Crosswinds Prayer Garden

Nelson and I have been working on the prayer garden at church, cleaning it out and getting it ready for spring. Of course all projects need a supervisor and Bart decided to take on that task.

(Second photo) All the old plants have been removed so that a layer of sod can be removed, the whole area regraded and the pond area expanded.














I haul a rosebush to the "holding area" (third photo), ready for replanting once the area is refurbished and (in the final photo) Ray and Leilani dig up more plants. Sherry Fontaine also dug out plants; she was one of the original crew on the garden. By Sunday another six or more folks had agreed to help with the project. (photos by Nelson).

Showered ...

Yesterday ...


was Administrative Assistant's Appreciation day and First Prebyterian staff and committee members showered me with affirmation. Wow! I remember being taken out to lunch years ago by another boss, but this was something else.

The front of the card from Pastor Colin showed an office surrounded by flames. It read, "Without everything you do around here, this place would go to ... well, it'd go there in a handbasket, if that narrows it down."

Actually the first gift came on Monday when Youth Education Director Dawn Dolan Wirth brought apple crisp to staff meeting. One corner was gluten free, just for me. On Wednesday the azaelia (in photo) from the administrative committee (is that gorgeous or what!) was waiting for me when I came to work and Dawn gave me a box of chocolates. And there were lots of cards ...

I know we're supposed to get our praises from God and not from man, but thanks and affirmation is energizing. This kind of outpouring sure makes it easier to know where the target is, and helps me know and understand what First Presbyterian really needs and appreciates from me.

The folks in this church, however, don't just wait for a special day on a calendar to say thanks. Rarely a day goes by without someone saying, "We sure appreciate all you do around here." Someone told me today, "You deserve it. You work rapidly and you make very few mistakes." And another lady repeatedly says that I work very professionally.

Funny thing though, nobody said anything about a raise ... Just kidding!

Designing a Destination

I love roadtrips -- planning them with great anticipation, seeing the scenery and sites. I'm even learning to embrace detours and wrong turns. High school driver's ed teacher Mr. Williams used to say, "Keep your eyes moving. A glance down the road, a glance in the rear mirror and a glance in the side mirror."

A driver always looking foward misses danger lurking up from behind or from the side. But, of course, one can't drive while constantly looking in the rearview mirror either. A traveler has to keep the eyes moving, analyzing the whole environment.

I have a roadmap for my life, too. Unfortunately I've made a lot of wrong turns. Then, too, it seems that often God Himself seems to think I should take a detour now and then (and when He suggests it, a turn is always a good thing). The important thing is to keep the mind's eye moving. A glance at the past to remember God's deliverance is a good thing. Looking ahead with hope and caution is a good thing. And staying focused on the destination is also a good thing. But a person can't live a productive life while spending too much time dwelling on the unchangeable past or spending too much time straining to see what's around the next bend either.

Balance ... that's the hard part, finding the balance. Keep at it, my friends, and enjoy the journey.

Somebody's been sleeping in my bed ...

and he's still there.
I turned back the covers, nested the pillows, went to the bathroom for my evening routine, came back and discovered Bart in MY spot. Give a dog the foot, and he'll take the head, too.

Easter in Virginia

Auntie Ana and I had fun coordinating these Easter outfits for three-year-old Lena Hope (left) and four-and-a-half year old Liza Grace. Auntie Ana bought the dresses, and I bought hats, purses and shoes. I wonder if they made it through the day without a chocolate smear. ....(Photo by Dad Steven Johnson; retrieved from http://homepage.mac.com/steverinojohnson/iblog)

Easter hike at Hi Tour

The gorge on Easter Sunday

Steve and Nelson ponder the manly question, "How far dare we go?"

Finally Free

Nelson and new friend Steve decompress after the last curtain call of Crosswind's musical "Finally Free"




Matthew (also known as Nelson) invites me to the cast party ... or did he say something else?

Unwinding....

The Virginians

My photographer son-in-law posted this photo on his web site (left to right): Azul, Anna Maria, Magdalena Hope, Eliza Grace and Steven.
This one, too, came from Steven's blog: Anna Maria (in back) is my oldest daughter. Magdalena (right) turns 3 on Thursday, April 6. Liza will be five in August.

Steven's web site and some more of his amazing photography can be found at:
http://homepage.mac.com/steverinojohnson/iblog/

Bear Hill

Nelson and I took our mountain bikes through streams caused by spring run-off, got covered in mud and enjoyed this view of Canandaigua Lake from atop the hill.

Socks

A padded envelope poked out of the mailbox this afternoon. Inside I found a small plastic bag of chocolate chips, an Earl Grey teabag (my favorite tea), and a gift wrapped in floral paper and tissue (tied with a piece of yarn, no tape). Since the return address label had Johnson on it, I knew what I was supposed to do next -- brew the tea and indulge in some chocolate while opening the wrapped present. Too excited to wait for the water to boil, however, I skipped the tea for the moment and tore open the paper. Inside was a pair of hand-knit socks in my favorite colors from Anna Mar's fibers, my Virginia daughter's new business. She spins yarn, knits, and creates wall hangings and master pieces on a loom. She calls this a return to the grandmotherly arts.
In an e-mail message, Anna Maria said she used two yarns for the socks: the darkest purple (heels and toes) and the lavender-purple mix (upper portion of sock) was wool sock yarn she dyed herself. For the arch part of the foot, she alternated between lavendar yarn and some off-the-shelf sock yarn that had been machine dyed in such a way that it produces a pattern in blue, black, and white.
The socks fit perfectly, but the comfort level surprised me. They're incredibly soft and they conform to my feet's shape without squishing my toes. There was also no bulges or extra fabric to press against feet rubbed a bit raw during a recent run ... pure Virginia comfort knit together with lots of love.
Check out her website at http://homepage.mac.com/steverinojohnson/annamarsfibers or send her an e-mail at annamar@mac.com. See if she'll knit you a pair, or weave a masterpiece to wear or hang. (Photos by Nelson Bowen).