Weekend Wrap-up

The happenings during the week were nothing especially noteworthy unless you want to hear me brag on myself for cleaning out all the winter clothes I can no longer wear.  The back of my Highlander is loaded with pants, tops, sweaters, suits, jackets, to be taken to a consignment store on Monday.  Oh, the difference unwanted pounds can make.  And it's not good.

My morning chronological Bible readings are currently in the Minor Prophets, Kings, and Isaiah.  The judgments against the very kingdoms God himself loved and saved meant destruction.  Their repeated unfaithfulness and rebellion against the Almighty God resulted in captivity and death.  Yet, He promised a remnant would be saved and a Savior would come into the world to redeem all who would believe. There is hope and life found in a personal relationship with a righteous God, Jesus Christ.  That is the story of the Old Testament.

Several spare moments (hours) were spent reading a book from a series I have so enjoyed.  I actually started with the last book because it was suggested.  After enjoying it so much and falling in love with the author and basis for the series, I ordered books 1 and 2.

The Belmont Mansion novels by Tamera Alexander are bestselling Southern romance and intrigue stories set against the real history of Nashville's historic Belmont Mansion in the 1860-70s.  This mansion is on the Belmont University campus and is open for tours.  I would love to include this on one of our trips north.  The lady of the mansion, Mrs Adelicia Acklen, was actually one of the wealthiest women in the country in the 1890s.  The author is careful to include actual historical facts about her in the stories.

Belmont Mansion

A couple of ladies in our HOA have started a Walking Club.  We will meet at a local park or walking path every other Friday to walk and visit.  

Jackie, Linda, Katie, Nancy, Barbara, Libby - Mindy is taking the picture

This week we met at the Windhaven Park, not far from our Village, where I had never been.  It is a lovely park with wonderful facilities for children, a dog park, and several paths of varying distances.

We deliberately chose the shaded path as it was already 90 degrees at 10 a.m.  We also have bird watchers in our group who delight in stopping to look for any recognizable bird sound among the trees.  Others stop to take pictures of scampering squirrels.  Therefore, I'm thinking we should be called a "Nature-Walking-Stopping Club."

Because Katie and I walk faster and stop less than the others, I had time to discover this pretty little creek running alongside the path.  Once the others joined us, everyone enjoyed this lovely spot and seeing the egrets frolic in the water.

Further down the path, we first heard the water flowing over this little dam before actually seeing it.  It was such a refreshing sound.

I managed to walk 2 miles in about 46 minutes, which, for me at this point, with my ongoing back issues, was quite an accomplishment.  I look forward to the next trek, but in the meantime, I hope to continue walking and be ready for more challenging paths.

Now, to spend some of this Saturday delving into book 2 of the Belmont Mansion series.  I already know I will wish there was a fourth.  I encourage you to seek these out if you enjoy light, Christian historical romance novels.

Hopefully, you are experiencing some fall temps where you live.