GIVE ME YOUR TIRED, YOUR POOR...

Summer's here, I'm glad of that, got my rubber sandals, got my straw hat, it's a beautiful time of the year and I'm glad that it's here. James Taylor

I hope so much that you have gotten out and taken a walk this spring. Now that it's summer, things are gonna really heat up. I encourage a nice walk around the block so you can meet your neighbors. My block, I guesstimated, was approximately 7.5 miles. I walked it Tuesday. Pepper and I really enjoyed it. I actually got to talk to one of my neighbors, and later learned she is a member of my church. I look forward to talking to her again without the presence of her two gentle large dogs and my little vicious beast, who bit me at the time, I might add.

We also saw a little red fox running up the hill towards us. He was running away from the sound of a farmer's tractor, we later realized. I was able to identify a yellowthroated warbler that we saw and again saw a box turtle trying to decide whether or not to venture out into the busy road. I think we saw five vehicles during our walk, saw the mail lady twice. No better way to meet your neighbors than to take a walk around your block.

Yesterday was our monthly United Methodist Women's meeting. Our president, Mildred led us through a wonderful study called Say Welcome: Offering Hospitality to the Sojourner. From a previous study, I was reminded that we are all sojourners, travelling through this foreign world to our final home and resting place in heaven with our Father.

However, this study reminds us to welcome, accept and embrace those weary travellers. Coincidentally, when I read the paper last night, I was slapped in the face with a letter to the editor from a citizen wanting to remind everyone about the drain "illegal immigrants" take on our country's resources.

I'm sorry, as Christians, we should be willing to share what we have for our brothers. Aren't we all here as immigrants.....really? Maybe the Native Americans should have tried harder to secure their borders.

This will be an awesome day. It's my best time of year, the longest days of daylight of the entire year. In a couple more days, each day will be shorter, that's a difficult thought for me. I love the light.

Have a great day, luv, Susan