OPERATION... FIND TIM'S LIBRARY BOOKS!

Good Morning...looks like another beautiful day here in Texas.

I'm suppose to be at school but decided to take a day off and work around the farm. The weather is going to be so nice...I'll get to spend some time outside.


Got up my usual time though...5:00 ish ..just can't seem to sleep in...did a few days during Christmas break when everyone was here and the rare occasions when the grandkids...even Jace slept in a few days...around 6:30-7:00...my problem is then when I do have to go back to my school routine..5:00 hurts.


Anyway, feel I need to get up early and spend some time with the Lord...reading, praying, my 'first meal' of the day-that spiritual gal just whimps out and gets into too much trouble if time is not spent at the Lord's table.

Caught up on some paperwork and blogs...then I'm outside to enjoy God's goodness.


Blogging is new to me...Lori got me into this...didn't think I'd have much of anything to say. Kinda grows on you though. I feel somewhat like, You've Got Mail, one of my favorite movies. Is anybody out there reading this stuff? Anyway, I usually get a little inspiration and then just start writing. I look back on some of the writing and think ...way too much writing-but then I think of it as 'therapy' for the soul.

Anyway today...the library. I got his inspiration from Lori and her post about the library. The Preacher has always been an avid reader. I ebb and flow. I have had times in my life when I read non-stop (that's the problem I get started and want to read it all and move on). Other times I may read at a book for a few days or weeks. Through the years I have had to do so much reading for my degrees that I just didn't have extra reading time or desire to read. One of new resolutions is to read more and so far so good!

Anyway, because the library is a great family event and as Lori pointed out...free resources...the Preacher and I made it a PRIORITY to take the kiddos to the library. Through the years and due to the different churches we have pastored we have moved more than most families. Moves have a lot of adjustments, those necessities of getting settled in new communities. ONE of the FIRST things we did was to take everyone who could breathe...think that included all 4 kiddos ...to the library and get their own library card. Lori was right, on a regular basis we went to the library. Falmouth was one of our better experiences... we had very little money but we checked out movies, books and it was just a neat little place for such a small community.

On to Maryland and we kept up the tradition. I don't know how many library cards were lost through the years and fines we had to pay...but it was worth it. When it was time to go to the library the announcement would be made and all four kiddos would start the 'book hunt'. Julie and Lori were pretty good about keeping their books together. Tim and Joe ...another matter. At the time they had a basement room, small, cramped and full of stuff. We also had a large dog thrown in the mix, Tim's dog AG (Auggie Junior) named after a nickname (Auggie) that Julie had given Tim. That's another blog...Julie and her nicknames for everyone. By the way she has kept up the tradition with her own 2...Kaylin is currently Lynnie....anyway for today...I'm sure there will be a new nickname for Kay tomorrow!


Most of the time most of the books would be found. Seems there were always some hidden under beds, under clothes under who knows where. Hence, overdue fines. I used to resent it fiercely...then decided not to sweat the small stuff...when I look at all the use we had of items I figured it was such a small price to pay.

The Preacher, however, detested any late charges or fines on HIS card. Someone would get to the library and not have their card....aka usually Timbo, Auggie, Lukie, whatever his current nickname was. The Preacher would allow the offender to check books out on HIS card with the promise he would keep up with them. Of course the unthinkable happened. There was an usually crabby librarian (reminds me of myself most days ):....who had to make a grand announcement in her loudest, most stern voice, Preacher (..ah, I think she said Mr. Gabbard) you cannot check books out today until you pay your fine. The Preacher, with those big eyes of disbelief, replied, " No way, Mam, I am clear, turned all my books in." She puffed up like an insulted hen and then spewed out the list, ....Scooby Do Goes Undercover, Scooby Do and the Lost Shoe, Scooby Do Returns... You get the picture.


We all turned and looked at the real culprit...TIM... Tim's response to questions about these books...as in most things he felt were trivial was a, big shrug, with those big blue eyes sparkling and with his most charming smile, replied,"I don't know.

This didn't set too well with the Preacher, the librarian or any of us. We considered this one of the 'high crimes upon the seas' if a library book was not treated with the greatest of respect. We went home and the whole family went into OPERATION FIND TIM'S LIBRARY BOOKS. I think we even inducted AJ into the hunt. We did find them and all was well...until next time.

Of all my children, Tim, for the most part was the most laid back, easy going, unruffled..well, there were a few times he did 'ruffle' up. I think I'll reserve one of those stories for tomorrow. So if you want to hear a chapter from Tim's life...stop by the front porch.....tomorrow.


So,from my front porch to yours, God bless.