Raise the Song of Harvest Home

One of the blessings of living in Indiana is the opportunity to experience four seasons. Fall brings the start of school, leaves changing color, crisp cool days, football, and the beauty of the harvest. I took this picture with my iPhone on my way home one day. I did stop the car first. Don't worry, Oprah.

Field fires have been all too common this year because of the hot, dry conditions. This fire happened just north of us on the Rush-Decatur County line. It burned several hundred acres. Farmers in the area hurried to help contain the fire. Steve sent some of our guys with a water truck, along with a tractor and disc to create a barrier for the flames. I found these photos online.

My friend Sarah lives north of Milroy, and took some pictures from her house. Her husband also went to help. Check out her blog to see more. I heard originally that it was thought to have been started by a cigarette, and I later heard that it may have been a combine. In either case, the dry conditions call for extreme caution in all circumstances. We pray for safety as the farmers work to finish up the harvest.

The day of the fire, our guys were harvesting across from the house, and I took a few pictures of the combine running beans.

You can see how dry it is by the dust in the air.

I thought I would include one of my favorite vintage fall harvest photos. Seems like just yesterday.

Fall 1988. David almost 6, Jonathan 1, Jennifer almost 3, Andrew 4.

Cool Brees

Just in case you missed 60 Minutes last night, here it is!

Sweet Baby Shayne

Rebecca Shayne Gilliam
8 pounds 3 ounces
21 inches long
September 25, 2010
10:10 p.m.

Congratulations to proud parents Jason and Jessica on the birth of their baby girl, Shayne. May God bless you and your new little one. Now the fun begins! xoxo

It's a Jolly Holiday

Nana took Matthew, Jennifer, and me to see "Mary Poppins" at the Murat Theater on Friday night.

It was a beautiful evening, and Jennifer came after work to meet us at the theater.

We had a little snack before the show.

And found our seats in plenty of time for the kickoff... I mean curtain. It was a good show, with some cool special effects. Matthew couldn't quite stay awake to the end, and took a little snooze on Jennifer's shoulder. Probably dreaming of spoonfuls of sugar and chimney sweeps.

All Creatures Great and Small

We had an animal blessing service at church on Wednesday. It was a beautiful evening, and we had a great group of pets and their humans gathered to celebrate the special bond we share.

Pastor Jimmy brought his dog Daisy. She's getting up there in dog years, and doesn't get around so well any more. I believe she enjoyed seeing the folks, the children, and the other dogs.

Jimmy stopped for a picture with Daisy before the service started.

This little girl brought her neighbor's dog for a blessing. I think she said the pup was 3 months old.

I brought my buddy PeeWee. He is such a good sport. At 28, I thought he deserved a special blessing. He was very well behaved, tolerated the attention, and thoroughly enjoyed the carrots which were brought especially for him.

The side yard was all set up for the service, and decorated with straw bales and mums. Good thing PeeWee didn't get too close to the decorations - he might have tried to take a bite out of them.

The crowd begins to gather.

That's my dog Gumbo, meeting a new friend.

PeeWee enjoyed the grass (of course). It's all about food for him.

Gumbo couldn't wait to meet all the other dogs.

Ruthann and Teresa visiting before the service.

All the dogs were very well behaved, and I think folks enjoyed showing off their furry friends.

David and Sophie.

Nancy and Sadie.

The Weimers.

Dr. Michele Sweet, in the center, was on hand to answer questions and greet the pets.

Spencer and Becky brought their dog, their new baby Benjamin, and the whole youth group to enjoy the service.

Zoe brought her guinea pig.

And look who else came to see the animals? Margaret and Nathan!

These two are listening intently.

The Hollowells brought Bert, but not Ernie.

Pastor Jimmy offers prayer and blessing for pets that are present, pets who have passed away, and all God's creatures.

The service ended with treats for all the animals, individual blessings, and fellowship between both the two-legged and four-legged friends.

All things bright and beautiful,

All creatures great and small.

All things wise and wonderful,

The Lord God made them all.

Open a New Window

Our house recently got a bit of a face lift. Not exactly Extreme Home Makeover, but exciting (and needed!), nonetheless. First we got a new roof. Now I guess we did need one, but I really would have liked one on the barn rather than the house. When it rains, I can fill buckets INSIDE the barn. It rains IN PeeWee's stall. Of course, that hasn't been much of an issue this summer.

After the roof, they put new siding on the dormers, and installed new windows and doors.

This is the back dormer before.

Old window out.

New window ready.

New window in!

And the after shot. All finished.

The roof soffit before.

And after.

The sun room before. Door and windows original to the house, built in 1948.

And the sun room after.

The front door before.

Front door after.

Side door before.

And after.

Next on the agenda: replace this old fence!