Autumn in Tulsa

Autumn in Tulsa certainly isn't the same as Autumn in Vermont; however, it is quite beautiful.

Prayer for Bert

I have a friend who is in the hospital in very serious condition. If you happen upon this blog, please take a minute to say a prayer for Bert. I wrote the following short prayer and her family has posted it in her room. If you wish to add to the prayer, please add it in the comment section. I'll forward it on to the family. I've included a photo of Bert so you know who is receiving your blessings.

Dear God, I pray that You will continue to flood Bert's body with Your healing Balm of Gilead. I pray that You strengthen her body, mind and spirit. I also pray for those whose hands are taking care of her and ministering to all of her needs that they be guided by the Holy Spirit in all decisions concerning her. I pray that everyone who touches her is touched by her loving spirit. May God support and uphold her dear loved ones as they wait for her healing. I ask that You sustain them with Your Word which You have stored in their hearts. I ask that You bring peace to all those who love and care for Bert while she is mending from the inside out. I praise You, God for the mighty work that You are doing in and through Bert. And, I thank You, Father, for Bert and that You show her mercy and restore her to full and total health. I humbly thank You in advance for the miracles that You are performing. In Jesus's precious Holy Name, I pray. Amen.

Thank you for your prayers,
Praying Girl


UPDATE (Wed., December 16, 2009) God has answered our prayers. Our dear Bert has been discharged from the hospital. Hallelujah! Thank you to all those who prayed for Bert over the course of these many weeks. Please continue to pray for Bert and John and their daughter as they settle back into life at home and for all the faithful friends who traveled so far and spent so much time at Bert's bedside at the Mercy Hospital in Arkansas. Praise God, Bert is home for Christmas!
Sincerely,
Praying Girl

UPDATE (Friday, December 11, 2009) Great news today. The trach is out and Bert is breathing on her own. She walked about 600 ft. today. The hospital is not ready to release her yet so please keep praying that she continues to improve rapidly. Let's ask God for another miracle...home for Christmas would be wonderful. Thank you to everyone who has prayed and continues to pray for Bert. Praise God for the healing that we are observing daily.
Sincerely,
Praying Girl

UPDATE (Wednesday, December 2, 2009): So glad to be able to pass on GOOD news. PRAISE GOD! Bert is doing so well this week now she is recovering from the painful surgery last week.. She walked 300 feet today and even did a clogging step!! Please keep praying that she continues to improve quickly. Wonderful to be able to pass this on and praying the reports get better and better...

UPDATE (Thursday, November 26, 2009): Bert is still in ICU and has had a bad reaction to her medications. Please continue to frevently pray for her.

UPDATE (Tuesday, November 24, 2009): Father, dear Bert is still battling infection and other complications. She is back in ICU. As we prepare for Thanksgiving, I continue to remember Bert and her family in my prayers. I give thanksgiving for her life and ask that You, O God continue to work a miracle in her healing. Help her to hear Your voice above all others. Create a calmness in her spirit. Father, assist her in remembering all of Your Words that she has stored in her heart. Bring her into close communion with You. Protect her from the attack on her body and strengthen her more and more each day. Watch over those who love her so much that their faith, strength and courage increase. Father, we need a miracle so we come before You, humbly asking for what we cannot do on our own. We praise Your Holy Name and thank You for all of Your blessings. In Jesus's Precious Holy Name, Amen. Praying Girl

UPDATE (Friday, November 20, 2009): Bert is scheduled for more surgery tomorrow under general anesthetic. Please pray for dear Bert as she undergoes another procedure and more recovery. Pray for her surgeons that their skill will result in a successful operation. Pray for her husband John as he keeps vigil waiting for news.

UPDATE (Thursday, November 12, 2009): Bert is still not out of the woods as there is still some infection around her lungs. She needs your prayers to help sustain her. Father, we ask that You destroy this nasty infection that is threatening our dear friend. We pray for a miracle that the infection be wiped totally clean from her body. We praise You for continuing to heal her. We ask that you give her strength in her Spirit to keep fighting. We ask that you continue to send Your Holy Angels to do battle for her in the spiritual realm. We ask that you take away any worry that may be trying to take hold of her or her family. We ask that you handle their financial affairs, travel safety, adequate lodging for those from out of town, and any other needs that Bert and her family may be worrying about. Strengthen their faith mightily. Thank You, Father, for Your Almighty Arms that are holding her and her family. In Jesus's Name, Amen.
Praying Girl

UPDATE (Wednesday, November 11, 2009): Bert is doing so much better. The breathing tube has been removed and she is talking. Praise God for His miraculous healing of Bert. Please continue to pray that she regain her strength and is able to go home soon. Thank you to everyone who has visited this site and said the short prayer for Bert. Hallelujah, God is so good.

The Old Buzzard Roost

The old buzzards no longer circle.
Why bother their monotonous swirl?
They're just hanging out in that old tree.
They neither toil or worry.
They're laughing at my wrinkled old carcus.
Why should they fly, why make a fuss?

You can't munch just yet on my innards
You old fat, ugly buzzards!
I'm still a kickin'
And I'm not just yet ripe for yer pickin'!
So just sit there in your deadly roost
'Cause I just ain't ready yet to let this life a-loost!

by Donna Louise Ham
(Just a funny old buzzard, herself)


Vic, Hunter & I happened upon this Buzzard Roost recently at Lake Keystone. There were buzzards everywhere. They had taken up occupancy in five trees and there was not a thing left living on any of these trees. It was very eerie in the late afternoon on an overcast day. I'm not a big fan of Halloween, but this just seemed fitting for this strangest of holidays. I don't know about you, but I'm steering clear of Cowskin Bay and the nasty buzzard roost! I hear that buzzards throw up on you if you get too close to their nest. Now, why would anyone want to get close to a buzzard or their nest? EWWWWWW!
Praying Girl

And He Screamed Like a Girl

Because of my sleep apnea, I wear a lovely headgear with rubber nose plugs. It goes over my head on the top and on the base of the back of my neck. Because it leaves unsightly marks on my face, I put thin white socks over the part that touches my face. The socks end up looking like white puppy dog ears on my cheeks.

I NEVER let Vic see me this way. I cover my head! But last night, I forgot to move the alarm clock into the bedroom. Vic was safely in the garage, or so I thought. I just unplugged the whole contraption and let the air hose dangle from my nose. I looked like something out of the Star Wars bar scene. Of course, halfway from the bed to the bathroom, here came Vic. After he screamed like a girl, I just told him I was practicing for Halloween!

Praying Girl

I have to laugh at all the minor humiliations of getting older, but hearing my husband squeal like a girl made it a whole lot easier.

Flying...Not Just For Birds

Flying through the air is so much fun. Just ask Hunter. He spent one whole afternoon doing just that.

Pelicans in Oklahoma?

Pelicans migrate through Oklahoma. Who knew? These are finding a nice place to rest at Keystone Lake.

Toothy Cow Jawbone

We decided to take our young, vivacious grandson on a little Sunday trip yesterday. What fun we had. This photo was taken at Keystone Lake where he found an Alligator Gar's top jawbone (or bottom, who knows about these things?). The teeth are pretty wicked.

Since I've been reading to him from the book On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson, it seems to me that this could really be the jawbone from a Toothy Cow or some other unknown weird creature. Ohhhh, what tales we can tell.

Backing Up

I backed up my files about a month ago using www.carbonite.com. Just needed to restore all of my files and it worked beautifully. Great program and I highly recommend it. No lost data or images. Hurray!