A visit from the Brown's

Dave & Caroline came to visit us on a whim. We had a surprise birthday party for them (they both have birthdays this month). It was lots of fun.

Scarlet Emperors?

It's snowing outside right now and there was very little bare ground before it started snowing. Discouraging.
On days like this I take solace in thinking about the garden.
When it comes to the garden I'm mostly practical in my selections, but I have to admit that I can be a sucker for a fun heirloom with an intriguing name.
Following is a quiz regarding some of the plants I have already started or will be planting when the weather permits. Among the following list of cultivars are one each of the following: carrot, squash, tomato, pepper, swiss chard, melon, eggplant, and bean. See if you can tell which is which.

I. Hungarian Yellow Wax
II. Pink Banana
III. Banana Legs
IV. Red Core Chantennay
V. Sea Foam
VI. Minnesota Midget
VII. Royal Burgundy
VIII. Ping Tung


And I know I'm a huge nerd. No need to point it out.

Toilet Talley

A mere four and none of them #2's. That was a bit below the average, by the way.

I Clean Toilets

As a bi-vocational pastor I'm blessed with a job as a night custodian at the local elementary school. It is good and necessary work. I love the teachers and students. I get a lot of time to myself to reflect. And it's squarely within my "parish." I just wish I could do for their souls what I do for their wastebaskets: that is, take the trash out. But it's also a boring job, doing the same thing again and again night after night. Here's one of the little things that gets me through.
I'll guess before my shift starts how many of my 19 toilets will be in need of a flush when I arrive. That way I go through my routine with mounting anticipation "Will the kids let me down, today? I need one more unflushed toilet to hit the mark."
Now, thanks to the blogosphere you can join in the fun. I know I don't have much of a readership but post your guess and tonight when my shift ends at 11:00 I'll report how close you came.

Grace got a haircut. Doesn't she look cute!

We posted the video below because Gracie resembles the actress who plays Lucy in Narnia.

The song also talks about being trapped in a winter wonderland which we can relate to.

Narnia/Jars of Clay - Waiting For The World To Fall

Not Ready for 999 More

This is the fruit of a night's mopping, a reflection on Psalm 39:2-3 and a response to "O For A Thousand Tongues."

How dare I ask for extra tongues,
When my one tongue yet fails?
When all the breath that fills my lungs
Just silently exhales?

I know my Savior bought for me
The free but costly grace.
How ugly then that I should be
So stingy with my praise.

Lord, break my heart to mend my voice,
And stir with what must sting.
Lord, make me cry 'til I rejoice,
And shake me 'til I sing.

For when the instrument is dull
The artist must be sharp.
Lord strike me notes 'til I am full
And feel my tongue Your harp.