Thanksgiving weekend

On our way to Charleston, Joseph was checking out Points of Interest on the GPS, and found the Cypress Gardens. Did you know that alligators don't eat after October? I asked the ranger if I could inform any gators that who tried to board our boat, and received permission. Knowledge is power.

Gemma and Tatay with Vashti, heading into Cypress Gardens

Vashti the Fearless. She would give her life to protect her family, so she says.

You can't see it here, but the New Cooper River Bridge has a great biking/walking/jogging lane, which I hope to use someday in the future. Lots of people were taking advantage of it that day. The bridge is built to withstand a 7.4 earthquake. I'd rather not be on the bridge, myself, in an earthquake.

Looking in at the Market, formerly for buying and selling slaves. A large portion of it is now renovated for upscale shops, and accompanying upscale prices.

Joseph packing heat--never hurts to be prepared. This is one of the last pictures I took before I dropped my camera and it expired. A moment of solemn silence for the departed, please.

Grace in front of the antebellum plantation house where my family lived for a couple of years, before I was born. The owner let "us" use the first floor (nobody lived in the rest of the house) because "we" needed a place to stay, and didn't have much money. "We" were so poor the church mice brought us cheese. :-)

The slave cabin, I think, beside the mansion, that was our next family abode.

Thanksgiving Blessings

Thanksgiving Blessings  2011

A mountain highway with light traffic
My friend’s attitude, “If that’s the worst to happen, you’re doing well”
A college homecoming where I am blessed and edified
A fun canoe trip down a green river
Amish photo calendars
Digital cameras that let me make my own collages
Groupon that allows me to get cool deals, like half-price canoe trips and Indian cuisine dinners
Bath and Body Works lotion
Out of season blossoms
Our ninety-five-year-old friend’s excitement at imminent departure for Heaven Graciousness and friendliness of college students to us alumni
Plenty of daylight here, when Alaska’s days are getting very short
Ink cartridges that work properly
Lady friends that enjoy outdoor sports as I do
Interesting Sunday School classes
Children that like to read
A large house with no mouse
Discovery of the mystery fragrance in the woods, made possible by monarch butterflies
The city trimming our sidewalks
Men freed from miscarriages of justice
Isolating the source of migraines and stopping them
Threats that never happen
God’s promise to me of eternal life
Someone’s recounted childhood making me appreciate mine
A sulfur spring
Someone in ministry coming up at the post office to remind me of how I taught them Bible
A cat that politely asks before leaping into my lap
An email forward that has me all but rolling on the floor
Angels sent from God to protect me
Being able to check statements by the Bible
An antique car show down the street
The Lord turning the rain at our Chimney Rock climb into a sunny day
Church work socials with much laughter and much work accomplished
A four-year old reciting his twenty-six alphabet Bible verses
God’s faithfulness!