GOLD in the CLOUDS : Mid-October Faves

It's Friday and time to share FIVE of my FAVE blessings from the week. Susanne is our gracious host and I'm thankful she does this weekly writing exercise to get me to be more intentional about finding things to be thankful for. Head to her site to learn more and join in.

DAVE'S NEWS: Dave came home from work on Friday evening with some amazing news. He had had his annual performance review at the main office and was told he was getting a significant raise. He's been an employee and IT director at the company pictured above for 25 years and LTI is now part of the group featured in the link. We were so surprised and thankful! Especially in this horrible economy. God is good and we thank Him for this excellent report.

Watch Hill trail in the central Adirondacks

on the summit of Watch Hill
l-r: me, Celine, Ping

TWO SOULSTEPS HIKES: this past week, I led a hike on Saturday morning and Wednesday all day. Saturday's hike originally had 5 people signed up but 2 had injuries so had to bow out. I had chosen this easy mountain to climb that I've done once years ago with my family, and last summer with my niece. It was a nice morning, although cold. We started out at 34 degrees F and by the time we were done around noon, it was up to 56 F. We were happy the sunshine was plentiful and it was "at peak foliage" in the Central Adirondacks. For Wednesday's hike, there were originally 6 of us and it ended up being 4 of us. It's a trail I've hiked numerous times, and my friend Joan had hiked it with me 2 summers ago. The other 2 ladies had never hiked it. We hiked a little bit further north than where I was on Saturday but it was still in the central part of the ADK. The destination was Blue Ledges on the Hudson River and it's a 6 mile hike. When we got there it was overcast and mild with temps in the 50s. About a mile into the woods, it began to lightly rain, so we pulled on our hiking raincoats. It didn't last long and at one point, when we were having lunch at the river, the sun came out with some patches of blue sky. I'm thankful we all had a great time and stayed safe. If you're wondering why all the bright colors, it's because it is now hunting season in NYS. Here are my fave pics from the Wednesday hike:

beginning of the trail at Blue Ledges
in the Hudson River Gorge Wilderness Area

Joan took this photo of me getting across the creek
where the bridge was out...Karen and Melanie were after me

one of my very fave trees along the trail

The "blue" ledges at the Hudson River at the end of the 3 miles
this was our destination and we made it! Sadly, the sun wasn't shining on the ledges
so the effect is more grey than blue. Note the rain cloud coming in on the right

Our lunch spot/destination where the sun and blue sky came out
for about 20 minutes. It is now past peak up in the central ADK

at the Hudson River/Blue Ledges
l-r: Joan, me, Melanie, Karen

SALE! On Sunday after church, I ran to our local mall in the south part of town to take advantage of the Indigenous People Day/Columbus Day sale at this place. I did well! I ended up with 3 pairs of jeans to replace old, faded and holey ones, and a moisture wicking long sleeved workout tee/hiking shirt to replace one that I accidentally shrunk in the dryer. (it's best to drip dry the hiking clothes). I'm thankful I got 4 different items for only $70. One of the pairs of jeans was normally $60! No way do I ever pay full price for a pair of jeans. I'm thankful for the good sale prices and discount.

i was able to get 2 pairs of D jeans
for the price of one!

ANNUAL AUTUMN GIRLS DAY: Monday was a bit overcast but warm. The sun was in and out. It was the annual autumn girls day away with my 2 girls and my sister Joy. We chose to be somewhat local as we all had had busy weekends or weeks ahead so we chose to explore this small town to the south of us. We had a good time shopping, drinking great coffee, and eating lunch in a cute Roastery/Cafe. I treasure time with both girls as we rarely can all get together on the same day anymore. I even found a hiking book I've never seen, about historic hikes in the Catskills region and a book of Ralph Waldo Emerson's essays. Both were very inexpensive. I'm thankful we all found something we wanted and that we had nice weather to walk around on the famous Warren Street. I'm thankful we got there safely and back and that everyone had a nice time.

Claire (the youngest, age 27) and Courtney (age 33)

where we ate lunch outside behind those planters on the left

AFTERNOON WITH A FRIEND: I really needed/wanted to talk to someone about a personal matter and my spiritual mentor wasn't available. I reached out to my friend Joan because she knows some of my background and I trust her to be non-judgemental, and I know she knows Scripture well and I also know she's a good listener and won't try to "fix" the situation. She invited me out to her house and it was my first time on their 120 acres of beautiful land in a town to the east of where I live. She showed me all around this property that has been in her husband's family for several generations and then we sat in the glorious sunshine and talked. I was able to share something with her that I've never shared with anyone and it felt good to get it off my chest and just have someone listen. We talked for a long time and she shared some of the things she's gone through. It definitely drew us closer. I've only known this friend for 2 years but it feels like longer. I'm blessed to know her and I'm thankful we prayed together. I had so much peace afterwards. It will be something I treasure for a long time. This quote sums up the kind of friend she is to me: