Beautiful Day

The weather has been so beautiful lately, that perfect balance between summer and winter, a place where white petals flutter down like snowflakes and suddenly there’s the sense of hope again.  You realize it is back, and that it’s actually been gone for a bit, but sure enough, there it is, nearly tangible and yes, there it is:  spring is here and it feels great.  Of course, spring is also the time of violent and terrible weather too, which has visited the region multiple times this week.  We’ll go from perfection days to scary days where everyone pays a little more attention to the weather reports.

We were finishing up plans for the weekend at church, which is now no longer just KidPak, but also FC Youth, and it will be a bit weekend in both cases, or at least a huge Sunday.  It’s Palm Sunday, so there’s an extra texture there too, one with palms ordered for the kids, and a full day planned from morning services to a massive enterprise in the evening.

Madison had a good day today - she’s putting the finishing touches on her blobfish painting, which looks fantastic.  I’ll have to take pictures of these soon, because they’ve turned out great.  I’m referring to the earlier picture of the dock on the lake as well, which also looks really nice.  It’s exciting to see her enjoying art so much, and I think it’s been great because she’s been able to take her time a little more and learn a few new techniques and styles.  The end result is increased skill and vision, and it’s always great to see.  

She’s still reading “To Kill a Mockingbird” in school, which of course is a classic.  We might get the movie to watch, although she might even see that in school itself.  We’ll see, but I’ve heard the movie was good, and that Harper Lee really thought Gregory Peck did a fantastic job playing a role that I believe was based on the author’s own father.  I’ve never read this book, believe it or not, but may need to do that soon, as it has a reputation for being a really good and important novel.  

Tonight we got home, and yes there was taekwondo tonight - we gathered for black belt class, and Madison was happy to see some of her friends there.  She was sparring with a few and cutting up with a few others.  They have a great time, and that’s okay.  It’s a good balance of fun and learning, and discipline too of course.  

We saw “Falcon and Winter Soldier” tonight, and it’s been like watching one of the Marvel movies.  A completely different experience from “WandaVision,” which was also fantastic.  But this one is an action-packed spectacle, and we’re enjoying that quite a bit.  Also on the menu tonight was the next episode of “Secrets of Sulphur Springs,” and there’s a return of the Mighty Ducks!  Sort of.  I’m not going to spoil it, but the latest episode of a “Mighty Ducks” series, we’re already thoroughly hooked on this too.  Madison really enjoyed the return of Gordon Bombay, and all of us thought the first episode of this series has a lot of heart, and certainly sets up the underdog story.  We can’t wait to see how things progress!

“Kingdom Keepers” continued tonight, meeting up with Charlene.  We’ll catch up with Maybeck, Willa and Philby next, and then hopefully with Wayne again.  It’s been a long time since I’ve read this - I’ve got the original version with the original cover, and remember this book on the shelf at what was Downtown Disney.  It has some references to things that don’t exist anymore, but regardless, it’s still a good read.  I can’t wait for the part at “It’s a Small World.”  Madison should like that one.

We prayed tonight, and got to bed early again.  Although we get to sleep in a little bit tomorrow.  The weather has been so weird this week, nice and spring, and then the next moment fairly violent in places.  We’ve been spared where we live, but there’s enough going on in the region to make us all more alert to weather reports.  These storm fronts keep surging by, bringing lots of rain and wind and damage.  Poor Newnan, Georgia, was hit by a F4, and the images are heartbreaking.  It’s been a while since we’ve had a truly rough spring like this.

But today was nice, and we’ll focus on that.  We’ve got a busy weekend ahead, and though it sounds like we’ll get some rain tomorrow, at least it won’t be so frightening.  Just wet.  And anything that washes away the pollen is welcome.