Summer

Can’t think brain dumb, inspiration won’t come” .The old saying seems to be my thought process since leaving home two months ago. Result, I'm taking the advice of a friend who suggests just sitting down and start writing whatever comes to mind, so here goes!

In case you didn't know Florida is a gorgeous state. It not only has beautiful beaches, at least most of them are still beautiful, but also many many lakes and breathtaking rivers that wind through the interior and out to sea. One result of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 30's and early 40's is over fifty family campgrounds and many day use preserves known as the Florida State Park system. If you happen to be a Florida resident over 65, camping is half price. That's $8 to $12 per night. There are advantages to getting old.
Today I had the privilege of hiking through Hardwood hammocks, and sand-hills along the Santa Fe River, just south west of Lake City. O'Leno State Park is so peaceful, and my view is deep woods all around. Three cardinals, one male, bright red and two females, brownish red cavorted beside our picnic table. The magnificent chorus of birds early this morning lent a special majesty to my devotions, as they seem to answer one another through the trees. On our hike we saw a large brown, white tailed buck, doe and fawn, they just stood in the middle of the path and stared at us, at least long enough to get some pictures.
This park was once part of a thriving community with a working mill, hotel, general store and folks to keep it all going until the railroad came through the area bypassing O'Leno rendering it a lost town. The coming of the railroad created the booming community of High Springs. The remains of the mill's dam are still visible in the river. The swinging suspension bridge, built by the CCC boys still spans the river where paths take you along its banks to where the river goes underground, to reappear at what is known as the River Rise. Amazing things one learns while spending a few days in the woods.

Skies are clear all is quiet, as our world spins, it would seem out of control. Yet I am reminded as I look into the clear blue of the sky or watch the sun rise and set as it has for centuries that our Great God is in control and to quote Winston Churchill "We have nothing to fear but fear itself". 2 Timothy 1:7 "God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and love and a sound mind".