A day in the life . . .

Having suitable employment is a great blessing.  Having a pleasant workplace in scenic surroundings with friendly co-workers is an even greater blessing.  In past generations, it was more common for children to share in their parents' workday.  Today, that is much less common for most families.  The daily routine outside the home is not well well known to loved ones.  Here's what my routine looks like most days . . .

Up at 4:30 am.  Shower, shave, coffee, news/weather. Catch the VIA 606 bus at 5:45 and transfer to the VIA 91 southbound bus at the Medical Center Transit Center. 

Off the 91 bus at St. Marys and Villita with one block walk east along the Riverwalk

Up the steps to street level with a view of the building where I spend the workday. . .

In the office at 6:30 am.  Simple cubicle with the essential requirements for my assignments.  Computer, phone, comfortable chair.

Lunch time walk, in this case, the historic Presa bridge manufactured by the Berlin Bridge Co. in 1890.  After the railroad came to San Antonio, iron bridges were purchased by the city from manufacturers in the northeast to span the river and the city quickly realized a new prosperity from the resulting expansion of transportation and commerce. 

In the afternoon, after earning my keep for another day, I catch the VIA 91 north to the Medical Center and chalk up another blessed workday.

Fresh Veggies!

Patrick and I joined a local community supported agriculture group (or CSA) where we are able to pick up a batch of fresh and local veggies each Wednesday evening. We're now on week 3 and so far we've gotten two types of squash, beets, fennel, basil, parsley, new potatoes, zucchini, chives, swiss chard, lettuce, and two types of cucumbers. It's been really fun trying out new recipes and I think it's keeping us healthy, too! One of our favorite new dishes is a recipe called "French Peasant Beets" given to me by a coworker using beets, beet greens, and swiss chard. The best part is that it's served with a creamy goat cheese (Bucheron) and a crusty loaf of bread!

Today I also tried out a recipe for "refrigerator pickles", a simple method of making pickles without going through the whole canning process. We're supposed to let them marinate for a few days before opening them up, so we'll let you know they turn out. Also, notice how much basil we have in the glass beside the pickles! Hope you all have a great week.

Small things

Small things sometimes make a big difference in this world. For example, among our neighbors, we are thankful for a family of Bewick’s wrens [Thryomanes bewickii] (pronounced BYWE-icks, like the Buick car).

Last season, they nested in one of our hanging baskets. This year we placed a new ceramic wren house on our patio and these friends quickly found it and took up housekeeping there. The house has ventilation holes in the bottom and a door on the back for easy clean out when the nesting season is over.

Our friends entertain us with their songs and cute antics. They are busy most of the day foraging for insects and small worms. The Mrs. was a stay-at-home mom while she sat on the nest, but now both the Mr. and Mrs. are “bringing home the bacon”.

The links below have more information about these wonderful creatures, including recordings of their songs.

http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/135/overview/Bewicks_Wren.aspx
http://www.seattleaudubon.org/birdweb/bird_details.aspx?id=339

In a world where, most days, people value "bigger is better" and "super size me", we may be a bit contrarian to value "small is beautiful".  We grieve over the damage done to the Gulf coast habitat and the host of God's creatures and livelihoods damaged and lost because of our carelessness.  We don't have a "Drill, baby, drill" bumper sticker nor do we favor a policy of consumption at the cost of our little friends.  We can't fix the wrongs done, but we can take our place and do our part to value smallness and eschew a lifestyle that consumes more than we ourselves need as we responsibly tend the garden of God's creation.

Rabbits and the end of summer . . .

Thanks to Judy for scanning and sending this photo taken by the garden in September 1959

Nature Hike in Philly

Nature trails.

Tree Swallows.

Family.

A good day.

M.Div. - pastoral

Celebrating the achievement of Jason and Sarah and giving thanks for God's grace

More patio visitors . . . leapin' lizards

The green anole (Anolis carolinensis) is a native to our "backyard" and they keep us entertained day and night.  During the day they leap from trees and shrubs to sun on patio furniture and fence rails.  At night they chirp and "twitter" as they feed on insects and look for love.  This guy, we'll call him Larry (the lizard), is as common as Floyd and Jenny (the squirrels).

These wonderful friends have the ability to change color as they move from green foliage to tree trunks and to patio furniture.  Notice the change in color as Larry moves around.

As Larry moves down the tree trunk, his skin begins to darken.

Your can see more about these guys here and here.