I find myself relating to the expressions of a Galapagos tortoise to describe my day.

Dentist:  Ok, open wide

Kim:  Ok....ahhhhhhh

Dentist:  Here we go....

Kim thinking to herself, because she cannot speak:  Owwwwie, that was smarts.

Dentist:  Ok, gonna do another shot.

Kim thinking to herself:  Darn, surely one should do it?

Dentist, while holding a syringe:  Hold still while I......

Kim thinking to herself:  WHAT IS THIS???????  Childbirth was a piece of cake!

Dentist:  Sorry

Kim thinking (almost out loud by now):  PLEASE, either just get the needle out of the roof of my mouth or shoot me!  Wait, he DID.

Dentist:  Almost done.

Kim thinking with facial expressions and sliding down the seat:  Must hit the man below the belt.

Dentist:  Ok.  It's over.

Kim thinking and making fists:  Oh nooooo, it is NOT over!  I might be quickly losing the feeling in my mouth, but I will never trust you again!

Nurse, after Dentist leaves the room momentarily:  He always does those to insure you have no pain.

Kim thinking with silent with eyes like needles and tightened lips:  Spare me such kindness next time.

Nurse:  I know, it is a very tender place to give a shot.

Kim thinking with an inner lion growl:  You might as well have put it in my EYE.

Dentist: (after waltzing back in):  Are we ready?

Kim thinking to herself:  I will never be ready after that, and.....I will never trust you again.

Dentist:  Open wide.

Kim reluctantly thinking:  Ok

Dentist:  Open wider.

Kim thinking:  it's my mouth, not the Royal Gorge, though some may have argued that.

Dentist over the sound of suction noises:  Ok, Kim, you have to sit still.  It is hard to drill a moving target.

Kim, as she is getting her face sucked inside out by an air tube:  I don't like this game.  I wanna go home.

Dentist:  That's good.  About to get it.

Kim thinking while feeling with her tongue the gap he has carved out of what was once her tooth:  He took my tooth away.  Do I dare let him finish?

Dentist:  Just a little more.

Kim thinking while drooling and feeling defeated and humiliated:  Well, why not.  Maybe I'll get paid more.

Dentist:  Ok.  Bite down on this little piece of cardboard and moulding putty.

Kim thinking & being distracted by yet more suction:  That "little" piece of cardboard feels like a refrigerator box inside my mouth.  And...I don't trust you - or like you.

Dentist:  A few more minutes until that is set.

Kim thinking while suction tube grabs tongue and tries to vacuum it to unpleasant places:  If this cements my mouth shut I can still hit you.

Dentist:  Alright, ready!  I'll put the temporary on now.  You ready to be done?

Kim nodding and thinking while suction takes the side of jaw:  I don't think I'd be more ready if I were starving to death and was given a donut.

Dentist:  That should do you for today.  Come back and see me in two weeks and we'll have your permanent tooth ready.  it will be a much easier visit.

Kim with fat lip, still wiping tooth chips off her face:  We'll see. I don't trust you. i might still not like you. And I darn well don't want to come back to see you.

Dentist:  Take you some IB Profin and take it easy.

Kim nodding and thinking: Since you didn't offer me Oxycodone, I may be driven to crime at a pharmacy.

Kim:  Thanks, have a great day.  

Kim thinking:  I kinda doubt it will "suck" as much as mine.  

It's about that time again....  No.  I do not worship the Easter Bunny - or Big Bird, or super heroes, as fantastic and perhaps addicting as they might be to some.  I don't even worship music or photography, though I enjoy them tremendously!  I have not taught my kids that hunting eggs and watching chicks hatch is what Easter means. In fact I have very much "preached" the opposite.  

Yes.  I am aware of the pagan practices that preceded Easter and sought to make a mockery of the power of the risen Christ.  They failed.  They did not win.  They will not prevail.  Yes.  I believe that Jesus conquered sin and death and rose triumphantly on the 3rd day after He was cruelly nailed to a cross - for the sins of all humanity and unto the glory of God almighty!  Yes, I believe His love continues through the years and ages and is effective today in our lives if we but give our hearts to Him and accept the miraculous gifts He offers.  

These pictures include some very sweet memories for me.  It is my grandparents's farm.  As of last month we have lost them both, grandma being the last to pass from us.  The tradition to gather family, enjoy food - and play, will continue at this spot where I spent much of my childhood.  It happened to include a massive egg hunt for the kids!  My uncle Bobby has acquired the farm and plans to keep the tradition alive.

I know, after reading in later years, about some of the wicked practices and symbolism that supposedly introduced the ideas of decorating eggs and glorifying the very opposite of a living, loving God.  It seems that evil always wants to counter and even steal the meaning from truly Christian-based celebrations.  The Christmas "holy day" too has counterfeit and paralleled distractions and intentions, as does All Saints Day and probably many others.  

However, I believe that whether we hide eggs or watch Big Bird on TV, as long as God is glorified, then pagan traditions have no power in our hearts and lives.  Eggs are beautiful creations of God.  So are prisms and rainbows and colors and even pyramids and crystals.  If we do not use them for evil intent, then it would seem to me that God should be credited for the good they might bring to us, His children.

Those Easter Sundays, when our family met in order to both celebrate the Jesus we love and the gift of family and gratitude for the joys of life, were some of the most memorable days of my childhood.  Their stories continue through the years, and the home, back yard and fields surrounding that farm house still whisper something powerful about God's love for His people coming together.  I don't assume that everyone who visited on those days were believers, but I know my grandparents' love for God was deep and strong.  Their intentions were to share the love and light of Christ...and it has indeed stayed in my heart.  The eggs and bunnies?  Still sweet.  Still beautiful because God made them all.  But still secondary and even unnecessary compared to the reason we gathered.  

Jesus' life, death and resurrection brought US life!  He bought forgiveness, grace and the joy of living as believers with others who are like-minded.  He has shown us how to love, live and share those virtues with a broken world.  For His sake, may we dwell together in unity acknowledging His amazing grace and goodness and hold out encouraging arms to those who have yet to hear that good news.     

I'm thinking about a few favorite things....again.  Chai Tea Latte's, Blueberry muffins, let's see....Beverly Hillbillies?  Just smiling.....sometimes those things of the past sneak back to meet us in the here and now....and they become even sweeter.  I think the older I get the more I tend to visit my childhood.  Perhaps I was blessed enough to have had a better one than many, and I treasure that.  However, those carefree days gone by for most carry the lingering sweetness of laughter and un-harnessed joy.  Days of exploration and adventure.  Days when everything seemed new and inviting.  On a fresh spring morning, I like to open that memory box and linger there briefly.  I might need a Chai Tea Latte today.  Wonder if Andy Griffith is on?

These delicate blossoms - sweet puffs of pink, hanging heavy with a light morning rain.  So refreshing.  So perfect.  So incredibly beautiful!  I cannot help but make a frail attempt to capture just a hint of their glorious opening!

Lovin' me some spring!  This weather has my permission to stay as long as it likes.  Oh to have more hours to enjoy these outdoor surprises!  Between work jobs last week I found a spot where the water was rushing over the road...and well...my heart kind of bubbled a bit as well.  Too picturesque to not stop and stare awhile.  Decided to "flick" a few pics.  Sorry....not too good at selfies, but learning to work my clever camera timer for an "I was here" moment.  Friends, don't miss these days...they won't stick around for very long!    

These birds.  Mourning doves.  They are so intriguing!  I have seen them build nests that are no more than a palm-sized platform under an eave.  The eggs often blow out during storms and even babies will sometimes fall to the ground as there are no sides on the nest.  They just do not seem to be very smart!  But in reality, they are peaceful and very loyal birds. Typically they mate for life and raise their young together, taking turns sitting on the nest!  We must admit that many humans do not do as well!  Their coos and presence is soothing and bring a lightness to any quiet gaze.  Large soft eyes and graceful swooping sounds as they lift into the air mesmerize me.  No wonder they are a symbol of peace.  I believe God used a dove in Noah's day to bring hope and promise to those who had been inside the ark for 40 days and nights and needed the comfort of new tomorrows.  Maybe it would do us all good to notice a bit more often!

Day is done and I am through

I'm not sure if I can do

One more job, one more chore

Oh Lord, please....can't take no more!

Give me strength, give me rest

I can't say what would be best

All I know is I must find

A pillow soft to ease my mind

Close my eyes and start to pray

For tomorrow's brighter day!