The Battle of the Bulge...

This weekend was simply wonderful! Slow. Low Key. Nothing planned ... for the most part. At HOME! This was a real treat for Taylor and me. We LOVE being at home!

We went to a funeral on Saturday morning in Florence, Texas. Florence is only 20 minutes down the road from us. Small Town. Real Small Town. We did not know the man that died, but we know his daughter and son in law well. So we went in support of them. Jesse Ray was born in Florence, Texas, in 1913. 1913!!! He was 94 years old. His funeral was awesome! The pastor said that Jesse Ray lived a simple life. He loved his family well. And he loved to sit on his front porch and watch the cars drive by. He loved life. The Simple Life. I admire that. A Lot. We too often get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life that we forget the little things. And far too often, the things that matter most ... like Family! Lord Forgive Us...

After we got home from the funeral, Taylor and I went to Home Depot, Sears, Tractor Supply Company and Lowe's in search of two things: A lawn mower and a bird feeder. We got a bird feeder on Saturday and then bought a sweeeeeeet lawn mower last night!

We set up the bird feeder in our backyard and waited patiently. We did not know what to expect. But what we saw (or didn't see!) the first day was disappointing! We set it up at 1:30 in the afternoon and had NO visitors that day. Maybe they were just scouting the area out. Maybe the 'word' had not gotten around yet. Who Knows? But let's just say that Sunday was a whole different ball game! When we got up on Sunday morning, the bird feeder was half empty. Today, it is gone. I soon realized that this new hobby could become quite expensive if this pace keeps up.

While I was eating breakfast, There were two Red Winged Black Birds, 4 finches, 2 Purple Belly Sparrows, a Cardinal and 7 White Winged Morning Dove ALL at the feeder. I felt like Ace Ventura ... PET DETECTIVE! The Birds LOVE IT. After bird watching for quite some time on Sunday, Taylor and I got tickled on how 'old' we have become (or 'feel') since out newest hobby! Can one be an avid bird watcher at 24 & 31 years of age? I feel like this hobbies prerequisites must start around the age of at least 40. I mean, are any other mid-twenty and early thirty somethings watching birds and enjoying the Simple Life? I HOPE SO!

The Battle of the Bulge ... The Red-Winged Black Bird rules the Roost! Others may get some food when the RWBB is not there, but when he comes flying in, the others know who is 'Daddy!' It is amazing to see this take place. Even the Dove leave the feeder and hop on the ground to pick up what seed has fallen off. And the Dove are bigger. It looks like my next purchase is gonna be a pellet gun. I LOVE to Dove Hunt! And now they are coming to me ... MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAA! My plan is coming together. Just Kidding. I am not going to kill the birds.

Yet.

We had a leader meeting last night at the Zeh's house and it was really great. Good food. Good fun. Good Fellowship. We honored Dan Alexander for his 6 years of service in Central Texas. It was wonderful. He will definitely be missed. He sure does bring a lot to the table.

Thanks for all of your donations to help a kid(s) go to camp! We are reaching about $5,000 that has come in so far. There is still time for you to help change a life! Thanks for your love for us, the Mission of Young Life and the Central Texas area. You can / are making a difference...

May we chose this day to Live the Simple Life...