Friday Photos -- The Butterfly

 

The Monarch butterfly

I remember taking this photograph as if it were yesterday.  

It was taken on October 10, 2013.  We were at Lowe's, and Glen was looking for some plants for his garden.  I had just gotten a new camera (yes, people still used cameras then), and I was trying it out on the flowers.  In October, monarch butterflies migrate through this area and one was flitting around the flower department.  I followed this butterfly everywhere it went, trying to get the perfect picture.  When this one popped up on the screen, I knew I could do no better than this.

Tuesday - All Things Ellie: Meet Sally

 

Sally

Sally is our daughter's dog.  Marie rescued her about a year before we got Ellie.

Sally is a mix: she is part Chihuahua, part Shitzu, and part Austrailian Cattle Dog.  She is also part Houdini, but more on that later.

When we first got Ellie, Sally was much taller than Ellie.  Even then, though, as a puppy, Ellie asserted her dominance.  Now, at almost five years old, Ellie is much taller than Sally.

Ellie and Sally are now best friends.  We "dog-sit" Sally several days during the week while Marie works.  Ellie and Sally eat together, play together, and then take naps.

In the beginning, I would try to take them on walks together, but that was when Sally's "Houdini" genes became evident.

The first time I took them out together for a walk in the neighborhood, I was looking around for "Jack, the Cat" (Another story for another day.), Sally decided to practice her greatest skill, which was slipping out of her harness. I started chasing her, and so did Ellie. Ellie, having those hunting genes, was immediately ready for the challenge.  

Sally ran toward the house to our left, and just as I thought I was going to be able to get her, she slipped away into the yard next door.  I chased her, and once again, I thought she was within my grasp, and she darted away.  Finally, I gave up and let the expert take over.

"Ellie, get Sally!" I shouted.

Ellie seemed to instinctively know what to do.  She ran to Sally's backside and corralled her between a chainlink fence and the corner of a house.  She stayed between Sally and the street until I could get Sally's harness back on.  Sally, thankfully, didn't try to escape anymore on that walk, and we went straight - and swiftly- home.

A few days later, however, we were walking on the other side of the neighborhood. Sally had just "done her business," and I was bending over to pick it up. When I looked back at Sally, there was no Sally to look at. I had not felt any pulling on the leash at all, but the leash and harness were lying on the ground. Sally was nonchalantly trotting across a neighbor's front yard.

This time, I didn't waste time trying to catch her myself.

"Ellie, get Sally!"  This command was effective last time, and this time, Ellie immediately knew the game was on.

She followed Sally. Once Sally reached the wooden fence between the two houses, Ellie put her body against Sally's and held her there until I could buckle her up again. For that, Ellie got a big treat of chicken, and I decided never to try to walk them both at the same time again.

Sally is a very sweet dog. She loves to have her belly rubbed and chew on bone toys. And she loves Ellie. In the third book of our "Ellie & Percival" Series for children, Sally teaches Ellie about snow and has a great idea for praying for something that seems almost impossible.

Sally has great ears, especially for sounds emanating from the kitchen.  In fact, if I am doing something in the kitchen, Sally is usually the first one to run to see if it means the dogs will get some food.

When it comes to eating, Sally and Ellie are totally different.  Ellie wolfs down her food as if she has not eaten in years.  Sally, however, demurely takes one piece of kibble at a time and quietly nibbles on it like a perfect little lady.

Sally has been a great blessing to our daughter, to us, and especially to Elllie.

Besties

Friday Photos - Happy Valentine's Day

 

Happy Valentine's Day from Glen, Frannie, and Ellie!

(Ellie was less than a year old when this was taken.)

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

 Today, Ellie and I were walking around the neighborhood. Usually, on these walks, I let her stop and smell whatever she wants within the six-foot length of her leash. She was busy exploring something in the grass when my eye spotted the root.

This root had obviously come from the tree a couple feet away.  It had probably been tiny when it encountered the sidewalk. Instead of changing direction, it continued directly into the space between two slabs of concrete.  There, it grew and grew until it became embedded between a "rock and a hard place," as it were.

The root didn't die; it continued to grow where it found itself. It did what it was made to do, which was to find soil and nutrients to send back to the tree to keep it healthy and alive.  Not only did it NOT die, it grew!  It thrived!

This little root really touched my heart.  It was doing what God made it to do. Period.

I thought of how many times the Lord has placed me in hard places.  How many times have I responded with complaints, tears, or feeling unjustly treated?  

I realize I should be more like this little root, just doing what the Lord has made and called me to do, which is to "with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 15:6.)

There are times in our lives when the Lord needs to put us into some very hard places.  They may be places of pain, solitude, or frustration. We will not like it; our emotions may cry out, our bodies may hurt, and our minds may not be able to understand it.  But still, in all of that, the Lord has a purpose for us being there.  One is this:

"And call upon me in the day of trouble:  

I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me."  Psalm 50:15.

"Wherefore glorify ye the Lord in the fires," Isaiah 24:15.

As we glorify Him in our troubles, He strengthens us, and we are more able to call upon Him in the next trouble.  And we are more able to strengthen those around us who are also in the cracks of life. 

We will not in this lifetime escape the troubles this world brings. As the Scriptures tell us, "Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward," (Job 5:7.)  But they also tell us, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble," (Psalm 46:1.)

So, as the "sparks fly upward" in our lives let us seek that one Refuge and Strength that never fails.  In doing so, we will be like that little root, pleased to be between a rock and a hard place because we know the Lord has sent us there for His purpose and His purpose is always the very best for our lives.