While waiting . . .

. . . for spring to be here for good:

Peoria set a new snowfall record this winter. They recorded 52.5 inches of snow for the months of December, January, and February. That beat out the winter of 1978-1979, which I fondly remember.

The wheat crop appears to have survived the winter intact, and is starting to green up nicely. We were able to get the Nitrogen applied the other day ahead of predicted rain.

The new waterway I worked and seeded last fall has been damaged by the melting snow and late winter rains. It looks like it will need reworking and reseeding this spring.

We worked at the Mennonite Relief Sale Friday night. As always, I enjoyed seeing lots of friends that I rarely see. And eating some of Uncle Bob's homemade ice cream and buying homemade donuts for my Saturday morning breakfast.

I drove down to the Western Illinois Correctional Center Saturday to visit Phil. We were disappointed to learn that he was in a situation where he was unable to have visitors. But, it was a nice day for a drive through the country.

Daughter #2 is back from Nashville. It's not quiet around the house anymore.

I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
Matthew 25:43

Billfold

Have I ever told you about my billfold? I show it to a lot of people, partly because I'm kinda proud of it. My wife and daughters are embarrassed by it, especially when I pull it out in a restaurant or store to pay for something. They say the cashier gives me strange looks. Maybe they think that I'm a hardship case.

I got my billfold back when I was in high school. I would need something to keep my new drivers license in when I turned 16. My high school locker combination is still written on the inside of it in case I would forget it. It was a good quality leather billfold and it has served me well all these years (~39). The women keep threatening to get me a new one, but I already have two new ones in my drawer. This one is an old faithful friend that has kinda molded a spot in my back side and it just wouldn't feel right to use anything different. It has traveled just about everywhere that I've traveled (although, it travels mostly in the dark). I have been fortunate to have never lost it, and it has done a great job of keeping its contents secure. It has a few holes in it, but so far nothing has leaked out. At one time the color was a rich dark brown, but now it is faded and almost a mottled gray. It may not look real pretty anymore, but I'm hoping it can stick around with me a few more decades.

And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.
Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

Luke 22:35,36

Florida

We enjoyed two smooth, on time flights, an easy transfer in Atlanta, and we were in Sarasota airport on a warm beautiful afternoon. And that was pretty much how the whole past week went. Warm sunny days, with a slight breeze coming in off of the Gulf. We slept late, ate often, and stayed close to water. We took long walks on the beach, and we may have gotten a little sun burnt. Food included an Amish buffet, prime rib at the WaterfrontToo, Belgian waffle at Firstwatch, seafood at Red Lobster, liver and onions at Yoder's, and BBQ baby back ribs at Sonny's. We enjoyed the fellowship at Sarasota church, and the fellowship with Dad, Mom, Brent, and Beth in the condo. And we enjoyed the presence of two active young ladies.

The old farmer usually feels out of place on a beach, but after a few days watching the parade there, I think just about anybody could fit in! The next time I go down, I'm going to buy a shelling basket so I can spend more time hunting for shark's teeth. Along with my hiking stick collection, I think I am going to start collecting sand from each beach we visit. Nothing like adding more stuff to a full house. Oh, and we stopped at two bookstores and added to our book collection.

Here's a sampling of pictures from our trip.

This big old bird was in the parking lot of the WaterfrontToo restaurant.

The white sands of Siesta Key beach.

Some of the sailboats near Sarasota harbor.

Alligator viewed from the air boat in Myakka River State Park.

Alligators sunning themselves on the bank.

Grandma and Grandpa on the beach with Kami and Amor.

The beautiful water and sand of Venice Beach.

Seagull on the Venice pier.

Sunset on Siesta Key.

That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

Genesis 22:17