The Little Mystery on Our Road

There is a little mystery on our road, but first the backstory.

I have been the only walker on this road for over nine years. Until this year a couple neighbors have begun walking occasionally as well. It has been a great way to greet and get to know our neighbors. We all know each other now, help each other when needed and keep an eye out for each other. It is a wonderful neighborhood.

The paved driveway to our house is a dead-end road. Nearly a mile it length, it serves only the six homes with a private drive to each. With no thoroughfare we rarely see vehicles or people other than service/work related vehicles.

Recently, while out on a walk, something caught my eye on an old stump beside the road. It was a rock. Not the painted rock-type that has been popular to leave for others to find though. This one was polished and had the word IMAGINE in gold letters carved into it. Interesting word I thought to myself as I tumbled it into my pocket.

Next day on the same stump, different spot, I discovered another polished stone. PEACE was carved into this one.

I have greeted these other two neighbor gals as we pass. I have not seen them doing anything to or near the old stump.

Several days later, to my great surprise, a bright, tiny color caught my attention on the old stump. It had been transformed into a petite display of miniatures! Tiny glass mushrooms, glass white chicken and her two bright yellow chicks and a tiny pool. The old, decaying stump has turned into a mysterious, happy setting of fun and imagination.

I do not know who had the pleasure of creating this little mystery. I just know it has been fun.

Resting on the old stump.
Found this one the next day on the ground.
The bright little colors caught my eye.
A tiny pool, I think? Or a bird bath?
Little glass hen and chicks nestled in the old stump.
A smily wooden face set on the stump.
Little mushrooms and flowers placed all around.
Buster says somebody has been here! But who? Our little mystery on the road.

Five Minute Friday Writing Prompt—Advantage

How do we manage our advantages? We certainly have plenty of them here in our country.

We can work where we want, worship, live, eat, marry, dress ourselves and conduct ourselves as we please. These are big advantages that need careful management and self-control.

How, when, where and to what good for ourselves, community and society do we control/manage these advantages given to us?

It is a tall order. One I cannot manage in my own mind. Thoughtful, interested parents, and a quality education along with well-thought out choices can make a huge difference in our lives.

However, the best and most important guideline is the Bible. Even if one doesn’t believe in God or His Word (which is a silly notion), just knowing what it says will make the advantage we are given far more prosperous.

Don’t believe me? I challenge you to spend a year reading and rereading the book of Proverbs. One a day. You will find many answers to your questions on how to make the most of the advantages we are given for the best of ourselves, our communities and our society.

Cleaning My Redhead Premium 20 Gauge

Every other week we go shoot sporting clays at the Flying Rabbit Sporting Clays in Mt. Crawford, VA. This has been going on for several years, and is an outing enjoyed by our husbands and we sisters.

The fun starts with a delicious lunch which we take turns preparing. But because the real treat comes after our shooting, we do not eat too much. This real treat is Smiley’s Ice Cream located in Bridgewater, VA. Oh my! One really has to try it to know just how yummy it is.

We have a blast (pun intended!) at the range. Have you ever shot sporting clays? Some days we shoot better than others, however practice pays, as I can tell we (girls) are getting better. Like it or not, our husbands always outshoot us. No matter for we cheer on every hit!

Even fun has its own work involved with it in some form or another, and my 20 gauge Redhead Premium CZ over/under needs a good cleaning. I do have a question. Why is my husband so willing to help me clean my shotgun and nothing else in our life? He even gathered all the cleaning supplies and set them out on the table. Just don’t ask questions, just smile!

So with his good help and loads of advice, my shotgun is cleaned, shiny and ready to go out again.

Time to do the work of cleaning. HoneyPie is watching!
My husband gathered all the cleaning supplies and set them out.
He was full of help and advice.
Clean and shiny!
My gun and I are all ready to hit the range again!