It 's Character Building!

Although, it snowed on Wednesday, today is very warm and sultry. I think that we are in for some thunder storms tonight.

Well, I surely hope so!!!

The weather in Vermont is full of character. 

It feels as if we are in the middle of the year.

Although, I was attempting to take photos of our crab apple tree in blossom, on this very silvery skied, humid May day, the air felt as if it was really July. It was so hot and humid - the bugs were out in full force.

I tried so hard to catch a picture of the flocks of barn swallows swooping and diving to scoop up the bugs but I was never fast enough. Instead, I took a picture of the window they were bursting out of all joyfully aflutter. You can see two perched on the window frame in this photo.

 

 

This weather, here in Vermont, that has so much character, causes the buildings and trees to have character, also. (I think that I'd better just stop there with my observations and not say anything further, like, about the people in Vermont.)

 Now that it is nighttime, the singing spring peepers (many in the pond that is behind our barn) are positively dominating our senses. Them and the warmth combined!

 

 

 

When it snowed on Wednesday, the barometer had been dropping so fast that my joints were positively aching. I was in pain! I felt middle aged but didn't want to build any character, that's for sure. Please, don't feel sorry for me, however, I feel perfectly fine now. Plus, I got a good whine into Tom's ear.

It made me think of a brilliant prayer that I've read by Ruth Bell Graham - Billy Graham's wife. Talk about a woman of character! 

  

Prayer of a Middle-Aged Woman

Dear Lord,

Thou knowest better than I myself that I am growing older and will someday be old. Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion. Release me from craving to straighten out everybody's affairs. Make me thoughtful but not moody, helpful but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all, but Thou knowest, Lord, that I must have a few friends at the end.

Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details; give me wings to get to the point. Seal my lips on my aches and pains. They are increasing, and love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by. I dare not ask for grace enough to enjoy the tales of others' pains, but help me to endure them with patience.

Give me a growing humility and a lessening cocksureness when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken. Keep me reasonably sweet... and not hard to live with... for a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the devil. Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places, and talents in unexpected people. And give me the grace to tell them so.

 Oh, my! Those of you who really know me are probably, at this point, thinking, "pray harder, Katy, pray harder!"

I will!

 

With love on this warm spring night,

Katy Noelle

  

P.S.

If you've never heard spring peepers before, here is a link to  experience the sound.

Click here to hear spring peepers.