Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. – John 1:16

Saturday, as if to prove once again that there are surprisingly good things right out in the middle of nowhere, we drove the family over to Scotland Neck, where we stopped for a delicious sandwich downtown before heading to the Sylvan Heights Bird Sanctuary.

The sanctuary was a big hit, with lots of shade, room for a five-year-old to run around, engaging exhibits and – the perfect way to top things off for Mr. T., the landing zone where hundreds of parakeets are not afraid to get up close and personal.

• “Tell grandmama about the little birds,’ I said.
• “They really liked grandaddy,” Mr. T. told her, “he had one thousand and two on him!”

Maybe not that many, but there were probably a dozen or more all over me at any given moment, simultaneously nibbling at my toes, my ears, my neck, my arms and anything they could. I wasn’t even holding the food!

Then it was home for showers before heading out to Lake Valley for a swim and amazing grilled chicken with our friends Tammie and Chauncey.

Lake Valley is also a sanctuary – not for birds but for me and Rebekah. It was good to share that with the family too.

A better than good day. Tired but blessed – DEREK