New Mexico

There are places I've been that resurface in my memory, bringing with them strong feelings of peace and well-being. Most of them are in New Mexico. I can't explain why these are the places that pop up, or why they stimulate the feelings they do.

Las Cruces is one of those places, although I've only been there once before. Today we were able to sneak in another brief visit, and only to Misilla. Again, the time was good, as were the veggie enchiladas with red sauce.

I wonder if the feelings have something to do with the wonderful sauces made with the red and green hatch chilis?

Blue Jay Attacking Hawk

This red shouldered hawk appears incredulous that she's being dive bombed by a mockingbird. The hawk did leave it's back fence perch shortly thereafter, however. (Click on the picture to see the face of the hawk better.)

I Drink Coffee for Flavor

I drink coffee for the flavor. I like it to be fullbodied, and prefer
those varieties that are a little citrusy. I'm especially fond of
coffers grown in East Africa and Colombia.

I don't drink it for caffeine because that often triggers migraines
for me. So I generally have decaf.

At home, I use a french press, as that seems to make the best flavored
cup. And I use one measure to make one cup.

My real source of frustration is trying to find a good cup of coffee
at coffee shops. Most seem to believe that more of everything is
better. If roasting coffee is good, more roasting is better. Actually
it's just burned. If strong, fullbodied coffee is good, then twice as
strong must be better. Actually it just overwhelms the tastebuds so
that the complexity of the flavor is lost.

I keep trying to get a good cup at Starbucks, but failing. They're
everywhere. But their coffee is generally lousy. Their coffee drinks
are good, but their straight brewed coffee is overdone.

To be continued...

Fireflies

Sitting on the back porch this time of year, I get to see fireflies. I never cease to be amazed by their bright flashes as they head across the yard. I'm also reminded of my childhood, of catching them and keeping them in a bottle. Except now I'm content just to watch them, too slow for the chase. They're just further evidence of God's marvelous imagination.

For God So Loved...

By far, most of the folks I visit at M.D. Anderson are people of strong, life-long faith, who feel the love of God and who have lived lives of response to that love.

Sometimes, though, I visit folks who for various reasons are uncertain of their relationship with God. Yesterday was such a day. Cancer had brought several people I visited to focus on their relationship with God. Each told me a story that communicated their faith, but also related that for much of their life they had not lived in relationship with God, through choices they had made.


I really can't describe the joy of being able to help them refocus on the amazing love that God has for us -- how He pursues us even when we don't want to be caught -- how He's waiting for us to come back to Him as so beautifully told in the story of the prodigal son.

I'm especially thankful today for a God who never gives up on any of us, a God who loves us unconditionally.

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Lilies for Easter

Green After the Storm

Here's a shot of the native forest behind our fence after the big rains of yesterday. EVERYTHING is green, including the massive poison ivy vines surrounding the trunks. It's just so amazing how God brings vibrant, new life from what were just bare branches only a few weeks ago.