Zamfir, our favourite flutist, playing one of my favourite melodies.

My Heart Will Go On

Father's Day 2007

My father, Stanley, 1914 - 2003

Dad left us very suddenly on August 11, 2003. We were shocked and deeply saddened.

The last conversation Dad and I had was about peanut butter cookies for he had come across a recipe on the back of the peanut butter jar which required only 3 ingredients. He was so excited about cooking up a batch that he wanted me to have the recipe too. Sadly, I never found out if he did, and whenever the topic of peanut butter cookies arises I am reminded of our conversation that day and his enthusiasm for such a humble treat.

My dad taught us to be honest and to have integrity. He taught us to keep our word and stick with it when the going gets tough. He taught us that people always matter more than things. And he taught us to appreciate the world around us and the beauty of nature.

He was a loving and generous man who is remembered for his service in his community, his love and compassion for people, his steadfast devotion to his wife of 66 years and their children, and his life-long passion for gardening.

He continues to live on in our hearts.

One of the most delightful gifts a mother can receive has to be flowers.

Especially potted ones. The tiny roses here are snipped from a miniature plant which was a present from my daughters many years ago. Summer after summer the little bush faithfully bears delicate blooms in varying shades of apricot to peach and continues to do so until late into fall. Providing so much beauty and pleasure, they are a constant reminder of a daughter's abounding love.

(Girls - this is in no way intended as a solicitation for more flowers! It's simply appreciation for the many you have already given. Love you all, mum :D )

The Hillbilly's Ten Commandments posted on the wall at Cross Trails Church in Fairlie, Texas

1. Just one God.
2. Honor yer Ma & Pa.
3. No tellin' tales or gossipin'.
4. Git yourself to Sunday meetin'
5. Put nothin' before God.
6. No foolin' around with another fellow's gal.
7. No killin'.
8. Watch yer mouth.
9. Don't take what ain't yers.
10. Don't be hankerin' for yer buddy's stuff.

The Choice

When I was young I believed that I would go to Heaven when I die as long if I have been good enough. And if I hadn't been good enough then I would simply go to sleep forevermore and that would be the end of me. Nothing too scary - Heaven sounded nice for sure and that's what I wanted but the thought of going to sleep and drifting off into oblivion if I didn't make the grade didn't sound like a painful alternative. After all, I wouldn't even be conscious of anything, right?

WRONG!

That is a lie. There is no such thing as eternal sleep.

There is one, and only one, alternative to Heaven and that alternative is Hell.

The Bible says that while our body will pass away our soul is eternal and that we have one of two places to go after death - either Heaven or Hell. There is nothing in between. And if we are not for God then we are considered to be against Him. The choice is ours and we have to make it before we die because it will be too late after. And God will never force us to choose His way because He wants us to come on our own free will. He has given us the freedom to choose either eternal life or eternal destruction.

The Bible makes it clear that a terrifying, horrific place of pain and suffering referred to as Hell is very real and that those who choose it will still have to give an account of themselves standing before God. Revelation 20:13 says;

"And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works."

Described in the Bible as a place of horrendous pain and suffering (because evil resides there) the one and only alternative to Heaven is not my choice. Will it be yours?

p.s. "by their works" does not signify that we can buy our way into Heaven by being good enough or doing good things, for God tells us that is not enough. There is something else required of us. Check it out while there still is time. Read the Gospel of John.

A young bear cub we saw along the roadside when we went for a cook-out last week. He ran and hid by this tree when we backed up to get a closer look.

Our 'Farmer Boy'

...in his glory mowing the grass and making paths so we can hike around all 12 acres. We've always dreamed of making the property into a little park with trails and stops along the way where you can rest your feet or enjoy a picnic lunch. We have a couple of campsites, 'Pine Site', which is closest to the house and so named because it is set amongst the pine trees, and 'OutBack' because it is literally out back. Scorch Hill, which is in the background in the trees, was given it's name years ago by our daughter because it gets so hot there. There is a creek (which runs dry in the summer) and a bridge over it which leads up the hill and out to the back pasture. We usually get about 200 bales of hay off but this year we decided to keep it cut as a way to lessen allergies.