While walking down the lane to Holy Trinity Church where C.S. Lewis is buried, this house caught my attention. It looked creepy. I wish I could come up with a better English word for the feeling I experienced when I saw it, but I can’t. The more I stared at it, the more I wanted to back away. Then I realized the people who owned it actually had cleaned away last year’s dead growth. But instead of removing the intruding vines, they had simply trimmed them back for the winter!

Since it was May, everything was beginning to grow again, and I could only imagine at what speed. Personal experience has taught me that even Wisteria—as lovely as it is—can claim a house, a lot, a block, and a neighborhood (well maybe not an entire neighborhood; I’m a writer remember) without making a sound. It invades, and if not checked, it will soon take over. I believe we allow the same thing to happen in our lives when we do not prevent the vines of jealously, greed, anger, lust, envy, and much more from growing within our hearts. By summer’s end, I’m sure this wall was, once again, covered—and the hope of receiving any bright light through these windows had faded. The Apostle Paul asks, “Who will set me free?” To that question he answers, “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:24-25)

No one knows who constructed the rock wall shown in this photo. It runs about 855 feet across the top of Fort Mountain. When it was first built—probably around 500 A.D., it was much higher. Today, it is between two and six feet tall. A couple of different myths surround the people, who may have built it. One local  Indian legend tells of a race of “moon-eyed” people. Whether this points to “white” men or another race is not known. The walk to the top of Fort Mountain is lightly rigorous mainly because years ago the park service built stone steps into much of the pathway. They are uneven now mainly due to erosion and the invasion of tree roots. From the parking lot, consider using the lower pathway to the observation platform. It  provides a much nicer trail with some great views.

Cocoa Joy is enjoying a morning cup of frothy coffee thanks to Aunt Joy. She has loved foamy coffee since she was a baby. I have to keep a sharp eye on her or she will dive into my morning cup of Joe. Don’t worry; I know dogs are not supposed to have coffee so she only gets a taste.

A New Year’s tradition always includes a trip to Fort Mountain State Park. This year’s journey was much cooler than previous ones. Cocoa has only been to the mountain a couple of times before today. We’re on the observation deck with the Black Mountains in the background. When she was a puppy, I could not drag her out on this deck, but today I had to keep a “tight” lead on her. For some reason, she was fearless.

Doing sit/stays have become “old hat.” Also, the up and down commands are working these days. I can’t say enough about the rewards of training. While I’m still working with Cocoa, I can actually say she is “getting it.” It is so much fun to walk beside her and see her glance up for my next command. “Heel” and “slow” are  magic words thanks to Dog School 101.

I know I have sun spots in this photo. I know the highlights are “blown out.” I know, I know it all . . . but I also  know that I wanted to remember the moment. So, I have posted this photo to remind me of what a wonderful New Year’s Day it was.

I think when I posted the photo of the lion in Trafalgar Square a couple of weeks ago, I struck a theme—Aslan is on the move. Plus, Lewis’ The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe has been on television a lot lately. But who knows this really could be the year that He returns! What a glorious day that will be. A friend in Western PA took this photo recently with her new Canon. Don’t you think he provides the perfect image for the start of a new year?