Beauty in Each Scene
How can one day be filled with so much beauty and just plain good stuff?!!! I am overflowing with gratitude for every moment of this day.
Scene One: After SLEEPING IN, the day starts with a delicious almond latte with Carole in her tree-lined, grassy backyard while petting Delilah (the airedale) and Brandy (the yorkie).
Scene Two: Carole and I spend about three and a half hours at Slidewaters, a water park in nearby Chelan, along with her awesome daughter Jenny and Jenny’s friend Aubrey. While floating in the lazy river, a kid in front of me kicks water on me, taking my breath away. My immediate instinct is to yell, “Stop splashing!” I restrain myself since the entire point of Slidewaters is to get wet. And after all, most of my adult years spent at such water parks were spent with the Espinoza kids who were kicking cold water onto adults who probably did not want to get soaked. What goes around comes around.
Scene Three: We visit a lovely restaurant and winery called Tsillan Cellars. Maybe because we look sun-drenched and desperately hungry, they let us in even though they are closing to get ready for dinner. We order several share-worthy tasty items — margherita pizza, two different salads, a charcuterie plate, and spaghetti with meatballs — along with a wonderful bottle of syrah. Sitting outside in the sunshine overlooking the shimmering lake, I am thankful that God decided to equip our eyes with cones that enable us to discern color and to create a world full of every shade of purple, green, blue, red, and brown for us to enjoy as we sit at a table in Chelan savoring the company of good friends.
Scene Four: Next stop, Fielding Hills Winery. Simply gorgeous views from our adirondack chairs perched on the lawn. Such a treat to chat with the owners, friends of Jay and Carole, while slowly sipping a malbec first, then a cabernet, sunshine bathing us from head to toe.
Scene Five (up next): It’s almost 8:00, and it’s still so light outside! Scene five, still to come, entails lounging in our PJs in the living room watching a movie, probably Mama Mia.
God, I am in awe of your creation. I am reminded that nature is absolutely how I connect best with you, and I need to be intentional about placing myself in these spaces in order to renew my soul continuously. You are beautiful, and you make beautiful things. Amen.
