Take a Load Off

This hippo lives at Busch Gardens. I've watched them on TV as they stomp and splash into the water. Then they float around with only the eyes and visible.

I know...of course they float, they have plenty of extra fat. Seriously, you wouldn't think that would help them float, would you? Hmmmm, seems like I float well, too.

But I don't often see them under the water. Check this picture out. His feet aren't even touching the bottom.

As big as he is, his swimming is graceful. Looks like he is pointing his toes!

I think God wanted some part of them to be graceful. The water "takes a load off" and refreshes, I'm sure.

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2 (TNIV)

Lord, if somone heavy with burdens, may I help lighten his load.

photos:karenevans

Clearwater Marine Aquarium and Winter

Clearwater Marine Aquarium is literally a life saver for so many area water creatures. Most of the site is open to the public. They demonstrate and educate the public about all things marine life.

Disney recently made a movie about Winter, the tailless dolphin here. Yes, it's a true story and Winter lives here.

She was tangled in a crab trap. Rescuers freed her, but her tail had to be amputated. She can swim some but not well. Someone with a lot of know-how invented this tail for her.

Now she can swim vertically and horizontally. She is a "spokesperson" for other amputees. Both young and old come to interact with her. And the Disney movie set built a special tank and left other goodies for us to enjoy after the movie was finished. (Should be out this summer.)

"And then he said to me; 'My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.' Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9 (MS)

Awww, man, you mean I can't use "my" limitations as an excuse? My limits are not His limits.

Okay, where's my tail?

photos:karenevans

Joyful Running

Baseball is almost here! Hubby and I went to the Tampa Bay Rays Fan Fest today. The crowds were there too!

See? They had games and activities for adults and kids to do. Autographs, give-aways, selling season tickets-all there to enjoy.

There was one activity I kind'a wanted to do, but thought it would be silly with no kids in tow. I probably could've borrowed somebody's, ya think?

Run the bases. The Dad there wanted to run fast so he put his kid on his shoulders. Why can't us, ahem, older folk have that kind of fun? Oh, the joy of running where you never get to run.

"You were running superbly! Who cut in on you, deflecting you from the true course of obedience?" Galatians 5:7

Have I become so set in my ways that I don't try new exciting things? What if that's what the Lord wants me to do?

Strapping on my tennis!

Photo:karenevans

Kiss a Fish?

Here in Tarpon Springs, FL fishermen and spongers line the marina. This town is mostly Greek and they have an area, called the Sponge Docks. Very touristy and fun to visit.

A friend and I saw this boat, which had just pulled in from days of deep water fishing. The boat docked behind a fish market and this man was unloading their catch. He throws the frozen fish down that chute you see on the right. I assume it shoots straight down to the inside of the market. Cool, huh?

This fisherman continued working while we stood and watched, I guess not wanting to waste time and get on home.

But his guy! We must've looked liked tourists with our cameras and he took a few minutes and played the ham. Did make for a good picture though and made us laugh.

"Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them!" Luke 6:31 (MS)

Father may I stop in my schedule long enough to brighten a day or give a laugh or two. But Lord, don't make me kiss a fish!

Photo:karenevans

My Sunshine Wipers

After work the other night, it was dark and raining. I got in my car and my windshield wipers wouldn't work. Luckily at night with the street lights it seemed a bit easier to see through the rain, also being familiar with the road helped.

Now the next day, I thought about taking the van to the mechanic, but since it was sunny-they worked. Argh! I called my mechanic and he needs to see them when they won't work to diagnose the problem.

 Okay, fine. The following morning, with the dew all over my windshield, they wouldn't work, but by the time I got home, and oh, yeah, it was sunny, they worked!!

"Be ready in season, and out of season." 2 Timothy 4:2

Lord, may I do what You created me to do whether I feel like it or not.

Photo:karenevans

Who's to Blame?

Can you see what this says? "Cannot display web page."

I am posting today using my hubby's wireless connection that he needs for work. I'm sorry I haven't visited ya'll this week-but this is why. My cable connection would work for a minute, then cut out. Or it wouldn't open any emails-just sat there spinning, spinning and even that got slower.

Oh my, then the wheel stopped. Frustration and aggravation! I am just fit to be fried. I had planned to do a lot of research and rewriting this past weekend for the upcoming Florida Writers Conference, which is the first week in March. But nooooo.  

I have a bit of hope, tomorrow the cable guy comes out with a new modem!

Now, all this is that bit of wire and it's connection's fault or the cable service, right? Noooooo. Mine. I have waited until the last weeks to buckle down and write. Tell me I'm not alone.

"Whatever your hand finds to do, verily do it with all your might." Ecclesiastes 9:10

Why do I wait? Lord may I not blame others for things I need to take care of in my life.

L, M. N, O-Possum!

Just when I think I have seen it all in my backyard, this happens!

It was dark and foggy early one morning last week. I was drinking my coffee before work when we heard a loud noise. It sounded like a huge heavy-weight squirrel pounced on my patio screen. Hubbie and dog jumped up to look. Hubbie turned on the light, but didn't see anything.

Then the dogs next door started barking frantically and their owner had to call them inside several times. We thought then it was one of the neighborhood's "free range" cats.

When it was light I let Major out again. He ran behind the trees and bushes and stopped dead in his tracks and just stared. Sooo, I walked around and saw this! On our PVC fence!! I frantically called the dog in and got my camera. (Okay-I'm a nut case with the pics...sorry.)

Euuueeeee! What to do? Those possums are creepy. He was stuck there-dogs on either side. The animal control wanted too much money to come get him. So, I went on to work, and sometime in the morning he got down. Amazing! (He must have jumped to the fence from a tree?) As much as I was scared, he must've been more so.

"'If you'll hold on to me for dear life,' says God, 'I'll get you out of any trouble. I'll give you the best of care if you'll only get to know and trust me. Call me and I'll answer, be at your side in bad times; I'll rescue you, then throw you a party. I'll give you a long life, give you a long drink of salvation!'" Psalm 91:14-16 

Lord, I'm a'holding! Remember the O-Possum.

photos:karenevans

Gentle Chirps

Waiting on my dog to do his "thing" in the back yard, I saw little shadows flit over my head. I heard gentle little chirps. I knew the birds were there. But I couldn't see them. Major was focused on this tree.

I went and got my camera to zoom in and find what kind of bird was chirping. Why? Oh, just because, and doing this same chore gets boring.

Anyway, I just took a bunch of pics in the area where I thought they might be. After I uploaded the pictures, I enlarged them and found this one! Yay! I couldn't believe how well this little guy blended right in with the tree. No wonder I couldn't find him when he landed.

"Then he was told, 'Go, stand on the mountain at attention before God, God will pass by.' A hurricane wind ripped thought the mountains and shattered the rocks before God, but God wasn't to be found in the wind; after the wind, an earthquake, but God wasn't in the earthquake; and after the earthquake, fire, but God wasn't in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper.

When Elijah heard the quiet voice, he muffled his face with his great cloak; went to the mouth of the cave, and stood there. A quiet voice asked..." 1 Kings 19:11-13 (Message)

How many times do I wait for God in the great and wild things, when He probably wants to talk to my life in quiet, gentle ways. The little things.

Like Elijah, may I be responsive to the whisper of God and stand.

Photo:karenevans