Mel's Visit

Back in December (2008), my sister Melanie along with her daughter Ruthie and son Ben traveled to Tennessee for Christmas. I hadn't seen Melanie in about three years so was so excited to spend time with her. Living in Hawaii, she seems a million miles away, though we text and talk.
Mel is working with Head Start in a toddler program for teen moms. She is blessing those young moms as they come in during their class breaks to spend a few minutes with their babies. She's there for them when they're going through trials at home.
Ruthie is attending a marine biology school set right on the beach with no walls. A recent project was a butterfly garden and native ponds.
Ben has been living in Portland, Oregon for a while. He continues to work on his music and has found a few other musicians to jam with.
Melanie and Ruthie were with us for 3 weeks so they got to see some snow while they were here. However, it didn't compare to the snow storms they had experienced in Portland while visiting Cody and Candice. By the time our little bit of snow arrived, they were tired of it.
They didn't get to see much while they were here but we had a wonderful visit--and that's what it's all about--sitting and chatting with your lil sis.

Goin' Barefoot

My One Day Without Shoes

Cause: a person or thing that gives rise to an action, phenomenon, or condition
a principle, aim, or movement that because of a deep commitment, one is prepared to defend or advocate

Courage: the ability to do something that frightens one
strength in the face of pain or grief

Courage: The children that daily go without shoes. They might walk miles to find clean water, food or medical help. They might need shoes before they can attend school. Cuts and sores on their bare feet may cause diseases that could have been prevented.

Today Cory and I got involved with a cause:
TOM's One Day Without Shoes
Fortunately for us, the weather was nice (heard it was 40 in Colorado). My feet were colder inside the house. We soon discovered that not too many establishments allow bare feet. I had an idea which ones didn't but we found out more along our journey.
We should have walked miles to see what it felt like--I walked a mile on a paved track after grimacing over stones along the way. Children in third world countries don't have the luxury of paved walkways.
Our first negative encounter came at the gym. After walking into the gym, and paying our fees, we were asked to leave since we didn't have "athletic shoes". (Are combat boots considered athletic?) The indoor track was also off limits to us. So, we quietly left after getting a refund.
Next we made a stop at the grocery store--but wore our flip-flops. I felt badly but rationalized that some children may actually have those.
Growing up in California and going barefoot a lot--driving with no shoes was not a problem. We stopped by Nashville Clothing Company to check out the TOM's shoes. A sales rep asked if we were shunning our shoes. I explained and she wished she had known about it. Evidently she wasn't selling the shop TOM's shoes.
The mall would not allow barefeet so we stopped off at Lifeway bookstore, then Target. Surprise! no one said a thing.
We returned to our warm cozy home, washed our dirty feet with soap and clean water and sat down to a yummy snack and TV show. What luxuries we enjoy while most of the world goes without.

A good reminder for me though--I may not have dozens of shoes lining my closet, but I do have 3 pair.
How many do you have?

Radnor Lake

One of my favorite spots (besides eating establishments) in Tennessee has to be Radnor Lake. It sits on 747 acres of land with an abundance of wildlife. Radnor Lake was constructed as an earthen reservoir to supply water for steam engines on the L&N Railroad. It also provided a private hunting and fishing preserve. However, as birds discovered this place of solitude, the area was declared a "Wildlife Sanctuary."
It's not too far from us, but feels like miles away from city life. Once on the trail, I'm in the mountains or the forest. Deer come to feed in the early mornings, sometimes with a fawn or two. Squirrels and chipmunks skitter back and forth. Birds call to one another from the treetops: scarlet red cardinals, chickadees, robins pecking at the ground for a nibble. I saw my first pileated woodpecker here and the Great Blue Herons, Egrets and Canada geese remind me of home in California as they skim across the water. There are more birds that I would like to see and hope to since we are in the middle of one of the migratory flyways.
Snapping turtles slowly creep up from the waters edge and red-eared sliders enjoy the sun balanced on a log out over the water.
The walk around the lake is about a mile and a half, though there are other loops available for those with a little more energy.
I enjoy the solitude the lake provides and until I head east to the Smokey Mountains, I'll be satisfied with Radnor Lake.