As we are freshly back in Harrisonburg, a number of scenes caught our eyes. However, the first one is a photo of some blooms from an Oleander bush in the small park across from the Guri i Themelit church in Lezhë, Albania. I was not able to identify it until we got to our house in Harrisonburg. 

Blossoms on a Oleander Bush in Lezhë (17-Jun-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

[Note that while death is unlikely from eating any part of the Oleander bush or flowers, all parts are poisonous. Eating this plant may result in a stay in the hospital, and symptoms might remain for up to three days. (Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine)]

Three days after we arrived in Harrisonburg, Elsie and I visited the orthopedic surgeon's office and decided firmly that, upon his recommendation, I would have a second surgery done on my left hip. For whatever reason, my bone in my hip did not grow into the stem of the prosthesis like it was expected to do. This new stem will be cemented in place.

Visiting the Surgeon's Office in Harrisonburg (23-Jun-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

A special treat for Elsie and I is to see our grandchildren and children. Since Heidi, Holden and Sydney are the only one of the families of our children living in the area, they are the ones we have met first. We thank the three of them for the wonderful meal and great conversation on Tuesday evening.

Sydney and Elise Share a Book (23-Jun-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

On that same evening as we stopped by Walmart to pick up a prescription medication for me, I spotted this wonderful sunset over the store.

Sunset over the Walmart Building (23-Jun-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

The next day I captured a relative close-up of a female House Sparrow at our bird feeder. There are lots of House Sparrows in Lezhë, but the ones I see most of are the males.

A Female House Sparrow at Our Bird Feeder (24-Jun-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

In the weeks ahead, I'm sure I will notice more scenes of transition for us. And there will be memories of what we left in Albania. "Thank you, God, for giving us good places and good people to know and enjoy!"

--©2014-15, Richard L. Bowman

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