March 13 – “Snails and Sycamores”

We worked in that front flowerbed again this morning.  Our goal was to get the landscape timbers set so Chris could redo the bed after she finishes weeding it.  That dirt was full of snails.  Now we decided long ago that snails were pests.  They eat plants that Chris wants to grow, and calmly slide past plants that we can't seem to get rid of.  Our usual method of dealing with them is not to kill them outright.  That would be cruel.  Instead we turn them loose in the middle of the street.  That way they at least have a chance.    Anyway, while we were working, our charges for the day arrived - Jachin and Micah.  And the first thing they discovered was … a snail.  It was the most fascinating thing they had seen all week.  Now not only did all the snails we found not make it to the street, instead they became part of the porch side stick condominium project.  They became a family right before our very eyes.  Poor plants.   One time while I was digging I heard a faint, but touching rendition of "Zaccheus was a wee little man, and a wee little man was he …"  Chris and the boys were looking at our new sycamore tree we got free from the city awhile back.  She saw new growth and broke into song.   Our car was parked in the driveway.  Chris' new car.  It became a pirate ship.  My pulling weeds became the pirate equivalent of swabbing the deck.  Then Jachin strapped Micah into his car seat, shut the doors and hopped behind the wheel.  He said he was taking a trip to New York City.  I asked if he was going to see the Yankees, but then he switched his destination to Alaska to live in an ice house.  Suddenly the car alarm went off, and the horn started honking.  Jachin cried out, "I didn't do anything!"  It scared them to death.  It took her a minute, but Chris figured out how to turn it off and saved the day.   I had a wedding at the San Luis Hotel this afternoon.  It's a prime spot for destination weddings.  Very nice venue, and the coordinators are great ladies.  The ceremony was supposed to start at 3:00.  At 3:05 the groom's mother called.  She was just driving through Santa Fe.  We started around 3:40.  Somebody drove quickly.  While waiting I strolled around the lobby doing some people watching.  When what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a huge, green, human-shaped, frog-headed guy.  I stood transfixed as it slowly approached.  I couldn't move.  I didn't know whether to laugh or scream or simply wave.  I settled for a meek flick of the wrist in its direction.  As it approached I noticed it was wearing a nametag.  It passed within a few feet of me, and I was finally able to see. It was the world famous "Cha Cha" the from Rainforest Café next door.  The things hotels will do to entertain Spring Breakers.   Weddings at the San Luis are generally held at an outdoor gazebo.  During the wedding this afternoon the sun was directly in the crowd's eyes.  Not many of them seemed to be getting into the service like they usually do.  I found out later that more than half of them spoke only Spanish, so they didn't know what I was saying anyway.   The wedding went fine.  The groom made it through the "I do" vows and the "Sickness and health" vows.  He lost it, though, when he put the ring on her finger, and started crying.  Finally, a memorable moment in any language.  After the ceremony a little kid watching from the balcony of one of the hotel guest rooms starting tooting one of those paper party horns over and over again.  We had our celebration music.   Psalms 145:7 says, "They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness."   Father, you are good and righteous.  Receive our praise at Seaside tomorrow.  Amen.