Isn’t it nice when you take a break for a change of pace? That is just what we did. The pattern of summer’s rainy weather this year made farming a challenge. Getting work done was frustrating. Yet, finally the work did get done enough so that we could have a getaway. We traveled to our cabin in northern Wisconsin. Although a short visit, it became a much needed rest.
Often sight-seeing enters into vacations. Folks move around to see things and places. We did not have time to do much sight-seeing so the Lord sent the sights to us right there at the cabin.
We saw the wake of a beaver taking his swim across the lake. Fish jumped out of the water by the dock.
Various birds visited the bird feeders. A nuthatch often landed on our tree. His up-side-down silhouette was a welcome sight. The yellow flash of a gold finch streaked across the scenery. A pileated woodpecker tapped out his anthem.
A loon on the lake made his slow ascent from the water to the sky. He flew around the lake several times until he was high enough to reach above the trees.
A long-legged crane waded through our beach and suddenly flew off as a team of a dozen Canadian geese strolled onto our sandy shoreline. Six more geese swam up to meet the troupe and they all left paddling off in a single line.
While we sat on the deck of our cabin, a single deer padded its way onto our lawn. She tasted the grass, stepped closer to us and chewed another morsel. She must have been as curious to see us as we were of seeing her. Abruptly, she turned and trotted away, waving good-bye to us with her up-turned, white tail.
One morning, I spied a little creature on the deck with me. It was a little chipmunk with no tail. He did not scamper quickly before me as his brothers did, but hopped carefully off to his destination.
Squirrels made their appearances quite often. They kept busy on the hunt for food to hide in their winter stashes. Usually, red or gray squirrels come around the cabin. But this year, we saw a black one scramble up a tree.
We had a shade umbrella standing on our deck. It is red with flowers printed on the fabric. As we sat beneath it in the heat of the morning sun, the buzz of a humming bird grabbed our attention. The bird was examining the umbrella to see if he could get a sample of this big red flower. These birds must like the color, red. My husband wears a red hat, and the humming birds had to check out his hat to see if it tasted good.
One comical sight came from the hummingbird feeder that hangs in nearby lilac bushes by the deck of our cabin. The hummingbirds must find the juice in the feeder addicting. Three hummingbirds frequented the feeder. They all tried to feed there, but one bird was the boss. He took his fix of nectar and sat on a nearby branch to chase the other two birds away. He was not interested in sharing his treasure.
The Lord’s creatures sure are interesting. The change of pace adds to our perception of life. It is beneficial to realize how the Lord uses His creation to delight us. So many parts of creation in our short time up north gave us enjoyment.
With all the splendor God has made in this whole wide world for us to experience, try to imagine what things He has made in heaven for our amazement. He is good.
I Corinthians 2:9 says, “But as it is written: Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
Apple Cake
Sift together:
2 cups flour 1 teaspoon baking soda
1 Tablespoon cinnamon Pinch of salt
Mix:
¾ cup oil 2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup sugar ½ cup chopped nuts
2 eggs ½ cup chocolate chips
Add this mixture to the flour mixture.
Fold in 3 cups sliced, peeled apples.
Bake in a greased and floured tube, loaf, or Bundt pan for 1 hour at 325°F. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream.
Recipe credit: 1979 KUMV-TV Favorite Recipe Cookbook, Mrs. Tom Kibbe
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