DOG DAYS OF SUMMER...

At least the DOG DAYS OF SUMMER have involved some cooler temperatures and A LOT more moisture than we've had in a long time!

Penny and Jess found a cool spot under the wagon.......UGH...they're digging again!

Ed and Biscuit- enjoying some greener pastures

Thank you, God, for the amazing rains....everything has greened up!

The purple sage and cactus are LOVIN' the rain, cool breezes and sunshine!

Nothin' like a good ol' cattle trough to cool off in!

Truck being towed to the shop...

Waggoner Ranch cowboys keepin' their faith alive...LOVE IT!

Painted/distressed the door from the laundry room to the the kitchen! LOVE IT!.....of course....turquoise!

Painted/distressed the laundry room storage cabinet with a turquoise star knob!......barn red!

LOVE MY BED!

HELLO, PURPLE SAGE!

HELLO, COTTON!

Cracks in stucco- fixed...check! Windows recaulked...check!  House painted...check! ...

....MORE TO COME....

Junior...is...flying...now.....and is enjoying the daytime hours outside.....YAY!

May God bless each and every day that you have! If you don't "know" Him in a personal relationship-way, seek out someone who can help you rededicate your life...OR... find Jesus for the first time.  YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW GREAT YOUR LIFE AND HEART CAN BECOME AND HOW AMAZING HIS STRENGTH AND PROMISES ARE FOR YOU! 

RAIN RAIN DON'T GO AWAY!! COME AGAIN ANOTHER DAY!

GOD'S BLESSINGS SURE DID SOAK US!  

I can't remember when it rained last...the summer temperatures have already surpassed 104 degrees, but....IN JULY....to get 3+inches of amazing, miraculous, soaking rains for 3 solid days....PRICELESS!  The cotton is planted and is trying its darndest to come up, but without moisture, it's basically just a seed in some dirt! Well, no longer!

Another turquoise fix........made all but 2 of them....

Went to some friends' place to watch some roping practice and this lil' cowboy jus' stole my heart!  His name is Bowie and he was right along side his daddy as they practiced in the arena!

Here's his mama and new baby brother, Brazos. Sweet, sweet family!! Had a great evening!

 Zack is now a proud owner of a Chihuahuan Raven! Dyke found 3 of them that had apparently blown out of a nest. Jake has one - named Django. Luette has one and we have one - named Junior. Here he is when we first got him.

He loves canned dog food, grapes, Vienna Sausages, wet bread and water fed to him by a syringe.  Jake and Talia came to visit before they went to Dyke's family reunion, so they brought Django and Boone...the dog. Here's Django and Junior meeting again after a few weeks of separation.

Boone

When I go out to do chores, Junior is usually on my shoulder or in this case, on my head! I think he thinks my hair is straw!

If I had a little white and black paint...I'd look like Johnny Depp in the new release, Lone Ranger!

Here's a Google image of a full grown Chihuahuan Raven...looks just like Junior!

I had to clip his flight feathers last weekend...so his inside, A/C, hand feeding days are numbered! Once he started flying from his box to the couch, the bar and the countertops... and leaving his deposits behind, I knew that the countdown was on!  This weekend is when he gets weaned from life as he knows it! Oy...hopefully the cats will leave him alone!

INDEPENDENCE DAY 2013

July 4th was spent in Thalia, Texas (just down the road a piece), but felt like we were at an island spa/retreat! This whole place was designed and built by Rick and Rhonda. What an awesome place to spend the 4th! 

OUTDOOR KITCHEN - Equipped with everything you would need! Barnboard, galvanized tin, metal signs, neon signs, wooden floors and PERFECTNESS!

White linen table cloths, chandeliers in the trees, rustic wooden floors, great friends, great food and GREAT FUN!

Tractor seat barstools

Old West facade with barnboard, cedar posts, and old tin!

POOL TIME!

With the evening upon us, the chandeliers up in the tree, lit up and the party continued until it was time for the fireworks!

WONDERFUL FRIENDS! (We posted this picture on facebook with the caption that read - July 4th in Cancun!)  Within 60 seconds, we were getting "likes" and comments from ALL kinds of people!  It was hysterical!

Off the subject of Independence Day, here's Zack (far right) with his buddies at Lake Buffalo!

Zack's good friend, Jill and her pup, Blue.

SUMMER....COWBOYS.....STREET DANCES....FRIENDS.....THIS N THAT

It's been a long journey, lots of mountains and valleys, but God is good, faithful, and true and has carried my load for a very long time.  The clouds are dissipating and it feels good to feel the sun's warmth on my face. Praise God for the breath in my lungs, the promise of a new day, each day and the blessings of friendships.

Coffee, sunrise and God's blessings...reading my morning devotional and scripture on the front porch. P-E-A-C-E.

Headed to the annual Truscott Street Dance...in the short bus!

TRUSCOTT BOUND!

Johnny Rogers and the Texas Playboys jammin' on the porch of the old Truscott bank! It was awesome! Sawdust was spread on the street, pickups were backed up and the tailgating began! Amazing music, great friends, and a beautiful Texas evening! Can't get much better than that!

Lauri's Dad, the legendary Boots O'Neal, two steppin' with Devon Dawson, the singing voice of Jesse the Cowgirl from Toy Story.  

Zack's baby Mexican Raven, Junior!  Scrambled eggs, dog food, grapes, and weenies seem to fill his belly well.

Another incredible sky painting by God....the sunsets have been breathtaking.

THERE IS NO PLACE THAT GOD IS NOT...

Zack had a fantastic track season, despite an ankle injury! He got first in Area!

DA TRACK BOYZ

CHAMPS!

SNAKE HUNTERS!

My new pick up! LOVE IT!!

RODEO TIME, GALS! 

A great bunch of girls who love to ride, and live life to its fullest! 

RETRO ROCKIN' COWGIRLS FOREVER!

THE "QUEEN"

Retro Rockin' Cowgirls havin' fun again!

My sweet Zack at the Sports Banquet! He earned many sports awards! I am so VERY proud of him!

Zack and Summer at the rodeo!

Retro Rockin' Cowgirls 1st annual ride! 

(complete with our favorite farrier!)

Su and Ed - Iris and Woodrow

RRC's 2nd annual ride! Beautiful day, great friends, fun ride!

GOOD THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY!

PRAYERS NEEDED!!!

Prayers for those in Moore, Oklahoma!

Prayers for the Newberger family.  Jonathan (3rd from left) has gone to be with the Lord! Lord, please carry this sweet family in your loving arms and fill them with strength, comfort, peace, renewed faith and some sense of understanding.  In Jesus' name I pray, amen. (This photo was taken with Jake, Andrew, Ty and Jonathan, when they were High School Seniors.)

Prayers also for Josh and Halie! Josh was a lineman working for a power company that was repairing electric lines in Shawnee, OK after the storms, and was electrocuted. He's had several surgeries already with more to come and a long road to recovery ahead of him. Lord, please touch this wonderful guy in a miraculous way. Restore his health and heal his body completely.  Remove the pain, draw him closer to you and use this tragedy to glorify YOUR name.  In Jesus' name I pray, amen.  (Halie is the daughter of my very good friend that I teach with, and was on American Idol!)

Remember - Lift up your heart. Each new hour holds new chances for new beginnings. The horizon leans forward, offering space to place new steps of change here on the pulse of this fine day...look up and out and into your heart.