Spring is Finally Here!!!

Spring = Inspiration?

Hello all. Its finally getting nicer out which means I actually want to be outside taking pictures! Despite being ridden with a cold, we went to the park yesterday and here are some of the shots I was able to find :)

Our newest member of the family, Roscoe.

Chasing Forever

Chapter One  

Daytona Beach, FL 1992

Megan felt her body waking but she wasn’t ready to open her eyes.  She wanted to remain in the dream world that was beginning to fade.  The air was sticky and thick, the sheets felt clammy next to her skin.  The rain pelted against the window; she visualized the different patterns the splattered raindrops were leaving on the glass.  She avoided the new day knowing with it would bring a grim memory of what had to be done.  It wasn’t until all the excuses were exhausted that she finally relented and allowed the light in, only she was greeted by a dark gray sky offering no hope for today.  It was just as well.  With the turmoil going on inside her, why would her surroundings be any different?  Just like the world outside her window, inside she was crying.  The large down comforter surrounded her in a cocoon; it’s bright happy flowers looked like mature dandelions.  They colored the duvet cover with blues, greens, and purples.  Tracing them she wished life could be simple again.  Today was decision day.  It may have already been made for her, but it still helped her to think, even if it was just a façade, she still had a choice.
  Megan lay in bed a few minutes longer enjoying the empty security it offered; tucked beneath the layers, she gained the strength she needed from deep inside her.  Life wasn’t happening like she had planned.  Not even close.  She cringed when she thought about it.  Sitting up, she rolled her legs over the side of the bed.  The self-talk she had escaped with a few hours of sleep began again.  Maybe after breakfast she would call, but the driving force within her knew it couldn’t wait.  She needed to talk to someone about her options.  Besides, breakfast hadn’t sounded good for a few days.  Grabbing her journal off the nightstand she began to write.  Emotion spilled out onto the pages.  It was a good way to sort out all her feelings.  It was the only thing she could trust with her feelings right now.  She thought back to the day she met Shawn.

The day had been perfect even by Floridian standards.  This time of the morning the beach was not too crowded.  There were the normal runners, walkers, and a handful tourists from the local hotels perched along the beach or on the balconies watching the sun rise.  The sun, a big orange ball formed itself right out of the ocean.  She stared as the final pieces broke free from the horizon.  It was one of those things you could watch a thousand times without becoming routine.  The sea breeze blew and she tasted the salt water that filled the air around her.  Megan closed her eyes and breathed deeply taking it all in as if this were the first time she had walked along the ocean.  She turned to walk back to her car, opened her eyes, and that was when they collided.    

“Whoa! Sorry.”  He said.  

She looked up at him, the sun glistened off his body, which was both tan and firm.  Her heart gave a bit of a flutter.  

“I tried to gauge which way you were going, but apparently I was guessed wrong.”  He reached down and pulled her up.  

She was embarrassed and dusted the sand off her shorts, trying to think of something to say.  

“Do you walk here often?” He asked.

Megan laughed.  She looked closer at the tall figure before her.  In the back of her mind she thought how at any minute he could over power her, but there was something deep in his green eyes that made her feel instantly comfortable and safe.  “That’s a corny line, does it work on all the ladies?”

“No, but I was hoping that it would work on the most beautiful one in Daytona Beach today.”  He grinned.  “That better?” 

“Um, still a little corny.”  She smiled and let her eyes take all of him in.  

He looked at his watch.  “I gotta go, but we could discuss this later…say dinner?”  

Megan was shocked by his sudden invitation but couldn’t help but enjoy the attention.  

“Hmm.  How about we meet back here, say 7:30?  I’ll bring dinner.”  

“All right malady, 7:30 it is.”  With that he tipped a fake hat toward her and began running backwards staring back at her.

When Megan returned home her insides were doing a flip-flop.  What had she just done?  He was a stranger.  She began to lose courage and regret started to sink in.  She took her time getting ready.  Taking time to dry her hair so it lay straight, not that it would last long in the Florida humidity.  She almost picked her favorite sundress, but then decided on jeans and a cute tank.  She grabbed a sweater before she went out the door, knowing how chilly the ocean breeze can be at night.

Megan slipped passed her mother unnoticed; an empty glass with melting ice sat next to an almost empty bottle of whiskey.  Megan tried not the bear the burden, but it was hard not to shoulder the blame.  She closed the door behind her careful not to wake up her mother.

Megan parked the car and walked down to the beach near the spot where they first met.  She saw him standing next to a beach blanket looking for her.  As she approached, she could see a broad smile on his face.  He looked different with a shirt on, he filled it out very nicely she thought.  

“So you came.”  He began.  “I thought I’d dreamed you up.”  

Megan laughed. 

“What’s so funny?  You enjoy my mental instability?”  He said, then laughed.

“No.”  She began,  “I’d been thinking the same thing.  I thought at least I was going to have a feast if you turned out to be my imagination.”

“Well good, glad I’m not the only crazy person.”  

Megan’s mouth gaped open feigning shock.  

“I mean..”  Shawn began stuttering.  

Megan laughed.  “Just kidding.  Hey, I don’t even know your name.”  

Shawn reached his hand out to her in a polite gesture for Megan to shake it.

“My name is Shawn… and you Miss Crazy are?”

“Megan.”

“Megan…” Shawn’s face took on a serious look.  “I once knew a Megan at the institution I escaped from.” 
    ”Oh that’s good to know.  I knew I should have been listening to that voice in my head screaming “Get me out of here.”  

There was an easiness between them.  It was something she hadn’t felt at home in a long time.  Home: a term she used lightly.

Megan had just about drained the ink out of her pen, when she decided it was time to call.  Thinking about Shawn hadn’t gotten her anywhere, just lost in a bunch of memories.  She opened the drawer on her bedside table and looked at the paper inside.  The numbers innocent, yet they seemed to hold her future.  She picked up the phone and dialed the number.
         “Hello, Women’s Medical Center,”  a nasally voice greeted her.  It reminded Megan of a TV show where the receptionist would roll her eyes and file her nails.  Did she think she was taking an appointment for a root canal or a runny nose?  A voice cried out from inside her but she quenched it with the truth she knew. 
         “Yeah, I—uh wanted to come in, do you have any counseling appointments available?”
         “We really don’t do counseling, but you can make an appointment to get an ultrasound and then the doctor can perform the abortion.”  

Megan thought it over.  She just wanted to talk to someone about her options.  She knew what they were of course, but she was looking for some answers.  

“Ma-am.”  The operators voice interrupted her thoughts.  “Ma-am?”
          “Yeah.” Megan replied, still lost in thought.
         “Did you want to make an appointment?” The receptionist continued.
         “Will the doctor be able to talk to me about my options?”  

She heard the operator sigh and start clicking away on her computer, probably
 rolling her eyes again.
         “Well, the doctor is busy, but he might be able to answer a few questions
 before the abortion.  It’s just a simple procedure…how far along do you think you are?”
         “I think around 11 weeks.”
         “Oh, you’ll be fine.  It’s just a clump of cells, nothing more.”
 Megan paused, knowing this was probably her only chance.  “I guess I can set up an appointment.”
         “No appointment necessary, just come around two.  It’s first come first serve around here.”  

Megan started to feel uneasy.  She didn’t like this at all, but she had to get answers.  “Oh, and another thing.  There are a bunch of rowdy protestors out front.  Just ignore them.  We have a security guard that will take you inside the clinic.”
         “Ok..thank—.”  But the operator had already hung up.  Megan began to feel like a number – a statistic.  All her thoughts were beginning to converge on her.  Maybe she could keep this baby.  But she just continued to stare at the letter knowing her mind was already made up.

Hello

Hello!


I have been working on a paper all night...so I don't have anything to post.  My paper is due on Wednesday...so I will post it when I am finished and then you will have something different to read.  It is chapter one that I have revised....may times over and over again.  But don't think I have ever posted it here.    Well at least not in the finished form that it is in.

Easter

This morning I read today's devotion in "Sparkling Gems" book by Rick Renner.  He brings up a great point how the cross has been changed into jewelry and adorned with diamonds or jewels and various other forms almost as an idol of our own.  Sometimes this makes us forget the true meaning of the cross and how dark, dirty, painful, tortuous the cross was.  When we realize what Jesus did for us, what it took to endure all that he did.  This is when we really know in our minds and hearts what Jesus really did to take away all of our sins.  Not just the sins of those that do believe, but also the many that reject him and do not believe.  Because Jesus didn't come to save just a select few, but all.  But we still need to make that choice to accept and open our hearts for Jesus to come in.  Will you say yes to Jesus and ask him to be your personal Savior? 

Friday

The Power of the Beach  © Joe Fazio 

As we walked along the beach, crashing waves

thundered in our ears and a light, salted mist, 

dampened our lips.

The sun began to set and the voice of the beach, 

traveled across the ocean waves.

'I am the beach, and here you shall find peace.

I am the beach, here you shall find love.

In this domain, my beach, the answers you

search for, could very well be found here.

For at this beach, there is much, 

that has been revealed.

The sparkled, white grains of sand, that blanket

this beach, has been a bed of comfort, to many.

Pause, as you come upon this beach, and listen

to the symphony of waves and the chorus of

birds, singing their song, as they glide in the wind.

Feel the power of this beach, as it seems to

renew your inner being. You need not question

the beach and its mystical powers. For as

millions before you have found, the beach...

and its magical transference to one...have

existed, since the beginning of time.

Be not troubled, for the beach is close at

hand. You need only to deliver your strife, 

to the tranquility of the beach and it shall

be exercised from you.

When you go from this beach...leave with

the peace that you have found here.'