As you know by now, I love my garden and even as the temperatures continue to go into the 30s my flowers bloom! I picked these yesterday so I could enjoy them inside. I can’t remember having flowers blooming in mid October before. October has held other surprises too.

My husband and I drove to Connecticut and then into New York a couple weeks ago to see a couple shows. In Connecticut, we saw 42 Street which was choreographed and directed by my brother-in-law Randy Skinner. The show was outstanding but one of the main characters was truly amazing. After the show, Randy told us the actor was blind. “How can he do it?” I asked. Randy said he didn’t really know. This young man sang, danced and literally was all over the stage. All I can say is God provided him with tremendous talent and showed him a way to use it.

In New York, Randy choreographed and directed an Irving Berlin show called Cheek to Cheek. This featured many of Berlin’s songs. He wrote approximately 1,250 songs and the surprise was he only played the black keys. Again I asked, “How?” Berlin had little education but lots of talent and determination. He was born in Russia, lived in poverty in New York and died a very successful man at 101. God showed him a way. Probably the most famous Berlin song is I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas, but as I watched the show I remembered many of his songs.

Our drive featured beautiful scenery of colorful leaves and fields that had been harvested and some waiting to be. I’m a farm girl at heart and love seeing the fields and animals. There is something serene about them. I think it’s the same way people feel about the ocean when it is calm.

Hope you are all enjoying October and I would love to hear other stories like I have shared. God is good and his creations are clearly on display now.