Week in Review: November 12 through November 17

We arrived in Ashdown, Arkansas last Friday, welcomed with sunshine and warm temperatures. This held true through Saturday, but hold on...Sunday's comin'.

Sunday arrived with temperatures expected to reach mid-60s by mid-day. We were told to expect severe thunderstorms and rain, with a tornado watch thrown in for good measure. The rain came in torrents; the wind may have reminded you of scenes from Wizard of Oz. After all was over, the rain gauge read 2.2" in about 3 hours. The quiet afterwards was almost eerie. Thankfully there was no damage done in the area, just lots of soggy ground, downed tree limbs and lot of leaves.

Ashdown is a relatively small town, with a population of around 4,700. There are over 80 churches in this small area. The town itself was established in 1892, lying among some of the richest, fertile land in the county in which cotton, soybeans, rice, corn, wheat, and other crops are grown. Beef cattle and horses are raised in many of the local farms, as well. Even with its relatively small population, and due to its greatest industry being timber, Ashdown houses the largest paper producing facility in the world.

Apparently, due to the wide variety of birds here (over 333 species), birders from across the U.S. come to this area to catch a glimpse. White pelicans make their home here year-round, along with bald eagles, several species of ducks, gulls, and smaller woodland birds. Canadian geese are making their winter home in the 2 ponds on property, as well as large snapping turtles. Oh, and alligators also are prevalent here. Literally thousands of starlings arrived this week (hopefully on their way to somewhere else!) clouding the skies as they flew around. What a racket! (Remember Hitchcock's "The Birds?" Well...) When they landed on golf course greens it looked like a fluid carpet of black. I've never before witnessed anything quite like it.

Our walking paths this week are mostly along the golf cart paths in the 18-hole golf course. Quite beautiful and peaceful.

 Expecting to see some wildlife, we were surprised at what we found. There are homes surrounding the course, and at the 16th hole we came upon this:

Bambi has become a pet! The deer is wearing a pink collar with a little bell. The Lab and deer appear to be quite good buddies. And next door was a chicken coop, with a couple dozen chickens of various kinds.

Lots of the deciduous trees have shed their leaves and the oaks have dropped their acorns--TONS of them. On one of our walks through a local neighborhood we came across these.

We've met some interesting folks this week, from Texas, Illinois, and Oklahoma. A few are full-timers; some are just snow birds. 

The motorcycle has been ridden a few times this week. We went to the local Super Walmart and loaded up on groceries, packing them into the dresser bag on the back of the cycle. We were glad everything fit! Dick's been out on it a few more times, while I stayed back at home to knit. (I've finished 3 things this week!) We've ridden the bicycles around the park, too. Dick rode it out of the park on Saturday, getting lost in the backwoods of the area, ending up at Millwood Lake. (This is deer hunting season, so I'm glad he didn't become a target!) He managed to find his way home, after about an hour and a half.

All in all, this has been a quiet week. Next week is the local Christmas Lighting in Ashdown. Apparently it's quite a spectacle; folks come from all around the area to see it. The local courthouse sports over 5 miles of lights! Weather permitting, we may attend.

We're looking forward to Thanksgiving, a day when we are more cognizant of being thankful for all we have. I found this quote online, which says so much, not only for this holiday, but for every day we draw breath.

“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” — William Arthur Ward

And, we must not overlook our gratitude to God, who has given us everything.

 Psalm 9:2 I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

Psalm 107:1 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

Until next week, we hope this finds you well. We are thankful for having you in our lives.

Blessings and love,

Dick and Gail


Here's a map of our travels so far:

A = July and August, 2012: Grand Portage, MN
B = September through October 14: Cloquet, MN
C = October 14-17 : Welcome, MN
D = October 17-19 : Kellogg, IA
E = October 19-26: Lone Jack, MO
F = October 26-November 2: Jay, OK
G = November 2-9: Checotah, OK
H = November 9- 23: Ashdown, AR