Harpers Ferry, WV and Wild Fires

 Happy Friday!  We made it through another week.  I was supposed to be with my parents right now while my father has spinal stenosis surgery but it was rescheduled because he had to start taking an antibiotic for another issue.  As much as I feel bad for him having to wait, I'm actually glad to have this time at home.  There are massive wild fires in Canada right now and the smoke has reached down to Pennsylvania, causing us to be in Code Purple (VERY UNHEALTHY).  We can see and smell the smoke.  Apparently, breathing in this smoke is equivalent to smoking a pack of cigarettes in a day.  So, I'm glad my parents don't have to be outside in this while taking Dad to the hospital.  I'm also thankful I can sit inside with my kids.  It's terrible but my heart breaks for those in Canada and other areas where fires are extreme right now.  So many have lost their homes, their lives, their animals.  Everything.  So, I won't complain about having to be trapped inside the safety of my house.  Praying for relief for those truly affected.  I can't imagine.  

Yesterday, we took a trip to West Virginia to explore the tiny, historic town of Harper's Ferry.  It was the first visit for all of us.  Though it's a place of important history from the civil war with beautiful scenery it was a very, very hot day.  Not a good day for hiking and exploring, especially for this 47 year old who felt like she was going to pass out.  If it was 10 or 20 years ago I would have been fine, but I've quickly come to realize that hiking on a 90+ degree day is unbearable.  I can't do it anymore.  

Our first plan of the day was to hike the Maryland Heights trail, which was supposed to be quite a climb but offered a breathtaking view of both the Shenandoah and Potomac River and also give us an opportunity to be in three states at once.  However, that did not work out.  I begged my husband to make sure he knew exactly where the trail was before we started and instead we continued to walk straight on the long Appalachian trail for 2 miles before he realized we were on the wrong path.  Then we turned and went 2 miles back.  Was I upset about this?  Yes!  Did I complain and yell at my husband for not knowing what he was doing?  Yes!  I was sweaty and hot and very frustrated.  This seems to happen at every trip we take.  I feel bad about being frustrated but it is what it is.  This was not my idea of a fun time.  Instead of trying to figure out how to get to the right trail we just walked around the town.  

Despite being on the wrong path, it did make for some nice scenic photos, though.

My husband told the kids he would take them back without me so they could do the proper hike.  I'd be okay with it if it was a cooler day.  For a girl who always loved summer, I'm really struggling to enjoy it this year.  

A Lazy Wednesday Hodgepodge

 1. "Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability." Sam Keen

Do you feel less guilty relaxing in July than you do in January? Elaborate. 

Not really.  It's my summer break and I have more than enough time to relax and enjoy the stillness of the season.  Also, I never feel guilty about relaxing.  It's important for the human mind.  

2. What's a telltale sign you're upset? 

I shut down.  I don't talk.  I stay to myself.  I cry far too easily.  If I'm upset, you'll know.  

3. July 16th is National AI Day. What are your general thoughts and/or experiences with AI? Have you purposely used it? Does it excite you, scare you, or worry you? What do you see as a benefit? How about something relating to AI you see as a negative? 

I guess AI can have it's benefits but I don't see it as a good idea.  It's making doing life way too easy.  It gives children the opportunity to cheat on school assignments rather than using their brain.  It's giving all of us less need for brain power.  I don't think it's beneficial but it is pretty neat how we've come that far in technology.  

I hear people are using AI to write books and I think that may be in the same category as plagiarism, is it not?  I actually played around with an AI story generator just to see what it was like but I won't use it for my own publications.  The stories we write should come from our own hearts and minds.  AI takes away creativity and self imagination.  

4. You're invited to a summer pot luck and are asked to bring an appetizer, salad/side, or dessert. Which category do you go for and what are you bringing? 

Probably potato salad.  My mother gave me a recipe that everyone seems to love.  Or cookies.  

5. It wouldn't be summer without the blistering heat that makes my skin feel like it's going to melt off my body. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Our air conditioner stopped working last night and it was 90 degrees in the house.  We all suffered with a horrible night's sleep.  We slept with the windows open and fans running.  Today my husband is working from home while the a/c guy came and fixed it.  It's working now but slowly cooling off.  My poor Siberian Husky who naturally has two coats and was not made for this weather.  She's miserable.  

Monday Musings

 Hello on this 83° Monday here in south central Pennsylvania.

I started the day early, woke up while my husband was getting ready for work.  Matthew had already left to go for a morning run.  I took my usual summer morning spot outside with a cup of coffee and the Bible.  

When my daughter, who prefers using these summer mornings to sleep in late, woke up we went to a nearby park where we walked a mile to break in our new trail shoes.  Getting ready for our upcoming trip to West Virginia where we will be hiking.  

Then came home to laundry and housework.  Pulled some weeds and found the first lunchbox pepper of the season is ready.  Isn't she cute?  Brianna ate it and said it was good.  So far there is no success to the bell peppers and I think I'll just continue to grow just the lunchbox ones in the future because they do so well.  Then I can add more tomato plants, which are also growing slowly but surely.  

I will be another heat wave this week.  I guess that's what summer is all about.  I'm drinking as much water as possible.  

Over the weekend we stopped at my parents house.  This is my mom eating ice cream straight from the container.  It wouldn't be like her to do this normally because she was always one who had strict manners but my dad told her to just eat out of it since there was a little left.  She asked for a bowl.  My mom, despite her Alzheimer's, seemed to have a good day.  It's difficult watching her go through it.  

Trusting Through Uncertainty

 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." -- Philippians 4:6-7

At last Wednesdays Bible study at church, the pastor gave us a homework assignment of reading all 4 chapters of Philippians and then getting in contact with the group we were put into and describe what we got out of the context.  The point was to show that even though we are reading the same Scriptures, the Holy Spirit can speak to us differently.   Aside from this assignment, I found some things within this book that helped with our current trial through the uncertainty pertaining to Matthew's college.  I don't like uncertainty.  The unknown of what the future will bring gives me anxiety but in just those verses in Phil 4:6-7 I'm reminded to give those feelings to God.  

The book of Philippians was written by Paul while he was in prison.  I can sense the joy and thankfulness of his heart, even while held captive and not knowing the future outcome.  He knew that God was with him through life and in death.  I desperately needed that reminder.  

Today I'm wearing my UVF t-shirt.  One of the things my husband and I both thought about was the money we already spent on all of this college gear.  I'll still wear it, regardless, and even if my son never gets the opportunity to earn a degree here UVF will still hold a special place in our hearts.  

I still remain hopeful, but the more I learn about the college's predicament, the more I'm realizing that there is no easy way out of it.  It's going to take a big miracle.  Like a multi-million dollar miracle, and even that may not be enough.   

He was accepted to another Christian college and they are ready and eager to take him on.  This was his second choice and it's a great school but it's not what he originally wanted.  Sometimes God has a better plan than we do.  Trusting in his provision and guidance.