Who told him?

"Who was the girl about your size with long dark hair and a red coat son?" Dad asked soon after I had arrived home from Blackpool after a holiday with the lads. Now we lived in Armthorpe, a mining village three miles from Doncaster eighty or more miles from the seaside town that boasted a tower and the three Ms. Matthews, Mortensen and Moody all played for Blackpool football team He never did say who had given him the very accurate information about Betty.
Another incident that sticks in my mind took place five years earlier when I was twelve. I had been to town with my friend Eric. One the way there he had asked where my Dad was. "The old man is down at the pigeon loft", was my reply. On arriving home I was met with the words. "Less of the old man when you are out I' m your Dad." Dad tapped his nose when I asked how he knew................................. And they talk about surveillance today.

We did it for Pearl.

Life can last for minutes, hours, days, weeks, months. Pearl was given sixteen years, until, on her way home from work she was knocked off her bike by a speeding car. just over a week later, on a sunny day with birdsong ringing in the air, Pearl was laid to rest in the local churchyard.

Pearl had been a leading light in the Methodist youth club, a club with a membership of eighty and waiting list of forty. She had also with seventeen others stood one sunday evening to give her life to Christ and was the only one to continue going to the discipleship meetings.

Six of the members, including myself, carried the coffin, that day, and we had no answers, no assurance in our hearts. This girl, young woman, friend to all had gone.

Within weeks the membership was just over twenty and we had no waiting list, such was the impact of Pearls death. At the start of the Autumn ( Fall ) session the committee held a crisis meeting. We came up with about two dozen suggestions, some mad, some bad, and some that were to prove essential in both long and short term, and as a group we laughed for the first time in months.

It took time but the membership grew and once again we had a waiting list. I have often asked the question. Did we do it for God, the club? My answer no. We did it for Pearl. But what was God doing?

Well he was training at least one young lad for the future in leadership, preaching, and communication. Over fifty years later I am so glad for the life of Pearl, so short ,but so effective. That we did something for her not knowing that The Lord was doing something for us. Dave.

Sparrowhawk.

About three years ago this fine raptor landed on a branch of our back garden tree. I managed to get nine photograps of it through an upstairs window, three were good ones. A month later June took a photo of the male on a dividing fence between us and next door. From time to time we still see them.

Sparrowhawk.

Visits.

Being new to blogging, hope thats the right spelling, I was unsure how to find out the number of visits to my blog. I then saw on other blogs that I visited the number was shown on their profile. I went to mine and was pleased to see over 50, now over 60. Don't know if my visits are counted in this number but it does answer a question I asked myself before starting. Will anyone visit? The answer is yes, I still don't know how it works, with me I just flick through to the next blog button, probably others do the same. The problem with this method is how do you get back to one you like? Another bit to learn.

Blackcap.

We had never seen blackaps in our garden before January of this year and we have been here since 1987. Both male and femail visited and stayed until the snow had cleared. Perhaps the ordinary bird seed drew them or mealworm even niger seed, whatever, it was good to provide for their needs. They also gave me the opportunity for a few photographs through our back window.

Next Blog- Connecting with people.

Just over a week ago I learned something new. tentatively I clicked on 'next blog' and a blog came up and I was able to view it. Now this method is far from a perfet way of trawling the web. Why? At times I get a series of blogs that are in a language I don't know or subjects that hold no interest to me though the profiles may. The positive aspect is that I have been both moved and blessed by the things I read. The child who requires prayer for healing, the person in a foreign country who found that God was with her when things looked bad. Aspiring writers who have yet to be published. I have also found love expressed to both family and others, so much to inspire.

Now I must admit that I am unable to get back to these blogs as every time I do the new blog thing new ones appear so I am unable to thank those who have challenged me, helped me, though I do leave a comment now and again.

If you have never tried this way of interacting with the world may I recommend that you have a go, and remember, your comments may be of some help to the recipients or even life changing.

I dare you to try. Dave.

Gold Crest in sunlight.

June and I are truly blessed to have two goldcrests that visit on a regular basis. I have managed to capture some nice images of them in the last couple of years. This one was taken a few days ago. A hint for any who would like to photograph our (uk ) smallest bird. As they flit so quickly from twig to twig, branch to branch try to anticipate where they will go next and be ready and. If at first you fail, try again.....and again and, if need be.....again.

Feel free to download.

I believe that art can have a healing effect on our bodies and minds and that words can be a means of helping ourselves and others to a greater understanding of life. I am not a pro when it comes to photography or writing, even less for spelling but I would like to make an offer to anyone who wishes to avail themselves of it. Please feel free to download, if you can, any photographs or writings on my blog.

Perhaps you would just like to gaze on one of the photographs and take in the scene or re-read something I have written without going to the pc. It could be that a minister, bible class, school teacher or parent could use what is posted for the benifit of those who listen to them, watch them.

The word of God says freely have you received freely give. This I gladly do, not for my own glory, but for the glory of him who has freely given us all things.

Cormorant.

The Cormorant was taken at Mote Park Maidstone. I once photographed six on this tree, have not managed the perfect seven yet though.

Regal Redwing.

A week ago we went out for a pub meal at the Plough in Langley. As usual it was excellent. After that Headcorn was our destination. Between the Methodist and Anglican Churches and on the driveway to the community centre was a field on the left hand side. A few Redwings were almost posing so out came the camera and I shot some photos. Redwings are such regal looking birds it always thrills my soul to see them.

A near miss.

"Watch out." I heard the anguished cry as I glanced up from the bird I had been looking at. A ball was flying towards me being pulled down by the force of gravity. The chasing dog halted. As the ball, followed by a long piece of rope, hit the ground less than a foot away, a young lady rushed up full of apologies for her waywood throwing. No harm was done and we had a conversation about dogs and wildlife. Half an hour later I met a fellow birder who was just going into the park as I was leaving. Then a young married mother of four, after seeing my camera, said that she would like to take up photography as a hobby. I encouraged her to combine it with bird watching. By now my migrain was much worse so I caught the bus home. I wonder if the ball had hit me on the head would it have cleared the problem?