This morning the dogs chose to walk in the woods. Each morning as we get on our way I let them take the lead (they are on a leash). They know where our nightly visitors have tracked across the property and follow the scents they have left behind, so, I just follow them. As we were walking on the backside of the woods I heard a rooster off in the distance. I hadn't heard that sound in a long time. I love hearing roosters in the morning, Now, I know some people think they are very annoying, and others welcome the rooster's sound at the start of a new day. For generations farmers and ranchers would wake up to the sound of a rooster crowing, Now, with our alarm clocks,  we wake up to all kinds of strange sounds. Sometimes I wish we had a rooster to wake me up in the morning. I tried using a rooster sound on one of my alarm clocks once, but it just wasn't the same. Out here in the Everglades, chickens and roosters have to be kept in a well built pen or the critters get to them, they are not even safe from the hawks. I hope this one stays around a while, I look forward to his morning call.

It was so nice out this morning as we began our walk. Can't say why, but it seemed shorter than usual this morning. Maybe the dogs were hungry and anxious to get to breakfast. I'm excited about preaching today, I've been thinking about the message all week and putting it together in my mind and heart. I hope we have a good turnout for church this morning. We'll be going up to St. Andrews Estates to speak this evening. We go over there about once a year and always look forward to our visit. I'll speak twice tonight and probably get home late. I believe God is going to do something great today. 

It is my intention to post something every day from our walk in the mornings here in the Everglades. However, I expect to miss a day here and there, like yesterday. 

After the rain yesterday the woods and fields look a little greener. Typically this is our driest time of the year and though the grass and trees get a little brown they pretty much stay some shade of green. 

This morning it was kind of cool, rather nice actually. The dogs chose not to go into the woods but around the retention pond. Pretty much every day we walk past my boat on our morning walks. Today especially, it made me want to go fishing for a while, but there is work that needs to be done, so guess it will have to wait. Truth is, I'd rather be fishing. I haven't been out since early last fall. Maybe next week. 

Well, I missed getting a post up yesterday, we got an early start off to town for Dr.'s appointments etc. We were able to enjoy a nice walk in the woods before we left.

When we go out for our morning walks I kind of let the dogs lead me  to where they want to go. Sometimes it's out by the road (glad they're on a leash), sometimes it out in the woods on the back of the property, and sometimes we walk along a retention pond on the north side of the property. It's always an adventure to me to see where we are going on each day. Often they strike a trail and we follow it till it plays out. 

Our walk was kind of short today as Hunter got out last night and spent most of the night on his own. We saw him out near the road about midnight. Then at 3 AM he woke me up barking at something. I went to see if I could get him in, but he was playing with a possum in the parking lot. He would hold it down for a few seconds, then let it go, then go catch it again. Finally, the little critter played...well, possum and Hunter took off for something else to play with. I went back to bed. When I woke up this morning he was at the door ready to come in for some breakfast. I went ahead and hooked both of them to their leashes and we went ahead on our walk. Ruby seemed to be interested in the smells out on the parking lot. The possum was long gone. It looks like Hunter is ready for a long day of napping and catching up on his rest. I could use some myself. 

It was a little foggy on our walk this morning. I put on a light jacket, but by the time we got back to the house, I wish I had left it at home. Along the way, I was wondering how many might show up to church today. I know many of our people are up at the Brighton Reservation for Field Days, so we might be down in our attendance. It's always an adventure. For most of the walk I had a song on my mind. I heard it the other day, it's titled "We Missed You In Church Last Sunday". You can hear the song below.  Hope they're not singing it about you. I'm going to try and learn this song to sing as jams occasionally. Happy trails!

This morning it was a beautiful day for a walk, so we walked a little more than usual. The sun was shining, the air had a nice coolness to it, and the birds were singing. Now, the smaller birds don't always sing. When there is a hawk in the neighborhood they either go away or remain silent. But, today it was nice to hear them singing. The reservation is quiet as many have gone up to Brighton Reservation for the Brighton Field Days. The dogs seemed happy to scurry about sniffing and searching for evidence of our nightly guests, mostly possums and raccoons. I am looking forward to spending the day with my lovely wife.