The Loving Persistence of Bamboo

My neighbor has a rather large clump of bamboo next to the fence that separates our yards. Have you ever seen what a bamboo shoot can do? It's a pretty strong wood. As it grows slowly and deliberately, it is able to force off planks of wood from the fence. Imagine that. You put up the best fence you can to protect yourself, or to hide behind, and this little shoot of bamboo works persistently and patiently until an opening is broken in the fence. 

Cracker Barrel on Vacation

It has been "tradition" to meet up with family on our way to family vacation. This year we made the stop on our own. Everyone is getting breakfast but me. Hey, it's 1:30 already.

MLiBB 2. Breakthrough with Friendships

Elementary School years were a pretty good time for me. My family moved when I was in the second grade, from Tampa, where we had been living in rental homes, to Orange Park, a “bed room” community south of Jacksonville. Our house sat at the main entrance to the school where I would attend the remainder of 2nd and continue through the 6th grade.

MLiBB 1 -- My First Break in Life

When I was in the first grade I experienced my first broken bone. It all started out innocently, enough, but isn’t that usually the case. A group of us kids from the street were at my next door neighbor’s house playing Cannon Ball. Cannon Ball is a simple, imaginative game. One person, usually a bigger one in the group, lays down with his back on the ground to be the Cannon. He draws his legs up to his chest, with feet positioned for the Ball. The Ball is a lighter kid who simply sits on the feet of the Cannon. The Cannon then launches the Ball for a squealing flight in the air, landing safely several feet away.

Friday Five: Family Trees

From RevGalBlogPals: The most recent weekly Friday Five is about Family Trees. My answers follow the posted questions. 

1. Do you have any interest in genealogy?
Some interest. My dad has done a good bit of work in this area, on which I have piggy backed.

2. Which countries did your ancestors come from?
Mostly England, although I claim Scotts-Irish roots, being the good Presbyterian that I am.

3. Who is the farthest back ancestor whose name you know?
My dad located ancestors who fought in the American Revolution. There was at least one on each side.

4. Any favorite saints or sinners in the group?
Just a bunch of characters.

5. What would you want your descendants to remember about you?
They will probably remember that I ministered to people who were dying (hospice chaplain); I wonder if anyone will remember how I would make people groan with a single pun?

Bonus: a song, prayer, or poem that speaks of family--blood or chosen--to you.
I rather like "Secret O' Life," by James Taylor