Overnight in Duluth where we can see the bridge which raises when ships or sailboats enter or leave Superior Bay and Lake Superior. ate at Little Angie’s Cantina & Grill near the Pier.
Traveling home and takin’ our time to get back to dodge…helps to soften the blow from having to say “good-bye” to our MN son and family. Rather say, “see ya later!”
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purple flowers
Lasher family photo
Nana-Liberty admires Castle Rock near Wisconsin Dells
liberty w nanna and grampa at miners castle rock
Munsinger & Clemens Gardens, St. Cloud, Minnesota. Garden: A planted tract used for public enjoyment. And that it is! “During the 1880’s the location was used as a sawmill, due to its proximity to the Mississippi River…around 1915 the City of St. Cloud purchased the area that has become known as Riverside Park and Munsinger Gardens.
Many photo opportunity spots, coins in the fountains, beautiful walkways lined with many colors and types of flowers and bushes. Then, lunch at Famous Dave’s and home for naps for all (at least most of us!)
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Liberty harvests her 1st green pepper!
Our granddaughter, Liberty, harvests her 1st green pepper from my deck garden. She’s been watching the pepper grow for days now and asks me every day, “Is it time to pick the pepper yet?” Today was the day! She’s so excited to twist the tender green vegetable and she says she will even eat it too.
Her eagerness reminds me of the verse, “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” (Psalm 34:8) I have to ask myself, just how eager am I to taste and see that the Lord is good? Admittedly, my mind and body sometimes hunger for other things or people. I like to think I hunger more for God, his word, and time with his people. But my actions do not always match what I know I should hunger after. Lord, I desire to follow after you, learn more of your ways, your likes & dislikes. When I seek refuge in you, I am blessed.
How about you? Do you hunger after God? How do you taste and see that God is good?
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Liberty and I walk the neighborhood. She asks if we can knock on some doors and say “hi” to the neighbors. I say we can say “hi” if we see them in their yard today or out walking like we are.
Out of the clear blue sky she asks, “How can people have kids if they aren’t married?” Wow – what a loaded question! That was kind of her to save it for me. I think this question is one to be saved for her Mom and Dad.
Later on the walk, she spotted some acorns. I was able to explain that the squirrels gathered and hoarded these away for their winter food. At least I could answer that question without fumbling too much.
Never a dull moment in the life of a 4-year old and those loved ones who surround them!
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Andrew, Elijah & Liberty on raceboat, "Swiftsure"
Grandpa & Daddy w-Elijah & Liberty
"Swiftsure" race boat
Liberty and Elijah, Mom, and Nana see Grandpa and Daddy off for race night off Holland pier. The grandkids are impressed with the big boat, but also eager to get to the beach to build sandcastles and jump in the waves.
This is what happens when a 2 ½ year old willingly fills the cat bowl.
Steve and I received a most wonderful (and surprise) gift EARLY this morning! Around 5:30 am, we heard a knock-knock, ring-ring. Again, knock-knock, ring-ring. “Did you hear the doorbell?” I asked. The first thing that popped into my head: it can’t be good news–policeman, fireman…
We both roused, made our way to the front door and “SURPRISE!” Our son, Andrew, Bethany, Liberty and Elijah were standing right there on our porch! And naturally Andrew was videotaping our expressions. Not a pretty sight, I’m sure! But, boy, we are thrilled to welcome them earlier than expected. The bags were packed, put in the car, so they decided, why not! let’s just drive to Michigan now–why wait till tomorrow?? and we’re glad they didn’t wait!!
They are resting now since none of them got too much sleep last night or this morning on the 11-12 hour trip from Minnesota. What shall we plan for today?
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All night long into the wee hours of the morning does the wind blow and the boat rocks–first to the port then back to starboard. up and down, back and forth. The wind blows continually. Whitecaps whip across Muskegon Lake.
I awaken early with a surprise chill in the air as I turn one more fan off. Daybreak peeks through my covered hatch over my head as if to say, “Daybreak is here now…you cannot ignore.”
As I rise and go to the companionway, I spy the reddish-pink colored sky and recite a famous saying,
“Red sky in the morning, Sailors take warning. Red sky at night, Sailors delight!”
“The Lord reigns in majesty…the seas have lifted up their voice, the seas have lifted up their pounding waves…mightier than the great waters…the Lord on high is mighty.” (Psalm 93)
Steve and I witnessed an amazing Summer Love Tour performance by Garrison Keillor, Sara Watkins, and the “Prairie Home Companion” group! Their energy appeared boundless and kept the crowd either singing along, clapping, or snapping their fingers. The performance began promptly at 7 pm and continued to nearly 10 pm, with Garrison and Sara mixing with the audience singing Amazing Grace and patriotic songs during intermission time.
We arrived an hour before Meijer Gardens gates opened, so we opened up our beach chairs and just made ourselves at home. People in line around us showed themselves friendly as we all chatted back and forth. Even when we claimed our lawn space inside the gates prior to the show, the gal on my right introduced her and her husband to us.
We had plenty of time to eat our food from the cooler and watch the crowds continue to gather. All ages seemed to be present. The evening proved to be poetic, reminiscent, inspiring, realistic, and fun! No disappointments at all.
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