The First Battle of G's Front Porch

This day shall live on in history as the date of the First Battle of G's Front Porch. It was a most momentous encounter involving cavalry, infantry and artillery. It was fought by many brave and noble soldiers.

All was fought under the banner of the standard bearer... 

who also served as chief soldier on guard duty.

Artillery presented itself in the form of "Old Mike." 

It had to be carefully sighted to be accurate

 and then loaded with the deadly ping pong ammunition.    

Besides the artillery, the cavalry with its study steed served well.

One soldier was especially versatile in her battle skills, being master of the cannon. 

the plastic blade,  

and the sword.

Together with her ready sidekick, she was a formidable foe.  

Of course, there were also foraging and cooking details to ensure that the troops were well nourished. 

On the menu was a hearty stew followed by pink icing.  

  

While the battle did not go well for some... 

In the end, all survived to fight another day.

How wonderful it would be if the scene of the aftermath of all battles could be...piles of flower petals. 

Dedication:   This post is dedicated to Jason Castellow, who on this day of December 29, 2015, can say:  "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."  (II Timothy 4:7-8).

A Visit to Granny's Grocery

Welcome to Granny's Grocery and Sundries
We have what you need to run your home right!

Come in and do your shopping with us...

We have toys...

We have sweets...

We have fruits...

We have vegetables...

and service with a smile!

Come on in and fill up your shopping basket today!

Behold, children are a gift of the Lord
(Psalm 127:3)

I'm brave! (as long as I'm in charge!)

Children are brave--listen to them--as long as they are ‘in charge’ of what might be scary to them.  
For years, Noah has enjoyed climbing Pudding Hill at G’s house and pretending to be a wild animal. It might be a daddy deer, or a fawn, or something more predatory…like a bear.
Today it was the dreaded ‘Football Wolf’—an elusive and rare beast.
“Granny, do you remember when we used to play wild animals”?  he asked as we visited Pudding Hill for the first time in a long while. I did, and I was afraid he was going to say... without saying...“Its over.” 
But no, not yet.
Playing wild animals on Pudding Hill has always been a scripted endeavor. G strolls around at the bottom of the hill pretending to be clueless about the savage beast or whatever lurking at the top. It goes something like this, and today Laurel and G were both part of the scenario.
G:  “Oh, I’m just walking along on this beautiful day. I don’t think there is anything scary around here.”
Noah: (Making animal scratching noises at the top of the hill and appearing above the mound) “Snort” or “Roar” or “Howl” (as appropriate).
G: “Oh no! It looks like a _____” (fill in the blank; today a Football Wolf).
Noah: (Appears or disappears at the top, poses, and sometimes charges down the hill toward his prey.)
G: (As the prey) “We’d better run away! Here it comes!” (or maybe, “Oh, look! It’s a baby deer. Let’s feed it.”  Etc. etc.)  
G was happy the time for the appearing of wild animals on Pudding Hill was not over.

What's that I hear?

Oh, no! It's a...!

Dreaded and elusive Football Wolf

Crouching

Coming for us!

Confrontation!

Behold, children are a gift of the Lord  
                       Psalm 127:3-5

Happy Hallowe....er....Harvest Season

Happy Halloween...or if you prefer...Happy Harvest Season
from G's House!

 

Some of us might be even scarier without the fake teeth!

 Children are a heritage from the Lord
    Psalm 127:3 

The Quiet Game

When G's children were young and things would get a bit loud, out of hand or “noisome”  while they were confined to the car together, G would issue an edict that they would now “Practice being Quiet.” It likely fooled them at first into thinking this was a new game. But it quickly became an effective, if not beloved, means of calming everybody down and quieting the atmosphere in the vehicle.
“You look out of that window,” G would tell one of the girls, and “You look out of that [the opposite] one,” G would say to the other.  “Now…practice being quiet!”  The imposed solitude didn’t have to last long but usually worked to help restore order. Ask them. They’ll tell you.  

G tries it on her grandchildren on occasion. It is NOT their favorite game. 

Practice Being Quiet. Sounds familiar…Where have we heard that before?
G's response also needs to be, like the young Samuel,“Speak, for your servant is listening.” (I Samuel 3:10)

 

Behold, children are a gift of the Lord
Psalm 127:3