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#AtoZChallenge: Owls
Owl from a bird rescue at the Scottish Festival in 2012, Columbus, Ind. Photo © Diane Weidenbenner I’m not quite sure how it happened but for some reason, I got it in my head that my friend liked owls. Collected owls. Okay, loved owls! We were at a country store and she bought a card with a picture of a barn owl. She also has a solar-powered owl on the dash of her car. Are you seeing a theme here? I was. We attended a Scottish Festival in Columbus, Ind., last year and it was wonderful. We got to see sheepdogs herd sheep with just the swell of a whistle!…
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#AtoZChallenge: Nature
Mama fox and one of her kits. A fallen tree is their habitat so we can’t clear it away. Photo by Diane Weidenbenner. My husband and I have .7 of an acre on the north side of a small town in Indiana. It’s an older neighborhood and one that isn’t “hip” anymore. All the chain restaurants, the Walmart, and the mall with Macy’s and Carson’s is located on the south side. We enjoy less traffic up north, and an Applebee’s was built shortly before we arrived. People would ask where we moved to and the follow-up comment was “They just built an Applebee’s up there, ya know!” Yes, we’ve heard!…
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#AtoZChallenge: Music as prayer
Photo by Diane Weidenbenner I’ve become more aware of the transformative experiences in my life. Those things that edge me a little closer to the person I want to become. Close friendships contribute to my life. Spending time with family, although not as often as I’d like, strengthens my foundation. Reading the Word, going to church and hearing an inspiring message are encouraging. Swimming with my husband (at least that’s what I call it) allows me to reflect, pray, focus on my breathing and relax, especially when followed by the whirlpool. Music also has the ability to touch my heart and soul. Many times it can lead me to prayer…
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#AtoZChallenge: Junket
Photo © Diane Weidenbenner My friend, Sandy, and I venture out of town whenever we can when the weather is nice. We’ve gone Amish Hunting, which sounds a lot more painful than it really is (at least for the Amish). We love to discover antique stores, barns, civil war graveyards and farms with lots of great animals including but not limited to sheep, cows, goats or the boutique miniatures that have become popular. We both remember when our parents and grandparents would go for “Sunday drives” and laugh at how we like to do the same. We’ve both traveled out of the U.S. so perhaps this is our way of…
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#AtoZChallenge: Hummingbirds
© 2013 by Diane Weidenbenner Now that spring has sprung, I can’t wait for the inquisitive, charming ruby-throated hummingbirds to return. Last year was the first year that we had a feeder and faithfully tried to keep it stocked with precious sugar water. We had at least two hummingbirds visit fairly regularly and they stayed quite late in the season last year. In previous years, before we had a feeder, I’d go out front on our porch and was met by a friendly hummingbird, who would regularly visit at dusk. At first I thought it was a large dragonfly but I figured out that it was indeed a hummingbird and…
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#AtoZChallenge: Donkeh
I like animals – I always have. Domestic or wild, I have a deep respect for all living things (except for wasps and spiders but that’s for another time). © 2005 by Diane Weidenbenner When I first moved to Indiana, on my way to work, I would drive by this beautiful donkey. He was never busy doing too much but he always looked content. I think he belonged to the farm that was nestled next door to his field. He had soulful eyes and beautiful fur. One day I decided to make friends with this handsome animal so I pulled my car over, went across the road and began talking…
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#AtoZChallenge: Creation, creativity and Cataract Falls
Lower Falls during spring. Photo © Diane Weidenbenner When I spend time among nature’s beauty – thick greenery, wooded forest, trickling streams and rushing waterfalls, I’m reminded how incredible God’s creative designs are. Cataract Falls State Recreation Area, in Owens County, Ind., is one of my favorite places to enjoy the Architect’s best laid plans. I’ve visited the Falls, which are the largest in Indiana, with my mom, my friend Sandy, alone – and in most of the seasons. The trip has always been a peaceful, inspiring experience. The creativity of nature reminds me of the writing process. There are times when I struggle to put two words together and…
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#AtoZChallenge: A mouse’s point of view
Actual note found in outgoing mouse mailbox. The tenants asked that we add the stamp… Dear mom, My move to Indiana has been great! I found a deluxe apartment on the north side of town. I have many roommates, so I’m never lonely. It’s furnished and we even have daily food delivery, although the variety is a bit sparse. The landlords deliver cheese and peanut butter to us in black plastic food stations. It’s so nice they are covered so our food stays fresh. They seem new but already the front doors are broken. When we eat, one of us has to hold the door open for the others, as…
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#CTST: Snow and winter!
In Celebrating the Small Things, I’m celebrating snow (and the beauty of winter) today! I’ve always loved snow. And, I’ve discovered that not everyone is enthusiastic about snow as I am. I try and temper my excitement but it can be difficult. Especially when snow is accompanied by 8-degree weather! Snow brings into focus attributes of nature that don’t always “shine” in spring and summer. For example, there is a wetlands area where I work (on 1,200 beautiful, varied acres) that can’t be seen through the thick trees. In the winter, this area takes on its own personality, with leaf-less trees framing the wooden walkway down to the ravine. I…
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Visiting Lincoln’s boyhood home
I’ve lived in Indiana for more than 11 years and didn’t realize that Lincoln’s boyhood home was a few hours south of me. I’ve heard all about the memorial in Illinois and plan to visit it in the future but I hadn’t heard about our own historical jewel. My friend and her husband let me tag along on their trip. Lincoln spent his formative years in Indiana, having moved with his family from Kentucky when he was 7 years old. He lived in Indiana for 14 years, until he was 21, when the family moved to Illinois. We enjoyed the Memorial Visitor Center, the introductory film, bookstore and museum exhibits.…
