Our "home" for the next 6 months!

"The Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him, strength and glory are in his sanctuary....worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.'
Psalms 96: 5-6,9

An "ordinary" life

"Brightly colored sunsets and starry heavens, majestic mountains and shining seas, and fragrant fields and fresh-cut flowers are not even half as beautiful as a soul who is serving Jesus out of love, through the wear and tear of an ordinary, unpoetic life." Frederick William Faber

A "day" in Dallas (Fort Worth)

Our unique lifestyle (living fulltime in a motorhome) allows us the freedom to just "pull up stakes" and roam wherever our imaginations, family, or especially (for the older crowd of which we are now an active member) where the weather dictates. Since it is November and soon the northern winds will be blowing our rig is heading south. How about Texas this winter?
Now timing is everything-right? Who would have thought that my two best high school girlfriends and their husbands would be in the Dallas area at exactly the same time as Hunter and I were passing through? One girlfriend does live there but the other was just heading south to visit family. Thankfully we keep in touch and decided this was the perfect time for a small "high school reunion" event.
Here are some highlights:

Daily cattle drive-14 cows?

Hunter enjoying a Texas beer at a "famous" saloon.

A Remington painting, an example of what we saw at the 

Amon Carter American Art Museum (one of my favorite artists!)

One of many outstanding Chihuly glass exhibits at the Dallas Arboretum.

Check out this artist!

Painting with a 3 yr. old?

When you retire life just seems to slow down and things that were so important just a few years ago no longer "push you" to complete. Deadlines are gone. Life is no longer a blur of activity, at least for me. (I can't speak for every retired person.) I have discovered that the journey takes on a greater significance than the intended end goal. There is actually time for lessons to be taught and learned and fun to be shared. "Stop to smell the roses" becomes a phrase to practice and enjoy.
So when I was asked to paint my grandson's room and my grandson thought he should help I had to remember the above mentioned principles. Savor the moments together with your grandson at your side!

Words to think about today.

A loved one in my family shared this with me today and I wanted to pass it along.

"All people share a connection.  We breathe the same air; feel the warmth of the same sun; share life on the same planet.  Our paths are connected in ways both seen and unseen.  The food on my table may have come from a farm nearby, from across the country or from across the world.  Similarly, new technology allows me to connect with loved ones or strangers faraway.  As humans we also share in feelings of happiness and sadness, peace and frustration. We are one in God, connected in spirit.  Knowing we are one, I demonstrate empathy toward others. I am understanding, compassionate and willing to listen.  Whatever I do, wherever I am, I am connected to God and all people and to you.”  “Remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”  Matthew 28:20. 

to be continued....Slovenia

Slovenia
Three days spent at a working farm in the hills of Slovenia makes one think back to my farm roots. I feel privileged to have been raised on an Iowa farm. Cows, pigs, barns, and lots of open space conjure up warm memories. Even the "smells" are welcome to my senses. (As Hunter would add-"Your sense of smell is dead"!) I especially enjoy the farm-type food of fried potatoes, beef floating in warm gravy, soft and chewy bread, and of course, that all important final dessert! Our time at the farm house in Slovenia met all expectations and more! Check out Rebecca's blog for photos.

6 Countries in 6 weeks!

ITALY

13 people, (the Stall clan), gather in Montegalda, Italy for a memorable family reunion. Site seeing and "play" circle around naps and filling hungry "tummies"-child and adult alike! Rebecca's house vacillates between a whirlwind of activity and an oasis of rest. Thankfully everyone is able to "roll with the punches" and find humor in even the most stressful of moments. 

Croatia
A beautiful country just a 3 hour car trip from Venice where the Stall clan spent 7 delightful days at an all-inclusive resort swimming, boating, relaxing, and of course eating amazing food with NO cleanup!

Austria
Hunter & I spent a lovely evening in Innsbruck, a charming town nestled in the Austrian Alps.

Germany
Four days spent in Mutterstadt with Klaus & Rita biking & hiking along the Rhine and eating delicious Bavarian sausages and dark, chewy bread!

Switzerland

Driving back to Italy from Germany we traveled through this breathe-taking country. Photos do NOT do it justice!

Slovenia
-to be continued--