:. it's spring, baby! .:

Well, perhaps not quite yet. But there's something in the air today . . . a bare hint of the springtime goodness in store for us in a matter of weeks. Maybe it's the SUN. Maybe it's knowing tomorrow is supposed to be close to 50 degrees. Whatever it is, it made me crack my window and drive to the sound of Feist.

Perfect.

And you know what else is perfect?

This:

Just what I was looking for!

Enjoy this day!

:. one of those 'nature-y' things .:

Here's a little something I came across today:

"The hummingbird constructs a delicate little cup nest of plant down, spider webs, and bits of lichen and moss."

How lovely is that?

:. the long way around .:

"When Pharaoh let the people go,

God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country,

though that was shorter.

For God said, "If they face war, they might change their minds

and return to Egypt."

So God led the people around by the desert road

toward the Red Sea."

Exodus 13:17-18

Hhhmmm . . . . it seems the path God chooses is THE BEST, even if it is the long way, and a desert road to boot. Next time you come up against a seeming dead end; next time you are exhausted because God is taking you 'the long way', understand that He has your best interests at heart. He knows your weaknesses and your short-comings, and He leads His children tenderly. His plan is always perfect, as is His timing. Be willing to camp at the Red Sea, and wait for God to show you something miraculous.

And speaking of tender, I must give props to my sons today. For the past few days, Josh and Chris have both taken care of their flu-stricken wives. They have selflessly, lovingly and tenderly cared for the women they love. Emily and Kate are so so blessed. As am I.

Thanks, boys! I love you both dearly!

:. cavalcade of whimsy .:

• Today as I was rearranging the vaseful of dried lavender that Gavin accidentally upended a few days ago, I decided the third day of creation is my favorite. That was the day God said, "Let there be lavender." What a lovely, fragrant flower! So useful as an herb; so beautiful in a bouquet; so sweet in the garden. How good of God to create not only flowers, but to add color and fragrance as well.
  
  I think that's mighty gracious.

• So far, my plan to teach myself Hebrew is moving along rather s-l-o-w-l-y. I'm not sure it's really even possible, at least not for this girl. We'll see. I'm starting with the alphabet (aleph, bet, gimmel), which is, as every child knows, precisely where you begin. Hopefully someday I'll be able to read Bibi Netanyahu's blog.

• I realized something the other day: we are all, right now, "walking through the valley of the shadow of death." Perhaps it's just me, but I've always tended to think of that line in Psalm 23 as referring to the point when we are actually dying. And then it hit me: the shadow of death hangs over us our entire lives, so we therefore pretty much live in that valley. Since that's the case, it's even cooler that we can say, "I will fear no evil, for You are with me." Thanks, Jon Foreman, for singing about it so beautifully.

• Another thing I realized recently: the Bible mentions two things that God created out of the dust of the ground. Man . . . and gnats. I'm not saying it means anything, it's just, well, interesting.

• Gavin and Liam get cuter, sweeter and funnier every day. I can hardly stand it. I'm so thankful for my girls, my boys, and my little boys (and little baby on the way). It absolutely brings tears to my eyes to consider God's goodness to me. He POURS it out.

:. trivial pursuit .:

Okay, so this is all so unimportant in the grand scheme, and yet!

I just found out that ABC has canceled Eli Stone. It is by far one of the best shows on television; the writing is excellent, the plots are tight, and it actually has an awesome underlying message.
So of course, they cancel it.
Just like they did with Pushing Daisies. Another well-written, clever, way above ordinary show.
Dang.

Network execs have a long history of ripping our favorite entertainment out from under our feet:

• Arrested Development (who doesn't love that show??)
• Traveler (not a great show, but they left it on just long enough to get you sucked in. And now we'll never know who the black guy was . . . whether he was friend or foe, and why he was helping those guys. Actually, we'll never know what the heck was even going on)
• Andy Barker, P.I. (that show was HILARIOUS. And it lasted, what? four episodes? Just long enough for me to proclaim it 'my new favorite show')

I'm sure there are others; those just spring to mind.
At least now we have 24 and Lost back.
But speaking of Lost, what in the world is channel 5 thinking, pre-empting the season finale recap for ISU basketball??? Really?

And speaking of 24 . . . . it is SO GOOD to have Jack and Tony back, together again, ridding the world of evil!!
Katie suggested we have a "dammit count" for all the times Jack utters that word. Good idea, Kate!

And so I leave you with my all-time favorite Jack Bauer line, (said to some nameless punk):

"The only reason you're still conscious is because I don't want to carry you."

Priceless.

Oh, Jack. It's so good to have you back!