I Chronicles 4:23 – Dwell with the King when you do your work, this day. This is a Wekivaword.

Where is God...?

God is there.

You just have to find the right church.

One that demonstrates God's love,

and prayerfully, carefully, discovers the meaning of the text.

Jesus told parables,

so that people would see the truth inside the words,

and do great things.

And I Quote...

These are actual quotes of remarks by real people who have been much in the news of late in our state. I hope their bon mots will bring a smile to your visage.

“I believe in an America where millions of Americans believe in an America that’s the America millions of Americans believe in. That’s the America I love.” - Mitt Romney (Whose favorite author just might be Gertrude Stein.)

“There’s a large part of me that’s four years old. I wake up in the morning and I know that somewhere there’s a cookie. I don’t know where it is but I know it’s mine and I have to go find it. That’s how I live my life. My life is amazingly filled with fun.” - Newt Gingrich (Our dog Brantley would agree with him 100 percent.)

"Obviously, I can't represent every person's viewpoint." - Rick Santorum (who is welcome to give it a try nonetheless.)

"You're thinking of Europe as Germany and France. I don't. I think that's old Europe." - Ron Paul (The new Europe he is thinking of being, perhaps, Liechtenstein, Monaco and San Marino?)

...and impartially speaking...

"Now that's my phone buzzing there. I don't want you to think I'm getting fresh or anything." - President Obama (Said to a woman standing next to him, with whom he was being photographed, when his cell phone began to vibrate.)

Okay men, if those are your stories, you stick with 'em!

Who says politics isn't fun?

Psalm 72:6 – Let God’s refreshing presence enliven you, throughout this day. This is a Wekivaword.

Oranges: Backyard Bounty

Yesterday, I enjoyed a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice. The glass you see pictured above. It came from a pitcher of fresh squeezed orange juice. The pitcher you see below.

I squeezed the oranges myself. You can see one of them being squeezed in the photo below.

In order to squeeze the oranges, they had to be cut in half. You can see some of the oranges that I cut in half, in the photo below.

In order to be cut in half, the oranges had to be picked from the tree in our backyard. You can see some of the oranges that Judy picked from the orange tree that we planted in our backyard fifteen years ago, in the photo below.

Psalm 72:6 Let God refresh you like rain on a mown field, this day. This is a Wekivaword

Romans 4:18 Don’t let the skeptics get you down. Hope against hope as Abraham did. This is a Wekivaword

Hosea 14:7 Dwell in God’s shade, this day. This is a Wekivaword

It is God's Idea...

We believe God’s idea for Wekiva Presbyterian Church is to glorify God by equipping God’s people to change their world where they are, and by taking this world-changing conviction with them wherever they go.

Philippians 3:7 This is perhaps the best “profit and loss” statement of all time. Live it, today. This is a Wekivaword

What is a Hymn Writer?

The other day, someone mentioned that I have "written a lot of beautiful music". I was touched by the comment, which was made in a kind and genuine way. But I was also amused, since I have never written even one measure of music.

Yes, I am a hymn writer, but no, that does not mean that I write hymn tunes. In fact, in the world of hymns, the word "hymn" refers specifically to the words. And the word "tune" refers specifically to the, you guessed it, tune.

Now there are some very versatile hymn writers out there who write both the hymn and the tune. But I am on the "lyrics" or "poetry" end of things, not the "notes" and "score" end of things. So I am glad to collaborate with tune writers, both ancient and modern.

It is kind of like this. Oscar Hammerstein II and Jerome Kern were a song writing team. Oscar wrote the words and Jerome Kern wrote the music--both of them, fabulous and beyond compare. You know lots of their songs. Oscar's words and Kern's music. Later, Oscar Hammerstein II teamed up with Richard Rogers. Again, Oscar wrote the words, and Richard Rogers wrote the music. You know lots of their songs. Oscar's words and Rogers' music. In some way, my writing the words is like what Oscar did. But not at all like what Kern and Rogers did.

Another way of saying it is that George Gershwin wrote the music, but Ira Gershwin wrote the words.

By contrast, Cole Porter and Irving Berlin wroth BOTH the words and the music. I wish I had the gift, in hymn writing, to create the tunes as well as the words. But that is not my gift.

So as I say, I have collaborated with the tune writers. Some of them long gone to their eternal rest (but as the songwriter said, 'the melody lingers on'). So I have written words to go with familiar tunes by some of the greats, like Sir Arthur Sullivan whose tune ST GERTRUDE is best known as the tune that goes with the hymn "Onward Christian Soldiers" the hymn (words) written by Sabine Baring Gould for a children's Sunday School processional.

I've also written hymns that are paired with tunes by wonderfully creative living sacred musicians such as John Ferguson, Glenn Rudolph, John Dixon, Glenn Osborne, Dorothy Frisch and many more.

So when you hear hymn think words.

That is what I write.

Revelation 3:19 The undisciplined life is a life not worth living. Let God show you the right way, this day. This is a Wekivaword

Centennial Congratulations to Montverde Academy

Friends will recall that I first profiled Montverde Academy and its campus, by Orlando architect Frederick H. Trimble, back in June. If you have been watching TV in the Orlando area, you know that this fine educational institution is marking 100 years, in 2012.

The main road in and out of Montverde bisects Trimble's double horseshoe driveway, and all of the campus buildings are arranged facing the resultant oval lawn. As for architectural style, Trimble selected a truly Floridian look of white stucco and red barrel tile roofs. Later buildings have followed Trimble's formula to create a cohesive campus look that is tremendously appealing and comfortably scaled.

The simplified Spanish Revival forms of the Trimble buildings also reflect what was, for the time, very modern design ideas, such as the linear groupings of windows. These ideas were shared by the group of Orlando-based architects listed above. The arched porches provide welcome shade in sunny Florida.


The view above shows the influence of the Prairie Style on Trimble's design. The simplicity and restraint of the entrance to the administration building, below, is accentuated by elegant ironwork.







The administration and board of Montverde Academy are to be commended on their careful architectural choices as the campus has expanded, according to architect F. H. Trimble's vision. It is clear that they understand and appreciate what a uniquely beautiful campus they have. It should also be said that the gardens and landscaping are especially pleasing.



What a gorgeous patio, with the heirloom tree and the wonderful, whimsical purple picnic tables!



You can read more about Montverde Academy's history here:

Montverde Academy's History

Why not take the drive out to Montverde and see their charming campus and join in their Centenary Celebration!

Mimi is Home

Today, Mimi bid a fond farewell to the staff and residents of the Health Center where she had her rehabilitation therapy. As I mentioned in an earlier post, this has gone very well. The PT and OT therapists have helped Mimi regain her independence. Today, we could scarcely keep up with her as she made her way down the halls, through the lobby and out to the waiting car in the parking lot. So many people, nurses and aids, residents and new friends wished her well, from Marcia and Linda to "Captain" the visitor golden retriever. Above you see Mimi smiling as she got into the car for the homeward drive with Papa.

Below, is another glimpse of Mimi at home at last and sitting in the living room. This was taken after she had a "tour" of their house, trying out the new things that will help her adjust to at home living. Judy found her the most fantastic tub bench (she tried it out) and bought grab bars which the apartment complex had installed for her yesterday afternoon. Judy also got the temporary hang tag so they can pull up close when parking... (Yes, Judy is a wonder).

Entre nous, Mimi and Papa's plan for the afternoon is to unpack. I said the proper plan for unpacking is that Mimi directs while Papa does the work!

Genesis 18:14 What a great rhetorical question. The answer is of course, that nothing is too hard for God. This is a Wekivaword

Acts 12:5 - Ernest prayers are always in order; especially prayers for God’s faithful leaders who may be dealing with challenges or difficulties. This is a Wekivaword

Harry & Larry's - Bar-B-Que - Winter Garden

Harry & Larry's BBQ boasts an eye-catching set of signs and is located in a historic building. Sisters Ashlee and Katie Grimes, are the owners. They offer barbecue, sauce, brisket, crunchy coleslaw and earthy baked beans. Harry & Larry's is named for their grandfathers: Harry Huizenga and Larry Grimes.

I've mentioned Harry and Larry's before, in a post about a visit to Winter Garden at the start of last year. I guess January is a good time for a visit there! Yesterday Judy and I had lunch at Harry & Larry's, and we must say that it is THE place to have lunch if you are in Winter Garden.

I think it is wonderful that the restaurant is run by granddaughters of the original owners; they are fifth generation Winter Garden natives. The bar-b-que is fantastic, and so are the sides (fried pickles and French fried sweet potatoes were our choice). And sweet tea. In fact there was a good quote from Fred Thompson on the napkin holder at our booth:

"I tend to distrust any barbecue restaurant that does not have sweet tea on the menu."

Here are a few photos of the atmosphere, which is really quaint and charming. There are also tables out front and they do a busy take-away business as well.

UPDATE on January 27: The 2012 Foodie Awards in the Orlando Sentinel gives Harry & Larry's the Critic's Choice shout-out for Barbecue restaurants.

Numbers 9:19 Sometimes we forget that staying put and waiting is also a faithful response. When the cloud stayed put, so did the Israelites. Maybe God is saying to you to simply be still today. This is a Wekivaword

Romans 8:26-27 Let the Holy Spirit help you in your praying, this day. This is a Wekivaword

Mimi's Outing, In Which We All Go Topless...

Today Mimi had an outing...

Her follow up visit to Dr. Steve V. Nguyen, M.D. ("Doctor Win!") the outstanding orthopaedic surgeon who did her partial hip replacement on January 2nd.

Here, you see Mimi, Papa and Judy in the car right after the appointment was over. We had perfect weather in Central Florida today, so I was able to open the roof, which made getting in and out of the car so much easier for one and all. And as you can see, I was there (yes that is my shadow on the car).

The surgeon is so pleased with Mimi's progress and we have a feeling it will not be too long before she goes home and then, the next step will be outpatient physical therapy to keep up the good work she has been doing.

Hebrews 12:1 Run with patience, this day. This is a Wekivaword

Mimi On the Road to Recovery

Three weeks ago Mom tripped in her kitchen (she was making bacon in the microwave and when she turned to put it on the counter she did not know that Teddy their Yorkie was right underfoot). Down she went, and broke her femur near the ball, and so has had a partial hip replacement. She spent a week in the hospital (Florida Altamonte where she received outstanding care) and is now in rehab at the Village on the Green and doing very well with her recovery.

When she began rehab she could not get in and out of bed or walk with a walker. In about four days she had progressed to walking with a walker and now she has more or less mastered that skill. She can go anywhere she wants with the walker and without a "spotter"and is now practicing walking with a cane. We are so thrilled with the great progress she is making; I suppose I should say great strides!

Today was another milestone, because Mom had an occupational therapist visit, to their home. The OT, Linda, is wonderful and she came along and watched how Mom did as she got in and out of the car, made her way along the sidewalk, and move about the apartment, in order to see what changes needed to be made in anticipation of the day when she will be released to go home.

Judy and Papa and I were there, and the short summary is that walking with the walker from the car to the apartment was a breeze. But scatter rugs (no matter how decorative they may be) are a thing of the past. Any furniture that was in the way is no longer in the way (why did we forget to bring along those slider things that go under the big stuff?). Tables have been turned for easier access (especially the one for the computer). And thanks to Judy, who went immediately to the medical supply store, soon there will be some grab bars added for the tub (the apartment complex has a contractor who will add them for Mimi and Papa).

The photo above is of Mom in her favorite seat on the sofa, this afternoon, at home for the first time since the New Year began. The photo below is of Mimi trying out walking with a cane, earlier in the week. Go Mimi, Go!

Malachi 3:3 - Let God refine and make you purer, this day. This is a Wekivaword

Ephesians 2:4-6 - May God enliven your life with love, this day. This is a Wekivaword

Sea World Scenes