Let's Have Another Piece of Pie
Sometimes life cries out for a nice break from the daily routine …… a pie break, so to speak. A time to sit, to listen, to reflect. To taste the sweetness of life.
Another autumn in The Middle and I have to say it is perfect. With all the uncertainty around the globe, our seasons here have been splendid.
I have spent a lot of time pondering and trying to get motivated. Motivated to write, to paint, to create……
Let’s move on. The motivation is slow in coming. But here are some beauties of where I live. Enjoy!
We haven’t seen a lot of sun here in The Middle.
Today it is shining brightly.
Enjoy!
Cate B 😀
We moved to this lovely mid-west town, affectionately known as The Burg, two and a half years ago. Little did we know that we would fall in love with this town and it’s people.
Sure, it has it’s frustrations like all relationships, but the people here and the countryside puts you right back into perspective.
Shortly before we moved here we met a great couple that were part of us feeling at home. We became fast friends.
Early in our relationship we found that the wife, Shirley, had been battling cancer. We became fast warriors in prayers of complete recovery.
Complete recovery can have perspectives just like a painting. We never seem to see all the outcome or the image at once. Some see victory on earth, some see the battle and the hard work associated with it, and some see the victory being the dance and the songs in the courts of Heaven.
As humans we would like the earthly answer. It’s where we are now. So many have overcome the ravages of cancer and some the overcoming came too early and continues in eternity with no more pain.
That was our Shirley. I had plans with our friendship. We were going to tramp through woods and see wildlife. She was going to feed them as I took pictures. I chuckle as I write this. Not to mention her husband and her children and grand children had plans of a future together.
We just don’t know. As a Christian I believe in healing. I’ve seen healing. I believe we can, scripture says, raise the dead. But sometimes that terrible, yet beautiful, mystery of our God takes us to where we humans do not want to go. Death.
If we could just step back and see our life here, on this earth, is a part of the picture. Our lives continue into eternity. It hurts to lose. I know this.
As painful as it is I get to still be a part of the earthly tribe. The parts of Shirley that still live one. The heart of her husband that beats with joy, though pained, and a giving heart so big. Her daughter carries her mother’s heart for her own children and husband that shines with faith and love so deep for so many. Her son carries her creativity in levels that go so deep I am sure Shirley is rejoicing over them! And those grand children! An amazing legacy!
That brings me to the images I want to share. There is a property in Russellville, MO that has been in Shirley’s family for quite a while. It is beautiful! If you go there and sit on the front porch with her son and his wife you feel completely at home.
There is a peace there and a piece there of Shirley’s inheritance that I cannot find words for. There is hope there. There is vision for the future there.
A vision to help those who have struggled to come and farm and learn and use their talents to make their life better. A vision of hope for the hopeless.
As this project develops I will write more about it. But right now I honor Shirley and her inheritance. It is so wonderful to see that it never ends when our pained and broken bodies fail and leave this earth. Life does go on. History teaches us that. Memories are like gold and seeing someone living on in the hearts and talents and actions of those still here is priceless.
In the old barns they found the original tools for farming – made of wood!
Enjoy!
Cate B
We are having a lovely Spring in The Middle this year. Perfect temperatures. Not quite enough rain but a bit here and there.
We enjoyed a drive yesterday in the country toward a town called Calhoun and onward to Warsaw, Missouri located on a portion of Truman Lake. We had a late breakfast at The Rusty Skillet.
Here are some pics – taken from my iPhone6 but recognizable. 😀
Enjoy! Cate B
It’s the last week of February with an extra day attached. Still drab in color but nature is alive. Spring is just around the corner and colors will return.
Here’s the beef…….
Enjoy your weekend!
Cate B
Hello All.
This Autumn is so fresh and slightly crisp around The Burg. We get some color changes in the trees but really don’t have enough of those gorgeous Maple Trees that Vermont is famous for. But our trees still change and I love it.
Here are some snaps of our walk around Lions Lake this morning.
and a video of the geese…..
Enjoy!
cate b
Yesterday I met up with a friend who owns some beautiful horses. We went to meet them. These horses get to roam around and munch on fresh grass and hay and run. They have a great shelter and barn when the weather gets rough. They are very happy horses. The stallion was so calm and sweet. He amazed me.
I am sorry for the photo quality – camera batteries died so iPhone was it.
Enjoy!
cate b 😀
Here, in the Mid-West,it has been very cloudy for about an entire month. The sun tried a few times to shine on us but never could do it for very long. Well today, it is shining in all it’s glory and warmth, well, it is only 37° F when I am writing this, but the sun is still warm…….
We took off, my driver and I, and headed toward a little town called Windsor.
It is a small town with a lot of charm and you can feel the stories from the past wanting to come out and set a spell.
And in between Windsor and The Burg…….
These images were taken from inside the car. By me. 😀
Enjoy!
cate b
The winter has set in here, in The Burg. Today we went for a drive. We have been socked-in with clouds for about a month, or so it seems. The sun is scarce and this is unusual.
Once the beautiful colors of autumn have finished their glorious display of plumage, the browns and grays set in. Not a lot of color here that I have found.
Here is what I found today:
Enjoy!
cate b
It is just about three months since we moved to The Burg. Our house feels like home for us and the dogs and the grand girls who come Monday through Friday.
So, now what? Because of the schedule with the girls I don’t get out and about too much during the week. So now that we are “settled”, well, what do we do now? I is so easy to get too settled in the routine of life. We need different stimuli. We have met and friended a couple of people and it is always good when we get together and just visit.
Today we got out into the fresh autumn air at The Springs, one of my favorite places here. The view is slowly changing through fall and soon winter. This place exudes peace. When I need to clear my head and heart and ponder……….a peaceful place is for me. And this is it.
Please enjoy my photos – I know you’ve seen them before in summer view – I walked down along the lake and enjoyed the changing scenery.
Enjoy!
cate b
Let's Have Another Piece of Pie 