Sometimes we look at sights in nature but don't really see. While hiking in the woods the other day, it became a realization that we need to open our heart and eyes to see the beauty of the simple things in nature with each season. There is so much order and purpose in His creation. God has given us awesome beauty in this world to see and enjoy... if we would but stop to see and feel it. Join us as this blog is about stopping to see the real beauty around us...to touch and feel it... "Through the Lens".

Our Friends

Saturday, July 22, 2017

What a Wonderful Discovery

                      


The other day we were talking with our son and he told us about a park that was on the outskirts of Auburn, so Gerri and I googled it to find where it was located.  The name of the park is Kiesel Park and we found where exactly it was located.                                                                   
So, yesterday we decided to drive out that way and look it over for a future day of exploration since it was in the mid nineties with high humidity.  When we got there we were so amazed at its beauty that we decided to get out and do a little walking on the paved trails anyway.  Well, here we are with jeans and sandals and not equipped for hiking in this hot and humid weather. Luckily we had our cameras but unlucky on the other hand, we didn’t have any water bottles with us.  So, we ventured out anyway and spent about an hour and half exploring some of the park.  Needless to say when we ran out of steam and had sweated out the water in our bodies, we decided to head to the cold, air conditioned truck…glad we parked in the shade so the truck wasn’t too hot inside.   
                     
                                                         



                        


A garden with a coy pond behind it
We spent our time here on the main grounds which included a gazebo, the Nunn-Winston Greek Revival Circa 1850 house and herb garden and other beautiful sights.  We will let the pictures speak for our day of exploring.               

Side view of the house
                              
View from the front porch of the house

We never walked the nature trail as it is about a 2.5 mile walk but we decided to come back for that trail when we had some bottled water and dressed in our shorts and hiking shoes.  We were totally amazed with the park and how manicured the grounds were.  This will be part 2 of Kiesel Park.

Sunday, July 16, 2017

We're Still Here

                                 

Has it really been this long since I wrote a blog?  Gee, time sure has a way of slipping by.
                       


When I last updated, Nick was doing much better with his allergies and had not had any further nose bleeds.  He did, however, decide to have an issue with his shoulder.  He woke up one Sunday morning yelping so we took him to a local animal hospital where the doctor diagnosed his problem.  He was loaded up on meds and sent home.  We did follow up the next day with his Vet in Lagrange where we lived before full-timing.  He agreed the diagnosis was correct and wanted to give him some laser treatments and bring him off the pain medicine.  He was beginning to act weird.  So several weeks later and a few less dollars he is pretty much back to normal!!!  I guess we aren't the only ones aging in this family!!
                                              
As most of you know that read our blog, we have been fairly stationary for the past several months.   We knew we would be limited in how we could travel for awhile due to my cancer diagnosis two years ago this coming August.  We just didn't realize how limited we would be.  I knew I would have to return to my Oncologist every 3 months for the first 2 years after treatment.  What we didn't know was Mike was going to be diagnosed with cervical stenosis and pinched nerves in his shoulder/neck area....C4 & C5, C5 & C6.  He would have to go through some physical therapy on his shoulder/neck and receive a few shots hoping to ease the pain and avoid surgery.  So with my every 3 months appointment with my doctor and his trips to the Neurosurgeon, physical therapy and the pain management doctor we haven't hardly left our site at Chewacla State Park.
BUT THAT'S OK......because full-timing is a way of life.  Life happens no matter where you live.  You don't full-time to avoid life.  At the end of the day, there is no better place to relax, recuperate and heal than in God's creation.  To watch the animals and listen to the crickets serenade you to sleep is about as good as it gets.
                                  
Picture taken from inside our rv
From inside our rv
IT MUST BE WORKING.....because when I saw my Oncologist this past Thursday he released me to every 6 months instead of every 3 months.  This came as a HUGE surprise to both of us.  This is about 8 months before I complete year 2.  I can't begin to tell you how excited we both were to hear this.  It just opens up the time between visits so you can actually do things, go places!!!!  The journey is not over and I will still have scans and such but this was a big step in the recovery process.
                                               

So even though we haven't clocked the miles in...... it seems like we have all three been busy working on our health and healing!!!

The Lord is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,
And with my song I will praise Him.    Psalm 28:7