Oh, the humanity!

Had a strange 36 hours a couple weeks ago.  Not one, but two, preying mantis stories.

The first was here at home.  As Marvin, Jonathan, and I were coming home we spotted a HUGE preying mantis in the garage.  Of course I had to take his picture.  I had Marvin put his shoe next to the mantis to show his size.  When Marvin did that the mantis rose up his hind legs and turned toward Marvin poised for battle!  :D

see him raised up on his haunches eyeballing me???

Marvin finally scooped him up and tossed him outside the garage so we could close the door.  As I was closing the garage door I spotted the mantis hustling back up the driveway toward the garage door, but I thought he was still a ways away.  Jonathan said, "Mom, I think you just crushed the preying mantis with the garage door."   Surely not.  I didn't think he could cover that much ground in such a short time.  So I raised the garage door to 'prove it'.  Ugh... there was the preying mantis hanging from the bottom of the garage door... whoops!  I seriously felt so bad!!!!!!!  It was horrible!  The carnage!!

So, I went to Bible study the next night.  Afterwards a few ladies were hanging around visiting when someone noticed a preying mantis on the window.  As we all looked closer we saw not just the one, but another smaller one up higher on the window.  About that time, the bottom HUGE one began his slow pursuit up the window toward the little mantis.  We could almost hear the Jaws theme music as we crowded around the window urging the little one to run!  The big one made it all the way to the top of the window and then he disappeared from our sight off the corner.  We were pressing our noses closely to find him when suddenly he fell back in our view, but like this!!!

this one make me laugh... you can see our reflection in the window
better than the mantis!  We are horribly enthralled!  :D

He had apparently walked into a spider web and was flailed out in it!  Right before our eyes!  We were horrified and fascinated.  We then watched for about 10 minutes as he fought to disentangle himself from the web.  (meanwhile, 'little buddy' preying mantis wisely took off in the opposite direction)  We were amazed at the preying mantis's determination and will.  He untangled first a leg, then his wings and finally he was able to set himself free from the spider web!  Amazing!  Oh, and the spider?  When the huge preying mantis fell into his web, he too took off for another locale!  Too much for him to handle!  :D

this kept us all occupied for quite awhile!  :D  

So there you have my weird 36 hours of preying mantis stories.  I'm sorry.  Or you're welcome.  Whichever works for you.  :D

Here is a freebie... Jonathan sent me this photo of a spider on our siding.  Just for fun.  Ugh...

Sunday at Cornerstone

Brianna formed a new church choir at Cornerstone this summer.  We were in attendance for their debut.  The choir sang two songs, conducted by Brianna.  Their first was 'Fairest Lord Jesus', a favorite favorite hymn.  Then they sang 'Christ You are the Fullness'.  That song came from our family reunion worship time, which derived from Dunblane Cathedral in Scotland.  It is hauntingly beautiful and I loved Brianna's arrangement of it for the choir.  So neat!

Newly formed Cornerstone Choir

I was so happy to be at Cornerstone on this special day, not only because of the choir's debut, but also to see my friend, Kathy, baptized.  What a joyful event!

My dear friend, Kathy with Jeremy

After church we and the B family went to lunch at 1000 Hills restaurant.  We got to talking so much about the garage renovation (at J&B's house) we are planning that we all got up and went to Home Depot together.  :)  Jackson and Brianna picked out their flooring and we got it ordered.  We also chose a window and got ideas on other items.  

We ran into Rhonda N and ordered some ground beef while we were there!  You just never know what can come of a quick run to Home Depot!   :D   Ha!  

Here are the two songs by the choir.

SaveSave

Lunch at Robert and Dorothy's house

We so enjoyed going to Robert and Dorothy's house for a family cookout Labor Day weekend.  It was wonderful to get to reconnect with some family members that we don't get to see as often.  Robert and Dorothy are so dear and we really enjoyed our time with them and their family.

Marvin and Robert

What a spread!

Daddy and Mama visiting with Kim

we LOVED Landon's shirt!  :)

Wes and Daddy

Laura and Wes

Dorothy, Robert, Daddy, and Mama

Dorothy and Daddy are 1st cousins

Dorothy, Robert, Daddy, and Mama

admiring all of Roberts beautiful flowers and plantings!

Dinner at the lake

After the Kander event, none of us were ready to go home and cook supper, so we headed to the lake for dinner.  :)  Jane and Christine were able to join us, even though they had to leave right after to drive back home.  It was nice to have some time to visit.

Jane with her uncle and aunt!  :D

Jackson took the photo for us  :)

What a beautiful evening! 

Jackson, Brianna, and Jonathan -
Love these three!!  

Grandpa, Grandma, and Jonathan 

Christine, Daddy, Mama, Jane, Jonathan

Christine, Daddy, Mama, Jane, Laura

Christine, Daddy, Mama, Jane

Kander event

Mama and Daddy hosted an event for Jason Kander shortly after we returned from the state fair.  It was supposed to be in their front yard, but the week of rains leading up to the date caused the ground to be too soggy for parking and standing.  So, at the last minute, they switched the location to the NEMO fairgrounds building.  It worked out perfectly.  And even though it didn't rain that afternoon, the humidity was awful, making us doubly glad to be inside with air conditioning!

Daddy asked Brianna to open the event with the Star Spangled Banner and she did an incredible job.  She also closed the event with a patriotic medley.  I smiled when I saw (through my camera as I was videoing her last song) Jason Kander himself pull his cell phone out and take a little video snippet of her singing.  (I saw it later on their campaign Twitter feed!)   :D   She is so incredibly talented and it just comes naturally to her.   (I am biased, but I am right!)   :D

We had a terrific turnout and all appreciated what Jason had to say about his goals and plans as our next US Senator.  I encourage all to look into his platform and record and consider casting your vote for Jason Kander for US Senate.  I don't say that lightly; I am truly impressed with him.

Brianna singing the National Anthem

Jason came over to thank her as she left the stage.  :)

This was a neat moment.  Daddy was emcee which meant he kept having to go up and down those stairs to introduce each person.  It was getting a little harder each time because of his hip so he decided to just stand up on the stage.  Out of the entire room (including all of Daddy's family members!!) only Jason Kander had the idea to just take a chair up on stage for Daddy to sit on!!  And he did it!  He is a thoughtful guy, indeed.  :)

Jason took that chair up for Daddy.  :D

great turnout

Daddy, Brianna, and Jackson

Jason Kander, Daddy, and Brianna

It was wonderful to have my cousin, Jane, and her friend, Christine, drive up from Lebanon to attend!

Christine, Daddy, and Jane

Christine, Jason, and Jane

Daddy with John B - a great guy!

my boys    :)

I'll add to this post that a couple weeks later Marvin was invited to join Jason Kander for a round table discussion on veterans issues.  That was an honor for Marvin and I was thrilled to be able to sit in on the discussion, as well.  Again, Jason impressed me greatly as someone who truly listened to each veteran (and their caregivers) around the table share their experiences, difficulties, and successes regarding 'coming home' and receiving medical care and benefits befitting our veterans.  For each person around the table he listened intently, clearly understood their points as he asked direct questions about what they shared, and then shared his own story of 'coming home' from Afghanistan.

A side funny about this day... I do believe this is the first time EVER that my Marvin has been one of THREE Marvins in the room!  Out of the 6 veterans in the room, THREE were named Marvin!  :D  ha!

James H, Marvin F, Marvin Mc, Jason, my Marvin, Jack W

He is in a tough race, but I think he has a good chance.  I don't usually post anything political, but I believe Jason Kander is absolutely the best choice for US Senate.


Links of Interest -
Full album of photos from the Kander event -
https://www.flickr.com/photos/williscreekranch/albums/72157674146954345

Meet Jason Kander - https://www.jasonkander.com/meet-jason/

Issues - https://www.jasonkander.com/issues/

Donate to Jason Kander campaign -
https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/kander-home