Huckberry Prairie - Blog

It’s Winging Day!

Melissa — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 00:57:57 +0000

It is winging day!
More to follow…

The Jitterbug.

Melissa — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 22:43:38 +0000

What I wouldn’t give to have been around when the Jitterbug was in full swing!
I love this video… especially the end. I crack up every time.

The commentator kills me. His phrasing and verbiage is just plain absurd. Which is probably why I appreciate it. My Grandpa used to tell us stories of his WWII days… and all the swing dancing and jitterbugging they did while over in Europe. (This was all pre-Grandma, of course) We all thought he may have been over-exaggerating until we saw him jitterbug at my sister’s wedding. Holy fruit salad, Batman! He cut a rug like no one’s business…I couldn’t believe my eyes! Oh how I wish I could go back in time and see him in his hay day.

One day maybe I can convince Jon to take some swing dancing lessons with me. I took up to an intermediate level of West Coast swing in college… but I would love to learn Lindy Hop like this:

haha! It looks like a hoot of a good time.

It must be great to be a part of a generation that produced such fun dances.

What dances will our grandchildren want to learn from our generation?

The Macarena? Please no.

The electric slide? The Roger Rabbit? The Cabbage Patch? The Running Man?

Sadly, I could name (or at least recognize) almost all of these.

I am pretty positive I would take the Jitterbug, the Charleston…anything pre 1960…over any of these, any day.

What’s your favorite era of dance?

Praiseworthy.

Melissa — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 07:00:48 +0000

Every time I see a beautiful sunset, I always think of Psalm 19. How could you see something so spectacular, so beautiful and not praise God for His creation? I do believe these sunsets are praiseworthy.

I took both of these pictures outside of our church, Bay Area Fellowship (The first picture I took tonight, the second one a few months ago). Both were taken with my camera phone… so you can only imagine how spectacular they were in person.

Inside the Chapel of the Transfiguration

Grand Tetons, Wyoming.

Do you see the cross in front of the big picture window inside the chapel?

This has to be one of the prettiest places on earth.

It literally takes your breath away.

On a clear day… it looks like this:

{via flickr}

and this:

{via}

There are so many things around us to be thankful for.

So often we take what is “free” for granted as if has no value.

And really, the “free” things…

sunrises, sunsets, puffy clouds, starry nights, cool breezes, wildflowers, hummingbirds…

are the most invaluable, spectacular of all.

God gives us His creation to enjoy

A gift to ALL of us.

Regardless of wealth, status, position or title.

That alone is praiseworthy.

The real question is…

are we too

busy

distracted

preoccupied

indifferent

consumed

to enjoy the works of His hands?

to be thankful?

to be grateful?

to give praise?

to even care?

It’s humbling to even have to “remember” to stop and enjoy the splendor of God’s creation.

Lucky for us, tomorrow is the first day of the rest of our lives.

A new day, another chance.

The perfect opportunity to start fresh.

God is good.

And oh so praiseworthy.

A Day at the Texas State Aquarium.

Melissa — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 20:02:43 +0000

We have been members of the Texas State Aquarium for an entire year (which includes annual passes) and we have only been once. Last January. So before our passes expired at the end of the month…we decided we better go again. I am so glad that we chose to go on a weekday! There was hardly anyone there!

Jon is by the whale’s tail fountain… per my request.

…and by the entrance waterfall.

Isn’t it funny how girls like to take way more pictures than guys? haha… Hence, Jon having to pose by everything. He’s a good sport about it though.

Jon in front of the USS Lexington… which you can see from the aquarium.

And… spreading his wings.

Going to see the bird show.

Big ol’ hawk… coming right at me.

Then they brought out this big ol’ cat from Africa…

Look how high this cat can jump!

A better look at the hawk…

And I found a friend…

It kept staring at me and I could just hear ruffling feathers behind my back… I thought I was going to be attacked by a barn owl! haha It sure was pretty though.

The Bald Eagle!!

Talk about ruffled feathers! Look at this character!

Then off to see the alligators…trying to get a picture for my niece who loses her marbles for alligators.

He wasn’t shy… he swam right up to the glass to get a good look at me.

I was potentially his lunch.

…if only the glass wasn’t there.

Want to have nightmares for the rest of the week? Look at this.

A bird eating spider. Yes. BIRD. EATING. It is the largest spider in the world…and this picture does not do it justice.

Let’s clear our mind of that visual with some sea creatures…

I loved the river otters…

For some reason they reminded me of my dogs.

Here is one chomping on a sweet potato.

The river otters in action!

I love watching them swirl and twirl all around! That’s exactly what I would do if I were an otter.

Apparently Jon does not make a good pet either.

I didn’t know if I should interpret his yawn as a sign of an impeding nap…or boredom from waiting for the dolphin show to start.

Love, love, love the dolphins.

They are always so happy looking.

Here is a little clip of the show…sorry for the amateur quality… it was with my camera. haha

It was definitely a fun day at the aquarium!