Really Random

Across the street from our house there is one California palm tree.  I think it is the only one of it's kind that I have seen in FL.  They are quite different than the ones that are native to FL.  As is shown below.

Florida palm tree are much much shorter and wider.
Our next door neighbor has a fake dog digging in the yard. So weird.
Marketing reigns supreme.  I am continually amazing at how companies can get away with false advertising.  The picture of this 'delightful' cereal looks nothing like the actual product.  I guess the cereal would need glamour shots every morning to be getting the 'delicious' cereal that they are selling here. Ha.

Just Lovely.

I had a nice long bike ride today.  Well I shouldn't say long but it was at least 30 minutes.  It was just lovely. I am getting a bike built and I can't wait till it is ready.  But it won't be ready for at least a month and a half which seems like forever.

Peace

Life continues to be a mystery.  I honestly feel that I don't have control over how I feel at times.  i know that God is in control.  Some days it is hard to get out of bed.  As much as I pray things still are tough.  Other days like this past week I have had this unexplainable peace over me.  I am very grateful for it.  I am learning again and again to have my identity in Christ.  I am very much in a period of waiting.  So many things are unfinished or up in the air.  I don't have a job right now.  So it's hard to feel like I am productive. I don't have a man in my life. So I don't have any encouragement in that area.  I don't have my business going so I can't take pride in that.  God is teaching me that even if I never 'did' another thing for Him, He would love just the same.  He loves me simply because I exist.  It is humbling to think about. I can't really fathom it.

These verses have given me great peace:

"Never forget to be truthful and kind.  Hold these virtues tightly.  If you want favor with both God and man, and a reputation for good judgement and common sense, then trust the Lord completely; don't ever trust yourself.  In everything you do, put God first and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success." Prov. 3:3-6

This seemed like such a common verse, but it holds the basics to following Christ.

Beautiful.

Perfect for Today.

I spent a most lovely mid-day on my front porch. I recently lost my Bible so I have been reading from a new translation: The Living Bible.

"Most of all, let love guide your life, for then the whole church will stay together in perfect harmony.  Let the peace of heart which comes from Christ be always present in your hearts and lives, for this is your responsibility and privilege as members of his body. And always be thankful." Col. 3: 14-15

The peace of God is mysteriously covering me today.  It has been quite a challenging/frustrating couples of weeks.  God is ever faithful and patient.  I am coming into a great time of healing and rebuilding.  I can't wait for things to be better, but I am so grateful for Jesus Christ who will never leave me. Ever.  

I was talking to a friend last night about God being ever brighter through the darkest of dark times.  These are the times that He needs to provide that strength in me.

Paul Newman: A Gentleman & A Scholar

Paul Newman died today at the age of 83.  I can't think of a more perfect man....allowing that he was intensely in love with Jesus Christ.  He had so many admirable qualities:

1. Intensely handsome.  I, honestly, think Paul Newman in his younger years and through our his life is the most handsome man I have ever seen.

2. Piercing Blue eyes & perfect teeth.

3. He was well educated.  He was at Yale with Marlon Brando and James Dean.

4. He was a gifted actor: one Oscar, one Emmy and two Golden Globes. Plus two honaray Oscars. Butch Cassidy & The Sting are my favorites of his.

5. He was a philanthropist. Through Newman's Own he gave away over $175 million to building camps for kids with Cancer.

6. He aged gracefully and became even more handsome.

7. Acting was not his life.  He was passionate about racing cars.

8. He did not act like a spoiled Celebrity.

9. He was married and was faithful to his second wife, Joanne Woodward, for over 50 years.

Paul was in a league of his own.  Wish there were more men like him these days.  He will be missed.

Yes Please!

Except Straight and w/o the silly purse.

More in New York

1. I was so enamored with rooftops in NY.  They are so fun to hang out on & pretty to look at.

2. Cafe Lalo with John and Mia.  Nice relaxing night in the City, catching up on life.  Such beauty and character in NY. I love that place, esp with weather like that.

3. Spent an afternoon in Bryant Park...they were rebuilding the lawn after Fashion Week.  Then spent sometime with Crystal Bell.  Showed her around SOHO and talked of her adventures and frustrations in NY.  God has so much in store for that girl.  She is quite talented. Also we saw Jennifer Hudson in Penn Station.

4. The Met

So incredible. I wish I could go more often. It is so expansive and so well kept, of course.  I had a great time with Phil talking about the best ways to show/give charity to those less fortunate and taking in magnificent works of art and ancient worlds.  I saw some fabulous jewerly that was made thousands of years ago, in the time of Pharaohs, in the Near East and in greek/roman times.  Amazing details and beautiful stones.  It was such a treat to see how well they are preserved from so long ago.  Also I ate a hot dog for the first time in 10 years.  I was so staving and it was alright.  I hope not to do it again for another 10 years.

The Met has a roof top garden, which surprisingly I have never been up to.  It was incredible and a bit romantic (up top Central Park).  They had some delightful/oversized pieces of art.  This one reminds me of Romeo & Juliet.

This one was so interesting. If you looked straight on you felt that you were looking right through it, but it was a reflection.

Jeff Koons: Cheeky.

Incredible views of the city.  It was the lovelyist of days.  Perfect weather.

5. Dinner Party in Bushwick

Dear friend Philip William Crosby works for Charity:water and lives in Bushwish, Brooklyn. He is such a character.  He invited a few friends over and we all cooked up a fantastic dinner.

On the menu:

1. Salad with Philip made dressing.

2. Organic Spaghetti.

3. Homemade Sauce also Philip. 

4. Bruchetta & Bread, which was to die for.

5. Cream Puffs, Steph Young.

6. Homemade Brownies with Marshmellow icing, Alex's girl.

7. Haagen Daas: Coffee & Carmel Cone, Myself (Naturally)

 As the photo denotes...the party consisted of mostly tall persons. I got to meet some swell new girls...Hannah and Emma.  My dear friend Cheryl was there as my counterpart in shortness but the rest of the lovely ladies were quite tall.  Most of them 5'10 to 6'2.

6. Had such a great time in NYC.  It was relaxing which was nice.  Did a lot of walking and praying. I am blessed.