tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77258577394907047952024-03-12T21:17:14.144-07:00RV'ing The DreamJennifer Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17262465026324208048noreply@blogger.comBlogger184125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725857739490704795.post-53897098333312169022013-11-17T14:00:00.000-08:002013-11-17T14:00:02.536-08:00You Looking at Me?!<p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VvKt_7um6Bw/Uns2OBdblUI/AAAAAAAAEIY/OZY37bKE5nk/s1600-h/PB0404856.jpg"><img title="PB040485" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="PB040485" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BlYiJrqrPQc/Uns2PBA-QjI/AAAAAAAAEIg/s-FbH-VKf1Y/PB040485_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="307"></a></font></p> <p><font size="4">On one of our many adventures exploring Southern California’s farming country, we happened upon quite the spectacle—an osprey enjoying a sushi lunch atop a power pole.</font></p> <p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-A5ZLJjKwSH8/Uns2QBzD9DI/AAAAAAAAEIo/5UOegHRcHGs/s1600-h/PB0404925.jpg"><img title="PB040492" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="PB040492" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GIqKo-KYTvQ/Uns2RC6tNOI/AAAAAAAAEIw/a_zKqLNUGPY/PB040492_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304"></a></font></p> <p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-n_4d9Wdj9w8/Uns2SeKRt7I/AAAAAAAAEI4/PG7Zlra7f8c/s1600-h/PB0404966.jpg"><img title="PB040496" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="PB040496" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Mhu_N_u0ygI/Uns2TOJVT-I/AAAAAAAAEJA/x7NL98ZqHKM/PB040496_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="401" height="305"></a></font></p> <p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-F8Hbxb0y4-0/Uns2Usr4GrI/AAAAAAAAEJI/NU9q7hk9SGs/s1600-h/PB0404935.jpg"><img title="PB040493" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="PB040493" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lGotdMABtJw/Uns2VsgKkgI/AAAAAAAAEJQ/gVDulSQMaA0/PB040493_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304"></a></font></p> <p><font size="4">Enjoy yourselves as well,</font></p> <p><font size="4">Jenni and Ken</font></p> Jennifer Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17262465026324208048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725857739490704795.post-36818438438092875132013-11-16T16:42:00.001-08:002013-11-16T16:42:18.265-08:00A Sorrowful Yet Joyous Goodbye<p><font size="4">Okay, so here goes. This is the first post for my </font><a href="http://whenhereigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><font size="4">new blog</font></a><font size="4"> and also will be the last post for this, my old blog. Believe me, this is no small undertaking, nor is it done without much thought and prayer. It is difficult to leave something behind that has been my companion, my outlet for so long.</font> <p><font size="4">God has been prompting me again, quite insistently as He does at times, especially when I am not listening to His still small voice. He has instructed me to start a </font><a href="http://whenhereigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><font size="4">new blog</font></a><font size="4"> totally dedicated to our mission, Bethel Grace Abbey. He has prompted me that RV’ing the Dream needs to be left behind. I cried out to Him that I would lose all my followers if I stopped writing on RV’ing the Dream. Our Benevolent Father assured me, however, that those who are meant to follow, will continue to follow even if I leave my old blog behind. God assured me that when I switch over to a blog totally dedicated to our mission, Bethel Grace Abbey, He will populate my online community far more than the few (His word) who follow our adventures on RV’ing the Dream.</font> <p><font size="4">I argued with Him, as I often do because I am human. I argued that this is the most popular my blog has ever been. The number of hits soar daily. So it is difficult for me to leave behind something that has finally come into its own. And maybe that’s the problem. The Dream was never to be “its own.” The Dream has always been His, even though at first I imagined we would be on a wonderful journey, traveling these beautiful United States of ours, for at least five years.</font> <p><font size="4">But as you can probably tell, as time has passed, the entire flavor of my blog changed. Everything I do is now in pursuit of the calling He graciously placed on my heart many years ago. My whole life is consumed by His calling. As each day passes, the mission, the dream, the calling becomes clearer and clearer in my mind and in my heart. As each day passes, more and more of my time and energy are spent in pursuit of His dream for my life.</font> <p><font size="4">So it is with reluctance but also with great anticipation that I now leave “RV’ing the Dream” behind and start anew on this new blog, </font><a href="http://whenhereigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><font size="4">“When He Reigns”</font></a><font size="4"> that He wants me to write. I am placing a </font><a href="http://whenhereigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><font size="4">link here</font></a><font size="4"> on RV’ing the Dream so that all who desire to continue to follow, can.</font> <p><font size="4">Please find it in your heart to bless this mission of ours by spreading the word about our mission to humbly serve the heartbroken and homeless of Southern California, because when He reigns, it pours! And I can feel we are on the brink of something huge and glorious happening in our lives.</font> <p><font size="4">Thank you all for seeing me through all my heartache and pain, my trials and fears, and for continuing with us on our journey into this glorious new day.</font> <p><font size="4">In His Holy Name,</font> <p><font size="4">Jennifer Joy</font> <p><font size="4"></font> <p><font size="4">P.S. If I have recently given you one of my business cards or told you personally to seek us out for help, I apologize that I am now changing things up. Sometimes that is how God works in our lives. Please <a href="http://whenhereigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">follow the link</a> to our mission. My email and phone numbers are still the same. The only thing to change is my blog. I love you all. Hang in there. Help is coming soon!</font></p> Jennifer Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17262465026324208048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725857739490704795.post-38105025842486460022013-11-15T14:00:00.000-08:002013-11-15T14:00:06.549-08:00Romance, Sex, and the Palm Date<p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PX0RtbcqXGE/Uns1y7S3I1I/AAAAAAAAEG4/q5o7pWT-c3I/s1600-h/PB0404814.jpg"><img title="PB040481" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="PB040481" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5wy6Y_z6sYM/Uns1z6sNreI/AAAAAAAAEHA/kbgsb8NH2Kc/PB040481_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="243" height="244"></a>Okay, so, no this really isn’t about romance, dating, or even sex, though we may as well go there since we seem to have already jumped into the TMI arena.</font></p> <p><font size="4">There’s a whole fascinating history behind the cultivation and propagation of the palm date, but I won’t go into detail here. You can find that information <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shields_Date_Gardens" target="_blank">here on Wikipedia</a> or by looking up Shields Date Gardens on the internet.</font></p> <p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xSZvj4isdjs/Uns124dbDlI/AAAAAAAAEHI/tGLxuS6-cNY/s1600-h/PB0405005.jpg"><img title="PB040500" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="PB040500" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ge1ZNQM8EVQ/Uns136NS9oI/AAAAAAAAEHQ/NiI-rbdct3U/PB040500_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a>Turns, out, this luscious albeit forbidden fruit has to be hand pollinated, and to get our facts straight, we stopped in Mecca and talked with one of the palm date farmers and got the scoop directly from the (eh hem, excuse the turn of phrase) fruit fornicator’s mouth.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YpPN-STjdy8/Uns15AkcRXI/AAAAAAAAEHY/B7z5y6_mPQM/s1600-h/IMG_01225.jpg"><img title="IMG_0122" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0122" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3O0cfZqOvRQ/Uns15-uxssI/AAAAAAAAEHg/S5V9tp4p5Gs/IMG_0122_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="298" height="304"></a></p> <p><font size="4">Oh, please, put your indignation away. I know you at least chuckled at my attempt at humor.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3vHmvD3uEHo/Uns18V8E_OI/AAAAAAAAEHo/EfQoenRfcOI/s1600-h/PB0404804.jpg"><img title="PB040480" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="PB040480" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gPhKTGaV7NU/Uns19VIhHqI/AAAAAAAAEHw/uwVRo7t3tt8/PB040480_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229"></a></p> <p><font size="4">And I know you will chuckle again next time you go to buy some dates for your holiday baking needs.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KM-kyWybYSg/Uns1_oJ9sgI/AAAAAAAAEH4/59P1ViIa3Zk/s1600-h/PB0404794.jpg"><img title="PB040479" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="PB040479" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eE_CRtJ_a-Q/Uns2AjTXg4I/AAAAAAAAEIA/8yDaXQfYD_I/PB040479_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229"></a></p> <p><font size="4">After all, “Humor results when society says you can't scratch certain things in public, but they itch in public.” ~Tom Walsh</font></p> <p><font size="4">Joy and laughter to you and yours,</font></p> <p><font size="4">Jenni and Ken</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NF1-HA_Z_Mc/Uns2B_3LW1I/AAAAAAAAEII/89TnN2hPToc/s1600-h/IMG_03074.jpg"><img title="IMG_0307" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0307" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vGZH4XPHiVc/Uns2Cq3J6hI/AAAAAAAAEIQ/RCAHLe-eMSs/IMG_0307_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="229" height="304"></a></font></p> <p><font size="4">“Humor is a reminder that no matter how high the throne one sits on, one sits on one's bottom.” ~Taki</font></p> Jennifer Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17262465026324208048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725857739490704795.post-58708947866999867822013-11-13T14:00:00.000-08:002013-11-13T14:00:01.918-08:00The Birds of Salton<p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VY6iByz-98c/Uns1P_IWF6I/AAAAAAAAEEI/hI07AKL08Dg/s1600-h/DSC003655.jpg"><img title="DSC00365" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00365" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1NyLTLpokaI/Uns1QYpZpzI/AAAAAAAAEEQ/Hc1hHplefgY/DSC00365_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="171"></a>You’ve been so patient, so kind in waiting for the best, which we saved for the last of our Wednesday’s adventure posts.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-M5Iwd16-9co/Uns1RYlQ5-I/AAAAAAAAEEY/leafveCatPY/s1600-h/DSC003665.jpg"><img title="DSC00366" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00366" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--2Wrg0dc20w/Uns1SDDn5KI/AAAAAAAAEEg/GBxYPfswWxQ/DSC00366_thumb9.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="276"></a></p> <p><font size="4">We came across an abundance of pelicans, herons, gulls, and cranes on the shores of The Salton Sea, and this is what had Ken so preoccupied with the binoculars as I snapped away with my camera.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QC4-SAJjbkE/Uns1TwmwcTI/AAAAAAAAEEo/1RuHTPmK5ck/s1600-h/DSC003815.jpg"><img title="DSC00381" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00381" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Mo5X_9G7v2w/Uns1UiNcUzI/AAAAAAAAEEw/HwLaHeUlJDc/DSC00381_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="276"></a></p> <p><font size="4">And so without further ado, we shall share our pictures.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Love and blessings,</font></p> <p><font size="4">Jenni and Ken</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FqhlZGvk9Zc/Uns1WQ_kXhI/AAAAAAAAEE4/kmJdG49tzE0/s1600-h/DSC003835.jpg"><img title="DSC00383" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00383" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VGESguU5iqk/Uns1XBo1GiI/AAAAAAAAEFA/A1MBt7aKMSI/DSC00383_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="269"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XXv_gLBYeRw/Uns1YAbbjrI/AAAAAAAAEFI/YCdgOGG1-oA/s1600-h/DSC003875.jpg"><img title="DSC00387" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00387" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MKAsNOPM3dI/Uns1ZExy14I/AAAAAAAAEFQ/8WVE0BHkgiA/DSC00387_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="277" height="404"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zmZG2Ul1WzE/Uns1aSYpO4I/AAAAAAAAEFY/pYTSkHH8Ync/s1600-h/DSC003905.jpg"><img title="DSC00390" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00390" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pvfFQG7-5SU/Uns1bHyUV9I/AAAAAAAAEFg/0saPfHM5ils/DSC00390_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="271"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4yAeT4aaz7A/Uns1ciykE6I/AAAAAAAAEFo/xkSl5meaijE/s1600-h/DSC003965.jpg"><img title="DSC00396" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00396" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-x9WRfbnY868/Uns1dbH149I/AAAAAAAAEFw/HgMnG6b4G_Y/DSC00396_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="271"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Gracefulness, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Qtr9yQ5QwSw/Uns1eeb_BDI/AAAAAAAAEF4/SH_gB1WbM30/s1600-h/DSC004017.jpg"><img title="DSC00401" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00401" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-W3hQymTME7g/Uns1fY_FOdI/AAAAAAAAEGA/0eRrBYaFcjY/DSC00401_thumb10.jpg?imgmax=800" width="271" height="404"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZqCl0hBsTQM/Uns1gmc0vxI/AAAAAAAAEGI/-rKj52tY5bU/s1600-h/DSC004036.jpg"><img title="DSC00403" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00403" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JBOLLwsu9S8/Uns1hpStQ0I/AAAAAAAAEGQ/MVrUx2NWOjU/DSC00403_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="278"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kSQ-iVI-roM/Uns1i4vOODI/AAAAAAAAEGY/LYdIpi4LulU/s1600-h/DSC003845.jpg"><img title="DSC00384" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00384" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-__BaZIhB_ro/Uns1jz4oQ0I/AAAAAAAAEGg/JDMSFwj_x4k/DSC00384_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="272"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NG_ajsQTgX0/Uns1lKiJoKI/AAAAAAAAEGo/LSBxV2YsyA8/s1600-h/DSC003865.jpg"><img title="DSC00386" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00386" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3QlIZj05538/Uns1l34o2HI/AAAAAAAAEGw/mkyY6MlPucU/DSC00386_thumb9.jpg?imgmax=800" width="271" height="404"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"></font></p> Jennifer Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17262465026324208048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725857739490704795.post-55316097346367914582013-11-11T14:00:00.000-08:002013-11-11T14:00:05.887-08:00By The Salton Sea<p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gd0GYMHZsis/Uns0tikXCCI/AAAAAAAAECI/gUmCBowc3a0/s1600-h/DSC003715.jpg"><img title="DSC00371" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00371" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bvGmwdqQjxw/Uns0upgjP3I/AAAAAAAAECQ/zMc4jN887lc/DSC00371_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="203"></a>Our intended destination for Wednesday’s adventure was The Salton Sea. However, since we dawdled an awful long time, taking in the gross extravagance of Palm Springs and that surrounding area, we ended up with very little time to explore the area surrounding The Salton Sea.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LMiso5sSAHU/Uns0v-M62XI/AAAAAAAAECY/EAWOj-S-ROM/s1600-h/DSC003584.jpg"><img title="DSC00358" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00358" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-seDHarXr8Ro/Uns0w5dVZnI/AAAAAAAAECg/0zeXpWZGaAE/DSC00358_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237"></a></p> <p><font size="4">Harrumph. We will just have to return another day, I guess.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WIto3djoYhE/Uns0yvHM1VI/AAAAAAAAECo/YEMjQqSiiSM/s1600-h/DSC003704.jpg"><img title="DSC00370" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00370" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-F_glVaJ1TpA/Uns0zWHIeKI/AAAAAAAAECw/yp2MAdqn3_o/DSC00370_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237"></a></font></p> <p align="left"><font size="4">This beautiful graffiti was found on the fence surrounding the abandoned community pool.</font></p> <p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hqKmgV352Uo/Uns000oSukI/AAAAAAAAEC4/Ig60BgYZGAg/s1600-h/DSC003754.jpg"><img title="DSC00375" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00375" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-W9iImOYUj3E/Uns01t1AE6I/AAAAAAAAEDA/pXkepKCyrnU/DSC00375_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="204"></a>We did get to explore a rather sad little community called Desert Shores, which is right on the edge of The Salton Sea. At one time, it probably was a nice little place to live; however, the economy, the housing crash, or what have you must have took its toll, because very few businesses remain open today. In fact, we saw an ambulance service, a motel, and a church, and not much else. Thank God there was a church so that the community would not totally be forsaken.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UqbioX2Hghk/Uns03yLnLZI/AAAAAAAAEDI/bOUDVap2nsU/s1600-h/DSC003774.jpg"><img title="DSC00377" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00377" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6inPPF4-fb4/Uns04wXoWPI/AAAAAAAAEDQ/lZ0Vw8B1Zfw/DSC00377_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237"></a></p> <p><font size="4">It saddened me that the community pool and the fire station stood abandoned, along with many private businesses. There were a few nice houses interspersed, but most of the housing was probably for the workers from the surrounding produce farms.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-imNN1mDLlsE/Uns06Mg1I-I/AAAAAAAAEDY/3JrXmB2l_5g/s1600-h/DSC003784.jpg"><img title="DSC00378" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00378" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gHZgXa9P7-Y/Uns060zybfI/AAAAAAAAEDg/3V22RConeTo/DSC00378_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237"></a></p> <p><font size="4">We did get some beautiful pictures, and I am pleased to be able to share them with you.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--YLo9Lzg1Uc/Uns08jCE3dI/AAAAAAAAEDo/WHPm1dZnLzs/s1600-h/DSC004054.jpg"><img title="DSC00405" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00405" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pIm_eYESAps/Uns09pKZfZI/AAAAAAAAEDw/8CNnhnby88I/DSC00405_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JuKtCjBAZQY/Uns0__UMN0I/AAAAAAAAED4/s2NqvAKiPIU/s1600-h/DSC003654.jpg"><img title="DSC00365" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC00365" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hERxnMuuqhI/Uns1An9KaaI/AAAAAAAAEEA/VADephb0OMs/DSC00365_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237"></a></p> <p align="left"><font size="4">In our next post, we shall see what Ken was so interested in viewing. Until then, keep searching for your joy.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="4">Love,</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="4">Jenni and Ken</font></p> Jennifer Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17262465026324208048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725857739490704795.post-4807368931724906962013-11-09T14:00:00.000-08:002013-11-09T14:00:03.876-08:00Day Tripping<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_j5979qhP2M/Uns0DElMglI/AAAAAAAAD_Y/bPLQC827v_8/s1600-h/IMG_108511.jpg"><img title="IMG_1085" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1085" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CNjvXrtWmBU/Uns0D4ubbkI/AAAAAAAAD_g/h0oCLBivbGk/IMG_1085_thumb11.jpg?imgmax=800" width="218" height="218"></a><font size="4">The weather here in Southern California continues to be absolutely beautiful. I do not miss Portland’s dampness one bit, not when I can experience all this sunshine day after blessed day.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dB0Q6QldnTs/Uns0GogfAGI/AAAAAAAAD_o/ziCAEiatOTI/s1600-h/PB04044411.jpg"><img title="PB040444" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="PB040444" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sTZNaX8GJ64/Uns0HYc7p1I/AAAAAAAAD_w/L8OwcgFT56c/PB040444_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229"></a></p> <p align="left"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HLtAqXCqaho/Uns0JsKY7nI/AAAAAAAAD_4/CfUFcccbv9o/s1600-h/PB0404349.jpg"><img title="PB040434" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="PB040434" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7J_RlyHf5t8/Uns0KnLnF2I/AAAAAAAAEAA/HBQkt7FFw-s/PB040434_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229"></a>The daytime temps are perfect, allowing us to still comfortably wear our T-shirts and shorts even this late in the year, and the nighttime temps are just chilly enough to warrant snuggling beneath the quilt I made for Ken out of his old T-shirts. In other words, it’s just how I like it.</font></p> <p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3etnyO8d5gw/Uns0L658MhI/AAAAAAAAEAI/zO9R8nJsV24/s1600-h/PB0404387.jpg"><img title="PB040438" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="PB040438" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cRZqNoRbrwE/Uns0M8P3AXI/AAAAAAAAEAQ/ZsViGFWcH8w/PB040438_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="230"></a>On Wednesday, we decided to take advantage of the gloriously beautiful weather by driving to The Salton Sea. </font><font size="4">On our way, we passed through Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio, Coachella, and finally Mecca, Desert Shores, and The Salton Sea. I think I named them all.</font></p> <p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8r4COdfEX5s/Uns0PI5tfoI/AAAAAAAAEAY/8JqXoJuT4Ps/s1600-h/PB0404425.jpg"><img title="PB040442" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="PB040442" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bZQ2nK7lCsc/Uns0QAzxFaI/AAAAAAAAEAg/pa4wmy74vQw/PB040442_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="230"></a></font></p> <p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wwUteBFIVQ4/Uns0R38FKeI/AAAAAAAAEAo/PGFkwidu8a8/s1600-h/PB0404674.jpg"><img title="PB040467" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="PB040467" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HoqZoolc6AI/Uns0SsIlDuI/AAAAAAAAEAw/g2EPlMmGsPw/PB040467_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229"></a>It was one town right after the other, blending so well it was difficult to say exactly when we passed from one to the next, unless we happened to catch the welcome signs. Although the farther we drove, the poorer the cities became. Then, it was easy to tell where the rich left off and the working stiffs began. The first half dozen cities were so opulent that even the bus shelters looked like stucco gazebos, for lack of a better description.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fsHQAOJHo5A/Uns0UNIkSVI/AAAAAAAAEA4/rzr2YdJ7xpE/s1600-h/IMG_10846.jpg"><img title="IMG_1084" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1084" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IMOuvowxE6w/Uns0U2rPa0I/AAAAAAAAEBA/nwnvbbLbqC0/IMG_1084_thumb9.jpg?imgmax=800" width="265" height="354"></a></p> <p align="left"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-H8gfdsdhXQ8/Uns0W6fUTOI/AAAAAAAAEBI/XRxULcdaxxA/s1600-h/PB0404505.jpg"><img title="PB040450" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="PB040450" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NdZwzqs_udk/Uns0XosM0RI/AAAAAAAAEBQ/t0P4pK75IIg/PB040450_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="236"></a>It was too rich for my blood, although Ken did catch me ducking into a Goodwill in Palm Springs. I just had to see what the rich had to offer. (Evidently not much because I left there empty handed!)</font></p> <p><font size="4">These are some of the pictures from the first part of our adventure. Mecca, Desert Shores, and The Salton Sea will have to wait for the next posts.</font></p> <p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-joE6v_u3fJc/Uns0ZMDYluI/AAAAAAAAEBY/bzoEMCmyseg/s1600-h/PB0404208.jpg"><img title="PB040420" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="PB040420" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Bq8_GupklnM/Uns0ZwBTn7I/AAAAAAAAEBg/JP8aAUTcSso/PB040420_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229"></a>Along Highway 10 just outside of Banning, there’s a stretch of the desert that has been put to good use as a wind farm. I love seeing alternate energy sources being incorporated so well, as they are in So Cal. Some may call them ugly or even eyesores, but I find them beautiful in both their simplicity and purpose.</font></p> <p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ut07d71q3i8/Uns0bhX5iEI/AAAAAAAAEBo/riQVEDs8hfU/s1600-h/PB0404217.jpg"><img title="PB040421" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="PB040421" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WgYiRB8tog4/Uns0cSTqv3I/AAAAAAAAEBw/WQe0-8i1aDE/PB040421_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229"></a></font></p> <p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-66r10b9lHv8/Uns0d-byTrI/AAAAAAAAEB4/4ikwFdyuVDk/s1600-h/PB0404277.jpg"><img title="PB040427" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="PB040427" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XqrfM36knA4/Uns0ezTdWQI/AAAAAAAAECA/QANPSn0ikXU/PB040427_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229"></a></font></p> <p><font size="4">Peace,</font></p> <p><font size="4">Jenni and Ken</font></p> Jennifer Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17262465026324208048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725857739490704795.post-26167471882698197422013-11-07T14:00:00.000-08:002013-11-07T14:00:04.911-08:00Glorious Fun<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UiLZw_an2uM/UnszpTpTmjI/AAAAAAAAD-4/R4jd3F2Vjs4/s1600-h/PB04043910.jpg"><img title="PB040439" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="PB040439" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rBLZVZJmp0I/UnszrMulBTI/AAAAAAAAD_A/ELzqJMKv5rE/PB040439_thumb12.jpg?imgmax=800" width="229" height="304"></a></p> <p><font size="4">Oh, it has been a glorious week so far, and it is only Wednesday!</font></p> <p><font size="4">I’d love to just blurt out all the goodness that God has been bestowing on us as of late, but I will take my time and parse it out properly over the next few posts.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Yesterday was an absolutely beautiful day. I spent it with my daughter, doing not much of anything, just mom and daughter stuff. We made gluten free peanut butter cookies (recipe to follow) and she highlighted my hair . . . wait for it . . . wait . . . </font></p> <p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GF2q5mxA6h4/UnszzmadCpI/AAAAAAAAD_I/j0U0Q74vPs8/s1600-h/PB04043312.jpg"><img title="PB040433" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="PB040433" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-g_5MWKntxT8/Unsz1NJuwUI/AAAAAAAAD_Q/HszmPH3J3Zs/PB040433_thumb26.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="230"></a>PURPLE! And so now with my natural silver/gray, I’m sporting the Sacramento King’s colors! Too funny. That one’s just for you, Dale! (Okay, so it doesn’t show up all that well in this picture, but my hair is tinted purple on the ends.)</font></p> <p><font size="4">Those of you who know me personally might notice something else about the pictures. I’m losing weight, although I am not sure how much because I have not stepped on a scale since Portland. Needless to say, I am down a few sizes. Yea! And it is simply melting away without all the usual starvation and torture. What’s my secret, you may ask? Well, when we started our journey, we basically changed our entire lifestyle. That, and I give thanks to God for this, another blessing in my life.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Okay, so I am blurting out an awful lot of the goodness all at once.</font></p> <p><font size="4">On to the cookie recipe. It is the simplest and most delicious cookie recipe ever. Even if you are not gluten intolerant, you may want to try these. They are amazing.</font></p> <p><font size="4">GLUTEN FREE PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES</font></p> <ul> <li><font size="4">1 cup peanut butter</font> <li><font size="4">1 cup brown sugar</font> <li><font size="4">1 egg</font> <li><font size="4">1 tsp baking soda</font> <li><font size="4">1 tsp vanilla</font></li></ul> <p><font size="4">That’s it, unless you are hankering for chocolate with your peanut butter, then add some chocolate chips and you are good to go.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Bake for 10-12 minutes in a 350 degree oven, and I promise they will disappear right before your eyes, even before they have had a chance to cool. Better double the recipe, folks, it is that good.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Love and blessings to you all,</font></p> <p><font size="4">Jenni and Ken</font></p> Jennifer Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17262465026324208048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725857739490704795.post-20603686720924857822013-11-05T13:00:00.000-08:002013-11-05T13:00:01.855-08:00New Life From Old<p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pJzXzt74gAA/UnRcZlR5XqI/AAAAAAAAD9Q/uK-jPRTh0sM/s1600-h/DSC00249%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC00249" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00249" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-enNaeObmlS8/UnRcatlrzLI/AAAAAAAAD9Y/nfe6LfNjkfE/DSC00249_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="204"></a>While we were in the mountainous region above Banning, which I spoke of in my last post, we came upon what remained after a recent wildfire. From a distance, the area looked, charred, desolate, devoid of anything good or life sustaining.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NazEs9U5iA8/UnRcb6mXZMI/AAAAAAAAD9g/CIiE1PKWNJU/s1600-h/DSC00250%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC00250" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00250" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YbWR3iSvFb4/UnRcczbsHxI/AAAAAAAAD9o/Mdd0vUQVC3Y/DSC00250_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="237" height="354"></a></p> <p><font size="4">As we approached, I meditated on how life’s trials can leave us charred, alone, wasting away for want of that certain something that will renew our souls.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TfoD037Ps_c/UnRceMJJQII/AAAAAAAAD9w/CkRfXZaRQbc/s1600-h/DSC00256%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC00256" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00256" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ODseT_k1OEM/UnRcfUj-CbI/AAAAAAAAD94/U6vnihfhZ1M/DSC00256_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="237" height="354"></a></p> <p><font size="4">Then I walked among the burned relics, the charred bushes, the melted debris left behind earlier by litterbugs.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JuILv31Fc-I/UnRchYQiD1I/AAAAAAAAD-A/J53Z8U78jyw/s1600-h/DSC00255%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC00255" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00255" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AbLtv_3TH_k/UnRciQAv8qI/AAAAAAAAD-I/2WXTQSdZKxU/DSC00255_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="233"></a></p> <p><font size="4">And this is what I found, life striving to survive despite all odds. The char was falling away to reveal glowing, vibrant branches beneath.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--yhVDswVz1s/UnRcjW3L3tI/AAAAAAAAD-Q/iW7oBpYqiFw/s1600-h/DSC00259%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC00259" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00259" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-R3A6AXtA0vg/UnRckMR2e1I/AAAAAAAAD-Y/SfnYRw10-1I/DSC00259_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="237" height="354"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pEKEldA2Jjo/UnRclCiEzlI/AAAAAAAAD-g/3pRA4upv9M0/s1600-h/DSC00258%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC00258" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00258" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wcdb6ITQ0FI/UnRclwBf_SI/AAAAAAAAD-o/AZEkolNV8Qg/DSC00258_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="237" height="354"></a></p> <p><font size="4">I was awestruck, speechless. The beauty I found in the midst of this destruction astounded and refreshed my soul.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Thank You, Lord, for all Your lessons and Your grace. Amen.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Love,</font></p> <p><font size="4">Jenni and Ken</font></p> Jennifer Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17262465026324208048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725857739490704795.post-20511217830832084912013-11-03T13:00:00.000-08:002013-11-03T13:00:04.735-08:00Banning<p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LqVn5VEO0lI/UnRWEGjQZjI/AAAAAAAAD7Y/vzW31mRgGQ0/s1600-h/DSC00213%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC00213" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00213" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-e4TfeBx6woI/UnRWFHfV0NI/AAAAAAAAD7g/M3OyWcXGmn8/DSC00213_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="204"></a>The other day, we decided to take a drive into the mountainous region above Banning. Our end destination was to check out an RV park called Silent Valley. Though it was technically only ten or so miles outside of Banning, those ten miles were winding, sharp, and steep in places. When we turned off California State Highway 243 onto Poppet Flats Road, the elevation was at least 4000 feet.</font></p> <p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-g8wee2EHVIc/UnRWGhTMG4I/AAAAAAAAD7o/VE0TPaxgkNU/s1600-h/DSC00237%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC00237" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00237" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2-Eh81bqF2I/UnRWHbJlncI/AAAAAAAAD7w/VQuZIqVVnEg/DSC00237_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237"></a></font><font size="4">The snowy peak we had seen in the distance, now appeared to be within our grasp, just over the next ridge.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Although Silent Valley appears, for all purposes, to be a wonderful place to stay, being essentially a town within itself, we decided not to chance taking the Raven up that hill. For now, we are just bouncing back and forth between Fisherman’s Retreat and Cherry Valley Lakes, and we will most likely still be bouncing back and forth come Christmas and New Year’s.</font></p> <p><font size="4">When I prayed about whether we should move on or not, (since Ken had itchy feet and wanted to get to Arizona before any snow falls on the passes), God gave me peace about staying in this area for now.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Besides, we are making connections here. God is presenting us with good, new relationships and He is healing old ones. We’ve hooked up with a local pastor and his wife, and they have been blessing us with their goodness. And Ken, being the gregarious one, has made several other friends as well. There are good people, here in Beaumont.</font></p> <p><font size="4">I feel good here, soul-wise. I feel at home. Ken is happy either way, whether we move on or stay, so long as a decision has been made. So for now, we stay.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Blessings to you and yours,</font></p> <p><font size="4">Love,</font></p> <p><font size="4">Jenni and Ken</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Mc5Dtp1ccCA/UnRWI0QTi6I/AAAAAAAAD74/7EwZFULQz2U/s1600-h/DSC00192%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC00192" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00192" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-J05JdOICKnE/UnRWJzLYsbI/AAAAAAAAD8A/BtIvLviR_7s/DSC00192_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Banning, as viewed from Hwy 243</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NdA76GM3ypI/UnRWK27_6-I/AAAAAAAAD8I/UzgUcKEcz8E/s1600-h/DSC00209%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC00209" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00209" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cjaOTmEfWHA/UnRWL_c3iKI/AAAAAAAAD8Q/V8J_xyGC9xY/DSC00209_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="105"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ymLPFXLxuSk/UnRWMy9Av8I/AAAAAAAAD8Y/7lY0u6rPWB8/s1600-h/DSC00211%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC00211" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00211" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ipAoFI6oQ50/UnRWNpnE9yI/AAAAAAAAD8g/lBwuNp9Zj_c/DSC00211_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="105"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OYgjYaMFs14/UnRWOoJBh_I/AAAAAAAAD8o/UNqYw37o1Sw/s1600-h/DSC00292%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC00292" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00292" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WVnwquYeMcs/UnRWPY_KwLI/AAAAAAAAD8w/0b2-m4hEZ6E/DSC00292_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="237" height="354"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BQ-AgT-C15k/UnRWQYpkNCI/AAAAAAAAD84/MxPvlUyuQhY/s1600-h/DSC00293%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC00293" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00293" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-S6DOZJrecZk/UnRWRCvVZBI/AAAAAAAAD9A/Ucj0j3RFJcQ/DSC00293_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237"></a></p> Jennifer Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17262465026324208048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725857739490704795.post-4727658812268676602013-11-01T17:53:00.001-07:002013-11-01T17:53:23.271-07:00November’s Poetry<p align="center"><font size="5" face="Gabriola"><u><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--n6UUU5Kis8/UnRM0c0iajI/AAAAAAAAD6A/0eOhtsW3_-0/s1600-h/DSC00244%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC00244" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC00244" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OCWZ1hac8bY/UnRM1YDujOI/AAAAAAAAD6I/M3X55DNvjdo/DSC00244_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237"></a></u></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Gabriola"><u>Summer’s End</u></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Gabriola">November, November</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Gabriola">From whence did you come?</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Gabriola">Why must you herald summer’s close</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Gabriola">With such finality, such succor needs?</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Gabriola">Though her chilling tentacles</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Gabriola">elude this oasis, this pleasant cove</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Gabriola">I still feel Sister Winter’s death knell</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Gabriola">Clanging against my bones.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Gabriola">November, November</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Gabriola">Your beauty does not escape me</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Gabriola">Your crispness may herald</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Gabriola">Sister Winter’s approach</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Gabriola">But my love for you remains</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Gabriola">True to the end of your days.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Gabriola"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Gabriola">Jenni Lynn</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Gabriola">November 1, 2013</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Gabriola"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Q4DuB0NCfB0/UnRM3Vwg_sI/AAAAAAAAD6Q/wCqJlA_xpFA/s1600-h/DSC00238%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC00238" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00238" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pKnbuzjZiiQ/UnRM4Rv_uGI/AAAAAAAAD6Y/yE98ZEr6cC4/DSC00238_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="239"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Gabriola"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aK8-JgvIn7g/UnRM5Tk3O_I/AAAAAAAAD6g/opfWAg_4QLY/s1600-h/DSC00292%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC00292" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00292" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PDVlYmHfBbQ/UnRM6NBSz_I/AAAAAAAAD6o/ttqITopgpVc/DSC00292_thumb%25255B14%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="234" height="354"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Gabriola"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-q93JlHk9MFw/UnRM89jENBI/AAAAAAAAD6w/OyBqikC3r5c/s1600-h/DSC00098%25255B15%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC00098" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00098" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-weKNWvdJNwY/UnRM-IGeqoI/AAAAAAAAD64/5FF_wiwbOMk/DSC00098_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="237" height="354"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Gabriola"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Gabriola"><u>Magnum Opus Alere</u></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Gabriola">Velvet enrobes creamy coolness</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Gabriola">Delicately fragranced</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Gabriola">By vanilla’s gentle caress.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Gabriola">Smooth, salty caramel</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Gabriola">Bathes my senses</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Gabriola">With glorious contradiction.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Gabriola">Dark chocolate incites</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Gabriola">Pleasure in my soul.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Gabriola">I give myself fully</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Gabriola">To this divine</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Gabriola">Yet earthly fascination.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Gabriola">I close my eyes</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Gabriola">And take another taste</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Gabriola">Of m</font><font size="5" face="Gabriola">y Magnum</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Gabriola">My sinful side’s</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Gabriola">Opus alere.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Gabriola"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Gabriola">Jenni Lynn</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Gabriola">November 1, 2013</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LDCBRpK5NZU/UnRM_WuEyZI/AAAAAAAAD7A/nSM2KD9iRk8/s1600-h/IMG_0859%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0859" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0859" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qHk4qfw0eIU/UnRNAIYxfgI/AAAAAAAAD7I/Lck6imHZsnw/IMG_0859_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="179"></a></p> Jennifer Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17262465026324208048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725857739490704795.post-13687861657052878022013-10-28T19:18:00.001-07:002013-10-28T19:18:34.532-07:00Costume Ball<p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-b-IZ5H8yrpc/Um8ZtGRSvoI/AAAAAAAAD4E/sAq7vBoZSYA/s1600-h/DSC00185%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC00185" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00185" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pcWlmffb7a4/Um8Z0OfZvdI/AAAAAAAAD4M/DdEoFmJjFbE/DSC00185_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="237" height="354"></a>If we had known that staying at RV resorts could be so much fun . . .</font></p> <p><font size="4">. . . We might have pushed a little harder to get on the road sooner!</font></p> <p><font size="4"><a href="http://www.cherryvalleylakes.com/" target="_blank">Cherry Valley Lakes RV Resort</a> is one of the best resorts we have found to date. Though we hear there are even better ones out there, I cannot see how!</font></p> <p><font size="4">Every weekend, Cherry Valley serves awesome meals, at prices seniors can afford, though not all who live this lifestyle are seniors, I’m finding. I am talking steak dinners for seven bucks or BBQ chicken for six! And that’s complete with salad, sides, and dessert. Breakfast is comparably satisfying and economical.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Plus, several weekends a month, Cherry Valley hires a band, and the party really gets going. It is an awesome social atmosphere, without all the creepy strangers, drunken brawls, and smoke-filled rooms. We know most everyone whom we are partying with, and it is like a big, happy family fun night. It’s great!</font></p> <p><font size="4">This past Saturday night was the Halloween costume party, and Suzy and the Cruisers was the band. Lots of great oldies songs.</font></p> <p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Jr5klMk382I/Um8Z5-spm0I/AAAAAAAAD4U/uYTaudUR14I/s1600-h/DSC00177%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC00177" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00177" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PVPUVvY14TM/Um8Z9mJgRLI/AAAAAAAAD4c/H1Od5bCYGGs/DSC00177_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="204"></a></font><font size="4">Ken dressed up as a headhunter. I simply went all in orange, “The Great Pumpkin,” I proclaimed myself. My daughter and her beau joined us for the evening, too. It was great fun.</font></p> <p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--ZJe9ZilYfQ/Um8aAvltXGI/AAAAAAAAD4k/U7PAS6a5v0w/s1600-h/DSC00188%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC00188" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC00188" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--gG3iaRlpdw/Um8aCgSy3RI/AAAAAAAAD4s/qRckPdds2-c/DSC00188_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237"></a></font></p> <p><font size="4">A typical family photo, I caught my daughter, Nina, with her mouth full! Patrick doesn’t look pleased I’m snapping pics while he’s trying to eat, either. Oh, but that’s what moms do best. Smile, baby, love you bunches.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BMCiAVLvmms/Um8aFdvyOpI/AAAAAAAAD40/SWr8XsDKmJo/s1600-h/DSC00181%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC00181" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC00181" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CSxZteO87FY/Um8aH8RCQMI/AAAAAAAAD48/_hfF1dSmUYU/DSC00181_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237"></a></p> <p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nGZ6RWMdHWM/Um8aLNs92ZI/AAAAAAAAD5E/rFxBUfB7eqk/s1600-h/DSC00180%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC00180" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC00180" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vuUFIbsEn8E/Um8aMrQgijI/AAAAAAAAD5M/RJzvl_cqr6A/DSC00180_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237"></a></font></p> <p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eipNzeHg-4I/Um8aOodXtNI/AAAAAAAAD5Q/S8NwaMI70qI/s1600-h/DSC00179%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC00179" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC00179" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-S1eaGOanCeg/Um8aQx1BPlI/AAAAAAAAD5c/Hoofjy9Vr4Y/DSC00179_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237"></a></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font> </p> <p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zTiA8NOvScs/Um8aTBGBHfI/AAAAAAAAD5k/6HwXqQu1ffg/s1600-h/DSC00183%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC00183" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC00183" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pvEryr-fPaU/Um8a-N8MsvI/AAAAAAAAD5w/RPqWCqUGEGE/DSC00183_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="234" height="354"></a></font></p> <p><font size="4">These “shrunken heads” are actually dried apples.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Blessings to you and yours,</font></p> <p><font size="4">Jenni and Ken</font></p> Jennifer Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17262465026324208048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725857739490704795.post-90511015842595766342013-10-26T14:00:00.000-07:002013-10-26T14:00:05.449-07:00Blessings Abound<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qKRcMgoy8Hk/UmYlMmgDLKI/AAAAAAAAD2c/NRG_ItLy1UM/s1600-h/DSC00074%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC00074" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00074" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HFxSRFtZC7M/UmYlQDLNDyI/AAAAAAAAD2k/gCBBFE090Kk/DSC00074_thumb%25255B14%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="236" height="354"></a></p> <p><font size="5" face="Bradley Hand ITC"><strong>Have you ever stopped to consider how often the blessings of God grace your life? How everything, even the simplest of things, has been touched by His hand?</strong></font></p> <p><font size="5" face="Bradley Hand ITC"><strong>Have you stopped to study the intricacy of a single bloom?</strong></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZJxQ2LLFuqY/UmYlU1f83ZI/AAAAAAAAD2s/_R0lcGcAG3Y/s1600-h/DSC00173%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC00173" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC00173" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iVYIxmW105c/UmYlVsATQJI/AAAAAAAAD20/9rLmR5mtsuc/DSC00173_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237"></a></p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="5" face="Bradley Hand ITC">Or stood silently in awe as a great egret took flight?</font></strong></p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="5" face="Bradley Hand ITC"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nv1nBTuADA0/UmYlWkRRYoI/AAAAAAAAD28/PE52JCX1iOs/s1600-h/DSC00077%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC00077" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00077" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zsEgijs-dxs/UmYlXmsAunI/AAAAAAAAD3E/oV1WQXKUhNs/DSC00077_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237"></a></font></strong></p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="5" face="Bradley Hand ITC"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-j2SmazOHWMs/UmYlYno_sVI/AAAAAAAAD3M/X8XYBUR-yqw/s1600-h/DSC00078%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC00078" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00078" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8KaTGGNnK7A/UmYlZrVrHaI/AAAAAAAAD3U/CzMHV7Y4q7k/DSC00078_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="236"></a></font></strong></p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="5" face="Bradley Hand ITC">Or marveled at the glow of the approaching sunset? <strong><font size="5" face="Bradley Hand ITC">God can even take LA’s pollution and make it beautiful.</font></strong></font></strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SizrFDojSvY/UmYlaVMDtwI/AAAAAAAAD3c/w0Utr2DBKlQ/s1600-h/DSC00052%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC00052" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00052" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LHu6w5WhPLI/UmYlbPZMqLI/AAAAAAAAD3k/3nZznUPalCo/DSC00052_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Sib0JLHObR0/UmYlcAg8ifI/AAAAAAAAD3s/_tjE7oPDg8Y/s1600-h/DSC00155%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC00155" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00155" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-l1T5VXVBow0/UmYldACqmOI/AAAAAAAAD30/Ig0Cy6Gkw4w/DSC00155_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="237" height="354"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Bradley Hand ITC"><strong>These are but a few outward examples of His love for us. For He also gave us friendship and love, laughter and tears, compassion and forgiveness.</strong></font></p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="5" face="Bradley Hand ITC">The blessings in my own life are too numerous to count. All day long, I praise His Holy Name for giving me glimpses of heaven.</font></strong></p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="5" face="Bradley Hand ITC">All of this, I witness and find joy in, not in spite of my pain and illness, but because of it. For through my struggles, He has taught me much, and I am ever grateful.</font></strong></p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="5" face="Bradley Hand ITC">Where can you find blessings today?</font></strong></p> <p align="left"><strong><font size="5" face="Bradley Hand ITC">Love,</font></strong></p> <p align="left"><strong><font size="5" face="Bradley Hand ITC">Jenni and Ken</font></strong></p> Jennifer Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17262465026324208048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725857739490704795.post-64181846733719806062013-10-24T14:00:00.000-07:002013-10-24T14:00:04.188-07:00Just Ducky<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SMtJSEyqabE/UmYZNugna7I/AAAAAAAAD1Y/wNUD4kWgDdM/s1600-h/P91601888.jpg"><img title="P9160188" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P9160188" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-W5qeYKuc8K4/UmYZOquwU7I/AAAAAAAAD1g/t9OAmJC4aZ8/P9160188_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><font size="4">At Fisherman’s Retreat near Beaumont, California, we learned the story behind these rather stupid white ducks. It seems they were pets, kept locked up at a local elementary school, for the edification and pleasure of the young students.</font></p> <p><font size="4">When they arrived at Fisherman’s Retreat, there were five in total. Within the first several nights, two disappeared, most likely to the coyotes, as we heard their joyous calls, barks, and yaps, signaling a recent kill.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CrmnyGN6uIc/UmYZQLZ2A5I/AAAAAAAAD1o/be3v0uGafjE/s1600-h/P916019015.jpg"><img title="P9160190" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="P9160190" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-p6s1VOJqtZs/UmYZRJhBg0I/AAAAAAAAD1w/hindHeI2Vjc/P9160190_thumb13.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="271"></a></p> <p><font size="4">When they first arrived, they did not even enter the water, preferring to stay under a tree instead, and they had no fear of humans. I guess they were kept in a cage with no large enough water source for swimming.</font></p> <p><font size="4">When they first arrived, they did not know how to eat what ducks normally eat in the wild, and would not eat anything but bread.</font></p> <p><font size="4">And this really saddens me.</font></p> <p><font size="4">I understand the need to educate our children about nature and give them a hands-on experience with animals, but if a school must keep animals in such an unnatural setting as these obviously had been kept, then they need to take responsibility for the animals for the rest of their natural lives.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9blrkWgL3xw/UmYZSTFnpyI/AAAAAAAAD14/Ohcj4dVgD6M/s1600-h/PA0203354.jpg"><img title="PA020335" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="PA020335" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CUqhdZr6jVc/UmYZTUFMddI/AAAAAAAAD2A/2v9fdLI_2q8/PA020335_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="266"></a></p> <p><font size="4">These zebras are privately owned, as far as we can find out, in Redlands. We were told that they also have giraffes and big cats on the property, but our information is only from word of mouth. They appear to be well cared for.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3QosDBr0qfI/UmYZUz9-39I/AAAAAAAAD2I/i3ty33l2lv4/s1600-h/PA0203338.jpg"><img title="PA020333" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="PA020333" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AXIbuT91RqQ/UmYZWI-TKtI/AAAAAAAAD2Q/K3BhjPlrBik/PA020333_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="266"></a></p> <p><font size="4">The Lord charged us with caring for the fishes and fowl and beasts of the land. Not with destroying them.</font></p> <p><font size="4">I will get off my soapbox now. At least the three surviving ducks are learning what to eat and how to survive in the wild, or semi-wild of Fisherman’s Retreat.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Blessings to you and your feathered or furry friends,</font></p> <p><font size="4">Jenni and Ken</font></p> Jennifer Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17262465026324208048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725857739490704795.post-78871438577757282652013-10-22T14:00:00.000-07:002013-10-22T14:00:06.331-07:00Absenteeism<blockquote> <h3 align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PxpNGrkjSUg/UmYPyG9elpI/AAAAAAAAD00/FsGFsBvzb2M/s1600-h/IMG_0584%25255B1%25255D%25255B20%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0584[1]" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0584[1]" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IUebp099nSU/UmYPzPgmNGI/AAAAAAAAD08/eSHrSw3AtbQ/IMG_0584%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B26%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="268"></a></font></h3> <h3 align="center"><font size="4">When life gets rough</font></h3> <h3 align="center"><font size="4">And I sit on my duff</font></h3> <h3 align="center"><font size="4">I’m tempted to cry</font></h3> <h3 align="center"><font size="4">And wail and moan.</font></h3> <h3></h3><font size="4"></font> <h3 align="center"><font size="4">I feel so alone</font></h3> <h3 align="center"><font size="4">When I ache to the bone.</font></h3> <h3 align="center"><font size="4">But nothing</font></h3> <h3 align="center"><font size="4">Offers comfort to me.</font></h3><font size="4"></font> <h3 align="center"><font size="4">As I survive</font></h3> <h3 align="center"><font size="4">And once again come alive</font></h3> <h3 align="center"><font size="4">I know it wasn’t me</font></h3> <h3 align="center"><font size="4">Who brought me through.</font></h3><font size="4"></font> <h3 align="center"><font size="4">For The Lord is my shepherd,</font></h3> <h3 align="center"><font size="4">And His dove, His holy bird,</font></h3> <h3 align="center"><font size="4">Leads me out of my torment</font></h3> <h3 align="center"><font size="4">Once again.</font></h3></blockquote> <p><font size="4">Thank You, Lord. I praise Your holy name for bringing me through the past several months, when my health was sliding rapidly downhill. Though I am still not as well as I would like, You give me the hope to believe that I am on the mend and will soon be able to participate in life more often.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Thank you, also, to all my readers who have stood by and waited patiently to hear why I have not been writing. The regimen I was on most recently for my Lyme disease took its toll worse than usual. That, coupled with the extra stress of traveling, was just too much for my body to handle. My pain and fatigue were unrelenting, and I could not do much more than survive. I depended wholly on The Lord, Ken, and Tinker Belle to get me through.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-df8858O46A4/UmYP0Ev2rUI/AAAAAAAAD1E/XZDPCIWs3VU/s1600-h/IMG_1028%25255B1%25255D%25255B18%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1028[1]" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_1028[1]" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HwiIB5s5y5Y/UmYP081cJ1I/AAAAAAAAD1M/Qkga0ydbipQ/IMG_1028%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="265"></a><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">I do not regret making this journey, not in the least. Though we are in a rather barren area, with brown being the predominant color, I absolutely love it. The lack of rain and subsequent humidity has been a Godsend for my arthritis (bone pain is a whole other matter), and even though it is nearing the end of October, we are still enjoying temperatures in the 80’s.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Besides, I’m near my daughter, and our relationship is flourishing as I get to know her as an adult, rather than as a child. We are blessed to have this opportunity.</font></p> <p><font size="4">I cannot make any promises as to how frequently I will be writing in the future, but I hope it will be more often. Please forgive my absenteeism and know it was for a health reason.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Love,</font></p> <p><font size="4">Jenni and Ken</font></p> Jennifer Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17262465026324208048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725857739490704795.post-55690229838641185502013-10-06T00:10:00.001-07:002013-10-06T00:10:56.993-07:00Please Forgive<p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NAbvyVtg3vo/UlEM-0rI7TI/AAAAAAAAD0Y/MsTdDWmeq7A/s1600-h/DSC01503-bee%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="SONY DSC " style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="SONY DSC " align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IwqtqOREzQU/UlEM_30ld_I/AAAAAAAAD0g/cqK_scG16vc/DSC01503-bee_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="304"></a>I’ve had a bit of a health set back. Not too big, but enough of one. It is taking me longer to recover from my normal rounds of treatment. Four or five days has stretched to six or seven days at a time when I am incapable of doing much at all. This past week I spent four days in bed because of my pain, and then I forced myself to be a little active and ended up back in bed again.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Having a chronic illness, complete with pain 24/7, is a full-time job. After I complete the must-do chores, such as tending to the bills and reordering our prescriptions, I plumb run out of steam.</font></p> <p><font size="4">So, please forgive the lapses in my writing. If my better days outnumbered the bad ones, I would be writing more often. You are all so wonderful for hanging in there with me. Thank you.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Love,</font></p> <p><font size="4">Jenni and Ken</font></p> Jennifer Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17262465026324208048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725857739490704795.post-23436031550974902662013-09-28T14:00:00.000-07:002013-09-28T14:00:01.798-07:00Randomness<p><font size="4">Thought you might enjoy a little more photography and a little less verbiage.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-g6XkPFCgXCc/UkPk5tmG9QI/AAAAAAAADyA/4GRweX9ulbw/s1600-h/DSC000047.jpg"><img title="DSC00004" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00004" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UNu8bOKA4Ck/UkPk6l5O4oI/AAAAAAAADyI/5sKwvkesdnI/DSC00004_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="271"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-d0G7ldXjE18/UkPk739a6lI/AAAAAAAADyQ/eKSKKXxTeVk/s1600-h/DSC000144.jpg"><img title="DSC00014" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00014" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ynQHN6wwqag/UkPk890jI8I/AAAAAAAADyY/x3_bqflsDD4/DSC00014_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="271" height="404"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kJFZVN9bcf0/UkPk9hbWYUI/AAAAAAAADyg/rkM-XCkAFqA/s1600-h/DSC000184.jpg"><img title="DSC00018" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00018" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WYI8WJnVfFI/UkPk-ur8TxI/AAAAAAAADyo/LNnn-hFZmzA/DSC00018_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="271" height="404"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bB3Ki119C3o/UkPk_VzUZUI/AAAAAAAADyw/zkirx7eLRfI/s1600-h/DSC000275.jpg"><img title="DSC00027" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00027" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ACXRhnHZzVA/UkPlAfU5csI/AAAAAAAADy4/ZccVGFjq51k/DSC00027_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="271" height="404"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PdaBSWNiM7U/UkPlBbCpP8I/AAAAAAAADzA/21lRl6wk-qI/s1600-h/DSC000465.jpg"><img title="DSC00046" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00046" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nCjgvL1uIrE/UkPlCEzcM2I/AAAAAAAADzI/4JD1FALe6NE/DSC00046_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="269"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QJjENAiB3E0/UkPlDYNHlAI/AAAAAAAADzQ/OyPZCbnJteE/s1600-h/DSC000508.jpg"><img title="DSC00050" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00050" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Jgb9Y02Kic0/UkPlEUg0KvI/AAAAAAAADzY/Dsubfxq0ULI/DSC00050_thumb9.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="279"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pKJNiEuNQng/UkPlFQjmW0I/AAAAAAAADzg/2KqZydpJGg8/s1600-h/P92102735.jpg"><img title="P9210273" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P9210273" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zS492gWuHcU/UkPlGeOJAnI/AAAAAAAADzo/BtHbBEgQF6w/P9210273_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="306"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BZOPvnrUmOM/UkPlHY_wXhI/AAAAAAAADzw/ZAsl4SODR4U/s1600-h/P92102864.jpg"><img title="P9210286" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P9210286" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kIrD6xOcP2k/UkPlIfw6YFI/AAAAAAAADz4/Q1GYsKi_IVE/P9210286_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mevoH5O3s9M/UkPlKAb76tI/AAAAAAAAD0A/XVw6WVn50ik/s1600-h/P92102874.jpg"><img title="P9210287" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P9210287" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-A8zrAyetxaQ/UkPlLO_-KZI/AAAAAAAAD0I/jm8Iqr4RnqI/P9210287_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304"></a></font></p> <p align="left"><font size="4">Thank you for following us,</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="4">Jenni and Ken</font></p> Jennifer Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17262465026324208048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725857739490704795.post-55618642243468490212013-09-27T14:00:00.000-07:002013-09-27T14:00:00.535-07:00Juggle and Dance<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QdA1tXq1X2Y/UkPj2wUa6ZI/AAAAAAAADvw/y42DnhhHDLM/s1600-h/DSC099925.jpg"><img title="DSC09992" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC09992" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-f7-e5FJ_7dU/UkPj4Qde-II/AAAAAAAADv4/NGbjCehDLns/DSC09992_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Engravers MT">For Sale: Older family home on the outskirts of Beaumont. This is a must see and will not stay on the market long.</font></p> <p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_Kx5xCdrcWg/UkPj6wa8SlI/AAAAAAAADwA/waluJZ133b0/s1600-h/DSC099955.jpg"><img title="DSC09995" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC09995" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bv9rj2UnXIQ/UkPj7w7BAhI/AAAAAAAADwI/5jtyK3K_aMs/DSC09995_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a>Years ago when Ken and I were in the market to purchase our first home together, we scanned the newspaper and we relied on friends to give us the scoop on choice properties they had heard about. This was before we had a computer in our home, mind you. Back then, we used the old-fashioned style of networking.</font></p> <p><font size="4">We saw some beauties, as we traipsed around every weekend from one open house to the next. Most of these beauties we could not afford, of course. But we dared dream big for someday’s sake.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0wxfVCtl2HI/UkPj9iUREtI/AAAAAAAADwQ/hsPEbxigqlU/s1600-h/004_27.jpg"><img title="004_2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="004_2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IfZV5dxZSLM/UkPj-iVsR5I/AAAAAAAADwY/DZJ2mJilbdI/004_2_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="271"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">(Wouldn’t this be lovely. Actually, it is Pittock Mansion in Portland, Oregon.)</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qpZk7m8kBqs/UkPkAINU1HI/AAAAAAAADwg/l4H-kCedMF0/s1600-h/img1803.jpg"><img title="img180" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="img180" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_MngwrbcCg0/UkPkBSsRcfI/AAAAAAAADwo/1MJ3rihkgh8/img180_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="271"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">(Trevor and I washing our feet, above, after working outside in our garden, below, Spring 1999)</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-21IPd-q4vOc/UkPkC6AuOmI/AAAAAAAADww/9uVqyT_D4AQ/s1600-h/img1826.jpg"><img title="img182" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="img182" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-usPYQZGbaZQ/UkPkDk3yt4I/AAAAAAAADw4/dX0AArvTVMc/img182_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="271"></a></font></p> <p align="left"><font size="4">The house we settled on was not my first choice, but it was in a good neighborhood, top-notch school district, and it was on a cul-de-sac and was fully fenced. All these were important for my children and so trumped, for instance, a larger kitchen or a basement. It had three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a two-car garage.</font></p> <p><font size="4">In the thirteen years we lived in our home, I longed for a larger one. I longed to have an office and a guest room and maybe even a family room, instead of all those rolled into my daughter’s old bedroom. I grumped and grumped about it only having about 1200 square feet of living space, yet in the end, when illness took over, I could no longer even keep that small of a home clean without help.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Then we lived in the tiny duplex for three years. This was a major adjustment, being so much smaller than even that 1200 square foot home. But we did it, and I grumped about all our junk, day in and day out, until I could grump no more.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Now we live in a 32 foot Firan Raven motor coach with no slide outs. It is crowded. We cannot seem to get rid of all our junk. I guess it’s human nature, our junk, our mess. We all have something hidden in our closets, or spilling out as the case may be.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Even though it’s crowded and we have to juggle and dance more often than not, I love living in this confined space. Most everything I need is close at hand. Our bedroom is wall-to-wall mattress and pillows. Most nights I sleep like a baby tucked safely in a crib.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="4">I am claustrophobic, but this arrangement does not bother me. I have the whole out-of-doors as my living space. At most resorts, we have a pool and a hot tub a short walk away, and with all the beautiful, new surroundings, I am eager and willing to walk Tinker Belle every day, too.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Sure, I would like a large house some day, but I can clean this one, end to end, in under an hour. How could I ever beat that, without hiring help?</font></p> <p><font size="4">Blessings are where you look for them.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Love,</font></p> <p><font size="4">Jenni and Ken</font></p> Jennifer Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17262465026324208048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725857739490704795.post-815573262092181042013-09-26T14:00:00.000-07:002013-09-26T14:00:06.075-07:00Cooling Our Heels<p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-I6E9ow-KWFM/UkPkZaQHvzI/AAAAAAAADxA/TOIOZitat4I/s1600-h/DSC000524.jpg"><img title="DSC00052" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00052" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SW1FHdYN7oU/UkPkaHY54BI/AAAAAAAADxE/oOozpJIDKLE/DSC00052_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="204"></a>We knew this day would come. We knew we would run out of money before we ran out of month. Why wouldn’t it? It happens to everyone, everywhere, who lives paycheck to paycheck. Being on the road doesn’t make us immune from these everyday woes. It actually makes us more vulnerable.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qWHQ0CRCYhw/UkPkbvYOZ2I/AAAAAAAADxQ/7MPK5hG8U1c/s1600-h/DSC000558.jpg"><img title="DSC00055" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00055" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ajt7C9LNEpM/UkPkcb8j9BI/AAAAAAAADxY/OjA5lx2eFCc/DSC00055_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="271"></a></p> <p><font size="4">Our home is one wheels. When it breaks down, we become, essentially, homeless, as happened back in July in Yreka. This was a major financial setback, but (knock on wood) we have not had any problems since.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Over this past month, every semi-annual bill that could possibly come due, did. Therefore, after our valiant push to get down here to Southern California, we now must cool our heels. Kick back and relax. Stay awhile.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WhDpmXrmfGk/UkPkdTyBANI/AAAAAAAADxg/JXQhd-UuayA/s1600-h/DSC000568.jpg"><img title="DSC00056" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00056" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ml9N2Q3UXiU/UkPkgO1RN7I/AAAAAAAADxo/Uw5ZJZorN0g/DSC00056_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="271" height="404"></a></p> <p><font size="4">As for my mission, God has me working on abiding right now. That’s a word we in this modern time rarely use. We tend to want everything right now. Microwaves ruined us in the kitchen. And on the computer, we get frustrated if a page takes longer than two seconds to download. We cannot even wait to make purchases anymore. If we cannot afford it, that’s what credit was invented for.</font></p> <p><font size="4">With everything available at our fingertips, simply for the asking, we’ve really gotten into a me-me-me attitude, and it sucks. Sorry, but it does.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Stop and smell the roses, already. There’s more to life than the tip of your own nose.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lHOhW2L24l8/UkPkhpD3BcI/AAAAAAAADxw/8w7kWAAdCK4/s1600-h/DSC000375.jpg"><img title="DSC00037" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00037" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qTYytVYzVFs/UkPkitKOSWI/AAAAAAAADx4/sDckPlpwvPA/DSC00037_thumb12.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="266"></a></p> <p><font size="4">So here we sit, biding our time. God has me in a wait mode right now with my mission, anyway. Maybe that was in response to me complaining that I was so tired and needed a rest, for when I prayed for answers about my Hesperia dream, I was told to be patient and to wait.</font></p> <p><font size="4">When we drove through Hesperia two weeks ago on our way to Beaumont, I was so tired that God could have placed a neon sign directly in my path, and I would probably have missed it.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Friday is moving day again. We will be traveling a whopping six miles down the road to Cherry Valley Ranch.</font></p> <p><font size="4">I like this waiting mode. Besides, it gives me more time to spend with my daughter and, after payday, we can also travel westward to the Los Angeles area, to visit other family members. Seems we’ve got family everywhere and plenty of time to visit!</font></p> <p><font size="4">Love,</font></p> <p><font size="4">Jenni and Ken</font></p> Jennifer Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17262465026324208048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725857739490704795.post-5761231333569511382013-09-23T14:00:00.000-07:002013-09-23T14:00:05.743-07:00Techno-Savvy? Not Me<p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aobioAmriJY/Uju201VNQUI/AAAAAAAADuI/506DbRcxw34/s1600-h/IMG_027412.jpg"><img title="IMG_0274" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0274" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aHJXWv2O15M/Uju23PSsjiI/AAAAAAAADuQ/2aS1nlNIhmg/IMG_0274_thumb14.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244"></a>I thought it might be useful to others who may be on a similar journey (or are contemplating such) to go over some of the things we have found most helpful.</font></p> <p><font size="4">First, when it comes to blogging, I cheat. Gasp! Yes, it is true. I use a Windows program called Windows Live Writer. It allows me to write, edit, and publish a bunch of blog articles all at once, and then they get neatly doled out per my scheduling. So, it may look like I am writing daily or almost daily (I know, ha ha, right), but I can get three or four posts done in one afternoon, and then spend the next three or four days thinking about what to write about next. So, it really isn’t cheating. It is time management.</font></p> <p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yB_9IIztpKo/Uju25I83rII/AAAAAAAADuY/alvISK0j-1s/s1600-h/IMG_03314.jpg"><img title="IMG_0331" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_0331" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-z5vMyoQcz5o/Uju267epPpI/AAAAAAAADug/tCTkXg2GmDA/IMG_0331_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="302"></a></font></p> <p><font size="4">One major problem we had to overcome was the availability of reliable internet. At first, I tried to just use what was provided by the resorts, but the deeper into California we got, the more expensive it became to “rent” the internet, even for one afternoon. Besides, then we ran into another problem due to the nature of public internet sources. One resort had their router set so that no downloading could be done. I can understand this. They don’t want people tying up the limited internet for everyone by watching You Tube videos or Netflix all day long. But they also stopped me from uploading to the blog server. </font></p> <p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5rjlQ4KFAEw/Uju28jvyakI/AAAAAAAADuo/zk3c-aZMEYc/s1600-h/IMG_04825.jpg"><img title="IMG_0482" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_0482" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KXHo_e9xGNo/Uju292GkGII/AAAAAAAADuw/cWPuhtJLSQU/IMG_0482_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="302"></a></font></p> <p><font size="4">So we gulped hard and called AT&T to turn my i-phone into a hotspot. So far, so good on that front.</font></p> <p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9ZXDaYmmDNs/Uju3Ax-30gI/AAAAAAAADu4/1mrBC00Y970/s1600-h/IMG_022311.jpg"><img title="IMG_0223" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_0223" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Lrkuh6Fnlz4/Uju3Cnz869I/AAAAAAAADvA/_GGbthACEjA/IMG_0223_thumb9.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304"></a></font><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">A guy at Canyon Creek tried to sell us a cell booster of some sort (it is what he does for a living). He proved it worked for his Verizon phone, but he could not guarantee results with AT&T. We did not succumb, but maybe if we found one that did work with our service, then maybe.</font></p> <p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pY3F_nhHCq0/Uju3EAOYlgI/AAAAAAAADvI/rGWGpN2I334/s1600-h/IMG_04514.jpg"><img title="IMG_0451" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_0451" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TIMXnrMZYok/Uju3Fsi0OjI/AAAAAAAADvQ/SAIYLpBWqAY/IMG_0451_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="340" height="454"></a></font></p> <p><font size="4">For photo editing, I use Photoshop Elements 9. Though some things in life need no help at all in the cuteness department. Photoshop seems to do what I need without too many headaches. Then again, nothing is as user friendly as I used to believe everything was. You know, back when my brain was young and elastic, and not full of disease.</font></p> <p><font size="4">The one thing I have not been able to replace since leaving Portland is the fount of technical knowledge I had at my beck and call—my son.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-udJfQrlzJiI/Uju3Ik2ZrlI/AAAAAAAADvY/ACl6F_XXbfQ/s1600-h/IMG_03425.jpg"><img title="IMG_0342" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0342" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1wGv3YXXLoc/Uju3KM18brI/AAAAAAAADvg/L8FQ6YMr7EE/IMG_0342_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="404"></a></p> <p><font size="4">I miss you, Trevor. Don’t laugh next time I call you because I cannot turn my hotspot on. Unless I am already laughing, of course.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Love and best wishes,</font></p> <p><font size="4">Jenni and Ken</font></p> Jennifer Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17262465026324208048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725857739490704795.post-11544610034715335072013-09-22T14:00:00.000-07:002013-09-22T14:00:09.410-07:00The Birds of Southern California<p><font size="4">Ken has been snapping to his heart’s delight, all the unusual birds of this beautiful desert oasis. Okay, so they aren’t so unusual, unless you’ve lived an otherwise untraveled life, such as I have. It has been great, seeing all the new wildlife, birds, and plants.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Here are a few of the birds. I have identified them where I could. There’s one elusive bird, who refuses to pose for the camera—The roadrunner! Yes, we have seen them, but our cameras have not been quick enough to capture this delightful creature. Maybe before our journey is through . . .</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DcfC_la07Dg/Uju12SHDJpI/AAAAAAAADrY/YVcLBcf-J-c/s1600-h/P91501225.jpg"><img title="P9150122" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P9150122" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tg6VZNAaXlc/Uju14WpM99I/AAAAAAAADrg/p2mQ3-gUfAI/P9150122_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Here, we have a lovely Blue Heron, but we have those up in Oregon, too.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PjMdEkP6hG4/Uju17CneIhI/AAAAAAAADro/U7esMK8PDNc/s1600-h/P91501335.jpg"><img title="P9150133" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P9150133" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3bmIz2Gj5vg/Uju18-moRnI/AAAAAAAADrw/O8k9dxwVsGQ/P9150133_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="302"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">A little difficult to see here, this is a Killdeer. Yes, we have those in Oregon, too. I hear them calling, even in the night. They compete with the trains that go by almost constantly right outside the resort.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VinwI0695-g/Uju1_ymYI3I/AAAAAAAADr4/q9nVdZ19VLk/s1600-h/P916018812.jpg"><img title="P9160188" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P9160188" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-E3xybd0pjkk/Uju2BQrwg0I/AAAAAAAADsA/jM30G_7yZa4/P9160188_thumb11.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">So, yes, we have ducks, too. I don’t seem to be making my point about unfamiliar wildlife. Hang in there.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kgmaMDPfvXQ/Uju2F4NGRiI/AAAAAAAADsI/-79u6YB9OIo/s1600-h/P91702298.jpg"><img title="P9170229" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P9170229" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Q7_F4x0_8T8/Uju2H2TyyWI/AAAAAAAADsQ/Jm3TWztzgGw/P9170229_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qw7ZXBdZrLY/Uju2LMZ5aSI/AAAAAAAADsY/BQF7f67t1rE/s1600-h/P91601894.jpg"><img title="P9160189" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P9160189" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Hi2D-_dZsdc/Uju2NAU81ZI/AAAAAAAADsg/Qu8L1vKP5fY/P9160189_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lcIvWmji7lY/Uju2Q3L1m6I/AAAAAAAADso/mTtEUxsH_84/s1600-h/P91702205.jpg"><img title="P9170220" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P9170220" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TGh7SOJTrXE/Uju2SDmIEfI/AAAAAAAADsw/yr9mIqkeoE0/P9170220_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="296"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">This little guy has some strut and a long tail, but his flock mates seem to be missing their tail feathers.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BnbMirrB0D0/Uju2UJmn0LI/AAAAAAAADs4/08kg1rY02Rc/s1600-h/P91702225.jpg"><img title="P9170222" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P9170222" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GN9BsIYFouE/Uju2VZ6pOTI/AAAAAAAADtA/Sowicans4c4/P9170222_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="302"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CcJiuSO69x0/Uju2YE2myUI/AAAAAAAADtI/rbo9Oz6XAc8/s1600-h/P917022710.jpg"><img title="P9170227" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P9170227" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tErd4U0ibw8/Uju2a59RmYI/AAAAAAAADtQ/twPoWb-WY0s/P9170227_thumb15.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="404"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">This is a Great Egret, notice the yellow bill. The Snowy Egret is smaller and has a black bill.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uQpDUlEtJDY/Uju2dKlKdfI/AAAAAAAADtY/C7-Zo5Hz7EU/s1600-h/P91702405.jpg"><img title="P9170240" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P9170240" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-moFZgtpXow4/Uju2eSay55I/AAAAAAAADtg/1wiv1ZMomC8/P9170240_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="302"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">This little flycatcher appears to be a Western Wood-Pewee. Somebody needs to tell him that that is a lure, not a fly.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lxUEyRic5pk/Uju2iPDcufI/AAAAAAAADto/EtGZqDNXFOs/s1600-h/P91702618.jpg"><img title="P9170261" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P9170261" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-87Zy0Yh48xA/Uju2lYvFTYI/AAAAAAAADtw/C00G18NU-2Y/P9170261_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">This goofy bird I saved for the finale. It is an immature Black-crowned Night-Heron.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uZNnT0IeVK0/Uju2oAKA3sI/AAAAAAAADt4/zIJ6yNYh-NM/s1600-h/P91702599.jpg"><img title="P9170259" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P9170259" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9WF1vR9UV-0/Uju2pQNcz2I/AAAAAAAADuA/UUM2qu4KhFo/P9170259_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304"></a></p> <p align="left"><font size="4">Thank you for following our adventures. We appreciate each and every one of you.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="4">Love,</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="4">Jenni and Ken</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"></font></p> Jennifer Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17262465026324208048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725857739490704795.post-59207009075167743092013-09-21T14:00:00.000-07:002013-09-21T14:00:00.318-07:00Fisherman’s Retreat<p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qDq8Ct3w18o/Uju0zj8puII/AAAAAAAADp4/z29H4VM4aD0/s1600-h/P917025110.jpg"><img title="P9170251" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P9170251" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-c7W0MOkAHN8/Uju008gIyUI/AAAAAAAADqA/ekr9R4HRFh0/P9170251_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229"></a>Fisherman’s Retreat gets a two-thumbs-up from us. The weather may be quite warm still during the days, but the nights cool off quite nicely. The lakes appear to be full of fish, at least willing to be caught on camera if not the hook.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4W0vm9zEpK4/Uju02zlC03I/AAAAAAAADqI/7xQk0NNFqeI/s1600-h/P917024411.jpg"><img title="P9170244" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P9170244" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-P9Mt50HsTx0/Uju04P8dIiI/AAAAAAAADqQ/_K815hCiypI/P9170244_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jMnHfVLLVKk/Uju0-CTEthI/AAAAAAAADqY/DRqWbNsLXE0/s1600-h/P91702388.jpg"><img title="P9170238" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P9170238" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jNNbkExa5m0/Uju1AHD7dYI/AAAAAAAADqg/KQuVLQO0QIo/P9170238_thumb10.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304"></a></font></p> <p><font size="4">We have a space most conveniently located near the bathrooms, the pool, and it is not too far from the lakes. Plus it is shady to boot.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TcSngOJq3Z0/Uju1Dwcm-KI/AAAAAAAADqo/i0PmB3Fwx08/s1600-h/P91500277.jpg"><img title="P9150027" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P9150027" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Be5mGkuRIh8/Uju1G08-StI/AAAAAAAADqw/rg2q6MFiN2U/P9150027_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_w50ajWeU74/Uju1JkrWgGI/AAAAAAAADq4/fW4tTZL0UDI/s1600-h/P91500289.jpg"><img title="P9150028" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P9150028" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mEHNWDYpibQ/Uju1LgMD-uI/AAAAAAAADrA/j_mp82VJ64g/P9150028_thumb11.jpg?imgmax=800" width="403" height="303"></a></font></p> <p><font size="4">I haven’t gotten out to meet many people yet, since I am still recuperating. (The traveling has been far more difficult than I had imagined.) But Ken brings me stories from people he meets out on his walks. For today, I live vicariously through my beloved husband.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qefED9_w8Dg/Uju1NXZ0UyI/AAAAAAAADrI/MDIyF0r8nj0/s1600-h/P91601846.jpg"><img title="P9160184" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P9160184" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TwjI4K3h_pk/Uju1PJNhDdI/AAAAAAAADrQ/gdFOhNF21Ps/P9160184_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304"></a></p> <p><font size="4">We did, however, go visit my daughter shortly after arriving, and she and her beau will be spending the entire day with us tomorrow. These are the times I long for. Oh, how I have missed my children.</font></p> <p><font size="4">I’d love for you to meet my daughter. She is one of my great delights in life. I’ll tell you all about our visit soon.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Love and blessings,</font></p> <p><font size="4">Jenni and Ken</font></p> Jennifer Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17262465026324208048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725857739490704795.post-41071262157237929962013-09-20T14:00:00.000-07:002013-09-20T14:00:10.917-07:00Blessings, Divine<p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rlCYfTVRU7I/Ujuz21NQLAI/AAAAAAAADn4/0QtAHM1BoMY/s1600-h/P91500523.jpg"><img title="P9150052" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P9150052" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IP0M2boPM-Q/Ujuz3xcl6sI/AAAAAAAADoA/qnwiBsT1yf8/P9150052_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a>Please forgive the lapses in my postings. Life tends to get out of control when one has a chronic illness. Sometimes I feel like a tumbleweed, tossed around at the mercy of the world’s winds.</font></p> <p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hvByhwy5uOE/Ujuz-AWjFBI/AAAAAAAADoI/EnUbG_nKGHw/s1600-h/P915005610.jpg"><img title="P9150056" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="P9150056" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jHLyVKsP6vA/Ujuz_ZKbhFI/AAAAAAAADoQ/fz-4zepMHMY/P9150056_thumb10.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="252"></a></font></p> <p><font size="4">Since we arrived at Fisherman’s Retreat in Redlands, I have spent most of my time indoors, recuperating. Sometimes I feel left out, as Ken goes on his daily walks without me. I’m just not up to such long walks right now.</font></p> <p><font size="4">There are blessings even in this, for without me out there taking pictures, Ken has been honing his skills. He has become more intentional in his photography. I’m even considering turning that branch of creativity over to him totally, for a time, anyway. It is much too much, all that I try to accomplish with my creativity. And it is good, very good, to give him this special chore.</font></p> <p><font size="4">So, from here on out, the majority of the photos I will use in my blog will actually be Ken’s contribution. The Lord has blessed me once again, through my husband and all this beauty.</font></p> <p><font size="4">May you be blessed in your comings and goings and doings and being,</font></p> <p><font size="4">Jenni and Ken</font></p> <p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WlOggOEGhP0/Uju0DB-PrlI/AAAAAAAADoY/621uDqG_blE/s1600-h/P908002210.jpg"><img title="P9080022" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="P9080022" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EbTtuPM-V2M/Uju0GMbwdkI/AAAAAAAADog/EqFFQjTNU9I/P9080022_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304"></a></font></p> <p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6qjW5T0Sy1s/Uju0InK1v7I/AAAAAAAADoo/JUJCsSZPvT8/s1600-h/P91501177.jpg"><img title="P9150117" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="P9150117" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-M7nf-oj1ZUU/Uju0LPtsRuI/AAAAAAAADow/fFR90PpZyYE/P9150117_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304"></a></font></p> <p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WCvXMQMa6Xg/Uju0NWaH3DI/AAAAAAAADo4/EyfVvPR6HvU/s1600-h/P915014012.jpg"><img title="P9150140" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="P9150140" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-T836NVEjNY4/Uju0OyyujwI/AAAAAAAADpA/yRPH-VpFOew/P9150140_thumb14.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-imbfo45R-UA/Uju0R1Q1O-I/AAAAAAAADpI/p7ve_KrD_pU/s1600-h/P915012515.jpg"><img title="P9150125" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P9150125" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4w2N4CAPSyc/Uju0TpJfTMI/AAAAAAAADpQ/68g9DYRrATA/P9150125_thumb12.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="404"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MV9vVOBC14A/Uju0YaLwvrI/AAAAAAAADpY/kNT5Mbnt2II/s1600-h/P915013810.jpg"><img title="P9150138" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P9150138" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CfM8vyHiEN8/Uju0adHRpAI/AAAAAAAADpg/jL2-gty2yyE/P9150138_thumb10.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="292"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Tv25icinUYA/Uju0dOpeM-I/AAAAAAAADpo/iyEWxyAqaQM/s1600-h/P91702299.jpg"><img title="P9170229" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P9170229" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ruAVO3epXPg/Uju0fgalYGI/AAAAAAAADpw/7PptQfehSO4/P9170229_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304"></a></font></p> Jennifer Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17262465026324208048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725857739490704795.post-7720200642275181612013-09-19T19:31:00.001-07:002013-09-19T19:31:40.124-07:00High Maintenance Hottie<p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2SaXB3ErUyA/UjuzStcCiEI/AAAAAAAADm4/oP0l-g9uxgM/s1600-h/DSC0868112.jpg"><img title="DSC08681" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC08681" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Scvw3_M6PFE/UjuzUuGWCmI/AAAAAAAADnA/u5akk_8Bc74/DSC08681_thumb14.jpg?imgmax=800" width="203" height="305"></a>Have you ever stopped to consider how others might see you? Of course you have because you know as well as I do that we are talking about all those labels we try so hard to get rid of. If we step to the side for just a moment, or we change the wording a bit, we might actually be able to laugh at our labels, instead of cry. It’s the whole, “I’m not fat, I’m fluffy,” attitude.</font></p> <p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-crkReyhZO6Y/UjuzWRALV-I/AAAAAAAADnI/sF_NbQiIYU0/s1600-h/DSC086849.jpg"><img title="DSC08684" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC08684" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wT-K2O9W2N0/UjuzXp9GbEI/AAAAAAAADnQ/nogf6vpr3_s/DSC08684_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="284" height="191"></a>I had never really thought of myself as high maintenance until recently. I’ve always tried to remain independent, not wanting to put upon others and wear out my welcome, so to speak. But, when one has a chronic illness, sometimes she needs help. So I had to drop the façade of independence, in favor of a more congenial, less stubborn reliance on the help of others.</font></p> <p><font size="4">As a disclaimer, despite our grandson’s proclamation that I am <em>always</em> in a good mood, I most certainly am not. I just work really hard to not let others see me, as I go off the deep end, but my poor, dear, sweet husband gets the brunt of it every time.</font></p> <p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JFaR1E0KQis/UjuzZ0FuG_I/AAAAAAAADnY/4Pe9ssFVT0E/s1600-h/DSC094069.jpg"><img title="DSC09406" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC09406" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-x5uX-9HQO0A/UjuzbgdjYKI/AAAAAAAADng/5UEnwvTMDeQ/DSC09406_thumb13.jpg?imgmax=800" width="284" height="191"></a>I have wicked migraines that come on strong and fast and slur my speech and steal my words. I can be in normal conversation one moment, and then the next, I’m a babbling idiot. These meltdowns also come with an emotional flavor. After one incident, I cried and begged Ken to forgive my two-year-old behavior. He said, “Two? More like eight, because you know better.”</font></p> <p><font size="4">One evening during a whopper of a migraine, I insisted on arguing about my jeans and his shoes. I cannot tell you why we were arguing, essentially about the proverbial apples and oranges. I haven’t a clue because it didn’t make sense even as I tried desperately to argue my ridiculous point that night.</font></p> <p><font size="4">It is during my migraines, when I become belligerent like a child, that I am most high maintenance.</font></p> <p><font size="4">When my pain and fatigue shake me to the core, this is also when I am most high maintenance.</font></p> <p><font size="4">When I whine and cry because I am too tired to think straight and I interpret Ken’s gentle coaxing as aggressive pushing, this again is when I am most high maintenance.</font></p> <p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FIKczHX0vgQ/UjuzgiLh6CI/AAAAAAAADno/TmQL0c0BLKY/s1600-h/P821026711.jpg"><img title="P8210267" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P8210267" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xzutVWdMoho/Ujuzh5hk2eI/AAAAAAAADnw/4KUS1QTpFmM/P8210267_thumb16.jpg?imgmax=800" width="230" height="304"></a>He is such a gentle, giving soul, and yet he quickly gives me the evil eye if I am overstepping. It is then that I pray, very loudly, “Lord, please help me to be patient. I know I can be pushy. Please teach me to be satisfied with what I have, Lord. Please let Ken know how much I appreciate him getting me a third glass of water. Lord, I know I am so needy, please forgive me. And thank you for putting Ken in my life. Amen.”</font></p> <p><font size="4">Then he softens, knowing that if I didn’t really need help, I would not ask. Besides, he has opportunities for revenge</font><font size="4"> (oh, you sadistic puppy, you), and he pokes fun at my faux pas (all in good fun, nothing sadistic here). He gets to take a cold, wet washcloth to my fiery body, to extinguish my hot flashes. After all, I do seem to be of that certain age, when women can be overheard saying, <font size="4">“I’m still hot. But now it comes in flashes.”</font></font></p> <p><font size="4">Moral of today’s story: Laughing at ourselves can be good medicine.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Peace,</font></p> <p><font size="4">Jenni</font></p> Jennifer Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17262465026324208048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725857739490704795.post-42679704036630192642013-09-17T15:00:00.000-07:002013-09-17T15:00:02.665-07:00More Wildfires<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Gli763nIL8o/UjTju2-WHsI/AAAAAAAADlw/ek0WLavTFoQ/s1600-h/DSC0987414.jpg"><img title="DSC09874" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC09874" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-l0ZA6wSdM8c/UjTjvg2_ZUI/AAAAAAAADl4/XrcHk1zUGzs/DSC09874_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="204"></a><font size="4">Last week we finished our rounds, visiting the rest of the friends and family who live in the greater Sacramento area, before heading for Southern California. In the end, we did miss a few dear people whose schedules just could not be helped. When we were available, they were not, and vise versa. It is an unfortunate fact of life, that everyone’s lives are so very busy nowadays that time with loved ones falls by the wayside.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Our lives, like the dry California climate, become prone to wildfires, figuratively, of one sort or another.</font></p> <p><font size="4">As we were visiting with Ken’s cousins, in Walnut Creek, a fire broke out on Mount Diablo. Here’s some pictures we took on our way home that evening.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Even destruction can be beautiful, when viewed from afar. The sun was an intense ball of fire, and these pictures do not do it justice.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Love,</font></p> <p><font size="4">Jenni</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BiqTZXZj6s8/UjTjwp7j9nI/AAAAAAAADmA/3-HY36aqvXk/s1600-h/DSC098585.jpg"><img title="DSC09858" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC09858" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lQVnLjEGpqw/UjTjxbPs7FI/AAAAAAAADmI/lTbvyrgdiyo/DSC09858_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="271"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wHbCnF4oFYc/UjTjyRt4fqI/AAAAAAAADmQ/69pLc7lD9to/s1600-h/DSC0986516.jpg"><img title="DSC09865" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC09865" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-orZIG3MsrTg/UjTjzMolLJI/AAAAAAAADmY/bJa-AFfPe_8/DSC09865_thumb19.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="271"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QSsJ0GQsv-s/UjTj0Ht9DvI/AAAAAAAADmg/NCDPp5lkuTU/s1600-h/DSC0986217.jpg"><img title="DSC09862" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC09862" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GzNOUBDurV8/UjTj04XPa7I/AAAAAAAADmo/nJRAOXMeZcw/DSC09862_thumb18.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="273"></a></p> Jennifer Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17262465026324208048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725857739490704795.post-16126417785698261472013-09-16T15:00:00.000-07:002013-09-16T15:00:00.864-07:00Randomness of Blessings<p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4mnvm2ZNjpo/UjTjdF-KnVI/AAAAAAAADkQ/0a8KW1wmma0/s1600-h/DSC098365.jpg"><img title="DSC09836" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC09836" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IAAw0R1zr9g/UjTjd6fkvYI/AAAAAAAADkY/XusmCnGH9Rg/DSC09836_thumb9.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="204"></a>One day last week, before we left the Sacramento Delta area, we happened upon some flowering plants that smelled like licorice and were absolutely covered in ladybugs. I think the plant is called wild anise, but don’t quote me on that.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lCI3tAd0Wdk/UjTje0seBBI/AAAAAAAADkg/1Wnl1gxXjEs/s1600-h/DSC098304.jpg"><img title="DSC09830" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC09830" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-l3xfzBj36eI/UjTjfrLNJpI/AAAAAAAADko/eafoY4G5xx4/DSC09830_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="271"></a><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">It just goes to show that you never know what you may find around the next corner or the next bend in the road. I believe that both opportunities and blessings can be found just about anywhere when I open myself to them.</font></p> <p><font size="4">And so, today is simply pictures of these beautiful little blessings we found alongside the road.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Enjoy,</font></p> <p><font size="4">Jenni</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zEepZPBSAPs/UjTjgtbIDTI/AAAAAAAADkw/c8OAtiEnOug/s1600-h/DSC098426.jpg"><img title="DSC09842" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC09842" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Kdgldv5zgj4/UjTjhQ79ABI/AAAAAAAADk4/tq4v29Jb8E4/DSC09842_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="272"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-J0Eed8E_Z0s/UjTjidpWpSI/AAAAAAAADlA/1K2ZUIuSYRs/s1600-h/DSC098434.jpg"><img title="DSC09843" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC09843" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RauXhZOUnQc/UjTjjhahSoI/AAAAAAAADlI/T38g6bFTD_0/DSC09843_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="271"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vuZCNKEDazc/UjTjkd40ULI/AAAAAAAADlQ/_eD7M9M9f14/s1600-h/DSC098225.jpg"><img title="DSC09822" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC09822" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PuWYbWkVez4/UjTjlBlfSeI/AAAAAAAADlY/Z43ASf3oW14/DSC09822_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="271" height="404"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OEDZRG2ubds/UjTjlwPlUOI/AAAAAAAADlg/iNZ1nY7OINs/s1600-h/DSC098395.jpg"><img title="DSC09839" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC09839" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_QcTMBdDQro/UjTjm5_dYpI/AAAAAAAADlo/QQDfttBZFQo/DSC09839_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="272"></a></font></p> Jennifer Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17262465026324208048noreply@blogger.com0