARED to be FAILURE of magnificent porportions, following Jesus’ crucifixion and His ultimate resurrection.
For the apostles, his closest friends snd partners, imagine: They thought they’d totally misplaced their trust. But, they couldn’t really believe that either. Nothing made sense. They felt shame. For letting Him be taken, for running away. For Him losing (that’s what they would’ve all been thinking).
There was no comprehension on their part of the prophesies that foretold His death. Not yet. That would come later.
We have all lived through our own Holy Saturdays, or maybe it’s Holy Saturday right now for us? Where we feel abandoned, or like we have failed far too much, let God down, turned our back on Jesus? Lost our faith, gave up our hope, crushed our own dreams.
It looks bad. Sounds bad. Feels even worse.
But, the Lord does His best work in the dark. If it’s dark right now, rejoice! Because He won’t leave you with the lights out! He won’t leave you. Period. And where He is, death can’t be. Where He is, healing must come. Where He is, reconciliation must be. Where He is, glory will come to bear.
Two passages to think about tonight: “Weeping may tarry for the night, but JOY comes with the morning.” — Psalm 30:5b.
~ AND ~
“BUT THIS I CALL TO MIND, and THEREFORE I HAVE HOPE: The STEADFAST LOVE OF THE LORD NEVER CEASES; His MERCIES NEVER COME TO AN END; THEY ARE NEW EVERY MORNING; GREAT IS YOUR FAITHFULNESS. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” — Lamentations 3:21-26
Our Father relishes, chooses, insists, on a stacked deck against His ultimate goal, so He will be sure to get the glory! Remember Gideon? Moses and the Israelites trying to get free from Pharaoh? Abraham and Sarah trying to have a baby at between 75 and 100 yrs old? Joshua and Caleb and the giants?
A tomb is dark, and so is a womb. For God, both lead to life.
Cast your care on Him. He cares for you! He won’t let you down. He will make something magnificent and glorious!
It’s that time of the year when some of us will get up at insane hours of the morning, drive to our secret spots, and head out into the woods. Dodging tree branches that suddenly smack us in the face, practicing karate when we walk face first into a spider web (there is no better karate instructor than walking face first into a spiderweb in the pitch black). Finally arriving at a spot we think is best and we sit, back against a tree, listening for the first…
What is this thing that makes us do all this? Why do grown men, women too, do this? What could drag a normally sane person out into the spring woods, what’s this thing we are listening for? There it is, just as the first hint of daylight breaks, a sound shatters the quiet like a loud explosion, a mature male turkey lets out a throaty GOBBLE! Its spring turkey season, A time when the “LongBeards” strut around and puff themselves up to impress the ladies and try and win a chance to perhaps make young turkeys.
If you have never heard a wild turkey Gobble in the wild, never seen one Strutting around all puffed up, you have missed one of Gods glorious sites and sounds.
Full Strut
I spent several days chasing LongBeards around recently, the first day was long and grueling, they were chasing 3 hens and I have yet to see a human, no matter how proficient he or she is at turkey calling, that could entice a gobbler away from a hen he has his mind set on meeting.
Same 2 gobblers day before
I played cat-and-mouse with these LongBeards from daylight until the time they followed the 3 hens they were chasing out of the property I am allowed to hunt. It was fun, and I hopefully do it for many more seasons to come. Two days later I’m back and chasing what I suspect is the same two gobblers around after seeing them across the field again, I move to a spot in the corner of a patch of woods where I think they may come through and I wait, camouflaged until I look like a bush and sit. It took quite a while but eventually I harvested a beautiful bird, Peach and I will enjoy a few tasty meals from this adventure.
Beautiful gobbler
Two weeks prior I took my grandson and he got his first gobbler, 17lbs un-picked (not plucked of feathers or cleaned) with a 7 1/2 inch beard. That my friends was a GREAT experience and will be hard to beat. it’s a memory I will carry with me forever, with 6 more grandsons to go I hope I’ll be doing this a long time yet.
Hunting is something I’ve always loved, being out in beautiful nature that God created, trying to harvest an animal for food, outsmarting a super smart critter is an accomplishment I think a person should be proud of, and there is no comparison between a farm raised turkey and a wild one, give me the wild one any day. I thank God everytime I go for the opportunity and ask for his blessing and the ability to do this. Some will say it’s wrong to hunt, I don’t get dragged into those conversations, opinions are like armpits, most people have at least two, and most are pretty stinky. God put man over the animals to have dominion over. (Gen 1:26).
Once a year, this short but super fun season comes along, and I hope to be “chasing” turkeys as long as I can still walk. It’s not about the actual taking of a turkey, I am just as happy hearing them and seeing them. I’m just as happy taking a camera and getting photos of them as I am my shotgun. It’s about the adventure, the being out in God’s beautiful creation and seeing and hearing his wonderful creatures. Yes, I do like the taste of wild turkey, but I love seeing God’s work up close and in person, one on one. Y’all have a blessed day and hopefully your endeavors turn out how you wish.
Dear Lord, bless each and all of your children, with a special blessing to those of us that chase turkeys, Amen
It’s been a hot minute. Life has felt very solemn the last 6 months or so. It’s hard for me to come here to write then, because I don’t want to put that heaviness here. It’s not what Batman and I want this space to be.
But, many of you come to mind frequently and we wonder how you are faring. 🙏🏻
Thank you all for your kind words on the loss of his Momma.
She was a hardworking, fiesty, faithful, never quitting, always forgiving, generous soul. She made the best dressing and hoe cakes.
She gave me a home in their family, so Batman and I could start our family, at a time when she did not need another responsibility or challenge. she did so graciously and never made me feel anything but welcome and exactly one of them. I will always be grateful for that and so much more.
At my job at a fantastic store, we have quite an eclectic (to say the least) playlist and recently this gem showed up once in a while!
I’m in a rock and roll frame of mind today because of it, you’re welcome!
I mean, as I listen to this on a mini repeat sesh, I wonder what happened to that ‘the sky is the limit’ feeling that everything in the sound of my youth pointed to. All I know, is when I listen again, that feeling comes back for a visit! I’ll take it! I feel the sunshine right now!
Lost my mom a couple weeks back, she would have been 91 this May. Mom was a down to earth practical woman, not really into much nonsense. Don’t get me wrong she loved humor and practical jokes but did not tolerate foolishness when there was work to be done. Mom drove a school bus for 30 years, taking us kids (my siblings and all our friends), and then all our kids, safely to school everyday. When she did not feel she was able to drive that big, yellow bus safely anymore, she retired from driving one, but then took a position as a bus drivers aide. She finally retired from that, and settled down living with my sister and her husband, and then eventually transitioned to a nursing home, where she finally went to be with Jesus.
This is not a sad post, mom is with my dad, her dad, my brother, her sister and brother and my half brother too. I picture them sitting around a big table, like they used to at family reunions, in that small town where I was born, and they are talking up a storm catching up all the while in peace.
I did not get over to see mom as much as I should have. It’s the same regret lots of people have. Doesn’t mean I did not want to, just meant I did not have my priorities in the right order.
My mom was my biggest fan, she taught us kids to fish, taught us to be honest and faithful and to trust in the Bible and God. In later years she would worry over me when I was on duty as a Police Officer, knowing that the world was growing ever more dangerous with each year. Mom was also my biggest fan when I wrote my books, and did my first photography book. She kept them all at her bedside making notes and scribbles in them. I have them back now, a few cherished memories that I will keep till I get to go see her again.
Goodbye for now momma, I love you
“Thank you Peach for just being you during all this”
Batman here. First of all, Happy Thanksgiving (early but not too much) to you all.
I have been on a tinkering spree over the past few months and learned how to create some pretty cool (I think) stuff. This will be a short post but I hope to get back at posting regular.
Peach and I finally took our youngest’s last load of odds and ends to Ohio where he moved recently, beautiful place in a quaint little town. They will be very happy there I’m sure.
Made candle holders for the deckI think they look niceMade a vegetable/flower/magazine basket, turned out pretty niceMade some planters that can be used for plants or for storage with a lid And some trellis’s that can go in the planter or be stood in the ground
Dabbled in my first knife attempt, Peach claimed it for her own
Has flaws but came out pretty good
Took some photographs, have gravitated back towards B&W for some reason and I really like it
That’s our neighbors young girl winning Grand Champion in her competition, the tractor is at the old country store I used to ride my bike to down the road from us.Oh yeah, I also made the frame and tried to make it look like “farm house” decor, I think I did ok
Been having a fun time, and hope to continue to do so for a while yet. Peach and I have plans to start doing more photography and I’ll make frames for some of the better ones. We have missed being on here posting things but life is such an annoying bother taking all our time it’s been hard to get on a regular schedule. Anywho (yep, there’s that made up word again) hope you are all well and look forward to catching up.
The Adventures and Musings of Peach and Batman x 