image-in-ing: 2023

A first for me.

So I was curious and seized the opportunity to go to a drag show. I have to say it was fun. Sadly, some of the drag queens were looking better than me!

Remembering the attack on our nation

How could we ever forget? And I will always be proud of the way our people pulled together. I pray we can begin to do so once again. Too long have our people been divided.

While we were in Charleston, West Virginia, we had the opportunity to walk around the state capital ground. They were beautifully maintained and the dome of the capital is a stunning site, especially when viewed against a beautiful blue sky and lit by the sun.

This was taken just before a very dramatic thunderstorm - I barely had time to get back to "home base".

I don't know the meaning of the symbols on the dome - I guess it's time for some research!

The ever-changing sky

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
- Psalm 19:1

A foggy morning on the Kanawha River in Charleston, West Virginia

The Kanawha runs through the Allegheny Mountains, which are one of the smaller ranges running through the Appalachians. We had a lovely visit.

On the road

Pilot Mountain just coming into view.

It's distinctive appearance was a landmark for pilots - a rudimentary navigation system?

When you can't go over or around a mountain...

Just go through!

"Wordy" Wednesday this week...

A number of years ago, through a series of events and musings, I changed from being in favor of the death penalty to being opposed. There are a host of reasons why I changed my position, but I truly don't intent to start a debate or an argument here. I respect your opinion, whatever it is, even if I hold a different one.

But as an outgrowth to my opposition, I began to correspond with inmates who were on death row as a way of sharing my faith. I wrote to about 8 men altogether. Three of them were executed. One was released. Two died in prison after years of incarceration. One remains on death row but I stopped our correspondence when it became apparent that he was just playing games. One of them I remain friends with after 25 years; he has been resentenced to life without parole.

One of the men who ultimately died of cancer while on death row was an artist. The prison gave the inmates advance warning that they were to have all of their art supplies confiscated. The inmate, who went by the nickname "Buck", asked me if he could paint something for me before the paints were taken. I told him that my favorite gospel story was that of the woman who had been bleeding for decades but was healed when she touched the hem of Jesus' robe. This story is told in Matthew 9:20-22, Mark 5:24-34, and Luke 8:42-48. Here is the painting Buck sent me:

Buck copied the story over for me on the reverse side:

When this woman was suffering from her illness, she would have been shunned by her community as being "unclean". When Jesus revealed to the crowd that she was healed, she would have been reconciled to those from whom she'd been cut off.

If Jesus can heal this woman and this leads to her being reconciled to her community, perhaps there is hope for us.

Perhaps there is hope for Buck.

God bless you.

Rural hood ornament?

I took this photo through the window about 2 years ago. It was rather startling to see this on top of my husband's truck! I don't know whose chicken it was, but after a few hours of clucking and strutting, he disappeared, never to be seen again.

Tommy's exercise routine

I wish I was this flexible!

A visit to Sarah P. Duke Garden

The things kids do...

Especially boys.
It's only the grace of God that protected this little guy from tipping the cat tree into and through the plate glass window!

A new recipe - and a HEALTHY recipe - for chicken salad.

And it will knock your socks off! Forget the goopy mayo and try this for a change! Thanks again to The Mediterranean Dish for another great recipe!

Healthy Chicken Salad

Ingredients

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For The Dijon Dressing

· 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
· 1-2 lemons (I used 1 1/2)
· 1-2 garlic cloves, minced (I used 1)
· 1 teaspoon sumac (Available in specialty stores or on Amazon.com)
· ½ teaspoon paprika

For The Chicken Salad

· ¾ lb (12 oz) cooked chicken, shredded (I just cut it into bite-sized pieces)
· 1-2 shallots, chopped (I used 1)
· 2 celery stalks, chopped
· 1 15-oz can of marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
· 1-2 oz sundried tomatoes, chopped
· A handful (about 1 cup packed) fresh Italian parsley, chopped
· 1/3 cup shelled walnuts, chopped
· Salt and black pepper to taste (I didn't use either and it tasted great!)

Instructions

· Make the dressing: Into a small mixing bowl, add the olive oil, zest and juice of one lemon, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, sumac and paprika. Whisk to combine and taste. Add the juice from the second lemon, if desired.

· Mix the salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, shallots, celery, artichoke hearts, sun dried tomatoes, parsley, and walnuts. Season with a good pinch of kosher salt and black pepper.

· Dress the salad: Pour dressing over the chicken salad, toss to combine.

· Serve: Serve immediately, or, for best flavor, cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving.

It has begun!

These are photos from a previous year, but our milkweed plants are shooting up and forming flowers - the favorite food of monarch butterfly caterpillars! We're doing our bit for trying to preserve this beautiful species!

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