Our Abba Father

The steps of good men are directed by the Lord. He delights in each step they take. If they fall it isn’t fatal, for the Lord holds them with His hand. Psalm 37: 23-24

After a long winter and late spring . . .

For at least four of us, the real reason that we take this annual pilgrimage is not about baseball. We did however see three baseball games and we cheered for our respective Chicago teams and sang loudly during the seventh inning stretch.

Following the game, we were hungry, having passed up the ballpark food in anticipation of steak and salad at a place we read about on the internet: Reatta Pass Steakhouse. Unfortunately hard times have hit the restaurant and so they no longer serve steak or salad. We found the menu to be much like a children’s menu—hamburgers, chicken nuggets, fries, and chili and no salads or fruits. The wait staff was friendly and happy for our business.

Right next to the restaurant was a path leading to an apparently deserted area called Greasewood Flats. We were amazed as we went down the dirt road and around a corner to begin seeing cars—lots of cars and bikes.

We were delighted with our find. Hundreds of people, mostly bikers were hanging out. . .

There was good music, fire pits and we had an opportunity to work off some of our fried dinner. It was great fun—an unusual cultural experience.

We took in a different kind of culture the next morning at the beautiful Scottsdale Art Festival before attending our second baseball game.

Aawww. what can I say . . . I married a good man.

I laughed at the eateries and their creative names. "Short Leash, A hot dog eatery . . . Keep your hunger on a leash.”

And this one—but we were waiting for some yummy food later in the day.

The ribs at the Saddle Ranch Chop House were worth the wait. They more than met all of our hopes and expectations. The desserts looked phenomenal, too, but we did not have room.

We might have had room if we had been brave enough to ride the bull. We were entertained as we watched rider after rider lose their seat.

Sunday before our ballgame, we attended church at Desert Springs Community Church in Goodyear with old friends—well not old friends—just good friends that previously lived in Illinois and attended church with us many years ago. That was a very special treat for all of us! George and Cheri introduced us to Mimi's Café. Since it was our first visit, each couple was given four beautiful, large, delicious muffins to take with us.

On Monday, we coerced our men into taking us on a hot air balloon ride.

For most of us the anticipation of the ride and doing the ride together as a group and the beauty of all of the balloons made it a special outing.

I thought that the ride would be thrilling and perhaps scary but I am glad that it was not. If you decide to do this, wait until the desert is in bloom as that would be beautiful to see. It was peaceful and pleasant.

And now we are back home. . .

I am so glad that these are not just fair weather friends.

Who makes those up?

My first hubby and I liked to watch Electric Company—before we had kids. We loved Fargo North Decoder, etc.

I think of that show every time I comment on a blog. When I submit, there is usually a word verification. I am not sure how or why those work because the password is right there for you in squiggly letters. The word is not a real word but is almost-a-word.

Bringing me back to The Electric Company from lots of years ago, and this song:

You can make up a word
Just make it up out of your head
And you can decide what you want it to mean
And how, and how it is said.

You can make up a word.
Your own private personal word.
And then all you do id just say it aloud
And your word will be heard.

When you make up a word
And tell what the word’s supposed to do.
Then suddenly there’s a new word in the world
And it came out of you.

I am pretty sure there are some more verses but you have the idea.

So, yesterday, I commented on some blogs and wrote down my word verification words. Yes, these words are exactly as copied but the meanings are just a guess.

waxingie: Something menopausal women do to their chins

fervies: disgusting little brown rodents

vityllyte: Some kind of healthy diet drink

hussere: Oh dear, something not very good comes to mind

wombi: adjective, meaning dizzy, wobbly, sleepy. Ex: In the morning I take a wombi walk out to the coffeepot

aptol: This is one of those southern expressions, a contraction of sorts, meaning something just right. That’s an aptol good looking hat. (Translated: That’s a right, you all, good looking hat.)

misorin: When you ought to give more but you just don’t feel like it, you are misorin.

So who does that? Who makes up the word verification almost-a-word? Don't tell me they are random because they all have vowels and consonants in normal patterns.

I was just wondering?