My brother-in-law Paul Porter, who lives in Piedmont, SC (population 5,786), continues to amaze me. He takes an early morning walk with his German Shepherd, Catfish, and frequently posts pictures and life insights on Facebook after.

Here’s the word from September 28, 2025:

The Serenity of the Millpond

The noisy geese flew off in v’s, headed south, as Catfish and I approached early this morning.  It suited the great blue heron just fine. At last he could fish in peace without a bunch of obnoxious honking and yapping.

Among the comments were these:

I agree with the great blue heron. We could all do with a little less obnoxious honking and yapping.

Thank you for another beautiful moment of serenity. They don’t seem to come around often anymore.

Amen.

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander (honking and yapping?) be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4.31, 32, ESV)