Precarious

Last year a robin couple built a lovely nest in our maple tree.  They raised a family successfully and the nest weathered the winter, rain and wind.  So, one would think they might use this nest again this year.  Nope, this robin (I'm assuming it's the same one, but maybe not) decided to build her nest under the eave of the screened in porch.  A good idea in theory, but she's built her nest on top of one of the chickadee nesting boxes....which has a peaked roof.  She built it once and it blew down in one of our spring wind/rain storms.  I thought for sure she'd rethink her plans, but nope.  She's built it again in the same spot and is serenely sitting there day in and day out.  I hope the babies won't "rock the boat" once they reach a good size.  Only time will tell.

Friendly Skies

I took a wonderful trip last weekend!  I attended my first women’s retreat in 25 years with the wonderful ladies from our church.  Our retreat was held at the Macleay Retreat Center near Salem.  The theme for the weekend was Journey of Faith and when we arrived, we were handed our boarding passes, one way from Earth to Heaven, and which indicated our “assigned” seats in the “plane” and then we were directed to Gate 7.  Once we were seated, a video was shown replicating a plane takeoff...very authentic.  And then the "stewardesses" came down the aisle and served us peanuts and ginger ale.  Too cute!

This was a multi-generational gathering of women, and I had the privilege of holding the newest female member, Sabrina Rose!

Each of us were also handed our "luggage", creatively crafted by one of the amazing women heading up women's ministries.  She folded each of these large and smaller "suitcases" out of paper and packed them with goodies, including our passports!

We had several sessions over the course of the weekend and heard some amazing testimonies of God's faithfulness and sovereignty. Life is, indeed, a journey of faith and this was a wonderful time of fellowship, bonding, encouragement and laughter.  I just might do it again next year.  Oh, and the food was excellent.  The dining hall was a brief walk across the beautiful grounds and they treated us royally....roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, horseradish sauce (yay!!), and green beans with almonds one night. 

The fellowship of women never grows old.  😃