Five Minute Friday Writing Prompt—Someday

Someday never comes. That is what my mother used to tell me. But Scripture tells me that a desire worked on diligently will come. I have chosen to believe Scripture, though I have known the truth of Mom’s words too.

It has helped me to write down goals for my someday. Sometimes I get them, sometimes I do not. So I suppose the question I have to ask myself is this: How badly do I really want that someday to come? It must come from actions done by me. I am thinking if my someday never comes, I probably never really wanted it begin with. Dreaming is free and easy.

Does this make any sense?

Five Minute Friday Writing Prompt—Some

John Denvers’ song “Some days are diamonds, some days are stone, sometimes the hard times won’t leave you alone” came straight to mind when I read the writing prompt for this week—some.

I was young when this song came out, and though it is about a broken relationship, the chorus were words than rang in my head during some long hard days that plague us all at times. Singing them over and over in my head helped plow through those times.

Funny this is, the other day my daughter phoned. Just the way she said “Hi, Mom” told it all. A new momma now trying to figure out her new lifestyle with a new little baby. Just having someone to vent to is a huge help, so I listened. Finally, I found myself saying to her, “Well, honey, some days are diamonds, some days are stone. Sometimes the hard times won’t leave you alone.”

She got through it, she’ll have more, she’ll get through them. By God’s good grace we all will.

There and Back Again

I have borrowed Bilbo Baggins title of his book of adventures in the classic book The Hobbit, for this post. I think it is a great title for a book of adventures. Which is just what we recently returned from. We being my husband, Bill, our daughter, Helen, her husband, Jon, and their little five month old baby boy, Francis.

Our adventure was not across the worlds but was across our country. We spend 9 terrific days on a 725-mile road trip in Northern California. The main reason for the trip was threefold; for Bill and me to meet Jon’s family, and for them to meet their only great-grandson for the first time and to see the Redwoods. Jon grew up in California. He knows the area well, and he planned the whole exciting road trip. There were places he wanted us to see. This is my most favorite kind of travel. All the plans are made, routes are figured out, wonderful old hotels were awaiting our arrivals. What a grand road trip he gave us!

I have never been to California, everyone else, except baby Francis, has. So it all was a thrilling first for me. We landed in San Fransisco. Rented a big SUV, the smallest person had the most stuff! First stop on Jon’s agenda; burger and fries at the In n’ Out Burger restaurant. Oh my goodness, wish we had them here. Crossing over the Golden Gate Bridge was surreal for me, as I have only seen it in photographs. We toured around on the park side of the bridge, picked up Rt 101N. We bid the big city farewell as our sights were set on the ‘Lost Coast’, the name given to N California.

Jon’s grandparents live in a wonderful cabin home in a tiny town called Hayfork, CA. Next door Jon’s great-Aunt Shirley has a cozy cabin as well. Other family members flew in. We were there for Easter. Words are not able to explain how special it was meeting these delightful extended family folk. Spending Easter with them made it doubly special.

Two beautiful towns, Hopland, where the old Thatcher Hotel gave us a warm welcome and overnight stay. Next was the historic, logging company town of Scotia, where we lodged for two fun nights at the Scotia Lodge. Spending two exciting days among the Avenue of the Giants. Those incredible Coastal Redwoods are beyond description. Living testimonies of a great and mighty God.

Rt. 36, off Rt 101 carried us East to Rt. 3 where we met Jon’s lovely family. They were thrilled at meeting their only great-grandson, Francis. The air B ‘n B, Ivan’s Lookout, near Weaverville accommodated us perfectly for the three nights there.

Jon completed our circuit by driving through the absolutely gorgeous, fertile Sonoma Valley. California raisins and almonds will never taste the same to me. The land was gorgeous, the wine country stunning, the people friendly, and now I know where the dinosaurs and BigFoot live—in the Coastal Redwoods!

To see this famous icon in person is thrilling.
Hopland, Ca. Simply gorgeous vineyards all around.
The Thatcher Hotel where beautiful olive trees grew all around!
Scotia, CA. Originally a company logging town. The Scotia Lodge was where we stayed. This photo is town office.
Crossing over the Eel River on a redwood for more exploring.
The Redwoods dwarf Bill…
…and me!
Spending Easter with family—a special treat.
Family was thrilled to meet their only great-grand-baby, Francis.
Herbert, the neighborhood piggy.
Outstanding view from Ivan’s Lookout.
California raisins and almonds will never taste the same. Now I know what the California sun feels like.
What a trip Jon gave us!
There and back again.

Five Minute Friday Writing Prompt—Lonely

Looking out across the field the other day, my gaze fell on one of our cows resting all alone away from the others. I felt an immediate pang of loneliness. It seems to me God has made most all His creation for community.

The idea of a person or animal being lonely is more than I can bear. This may sound silly but it is one reason I love writing little notes to family and friends. My grandchildren, I am told, carry their notes from me around all day.

We all need to know someone is near and/or thinking of us. Do you agree? The greatest comfort is knowing God is always near to those who call on Him, for He never leaves us lonely.

I was also happy to later see everyone grazing together.