Beauty

At a family funeral I was visiting with a cousin-in-law. She stopped speaking, looked at me, then said, "You are beautiful!" I was a little startled but she was speaking of inner beauty, not physical. Drat! She went on to say that it was obvious that I am a happy person.

We had a discussion about happiness. I believe that a person can be as happy as he or she makes up his or her mind to be. Yes, everyone has troubles. Some can be addressed while others must be survived. I have had both kinds but I choose happiness. This does not mean that I ignore tribulation; it hurts me as much as anyone else. All it means is that I am securely loved by my God and many others. Consequently I have a constant JOY in my life, for which I am deeply grateful.

May we all be beautiful people.

Global Warming?

Last night, when we went to bed, it was below 50 degrees outside and just above 60 inside. The term, "Global Warming" is incorrect. It should be referred to as "Climate Change" or something that reflects what's happening to us.

We have seen more elk this year than ever. A group comes so often to the field below us that we've almost lost excitement when they're spotted. On a backwoods road trip last week I spotted a herd of about 200. This estimate could be like a fishing tale, but there were a lot and they made the hills come alive with their movement. My friend spotted a bear cub. Those make me nervous because Momma Bears don't like humans to interact with their cubs.

All things considered, while the urban lifestyle has its place, I'm happy to live in a rural setting. The biggest noise we hear in the evening is the neighbor's cow. Or the turkeys. Or coyotes yelping. Or...