Trooper's Photo Op...

Giving Thanks for Our Abundance

We have a full house again with Mother arriving back from the nursing home on Thanksgiving morning! Praise the Lord for our many blessings ! There is always room at our table for you !

New Pictures

I just want to share some new photos of my great neice Izabella and my great cat Tropper greeting the sound of the alarm clock. Also, how 'bout a pic of my Mom in her Colts gear ?

It's all happening at the Zoo 11/10/2007

Here's some photos from another real adventure ! My young friend A and I had a "play date" over the weekend and took advantage of the beautiful weather to explore the zoo and meet the critters, large and small,who live in the zoo's authentic environments. We enjoyed the playful giant Polar Bear cavorting in his windowed pool. The ride on the train was a big hit; we saw the giraffes eating out of food dishes hung in trees and an elephant waving to us as we traveled by.

A really wanted to ride an elephant ! She has really wanted this since she saw children her age riding one at the State Fair in August. A applauded the train spontaneously when it came to a stop. Five rides on the carousel and a dozen trips down the slide in the playground seemed to take A's mind off of the elusive elephant ride.

Saturday At

A Day Back In Time

My latest adventure in my series "Wandering Indiana", a title lifted from the state license plate slogan of a few years back. The slogan was severely criticised, but of course, I loved it; so simple and to the point of what we Hoosiers do each day in search of fulfillment. Be it a shopping mall or a nature preserve, our environmental simulations turn to the inspiration we require.
Conner Prairie on an all but people-free October afternoon is just the place of inspiration for me. I wandered the villages and woods taking photos of the natural magic of such a special place experienced totally "in the moment". FYI, As part of the Spirit & Place Festival this year Conner Prairie will be open and free (reservations required) on Sunday,Nov. 11,2007. Peace, Beth

Lucky for me I know a witch ( a real princess dressed up) and a real black cat, Trooper. Now, if I could just find those eyes of knute the spell would be complete !

Happy Birthday to Diana Schumm !!!! A college friend of mine and a Halloween Scorpio to boot.

We have shared birthday greets to each other for 35 years. We went to college right out of the sixth grade ! And that's my story and I am sticking to it. Ghouls just wanna have fun !

I watch my favorite movie "Something Wicked This Way Comes" in honor of the holiday. For the record, I gave out boxes of raisins to the trick-or-treaters.

Best witches to all and to all a good night.

In celebration of LIFE lived in GOD'S WILL I offer this reminder of our human purpose.

Bring Out the Best
By Joel Osteen
Today's Scripture to Read>>
"Love is kind" (I Corinthians 13:4)

One translation of this simple verse says that, "Love looks for a way to be constructive." In other words, love looks for ways to improve someone else's life. Love brings out the best in other people. Don't just get up in the morning thinking about yourself or how you can make your own life better. Think about how you can make someone else's life better. Ask yourself, "Who can I encourage today?" "Who can I build up?" You have something to offer those around you that no one else can give. Someone in your life needs your encouragement. Someone in your life needs to know that you believe in them. I believe God will hold us responsible for the people He's put in our lives. He's counting on us to bring out the best in our family and friends. Are you improving the lives of those around you? Are you giving them confidence? Ask the Lord to give you creative ways to encourage those around you. As you sow seeds of encouragement and bring out the best in others, God will send people along your path that will build you up so that you can move forward into the blessing He has in store for you.
A Prayer for Today >>>
Father God, thank You for loving me. Thank You for believing in me and always building me up. I ask that You show me creative ways to encourage and build up the people around me. Help me be an example Your love today and always.
In Jesus' Name.
Amen.

I will keep this in mind as I go now to visit my 84 year-old Mother; I will look for creative ways to encourage her and her caregivers. Enjoy this beautiful sunny day !

Beth, Izabella and Joli celebrate Beth's birthday with dancing and singing E-I,EEE-IIII-O ! Here we are playing peek-a-boo with the photographer Bella's mother Allison. Ya had to be there !