Abby E. Smith

The dust particles, salt residue, mud and tar were creating quite the coat on our supposedly white van, though I was beginning to wonder if that was its true color.
An extremely delightful warm day and an afternoon of not much busyness at our grandparent’s house made the perfect ingredients for a carwash; eight eager hands willing to do the job.

Out came the bucket filled with soapy suds and rags ready to complete the bath.

Since when has parking your car outside your garage, bringing out the sudsy water and rags, getting sprayed a little bit and the finished product being a sparkling car by your own hands become fusty or old-fashioned?

Now I can safely say that our vehicle is definitely white and sparkling again. . . thanks to only a few minutes of bubbly hands, wet feet and a little elbow grease.

“Interesting, very interesting.”
The figure’s tone filled with excitement at the discovery of a supposed mystery, declared these words so ardently, and adjusted his eyeglasses.

I was first aware of a younger brother’s interest in detective work when he determinedly approached my desk and showed me his “detective checklist” with pride.
“Eyeglasses? Check.”
“Flashlight? Check.”
“Notepad? Check.”
“Pistol? Check.”

“Abby, do you know where a magnifying glass is?”

Yes, my little brother has finally been introduced to the mastermind of Sherlock Holmes!
An afternoon was spent yesterday, my mother reading to a recovering, wide-eyed eight-year-old, who hung on every word of the story like he was hanging by one hand on the side of a cliff.
The story finished, the Adventures of Tin-Tin movie was soon brought out. . . and the “cowboy phase” was lost to the aspiration to be a fellow detective.

I have many times tried to bring about the introduction of acquaintance between my brother and one of my top favorite literary figures, but the introduction was denied continually, until yesterday that is, when it was readily accepted with enthusiasm.

The recent thrift store find of WW2 letters were quickly found by this aspiring clue-hunter and then were dutifully examined with all carefulness, eyes sharp for any possible mark that would warm a detective’s senses with the thought of a clue.

His senses were sharp, noticing the printed numbers on one letter but the cursive ones on another.
But alas, lunch time had arrived, so the detective tools were reluctantly stowed in pockets, to be brought out again later.

“Three cases in just one hour!”

I have no doubt that this young Holmes has many a case and adventure in his future, and who knows? I might even need his invaluable services!

“The world is full of obvious things which nobody
by any chance ever observes.”
~Sherlock Holmes

One would expect August to be itself. Hot, dry, dead. But I guess August has a great mind to be different in this year of 2013, a great longing to be March or April, desiring greatly to change places. But, since March and April stubbornly won’t give up their places on the calendar, August is left to fend for itself. Well, it does not willingly go back to it’s old job of being dry and boring. No, instead it comes up with a new idea of what August is. Torrential summer rains, that instead of driving away the humidity, bring it on all the more stifling. Every afternoon brings the threat and promise of a shower, but mind  you, August is not content with the “shower” that March and April are contented to give, no it must be a “downpour!”

Yesterday, we got one of these “downpours.” Of course, it wasn’t August that gave it to us, but our Creator, for he knows how we need these refreshing summer rains!
Since our transformer was blown out in the storm we had, the aftermath looked quite promising for me!  I find a thrill in pulling on rubber boots, rain jacket, and bringing along the camera to the shimmering outside world of a thousand droplets. Puddles are itching to be jumped in, everything truly looks brand new in the rain, so one can’t help but explore! Our creek gravel driveway looked like a tiny creek, running with a mind all its own.

My brothers and I couldn’t help but wonder of the mystery of our creek, the question as to its rising and activity, since two very sturdy rains in the past week. So, camera and umbrella in tow, down we trudged, into the woods. The sound of our squeaky boots on water soaked ground were some of the most delightful sounds!

To our surprise, it wasn’t the creek that awaited us. But more like the Harpeth River!  I shan’t mention the smell, for it wasn’t pleasant, but the sound of the rushing water was quite adventuresome!  🙂  The current was incredible, or so my brother said. Mind you I wasn’t in the rushing water, I might have been persuaded except for the minor fact that my sisters 30D camera was entrusted in my care.

(I thought pictures in black in white would be more intriguing  than showing you the actual color of the water!)  🙂

So, our afternoon proved very adventurous!  I truly am thankful for all the rain we have had, the Lord is truly wonderful to give us these refreshing showers!

“I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing.”
~Ezekiel 34: 26