Missed A Week...

...just didn't feel up to it.

But I am truly happy for Ryan, of course.

Peace and happiness may have eluded him during his earthly stay, but they're his in abundance now in heaven.

That joyful truth doesn't shield me from personal regrets, however.

I made too many mistakes, left too much undone and unsaid.

By God's grace he's past all that.

Having laid aside every weight and the sin which so easily besets us, he's now running with perfect patience the race set before him, looking to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.

And I'm by that mournful day on the calendar for another year; that dark demarcation between then and now.

Time to soldier on.

"Official" Spring sprung last week.  Pretty hard to tell, however, as it snowed that day.

Larry sent me this meme, perfectly illustrating spring here in Michigan:

And I heard on a weather report recently there's still more than 40" of snow on the ground in the U.P.

Thankfully around here we're making some progress in the journey from astronomical to actual spring:

Let's have a round of applause for Miss Daffodil!

She even brought some friends with her...

...at least that's what Karen claims.

Had one of our big windows replaced last week.

Some of these are quite old, and when their seal breaks, condensation gets between the panes and gives them that permanent "hey, are you ever going to wash this window?" look.

It was quite the job getting it out and back in, because after 64 years, things are not necessarily "square" anymore.

Add to that some expected wood rot...

...that needed repair / replacement, and it was a bit of a project.

However, Joe from Excel glass, along with my #2 son and #4 grandson, triumphed in the end:

There is actually glass there, you just can't see it anymore, which fact a bird proved by flying into it shortly after it was installed.

Nice job, gents.  Thank you!

Not too much to report on the hickory golf front.

I hate it when you guys do that

But I did commission a watercolor portrait of my pre-1900 clubs, to wit:

Personally I think the artiste did a credible job, so I broke the bank and commissioned another one:

They look so good I'm almost afraid to use them again.

I said "almost".

Is it that time already?

Let's 23 Skidoo, wildlife edition:

they're early this year...they usually show up when we open the pool

just out for an evening stroll

mom's around somewhere

feeding time

the artiste threw this portrait of Chippy in for free

"The Upper Room Discourse" is recorded in the Gospel of John, chapters 13 through 17.

It's where Jesus and his disciples are observing the Passover, the night before His crucifixion, and He teaches them - and us - many truths about Himself and God's plan for us.

Whenever I think of Ryan's untimely passing, I like to consider the words of Jesus in John 14, verses 1 through 3:

    1    Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me.

    2    In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.

    3    And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

later, mcm fans...