Day 12 of 16 with the Grands *Afternoon at Lake Arrowhead*

After Gentry finished his schoolwork, and after we had eaten lunch, I loaded the three youngsters in the car and we drove to Lake Arrowhead Village. We walked the entire mall, in and out of stores, spent some time down by the water, played around in a small park there, and ended our spree with a stop at McDonald’s for drinks.

“Take my picture here,” Cole said.

Little sweet rascal.

Others visitors were there.

The day was magnificent.

Lake Arrowhead, spectacular as always.End of the outing: McFlurries

Mountain Prowling with Winston

On Thursday I went to the dentist twice! Broken tooth, crown problem! Bad news. $$$

Friday we had a couple of workmen scheduled to be at our home; one who could clean carpets, the other who would caulk around our large windows off the front deck.

“I think Winston and I will be gone,” I told Jerry. “We’ll prowl around the mountains, do a little leaf-chasing, shops . . . such as that.”

We did, and though I never forget, the day’s sights caused me to remember again how blessed I am to live in this stunning part of the world.

Lake Arrowhead seen from North Shore Road.

Over the blue water and the marina below the magnificent tree beside which I stood extended a slender limb laced with orange and yellow leaves.

Winston wore his red tie to celebrate as we made our rounds.

Ah. A couple of hours such as these make it easier to endure the painful, mundane, unwelcome parts of life. Clears our thinking, focuses our vision, eases the tremble of our hand and of our soul.

God made it. Spoke the word. There it stands.

A Day of Curiosity

john Dewey said it:

The curious mind is constantly alert and exploring, seeking material for thought, as a vigorous and healthy body is on the qui vive for nutriment. Eagerness for experience, for new and varied contacts, is found where wonder is found. Such curiosity is the only sure guarantee of the acquisition of the primary facts upon which inference must base itself.

I admit to the owning of a hefty portion of inquisitiveness, to the extent that Jerry has sometimes grown impatient with me if I wander off when a group of us is exploring a new city or a fresh countryside, afraid I’ll get lost or someone will nab me! 🙂 Yesterday our electricity was to be off for four hours while a new pole was installed behind our house, so I decided on a roaming about the mountains shindig, and Jerry was persuaded to come along with me, as was Winston.

During our trek I became hungry, fast-food places are scarce here in the San Berdoos, so while I was in the market to pick up a few groceries, I snagged a few items. We would have a picnic! In Lake Arrowhead after driving down a steep road that came to a dead end and doing a turn around, I spied wild apple trees. I stopped the car, grabbed my camera and leashed up Winston for a romp. I shook the tree, but nothing fell, so all I left with were pictures. Our picnic area overlooked both Lake Arrowhead and tiny Papoose Lake. No one else was in the area where we were, except that when we first arrived, I saw a gentleman across the road walking his two large dogs.  The day was glorious, our food was fresh, the ambiance remarkable.

It was while I was photographing the gigantic pine cones that Jerry called. “There’s an eagle.” I pointed my camera skyward and caught a shot of this majestic bird as he dipped and wheeled through the magnificent sky.

I also inquire in my mind, and though I would never think of embarrassing anyone, I would love to know why anyone would mutilate his body as has the young man pictured above. We saw him on our first stop of the afternoon trek at a vintage car show where he was displaying the most unusual Volkswagen that runs on, of all things, smoke from burning wood. (I’ll post more of this later.) But why? Why do people want to appear this way?

Right away, there will be some who reject my right to question this action implying that I am judging him, and that I have no right. I’m beginning a thorough study of scripture that warns against our judging others, thinking there surely is a time when we are to be distressed about actions we see around us. Jesus did. Plaited a whip and went into the temple and overturned the tables where deception and dishonesty were being paraded. I’m not suggesting that because of his appearance this young man has low morals or is dishonest. Not at all. I am suggesting that such an appearance likely will make it difficult for him to be gainfully employed.

I’m worried about our country. Concerned about morals and deceit and downward spiraling. I’m curious, so while I fling about the countryside enjoying the splendor, tromp with my great dog through dusty paths, and watch eagles wing and hover overhead, I am thinking. I am gravely concerned.

Paradise, Well Almost

It was night and cold when we arrived at our Crestline home last Sunday for the beginning of a two-week “Sabbatical,” made possible in large part by the personal sacrifice of one of our three sons (and his dear family), and by the strong encouragement of another son. It has been a wonderful few days, with just a few things keeping me from declaring the situation as perfect as can expected on this earth. One slight fly in the apothecary is the lack of internet service at our home which of course hinders my posting and reading of material through that medium.

Today, though, I sit before a massive stone fireplace in the stunning lounge of the Lake Arrowhead Resort where wireless internet service is readily available, and where I can catch up a little and share a few pictures with you of the beautiful life here in the San Bernardino Mountains of Southern California. The picture below shows our view yesterday as we ate breakfast in the dining room here at the lodge.

Our apple tree is a full bloom and is a stunning sight. More pictures are on Flickr.

Monday was a magnificent day and as we walked part of the trail around our lovely alpine lake named Gregory, we chanced on a gentleman who had been part of our church when we pastored in Rialto.

“There’s Richard,” Jerry said as I stepped from the car as we were parking.

“Where?”

“Right there.”

I turned, saw him, and spoke, “Why, hi, Richard.”

He had come to fish, and in his inimitable way, he held forth awhile about the winning ways of snagging trout in cold mountain water.

Later…as Jerry and I sat in our living room, we spoke of Richard, and of his life style.

“He was a blessing to us at our church,” I reminded Jerry.

“Yes. Yes, he was,” Jerry a little reluctantly agreed. I understood his hesitance for I know Richard well…and certainly does Jerry.

For years he carefully and faithfully ensured that the multitude of doors to our sanctuary and to the educational units and to the offices were closed and securely locked.

He had called to me as I started down the trail. “Left you some lemons, Sister Buxton. Left them by your car.”

Thank you Richard…for the lemons…the other good things you have done… for locking the church all those many years. May you be blessed.