REGENERATION

Reposting a Quote

2012-02-09T10:17:00.000-05:00

From my other blog, Write the Vision...The nicest place to be is in someone's thoughts. The safest place to be is in someone's prayers. And the best place to be is in God's hands.C. Marilyn AustinI know friends are thinking of me and praying for me -- and I'm returning the favor. What a safe, secure, content feeling. Wish I could stay here forever. You too?

Too Young, Too Soon, to Say Goodbye...

2012-02-06T20:16:00.000-05:00

Susan Niebur, aka Whymommy, passed from this world into heaven. Her husband entered a final post on her widely read blog, Toddler Planet -- http://toddlerplanet.wordpress.com/2012/02/06/goodbye/

An amazing life, inspiring, vivacious, brilliant, kind, generous, loving, short. Too short. Her mother and father shared that her passing was gentle and peaceful, a small consolation, but hugely comforting.

In Susan's last post she revealed her reluctance to call on hospice care. A post before that told of her trip to the hospital with breathing problems and pneumonia. I remembered when my brother was very sick with cancer. The last I spoke with him was 2 weeks before he passed, April 21st, his 36th birthday. I hung up the phone and cried because I knew he was dying. That memory washed over me when I read this post on Toddler Planet -- http://toddlerplanet.wordpress.com/2012/01/22/how-did-we-get-here/
And I cried, because I knew Susan was dying.

I awoke last night, not having heard anything for days, startled, sad, called to pray in the middle of the night. God gently preparing me, and kindly using me... to pray.

She was ready. How kind of her parents to share that with us... and this: Susan passed away this morning, gently and peacefully, with Curt at her side.

Two Days of Sunshine

2012-01-31T15:01:00.000-05:00

Let me clarify. Two days in a row of sunshine. What did we do to deserve this? I don't know, but I'm thanking God for smiling (shining?) down on our corner of the world. (Sadly, this is the lack of sunshine capital of Pennsylvania.)

I was talking to my Parisian sister on the phone this past Sunday and she said I suppose you're knee deep in snow. To which I replied, "No...I'm looking out the front windows at green grass. We had snow a couple of days ago, but it warmed up and rained and the snow is all gone!"

Little did I know. That was 4 o'clock (my time, 10 o'clock hers) and by 5 o'clock we had blizzard conditions! No kidding. Six inches of snow fell in less than an hour. For a while there we couldn't see our cars parked 15 feet outside the kitchen window/french doors. Crazy. But that was Sunday. Today, Tuesday, it's sunny and warm and except for a few piles in well shaded areas I can't see a trace of that snow from Sunday. Did I say, crazy?

I was out on the porch, sitting in the sun, catching a bit of vitamin D, reading. How wonderful. How amazing. How blessed and happy I'm feeling. A glorious change from a couple of days ago. Thanks God, I needed that!

(Lack of sunshine capital? Maybe that's a blessing in disguise, because oh how we appreciate the sunshine when we see it.)

My Own Joe Paterno Story

2012-01-22T18:41:00.000-05:00

I worked in the Atheltic Department Ticket Office at PSU from 1970-1973. The ticket office was in Rec Hall, down the corridor and across the hall from the Football Coaches Office. I became fast friends with Joe Paterno's secretary. These were the days before secretaries were given the more elevated and well deserved title "administrative assistant". Tom and I left State College in 1974, but return to visit family and friends. Occassionally I dropped in at Rec Hall to say hello to my friend who was still there, still administratively assisting Joe Paterno. One time I had David along. He was just a little guy, maybe 2. As she and I chatted Davy wondered around quietly looking at pictures of famous Penn State football players. When I realized that David was out of sight I called to him. From Joe's office came a pleasant reply, "If he's blond and wearing overalls he's in here."

Mortified that I had carelessly let my toddler intrude on Mr. Paterno's work space I dashed into his office to collect my kid... apologizing profusely. The great Joe Paterno waived off my apology. He pointed little David to a basket of mini-footballs and invited him to take one. My friend, his secretary, introduced me and told him I had worked in the ticket office (like 15 years ago!).

And Joe Paterno, The Joe Paterno, very convincingly... feigned remembrance.

What a guy, huh?

Read on...

My good friend's Joe Paterno story: taken from the facebook page of Ellen Herman Campbell -- Ellen blogs at Nana Knits and Jams

************************
In 1993 shortly after we moved back home to State College, Matthew was hit by a car in the high school parking lot. He (and we) spent almost two weeks at Hershey Medical Center as he began his recovery from a near fatal brain injury. When he returned home, this photo was delivered to him at our home. It says, "To Matt, We are thinking about you. Your Friend, Joe Paterno."

Matthew has considered this good man and great legend his friend ever since....
*************************
Ellen's husband, Jim, worked at Penn State. Joe Paterno was truly a family man. Penn State was family.

May God bless the family of Joe Paterno and comfort them in their season of grief. Amen.

Mid-Month, Mid Life

2012-01-16T17:11:00.002-05:00

How long do I get to keep claiming mid-life? I mean really, who wants to admit they are on the down hill slide, past the halfway point to the end? I thought it so clever when I turned 50 to described it as entering the second half of my first century. But this year I'll leave the 5th decade behind and begin my 6th...not until October, mind you.

Sixty is the new forty, right? The Bible suggests we are allotted 120 years, but I don't know anyone who would want to live that long. And come to think of it Psalm 90 says, "Our days may come to 70 years, or 80, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away."

On that happy note, here's to looking forward. I'm past the halfway point to heaven, which is what I've got my sights set on. Until I get there, I'd like to live life to the fullest, use what I have until it's all used up, and help others to do the same.

My previous post was from Florida. I arrived home from the sunny south on Tuesday to a brisk 40 degrees. For those of us who are used to the north, that's actually quite mild. As the week progressed temps dropped and clouds gathered. By Friday we had blizzard conditions, which made for great skiing -- downhill for the youngsters, cross-country for me. Now it's warming up again. Mid January...the end of winter is only a few months away. Enjoy it while it lasts!

It's a wonderful world and a great life. Thanks for every bit of it God.

Florida!

2012-01-07T17:09:00.000-05:00

This is quite a change from the last post. Then the weather was 10 degrees and 2 feet of snow. Now 75 degrees and sunshine. I am enjoying a conference in Orlando Florida. Meeting wonderful people, worshiping God beside them, eating together, talking, laughing, learning. And sneaking away to bask in the sun and dip in the pool. Yeah, that too! One more day of this then off to see Mom and Dad a bit further south.

Winter Storm/Wonderland

2012-01-03T13:41:00.000-05:00

It's absolutely beautiful if you don't have to go anywhere. And I don't.

Ringing in the New Year

2011-12-31T16:54:00.000-05:00

There will be no bells -- dinner and a movie with friends will do it. I've enjoyed blogs and Christmas letters from friends whose homes were full of children and grandchildren over the holiday. We had our share of family too, but we broke with tradition this year. No Christmas Eve party. Instead Tom and I had a very enjoyably quiet Christmas eve day, a simple dinner followed by a car ride to look at Christmas lights, meandering into town to get a movie out of the Red Box at the local gas station. After the movie we warmed our toes by the fire.

Did I say we were alone? Silly me. We had our furry friends for company that night.


Cleo


Phoebe

It was a lovely evening. More about the New Year to come...

Christmas iPad

2011-12-25T21:47:00.000-05:00

There are four iPads in this house, but mine is the newest. This is the coolest Christmas present ever...well I think so... That chainsaw I back in 1996 was a pretty cool gift. And I got so much work done with it. Not that I ever started it up, but I let Tom use it anytime he wanted, or anytime I wanted him to. He was surprised how much work a little chainsaw could do.

I'm actually just checking to see if I can blog from my iPad. My kids are here to give me pointers -- better than any tutorial. So that's the point of this post, learning and practicing. I'd really like to add a picture, but I have to go read up on how to do that. If all else fails, as I understand it, there's an app for that.

For now there are some other gifts waiting to be opened. I think I'm holding up the action.

Moving on...

Christmas Eve Morning

2011-12-24T07:19:00.001-05:00

The house is quiet, except for the hum of the furnace and purr of the cat beside me. I don't often see this hour of the morning...but I'm thinking, what's to see anyway? It's very dark. Electric candles glow warm and soft in the windows. Each one has a double reflecting back. Cup of coffee in hand I've walked through the house plugging in lights, enjoying the ambiance, watching for the sky to lighten up.

All is peaceful, calm, dark...in spite of the dusting of snow. The presents are wrapped. House clean enough, ready for company tomorrow. (I know. I can't believe it either.) The mood is just right, a perfect time to blog...I thought. But then again... the glow of the computer screen kind of ruins the magic. So I'll close this out, close the lid. Looking toward the eastern sky, there's the first light of dawn. How marvelous, the start of a new day. Christmas eve day.

Merry Christmas friends. May you find Love, make peace, and bask in joy.

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-19T21:33:00.000-05:00

There are a lot things to pick on in the world, but how you wish someone a happy holiday shouldn't be one of them. I applaud whoever wrote this...

Christmas is a very special time for me. I like the glitz and the holiday music. I like the presents, gathering together with family, the holiday foods, chestnuts roasting and stockings hung by the fire, and the cookies, I really like the cookies. But I'm very aware that the trappings can distort and sully the meaning of the season. Sometimes I wish for a simpler Christmas celebration -- one where we don't exchange presents or prepare pageants. Then I remember that I love exchanging presents and those pageants...well they always help me see the reality of divine intervention. Kids who didn't know their parts, wouldn't speak up, pouted, fussed, carried on, suddenly become angelic presenters of the gospel. That's a miraculous happening in churches all over the world. It recurs every single year in the weeks and days before Christmas, children remembering their lines.

The best part about those pageants is that people who wouldn't otherwise grace the indoors of a church will watch, and laugh, and applaud the efforts of children. And who knows they might hear from God.

Isaiah 11:6 The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.

December 4th

2011-12-05T02:14:00.001-05:00

Well technically it's the 5th -- well past midnight of the 4th. We had nice visit with dear friends, coffee (!) and dessert, a lovely fire in the fireplace. After company left, I walked through the livingroom turning out lights, the fire was still glowing and the embers offered a pleasant hint of wood smoke, which mingled with the scent of our freshly cut fir tree. Ah yes, it's beginning to smell a lot like Christmas!

Candles in the windows and lights on the B-I-G tree on the back porch, thank you Nathan. Icicle lights on the overhang of the front porch, thank you Adam and Alicia. Decorating the dining room entrance was my contribution. Oh, and this delightful addition to my M.A. Hadley collection, thank you Barb and Gus.

The cute little Merry Christmas coaster is new, but each of these pieces were gifts from the Atlanta contingent.

Tomorrow I'll hang the stockings by the fireplace and decorate the tree that presently stands unadorned. And then it will really and truly look a lot like Christmas. Shop, bake, write the Christmas letter, address cards, wrap gifts, all that to do during this month of advent. It makes the waiting go faster while we anticipate something marvelous. The birthday of a King, the Messiah, our Savior, Emmanuel, God with us. Advent is the time to prepare for what is to come!

It's done

2011-11-29T23:14:00.001-05:00

I won the race against myself. 50,000 words in one month -- One story badly in need of editing, revising, rewriting, but that's for another month. Couldn't have done it without the encouragement and competition from my writing friend Lisa.

We both made it -- she had 2 days to spare and I had 1.

A Dog's Life

2011-11-22T22:06:00.001-05:00

You built this cozy fire for me?

Gee Thanks.

I'll call you if it goes out.

A Novel Idea

2011-11-19T21:26:00.000-05:00

I'm thoroughly enjoying NaNoWriMo -- mostly because I'm on target and that's such a good feeling. Here's an excerpt from one of my early chapters.

Grace and Christophe -- No R

Grace said, “My parents trotted me off to confession where I’d stand in line waiting my turn to talk to the priest. Then I went into the dark little cubicle and knelt down, waiting again, until the priest opened his window. There was a dark screen and you could only hear him, not see him. I was so nervous all I could do was make things up. I remembered most of the Ten Commandments so I’d work my way through those. I told him things I never would have done…not in a million years, but they were the only sins I could think up. When I was eight, I confessed to adultery.”

Her husband burst out laughing, "You never told me that. Did you even know what it meant?”

“Of course not -- I was eight!" Grace said.

****

They say you should write what you know. I know church. For better or worse, I know church.

I'd love to stay and chat, but I've got a word count to meet. 50,000 words by November 30th.

Nearing the 1/2 Way Point

2011-11-14T13:09:00.001-05:00

I'm right on target with my NaNoWriMo novel. Almost 1/2 through the month, almost 1/2 to my goal. I'm really enjoying getting to know these characters, who are becoming like friends. And I'm surprised how they keep surprising me. Just found out one of them is a hoarder! "Really?" you ask. I know, I can't believe it either. This is such a nice diversion from the drama of real life. It leaves me wondering though, why would Alice have ever wanted to leave Wonderland. Beats me. But that's back where I'm headed. I'll post again when I resurface.

Still living off last Sunday/Monday getaway to Bedford Springs Resort:

We're saving up to go back there sometime.

It Snowed Last Night!

2011-11-11T11:08:00.001-05:00

In the middle of the night it turned white and bright outside, snow...three, maybe four inches. While I was reveling in its beauty, Tom groaned. It's almost mid-November...an early start for what he deems bad weather. Snow makes Tom's job harder, more stressful. He worries about his school bus drivers, their safety, the safety of the children, yep it's stressful. I on the other hand I am chastising myself for not cutting the mums back and getting them covered with pine branches so they'll be snug enough to winter-over safely and come back in the spring. I may still get a chance to do that...November snows often melt away before winter sets-in in earnest. Not always, but often.

We had beautiful weather this past week. It would have been perfect for outside chores, but alas, I'm sick. A tenacious cold virus going around got me. And it got me good. I thought I was handling it just fine until a secondary sinus infection sneaked up on me. But now that I'm on an antibiotic surely this won't hang on much longer, right? Right. Anyway with that, and snow outside, isn't this a great day to hang out in pajamas all morning? Maybe even all day long.

Last week, when I didn't think this cold was anything to worry about Tom and I went away for an overnight stay at Bedford Springs Resort -- belatedly taking a trip our kids got us for our 40th wedding anniversary. It was spectacular and we had a fabulous time. Lots of history there...10 or more presidents used the Bedford Springs Hotel for their summer White House, back in the day. And by that I mean the 1800's. The place is beautifully refurbished, an indoor mineral springs pool was completely redone several years ago. We enjoyed the pool, the hiking trails, the porches, the fine dining experiences, and the over-the-top care and service. And I wasn't feeling miserable then. Hmmm, maybe I overdid? (But it was so worth it!)

The hike started by crossing the bridge that connects the hotel to the big woods...

Into the woods

It was uphill no matter what trail you picked. We chose the drastically uphill one...unknowingly...you might say we chose poorly. No, not really, the hike was such fun. Which is what we said to each other later. Because while we were climbing, there was no breath to waste on talking.

There's the summit.

About half way up, looking down.

And back again.

My Favorite Day of the Year

2011-11-05T22:06:00.001-04:00

Tonight we turn the clocks back one hour. Fall behind. And that means that tomorrow morning when I normally get up around 7 or 7:30 it'll only be 6 or 6:30. Love it! I love to have slow relaxed mornings. I hope you all will enjoy your extra hour as much as I will.

November, besides being NaNo month, is my firstborn son's birthday. I'm remembering how much I enjoyed having a baby in the fall. I'd bundle him all up in the sweetest fleece snowsuit and take him for walks when it wasn't too cold. We stayed inside a lot. When spring arrived he was old enough to sit in a stroller and we'd walk the sidewalks of downtown State College. Then we moved to New Wilmington -- a beautiful little college town. And again we walked the streets, visited the community pool almost daily, and played at the playground. It's like that was a different lifetime and we were different people. Which I guess it was and we were. Thank goodness. You wouldn't want to stay the same forever now would you? Life is about growing, and moving, and learning, and getting better. I often think these days of one of my dad's favorite sayings, too soon old, too late smart. That captures it for most of us.

November is also Thanksgiving month. And here's hoping we're smart enough, at whatever age we happen to be, to give thanks. Many of my facebook friends are posting something everyday that they are thankful for. I'm too shy to jump in and do that for fear the things I'm grateful for won't measure up on someone's scale or that I won't post them in the proper level of priority. You know, God, family, church, laptop...or maybe the pets should come before the lappy. I don't know, I'm not all that crazy about the pets sometimes. They shed. I love their company, one cat and one dog, but they shed. I like petting or cuddling, don't mind feeding them, but they shed. Hairless cats are ugly but maybe our next pup could be some non-shedding variety. But I've already decided there won't be a next pup, because even if the shedding gets on your nerves, the dying breaks your heart. And that's what they do, eventually.

I'm thankful for books, I love a good book. I like movies, TV (sometimes), a clean house, a freshly mowed yard, a good church service, kids, -- I'm delighted by little kids, and get a kick out of big ones. And it's a good thing I like kids because I absolutely love babies, I'm so thankful for little babies, but in no time they turn into kids.

I'm thankful for a warm house, good food, comfy clothes, a husband who loves me, and unseasonably warm weather in November. Tomorrow is the 6th and it's going to be 60 degrees and sunny. Gotta be thankful for that. And an extra hour of daylight to boot. Wait, that's not right. An extra hour in the morning, but evening is going to come an hour sooner. Dang. Not really thankful for that. Well I'll have to start looking forward to my husband's favorite day of the year, Dec. 22nd -- the day after the shortest day of the year. It's all uphill from there. The days start getting longer. The sun gets up sooner and goes down later. I can't wait for Dec. 22nd. The turning point. It'll be here before we know it. I'm thankful for that!

But see, look at that -- the order is probably all wrong.

Cleo

Nathan and Phoebe

Phoebe curled up after a bath

Happy National Novel Writing Month!

2011-11-01T15:05:00.001-04:00

...or NaNoWriMo as the designers of the organization call it. Whatever you call it, I'm doing it. Writing a novel in a month. At least I'm giving it my best shot, and I'm so excited...make that terrified...no, excited. (There's a fine line between those two emotions, and I'm crossing it, jumping it and then jumping back again. It's kind of like jumping rope, double dutch fashion. And if I don't stop I won't have any energy left to write.)

Here's my plan --

It's a storyboard. A variation of an outline. I've got 12 blocks that make up the main scenes of my novel. Notice those last few blocks are a little sparse. They aren't as fleshed out as the earlier blocks because I have to leave room for my characters to speak to me. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it. The blocks are easily movable so, as the story writes itself (which I'm counting on it doing :) I can move my write-ups around.

I may be unavailable for the next month -- I mean the goal is 50,000 words in 30 days. That's about 1700 words a day. I'm up to 700 today, only 1,000 to go before I put my head on the pillow tonight. No problem. It's doing it 7 days a week, including Thanksgiving day, that might be a problem. But, we're allowed to work ahead, so.... I CAN do this. Right?

We'll see. Now, what else can I do to procrastinate before getting back at it?

Trick or Treat

2011-10-27T21:04:00.001-04:00

Tonight's the night when precious little children come knocking at our door dressed up as...Jesse from Toy Story, a fluffy doggie (just like our own Phoebe), Mrs. Potato Head, a ghostie goblin, and a beautiful gypsy girl.

Living in the country we don't get many trick-or-treaters, just the neighbor kids. So the above list represents all 5 of the cuties we treated tonight.

Cute, huh?

We forgot to get out the camera when Mrs. Potato Head, the Gypsie, and the ghostie goblin guy were here. Dang... they were really cute too.

I haven't been very faithful to this blog lately and that probably won't improve next month. I'm taking a writing course to prepare for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). NaNo starts the first of November so I'm in it up to my eyebrows for another month or so while I write a novel. Stop laughing, I'm going to do this. And by mentioning it here, I've just upped the stakes and the pressure. Good grief.

Oh, but yeah -- life goes on, so Happy Halloween!

Genesee Country Inn

2011-10-18T23:06:00.000-04:00

A Beautiful B & B in Mumford, NY

After a lovely stay at the Genesee Country Inn we headed up the road to Genesee Country Village.

We had a lovely time touring the village, walking through houses that...
                looked...
                      like...
                            our own
                                      1860's home.

Only difference, we don't have to cook meals in our fireplace (but now I know how should an emergency arise). Oh, and, our bathroom is inside.

The Week Long Birthday

2011-10-11T23:03:00.000-04:00

It's like the birthday that never ends...and I don't mind a bit. Last Tuesday my friend Nadine made birthday dinner for me.

Then we went on a two-day trip to New York. You'll find pictures of day one which we spent at Letchworth State Park in the previous post. I'll get around to posting pictures of day two at Genesee Country Village soon -- maybe next post.

When we got home there were more birthday cards in the mail. And Mr. Mailman brought more birthday gifts and greetings again today.

Finally, (maybe?) --

Tonight we went out to dinner (one last birthday dinner for this year!) with Adam and Alicia. It's a nice routine we have with them, about once a month, meeting half way for dinner to celebrate a special occasion, or just because, if there's no occasion. Sometimes they come all the way here, other times we go all the way there, but meeting in the middle works great. We love it, and we love that they seem to love it as well.

So... I am well birthdayed. And this isn't even one of those monumental years. But the next one is. One year less one week until I turn 60. This is me getting ready for that.

Autumn Getaway

2011-10-09T08:39:00.000-04:00

Upper falls

We couldn't have picked a better couple of days to visit Letchworth Park in New York. This amazing river canyon boasts 3 sets of waterfalls, the upper, middle and lower falls. Breathtaking!

Middle falls

Lower Falls

Hiking trails, The Glenn Iris Inn, a museum of local history including the life story of Mary Jemison, who was captured by Indians at age 13. Known as "white woman," Mary chose to remain with her tribe when freedom was offered. Of course by then she was married with kids. And since her natural family had been massacred when she was taken...well yeah.

October 1st

2011-10-02T00:33:00.000-04:00

A young couple from church got married today...the weather was dreary, rainy, cold...but they were so radiant they provided all the sunshine the rest of us needed to enjoy their special day.

After the ceremony their plan was to come to our house for pictures. Our imposing old barn makes an interesting backdrop for photos. The big front porch with multicolored Adirondack chairs is a good place to pose. And the swing set, tractor and wagon make nice props too. But, oh baby, it was too cold, wet and drizzly to really do justice to any outdoor pics. Maybe they'll come back for a repeat after their honeymoon. I hope so.

Here's how things look on good days...

Today was nothing like this. Too bad. Still it was a great day and a lovely wedding. Our David provided special music for the ceremony. Of course he's far away in Colorado so he recorded a DVD of one of his original songs for Ashley and Justin. You can listen to his sweet love song by clicking here if you like. He got all dressed up with a shirt and tie for the recording -- nice touch for the wedding. The song brought tears. But what's a wedding without tears?

This was the first wedding reception in our new fellowship hall at church. Look how pretty...

The bride and groom chose beautiful fall colors. I hope I'll get my hands on some more pictures to post later.

I went back to church to help clean up a bit -- birdseed is wicked to sweep up in case you didn't know. I brought home some tablecloths to wash, dry, and fold. Which is why I'm blogging at midnight, entertaining myself while waiting for the dryer, because heaven forbid I should have to iron those buggers.

I'm heading for bed now. Here's hoping we don't have a frost to nip all of my beautiful flowers still in bloom. The dahlias are hardy, but the hibiscus not so much. We'll see. Good-night all.

A Sunny Sunday Morning...

2011-09-25T16:52:00.002-04:00

and I'm better! Hallelujah.

It's officially fall. The pool is still open, but the leaves are indeed falling into it. That's okay, for another few weeks it will still be worth it -- having to clear out the leaves before swimming. And then the weather will turn cooler and rainy and that'll be that. We'll spend a day or two putting the pool to sleep for the winter.

A mama deer and two of her offspring graced us with their presence(s) this morning. When they posed in the sunlight Tom began snapping pictures...

Eventually they ran away and so did we. Off to church...they worship their way, we another. I listened to one of my son's messages this week (actually I listened to 3 messages in the series The Indestructible Church) and (in each) he references worship. The act of worship is more than gathering on Sundays, more than the music, the message, the prayer. Worship is our life.

It always surprises me how God dovetails things.Aaron's sermons were in the same vein as our own Pastor's current series, In Common, which began on September 11th. Coincidentally (?) Sunday School class often touches on something that comes across in Pastor's message. The music, whether choruses or hymns, complement or even complete the sermon. And yet, the Pastor, Sunday School teacher, worship leader haven't collaborated -- not at all. But the Holy Spirit communes with each of our spirits. Yeah, it's a God thing. Gotta love it!

Big Sigh!

2011-09-20T13:56:00.000-04:00

Apparently I have shingles -- or poison ivy. Either way I'm quarantined. And in the quiet of being alone at home I'm thinking of all the wonderful things that I enjoy day by day and haven't gotten around to posting. Coffee in the morning, staying in pajamas until 10 o'clock on my one day off a week -- two if you count Saturday. Roaming the house looking out the windows. Freshly mowed lawn, green edges, trees just beginning to think about turning colors, sunshine. I especially like it when there is sunshine, although yesterday it rained, soft and drizzly, and that was nice too. The flowers, wild and otherwise, that bloom in season. The surprise of perennials that make a comeback every single year. Wildlife like squirrels, chipmunks, birds, woodchucks (who I've never once seen chucking wood), turkeys, rabbits, deer -- playing and foraging and, at least some of them, running to hide from sharpshooter Tom. Oh, and seeing the occasional eagle -- eagle sightings are the best.

Red geraniums are taking a break, but black-eyed susans are at their peak.

Fishing on French Creek is fun, or if you're me, the scenery, the canoe ride and reading a good book.

And licking ice cream cones on the porch swing -- that's quite enjoyable too.

I'm remembering all the fun of summer and writing this post to keep my mind off the itchy, ouchie, oozie trouble of shingles...or poison ivy...whatever.

Catching up

2011-09-08T22:09:00.000-04:00

Okay, so I bit off more than I could manage...my life story starting 40 years ago...on my blog...I don't think so. Instead I'll share all the fun things we did to celebrate our milestone anniversary. Starting with a surprise dinner out with friends, who invited us without telling us where, and invited a dear friend who we met there 37 years ago in that very town. The town -- New Wilmington, the place The Tavern Restautant (which I highly recommend if you live in northwest PA). One of our sons lives not far from there...so surprise! He and his girlfriend were there too.

They, Adam and Alicia, presented us with a gift -- Alicia's handiwork beautifully framed that says, "Family ties are treasured things, and far though we may roam, the tender bonds with those we love, still pull our hearts toward home." Heartwarming. I was over-clempt, couldn't help tearing up.

Good friends. They don't come any better.

And the next day we had a party at our house for Deenie's 60th birthday...but I'd like to make it clear that my friend Nadine is not 60...yet. She won't be 60 for another few days, but her daughter and kids were in town so we celebrated early. It was crazy -- me trying to keep a surprise from her and her trying to keep a surprise from me. Turns out she's better -- maybe the best! -- at surprises.

Another surprise, one from our children, is an overnight stay at an amazing resort hotel. All we have to do is pick the date. Does anyone else know how hard it is to accept an extravagant gift from your kiddos? Yeah. (I'm pretty sure my parents know, and I'm going to follow their example and accept gratefully.) So, I'm getting totally psyched about making time for an upscale date with my totally wonderful husband.

A Time Line (40 Years and Counting)

2011-08-28T08:42:00.001-04:00

The Players

40 years ago today I married Tom Henning...He was Tommy then. We dated through eleventh grade, twelfth grade, and then, one year after high school we married. We were still 18. Kids. I chose not to go to college, instead I snagged a job at the university. The plan was to save up $ for married life and to get spouse benefits for Tom's tuition, when by marriage he would lose the tuition break his mother's employment at Pattee Library offered. We really were still kids. Two years and a few months later we had our first baby boy -- Nathan, the prophet.. I had just turned 21. Tom wasn't yet 21. Kids. 17 months later we had our second baby boy -- Aaron, the priest. Kids with 2 kids. 5 years later we had our 3rd little boy -- Adam, God's man. And 6 years after Adam our family was completed with the arrival of David -- a king, and a man after God's own heart.

That's the immediate family, but there are daughters-in-law, grandkids, and a significant other, and two extended families... Hennings and Bruces, and so many friends who were (are) part of our lives through the years.

Next The People and The Places (after church...it's Sunday)

Newly Weds

2011-08-23T22:47:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to Leesa and Jack!


nephew and cousins of the bride


parents and grands

Siblings: Joan, Kath, Tom, Lu, Scott, Bets

It really was a wonderful wedding, beautiful reception, and then the next day we helped my dad celebrate his 80th birthday.

What a fantastic, fun-filled, weekend getaway. We came from California, Florida, Ohio, Paris, France, and various corners of Pennsylvania. Everyone is back home now. And I'll bet we all agree...there's no place like home.

Moving On

2011-08-22T16:13:00.000-04:00

I really have to finish up with the long begone cousins reunion because other things keep happening...eagle sightings, mama deer and fawns, wedding, reception, and surprise 80th birthday party. But first things first. Still from the last days of July: playing in the sand down by the creek bank and fishing, and baby, baby, who's got the baby? (No shortage of willing volunteers.)

Swimmers and Divers

2011-08-22T16:01:00.000-04:00

Most Impressive...Breakfast On the Camp Fire

2011-08-22T15:33:00.000-04:00

Chief cook -- whose #1 helper was her brother.

Meanwhile... There was a grandbaby to hold


and a fire to keep stoked (there's the sous chef!)


and children to entertain


until -- voila -- breakfast was served!

I was in the house brewing coffee in a modern day coffee maker. Tom was playing pool boy -- getting ready for the barrage of swimmers.

Cousins Reunion 2011

2011-08-16T09:49:00.000-04:00

More pictures to come! Swimming, camping, breakfast around the campfire, rolling down the sloping front yard, visiting, and of course, the picnic.

The Sustaining Power of Hope and Prayer

2011-08-11T18:40:00.001-04:00

I have nothing to complain about. Yet someone who does gives me reason -- by example -- to appreciate, enjoy, relish and embrace LIFE. And maybe take time to show a little gratitude (she says sheepishly).

Read Toddler Planet and please keep Susan in your prayers. Thank you so much.

July Zooms By

2011-08-04T11:06:00.000-04:00

Kathy's 60th birthday on the 4th of July...


She's a Yankee Doodle Dandy

Birthday party, family reunion, spending over with friends, back home to prepare for guests, work in the tree fields, host cookouts and swim days, repair boat (see previous post), more mowing and shearing in the tree fields, gear up for Henning family reunion, clean up from Henning family reunion...and zip, that month is over!

Lots accomplished. Lots of fun had. Still more summer to enjoy!

Random photos:


Visiting the old stomping grounds -- Stackhouse Park


bro and sis-in-law


Friends


Family


More Family and friends

The internet is slow...I've spent way too long trying to upload pix. Pictures of the Cousins Reunion to follow. Like maybe when we have a realio trulio high speed connection, which is rumored to be a possibility by next week. We'll see.

Testing, Just Testing

2011-07-16T23:01:00.001-04:00

The old flat bottom boat was leaky. Tom fixed it. But who wants to make a trip all the way to the creek to see if it is now sea worthy...errr creek worthy? No one. So here's an idea. Let's put the boat in the pool...

Yup, that should do it. No leaks. No torn pool liner. Everybody is happy.

As long as we're all wet -- might as well swim...

I'm not sure what was going on here, but it looks like Adam and Alicia are practicing synchronized swimming...

And if you're just a little person, we have a pool for you too.

Goggles, check. Water wings, check. Life jacket, check.
Little lounge chair and six inches of water -- good to go!

Another Day in Paradise

2011-07-02T22:30:00.000-04:00

That's my dad's sentiment about his life in Florida. And when we're there mid-winter, I couldn't agree more! But up north we have our paradise in the summertime. Yesterday we enjoyed sunshine and pleasantly warm temperatures -- absolutely perfect. Tom and I sat on the porch swing and watched a hummingbird sip from the feeder. A couple of deer were browsing in the yard.

Later in the evening we had dinner on the back porch and a mama doe brought her 2 fawns out to play -- just tiny little things.. No picture of that, I couldn't stop watching long enough to go get the camera.

This is a wonderful place to live. A little bit of paradise.

And a bonus, little kids come over to play in the pool.

I Remember A Day When...

2011-06-26T16:02:00.001-04:00

The grass was getting thick and green, buds were popping open turning into leaves, ferns were filling out beyond their frond stage, all of the plants and flowers were coming to life, greening up, and getting full and lush. It was all so beautiful and orderly.

nice tidy edges all around

I didn't notice the weeds so much. They were still little and insignificant, small enough to yank out when I was admiring the flower beds, pachysandra edge, hosta rows, or lines of lilies.

What happened?

A little sunshine and a lot of rain -- that's what happened. And boom. The weeds are big, full, and lush too. You should see the sumac trees sprouting where they ought not to be, and the dandelions, chickweed, and touch-me-nots. The virginia creeper and poison ivy are taking off like there's a race. And if we don't keep after them, they'll win.

Today there is no contest. I want to sit on the porch and enjoy the sights and sounds of a perfectly beautiful day. Let the weeds run rampant. I don't care.

weeds running rampant

Who am I kidding? I'm type A. Weeds -- and that overgrown look -- drive me crazy. I'm just going to have to get off my duff and go ask Tom to fix this for me.

Come On In... The Water's Fine

2011-06-24T18:39:00.000-04:00

One of the best things about having a pool is that friends come over and enjoy it too. This little guy swims from the shallow end to the deep end and even jumps off the diving board -- with a little help from his floatation device. Don't worry, an adult is always nearby.

Here's another frequent visitor...

And you are ever so welcome too!

Summer: Getting Dirty, Keeping Cool, Retreating

2011-06-20T19:46:00.001-04:00

Why is it I love summer? What do I do all summer long? It's all coming back to me. The tree fields need mowed, the lawn grows and grows and has to be cut and cut. The pool -- fun as it is -- requires effort to keep it sparkling clean. Flower beds, vegetable garden (such as it is), porches, swing set, barn, everything you have needs taken care of. That care requires time and energy I'd rather use for swimming or sipping iced tea with a friend. But that's okay, it's summer time. All the work surrounding us is worth it for the incredible beauty surrounding us. And to top it off we get surprise glimpses of wildlife: birds, rabbits, deer, coyotes, and bears. I haven't seen the bear or the coyote, but Tom has -- and you know what? -- that's fine with me. I don't need to see bears and coyotes. The moon has been breathtakingly gorgeous. And last night when I couldn't sleep at 12:45 a.m., lightning bugs were putting on such a spectacular show I was a bit spooked. They were giant lightning bugs flashing big, big lights. Or were they tiny little ufo's shining tiny little lights? Whatever they were it was surely an invasion. They were up high in the trees and down low in the grass and straight ahead convening on every edge and hedge of our property. Big bugs or small aliens, I don't know for sure. But I went back to bed and snuggled up to Tom and dreamed about other worlds.

Cleaning Frenzy

2011-06-12T23:18:00.001-04:00

No time to post.
No time to write.
I'm cleaning house by day,
And late into the night.

That's my excuse for last week. But this is a new week and since my house is decluttered, organized, and the spring cleaning is pretty much done, I'll get back to writing faithfully. (Believe that and I'll tell you another story.)

We had company this weekend and couldn't have had more fun. We got to see two sons, one daughter-in-law, and two grandsons. There was all manner of playing, swimming, fishing, swinging, eating, and even a little work. Grant helped me spread mulch on my flower bed. I told him what a big help he was. He told me, "Working together is special time that makes good memories." How does a 4-year-old know that?

The entire weekend was full of special time that Nana and Papa sure hope means special memories for the grandkids. Another Grant exclamation: "Papa this was the most fun afternoon I ever had in my whole life!" (Of course the day before at the Pittsburgh zoo was also the most fun he ever had in his whole life.) Oh to be so enthusiastic about life!

A highlight of the weekend was dinner out to Chuck E. Cheese. One of my friends said, "That's the equivalent of Vegas for little kids." I don't know about that, but it was a blast. And here's a big surprise... the pizza was really good! Still the best part of all was watching the little boys having so much fun.

Knowing how these kids make us smile, I can just imagine how tickled God is with all of his children! I hope I make Him smile.

Memorial Day

2011-05-30T09:15:00.000-04:00

It doesn't seem appropriate to say Happy Memorial Day, when so many are awash with grief. Five years ago my third son went to Iraq...he came back, for which I thank God regularly. Tom and I have a close friend who served in the thick jungles of Vietnam. He witnessed too much, but God has sustained him. My youngest brother died of cancer in the month of May. He wasn't a vet, but I remember him on Memorial Day just the same. He loved life, and in his honor, I will enjoy this day with its parades, visits to cemeteries, and picnics.

Tom and I watched the Memorial Day event held in Washington D.C. on PBS last evening. There were some beautiful presentations, representing so much sadness, too much loss, offering hope and inspiration. The fallen are honored, lest their deaths be in vain. I imagine all of the survivors -- moms and dads, wives and husbands, children, friends -- are comforted, strengthened, buoyed by the outpouring of attention for their lost loved ones.

Tough stuff.

To all Veterans out there and to those whose memories we honor today, thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

And Still...The End is Near

2011-05-22T23:23:00.000-04:00

So much kidding around about the prophecy that didn't come to fruition. One of my favorites was: I guess on Sunday when people feel really upset that the rapture didn't happen, we can't console them by saying, "Cheer up, it's not the end of the world." But my very favorite was a weather strip by a meteorologist. It had all the days of the week with forecasts and appropriate pictures: Monday chance of rain, Tuesday thunderstorms, Wednesday sunny... up to Saturday -- rapture (picture of people floating upward) -- chance of judgement.

But for all the joking (and I did my share) -- according to the Bible, the end will come...and after that judgement. It may be far off or may be soon. Way back in the year 66AD Paul was saying that Jesus would return soon. Preachers have been warning their parishioners for hundreds of years. And godly men, even if way off base, have been predicting dates and times for what seems like ever. It leaves many of us wondering what part of "No one knows the day or the hour," from Matthew 24 is unclear. And the Bible is clear on this: all of our days are numbered. This world is finite, all of its days are numbered.

Some are taking a chance that there is no eternal life; when you're dead, you're dead. Others are quite sure they'll spend everlasting life with God in heaven. Either way, you've got to have faith. Faith that this world is it, all there is. Faith that the world made itself, complete with flora and fauna. It formed all of its inhabitants out of next to nothing, which evolved into us, our pets, and all things that creep, crawl, walk, and fly.

Or you've got to have faith that someone had a plan and created it all. I only have enough faith to believe the latter. Faith became reality. When I confessed faith in a creator, He revealed himself to me. What started as blind faith became as real as real can be. I wish I could show that reality to everyone, but I can't. I can only encourage others to look and see. If you look for Him, he will be found. If you want to know Him, he will be known.

Amazing grace how sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me

I once was lost, but now am found

Was blind, but now I see.

Clearly this is the kind of post that belongs on my other website. But when Tom and I were doing yard work on Saturday: mowing , weeding, preparing a garden plot, cleaning the pool, sweeping the porches and walkway, assessing the overwhelming mess in the barn --old junk and worthless clutter covered with bat droppings and pigeon poo-- honestly, all I could think was, "I hope Harold Camping is right." I felt like my corner of the world was all dirty. I was really hoping for a new one. But alas it's not to be. Yet. So we continue cleaning up, caring for, redeeming what we've got.

As it turns out, the place cleans up pretty nice...

First Swim...

2011-05-16T22:33:00.000-04:00

and then cold and rainy again. Spring brings vibrant colors, greener grass, sweet flowers, all kinds of renewed life. But it's cold again. Too cold to swim, and today I heard it's going to be a cool summer. That's not music to my ears, but oh well, we'll make the best of it.

For now, 2 sets of sisters, almost impossible to capture together...


Playing outside (not sisters)


Hiding inside (not sisters)


Climbing up (not sisters)


Sharing tea ( sisters!)

Mother's Day

2011-05-08T23:10:00.000-04:00

All of my boys (and daughters-in-law) were with me in spirit, represented by phone calls, cards, and good wishes. But Adam and Alicia were here in the flesh -- the day before Mother's Day.

My very favorite card had Snoopy on the outside and a four-year-old hand printed names on the inside. (But honestly kids, each and every card, and each and every one of you is special to me...but, it's just that, hmmm... what can I say? Your nephews [or your kids] my grandkids are my favorites now. Can you live with that?)

Tom went hunting early Saturday morning -- he cleaned up after slaying a turkey, then we went out to eat.

We went out for brunch, took a walk in the woods, visited, chatted, caught up. It really was a fabulous day. The guys set up a tripod so we could get in a picture together.

The best part about the weekend was that the weather was gorgeous in spite of the forecast for rain both Saturday and Sunday. I love it when the weatherman is wrong about rain!

On Sunday morning I phoned my mom before church. It sounded like a party with Dad, Aunt Lou, Uncle Harry, and Aunt Ro laughing and talking in the background, and all of us trying to holler "Happy Mother's Day" to each other. Speaker phone -- not the greatest form of communication. They were having their own brunch and then heading out to the golf course. A good Mother's Day there too!

Tuesday, Saturday, Thursday

2011-05-05T23:25:00.000-04:00

What do did these days have in common? April 26, April 30, and May 5 were sunny days. Lawn work, junk day, walks, catching rays...gotta love it! The weather man just told us that it rained 24 out of April's 30 days. Soggy.

But today (Thursday) was lovely...

Four little girls. My friend asked if it was kind of like the old days. I had four boys, spaced much farther apart than these four girls. And they stayed here all day, every day (and night). This part time nannying is just the ticket -- I get a nice baby/little kid fix, and then they go home with their mommies and daddies. So, no, it's almost nothing like the old days.

It's just...Betsy's Day Care. Open one day a week, by appointment. Afternoon naps encouraged.

Osama bin Laden is Gone

2011-05-03T23:07:00.004-04:00

On the one hand...

"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that" -- Martin Luther King

On the other hand...

"I have never wished a man dead, but I have read some obituaries with great pleasure." -- a quote possibly (probably?) by Samuel Clemens / Mark Twain (Sounds like something he'd say.)

In my own words...

I've been trying to sort out how I feel. Actually, I've been trying to figure out how to articulate how I feel. Certainly I'm glad that further threat from Osama bin Laden is gone. But how can I possibly celebrate the death of an enemy when God clearly commands that we love our enemies?

If bin Laden's death brings closure or comfort to the families of his victims, I'm glad for that. I only hope it assists them in their healing. I'm satisfied that justice is served. But then again..."Vengeance is mine, says the Lord."

Of course, I'm grateful to the brave soldiers who courageously took on such a mission. They deserve praise and honor for doing their job well. I'm beyond glad that they came home safely.

I wish there were no wars, no evil people, no man-made tragedies. I wish that all people were good, and that all good people were nice. But that isn't the world we live in.

Osama bin Laden is dead. My heart is not glad, but it is impossible for me to follow that with, may he rest in peace.

Power Outage

2011-04-28T16:05:00.001-04:00

A flicker, a snap, and then darkness. Dark and quiet. And in the dark, Tom and I both laughed at how indifferent we were about the TV show we were watching. That's when you know you just might need an intervention. But we sat and let our eyes adjust to the darkness. Thanks to the incessant cloud cover there was no moonlight to help out. Then the lights came on and the TV blared. (Had it been so loud before the sudden silence?) I dashed to the laundry closet and snatched up a flashlight, just in time too. I was able to light my way when darkness overtook again, and round up some candles and matches. Then Tom and I sat outside on the porch swing listening to the spring peepers, the wind, and soon a siren. We'd find out in the morning that a car hit a utility pole and toppled it into another pole.

We were without electricity for only a short time. Though predicted storms threatened all night long, our outage was caused by an accident. Sadly, this morning's news shows reported devastation from tornadoes in states across the country (again.) Truly our little outage was nothing. Other people lost homes, all their worldly possessions, some lost neighbors and loved ones. So many natural disasters, storms and floods. So much economic hardship. House foreclosures. Hunger. Illness. My heart breaks for those who suffer... and I'm ashamed for whining over wet weather.

The wind is still blowing hard (2 days? 3 days now?) It blows down the flowers and breaks branches, but it's not tornado force. On the bright side, it parts the clouds so the sun can shine through. We spoke last night about security, feeling safe. This world doesn't offer safety. In fact, the Bible says there will come a time when people say peace, peace, but there will be no peace. Is this that time? Better find your peace in something other than this world. This one appears to be coming apart at the seams.

Still April, Still Raining

2011-04-25T20:26:00.001-04:00

We had one, terrific, surprise, bonus, next thing to a beautiful day. Saturday. The day before Easter.

One of my friends was quick thinking enough to reschedule her backyard Easter egg hunt. Her grandchildren donned their Easter finery, took baskets in hand and searched the yard for colored eggs -- a day early.

When my kids were little we were occasionally included in that Thayer/Powell family tradition. Such fun. Good memories.

This year our Easter weekend was filled with... a noontime Good Friday service at church and then a children's celebration in the evening.

Saturday morning we attended a graveside service for our dear old friend, Aunt Ronnie, who passed onto glory back in October. With the Dine family we celebrated her life and her new everlasting life. Then we spent Saturday afternoon with our son David's in-law family. Good food, good company, an egg hunt, and good weather to boot.

On Easter Sunday Tom fixed us a pancake breakfast. Dave and Mel had to leave by 9a.m. right about the time we headed off to church. For Resurrection Sunday, church was full and the music, fabulous. Angelic, happy children treated us to a hand-signed rendition of "Lord I Lift Your Name on High." And the message "Jesus Our Coming King" inspired hope and joy.

Afterward Tom and I, along with John and Wanda, went to Gary and Nadine's for a delicious ham dinner with mashed potatoes and gravy like only Deenie can make. Scrumptious!

April Flowers

2011-04-17T22:35:00.001-04:00

First come crocuses,

then the daffodils bloom,

mini-daffies

and soon -- very soon -- daffodils will make way for tulips...I can hardly wait!

April showers, storms, sleet and snow haven't been able to stop the April flowers, they've greened up the grass, and promise to bring May flowers. Now if it could just get a little warmer, please.

The girls and I got to enjoy some beautiful sunny days last week. Cool, but sunny. Perfect for playing outdoors.

The big sister can pump all by herself. The little one has added "whee!" and "push, push!" to her vocabulary.

One of Five Birthdays

2011-04-09T21:58:00.000-04:00

From March through April -- five of our kids and grands turn a year older. When our boys were young they were grouped as the big boys (2 of 'em) and the little boys (2 of them too). Now that the older of the 2 "little" boys is over 30 -- yikes, I'm feeling old! Ah, but what matters? He's still young.


Adam & Alicia, Jim & Wendy

Yes, his birthday was in March. Yes, that is a Christmas tree on the wall.

So?

I took it down last week when it dawned on me, maybe that's why winter wouldn't go away -- my bad, I hadn't taken down all my Christmas trappings. I apologize to the rest of the world. It's my fault the snow wouldn't stop. But everything should be okay now. I've done my part, my decorations are all in storage. So go ahead and put away your snowsuits.

Thirty-six years ago today...

2011-04-03T21:15:00.000-04:00

my second baby boy was born. He's all grown up with 2 little ones of his own. I'm sure they are having a wonderful day helping daddy celebrate his birthday with balloons, streamers, cake and presents.

Sunrise, sunset,

quickly fly the years.

Beautifully Sunny, Ridiculously Cold

2011-03-27T23:24:00.000-04:00

That's the weather update around here. But at least there isn't snow -- which is no guarantee there won't be any more snow. Still, here's hoping against it!

I'd like to make an excuse for not blogging these past two weeks, especially considering -- my youngest son turned 25 -- a pretty significant birthday, don't you think? But I was too busy to blog about him, his accomplishments, the blessing he is to our family. I'd need a really good excuse to make up for that! But in Sunday School this morning someone shared a Ben Franklin quote, something to the effect that a person who is good at making excuses is rarely good for anything else. I don't want to be that person. So, no excuse.

Two Trips, Three Birthdays

2011-03-12T08:39:00.000-05:00

We celebrated birthdays in State College 5 days apart. Our youngest grandson turned 1 and one of our favorite sis-in-laws turned 55. And yesterday our very favorite 3rd son turned 31. We get to celebrate with him later today.

My good friend Nadine was reminding me of what a beautiful day it was when Adam was born 31 years ago. She was watching the 2 big brothers, Nathan 6, Aaron almost 5, her own Matt 5, and Laura 3. She remembers being outside clipping her raspberry bushes while the children played. We thought nothing of watching each others children -- friends like family is what we ~~were~~ are, for lack of our own families nearby. As I recall, we took our two little boys over to her house around 9 o'clock and tucked them in bed. Waited a few more hours to make sure this was the real deal, then headed to the hospital. It was a long night of labor for me, but 'round about 7 in the morning a most welcome little boy arrived, slightly blue, breathing, but not screaming. It had no doubt been a long night of labor for him as well. And his reaction to the end of the drama of childbirth would be indicative of his personality: tenacious, calm under pressure, firm in his persistence to see things through to completion -- his way. Traits that have served him well.

Those were the days when very few of us knew what gender of baby we were getting in advance. For the third time in a row I was hoping for a girl. When he emerged, very much a little boy, I joyfully and enthusiastically said to Tom, "It's a boy, it's a boy, it's a boy!" Tom, who was standing right there and could see for himself that our new baby was a boy, looked at me questioningly and said, "I thought you wanted a girl." And I said, "Yes, but it's a boy! He's a boy, and I'm so happy!"

(Secret -- I was so exhausted from labor, I think I would have been happy with a monkey at that point.)

But it wasn't a monkey, it wasn't a girl, it...he...was a fabulous, wonderful, terrific little boy. And now he's a man. Yesterday he turned 31. Today we celebrate his birthday with him, his dear Alicia, and her parents, here at our house with a birthday dinner. Which I better go get ready for.

Happy (day after) Birthday, Adam Michael!

Oh, by the way, on his birthday 2011 it was not a beautiful day...or wait, it was a different kind of beautiful day. There were no little children running around yards unless they had snowsuits and boots. No one was trimming bushes, which are all ice covered. Because... We had another snowstorm. I'm looking out the window, across the snowy landscape to the flooded flats where geese are swimming right up to the bank that delineates our yard from the field below. (See picture from previous post -- River front property.)

Geese and High Water

2011-03-07T22:41:00.000-05:00

This week we have river front property.

The geese circle, honking and squawking by the hundreds, or so it sounds. With flourish and flapping they land and glide around -- much quieter, thankfully.

Meanwhile our dog goes berserk; her carrying on hard to differentiate from the barking geese. Crazy noise.

But it's fun to watch the geese on the water, beautiful to see. And this is winter's last hurrah. Or so we hope.

See! The winter is past;

   the rains are over and gone.
Flowers appear on the earth;
   the season of singing has come,
the cooing of doves
   is heard in our land.

Song of Solomon 2:11-12

Goodbye February

2011-02-28T23:03:00.000-05:00

Ticking off the winter months. Spring isn't far off. And I'm so ready. Although even I have to admit the wildlife look so pretty against the background of bright white snow. Birds, birds, birds, squirrels, and deer.


Mr. and Mrs.

Regular visitors include cardinals, tufted titmice, nuthatches, a red bellied woodpecker, downy woodpeckers, doves and, and, and...

...squirrels.

But, oh baby, it's been cold outside. So we've snuggled in...even on sunny days...keeping company with laptops, TV, cat, and dog.

Cleo didn't like the sun so she moved on over to the other couch and snuggled up with me.


Cat nap.

Phoebe toweling off after a bath.

Yep...more snow

2011-02-21T14:26:00.000-05:00

Heavy, wet, 8 or 10 inches. Maybe a foot. Trees sagging, roads slippery, parking lots inaccessible (at least the one I wanted to get in this morning). Tom cleared off my car before he left for work, bless him. The trail he and his van forged down the driveway helped me and my little P.T. get out a couple of hours later. Once in town I parked on the road rather than risk getting stuck in the church parking lot. I couldn't update the church website -- my main job on Mondays. The toner for the copier won't arrive until later this week -- I've been dead in the water on that front since last Wednesday. And, I spent way too much time on the phone with Verizon this a.m. -- but I think the issues are all worked out now.

My faithful P.T. powered his way right back up the driveway this afternoon. I was expecting to get stuck. Sometimes it's nice not to get what you expect.

I thought of a way to solve the website problem -- not a for sure fix, but a definite maybe. If I go back to the church. I could combine the trip with errands and picking up groceries. Should I chance my luck one more time with the driveway? Or snuggle on the couch with a good read? I think I'll close my eyes and think about it... just for... a few minutes.

zzzzzz.....

Winter's Broke

2011-02-19T17:11:00.002-05:00

Poor grammar aside...we enjoyed a very welcome melt down. Parking lots that were veritable ice rinks and huge piles of snow clogging intersections and driveways are reduced to mud and slush -- so much better than frozen dirt, slippery pavement, and snow -- sort of. Across the fields plenty of white can still be seen, but it's crusty and sparse. More grass is visible than snow. The thermometer hit 59 degrees yesterday. Harbingers of spring teasing the daylights out of us. Today, down to the 20's. Brrrr. During those two warm days I didn't hear any spring peepers.. So even though it seems winter's broke...I know it'll gather itself back up...won't be on its way out of town till about the end of March. Nice break though.

French Creek fertilizing our back field -- the flats.

For short periods of time every year, winter/spring meltdowns makes ours a river-front property. When it all settles, the creek bank is just beyond that tree line. A lovely walk across the field to have a picnic, launch a canoe, build a fire and roast marshmallows. Hope springs eternal.

Here's What I Was Trying to Add

2011-02-07T23:41:00.000-05:00

The World Wide Idol

2011-02-07T23:24:00.001-05:00

That's my boy! Well, one of them.

David won a music contest at the World Wide Idol dot Com but I can't seem to capture the picture, so in lieu of that, here's the link. I mean there's the link. And another:

Chris Tomlin I will follow

www.youtube.com

Chris Tomlin's I will follow mashup by David Henning. Featured songs in medley: Our God and I will rise. imovie and Garageband tools used.

Vitamin D, Frostbite? Vitamin D, Frostbite?

2011-02-03T16:27:00.001-05:00

Ow, ow, ow, my fingers hurt.I was out catching a little vitamin D. All you need is to bare your forearms, hands and face on a sunny day (no matter how cold?) for 15 minutes and the exposed skin will absorb a day's worth of vitamin D. I did that. Walked to the mailbox and back 3 or 4 times, frontwards down, backwards up so my face would keep facing Mr. Sunshine. I'm not sure that was 15 minutes worth so I decided to sit on the front porch and continue my sunbath. Chickadees and nuthatches, a tufted titmouse and a ladder back woodpecker joined me. They weren't the least bit intimidated by my presence near their feeder. I was talking to them and still they didn't flutter away... That was just too good, I had to get a camera. Look at this. I took off my slipper so the camera could see how close a little chickadee was to my foot -- when his buddy landed right on my foot. Another sat on my lap and hopped down my leg. Another landed on my head. I swear I'm not making this up. I couldn't capture those shots with my digital camera, my feathered friends aren't that tame -- but if I had a photographer I'll betcha it could have been done.

This is the big attraction -- a snowman birdfeeder filled with shelled sunflower seeds, a Christmas gift from Tom's sister.

The little birdies are feeling the love and showing their gratitude, which blessed me no end! Blessed me so much I didn't notice that my fingers were freezing off. I hope I got the vitamin D I was after to make up for the painful thawing out process. Ow, ow, ow.

A Concert of Prayer

2011-01-31T16:15:00.003-05:00

Each and every instrument makes a beautiful sound. A collection of instruments playing together makes a beautiful concert. Individual prayers are like instruments delivering sweet sounds to the ear of God. Collective prayers present a whole concert to Him. Dear family and friends, please join me as I join the blogosphere of pray-ers storming the gates of heaven, asking God to touch and heal Susan of cancer. Click here to join those who will be praying a novena for nine days (nights) in a row, January 31st to February 8th from 8 to 9pm. And if that's not your preferred style of praying, please, please, beseech God in any way comfortable to you on Susan's behalf -- especially during the same days and hours as our Catholic sisters. Our prayers together will make a beautiful concert, a sweet sound on behalf of a sweet sister.

To get to know Susan, read the lovely post about her at http://wrecklamation.blogspot.com/2011/01/fighting-together-with-prayer.html or click the link to her blog, Toddler Planet, or click the Lego princess/warrior in the left sidebar.

Oh, I just can't help myself... in case you're not the clicking type here is part of Wrecklamation's blog post honoring Susan -- In my posting on Lymphedema Sleeves, I talked about my friend, Susan Niebur aka Whymommy, who is currently participating in a clinical trial to battle a locally metastatic cancer, her fourth cancer in as many years. Susan is an amazing person. She shines with love. She radiates joy. She makes you want to be a better person. In the short time she has been part of our church community, she has drawn so many people to her, just like moths to a flame. It might be her cheery smile and her ability to see the goodness in life; it might be her obvious love for her husband and children; it might be her wit, her intelligence, her kindness, her gentleness. I'm not sure.

What I am sure of, however, is that many people have expressed to me the desire to pray as a community for Susan. And, as a result, we are joining together starting next Monday, January 31, to say a novena (communal or private prayer, said over nine days or hours). We will say the novena in our church chapel and we are inviting those who cannot be there in person to pray with us between the hours of 8 and 9, every night from January 31 through February 8.

A Whole Lotta Love

2011-01-28T16:25:00.001-05:00

If you look closely you'll notice a red marker on the face of this cute little four-year-old. She came from pre-school with a red design on her cheek. I asked if they were face-painting today. "No," she said, "Brooke drawed on me."

Oh the hazards of school days. So we snuggled and watched a little Toy Story. It's good for what ails you.

The other day we watched and listened to David sing one of the girls' favorite songs, Stand, by Rascal Flatts.

No kidding, I think Audrey knows all the words.

Way Below Zero

2011-01-24T18:56:00.001-05:00

Sunday was a gorgeous sunny day... bitter cold, but sunny. The deer were busy foraging. They pawed the ground and burrowed their faces in the snow, looking for a few tasty blades of grass. I hope they got enough to fill their bellies. Such beautiful animals... the pictures are fuzzy, but it makes them look soft and pet-able, doesn't it?

The clear, star-filled, cloudless night sky made for a frigid, frosty, frozen morning. No school cancellations, but lots of buses wouldn't start, and some that did start wouldn't keep going. I'm guessing it was a half day for most of the schools... not half a day time-wise, half a student body.

6 Degrees 6 More Inches

2011-01-22T15:25:00.000-05:00

That's Fahrenheit and snow. Brrrr. The only reason I'm blogging is that my laptop keeps me warm. I read an article about laptop computers contributing to infertility problems. Yeah, I can see it -- but I'm not male and I'm well past my child-bearing years. So I'm snuggled up with this not so cuddly piece of technology keeping me warm. The house is actually pretty comfortable...all considered. It seems our expensive new windows are paying us back in comfort. Now the draftiest part of the house is the floor, but with all the snow piled up around the foundation (offering a wind block to the crawl spaces) even the floor draft isn't so bad. The furnace hums constantly making me ever so grateful for the free gas that fuels it.Tom has been able to coax the tractor along just enough to keep our long driveway cleared, and we take turns knocking the icicles off the eaves. My skis are lined up by the side door just in case I decide to use them.

So the cold snap and snow are less troublesome to us in our corner of the world than to New York City, New Jersey, and so many southern states. Speaking of cold southern states. Our very good friends just returned from a trip south to meet their very first newborn grandchild. I love babies. They've been sending me pictures right along to let me in on a bit of the fun. Baby's momma and daddy said she's allowed to make an appearance on my blog -- so get a look at this little (pink) sweetheart -- Charlotte.

Alert


Asleep

Oh so sweet!

Just look at her, swimming in that little pink striped outfit. But don't we know...she'll grow. Quick as a bunny, she'll grow. I sure hope I can get my hands on her before she grows too much.

No Twitter Gadget

2011-01-13T19:21:00.000-05:00

I tweeted a story from the CDT of State College -- but for some reason the twitter gadget is broken so I removed it from my blog. But here is an awesome story I read thanks to a high school friend who shared this on facebook -- thanks Patty.

SAINT ANDREW’S

Coat man’s kind heart warms up the needy

Click here to read about a more than generous act of caring and compassion. Inspiring. Heartwarming.

More Snow!

2011-01-09T18:26:00.000-05:00

We got another foot and a half of snow this weekend. Whew. For a day or two I was afraid we were going to run out. Last weekend we could see some patches of grass. Well that's fixed now. Everything is covered with cold, sparkly, white fluff. Tom's plow is frozen so we're hoping the snow showers are done for a bit. We can manage this but not much more. On a side note, I'm concerned for the people in the southeastern states who are getting snow, the likes of which they haven't seen since 1940. But I'll bet the kids are loving it!

The new year is off to a good start. I've got Christmas put away. The thank you notes are written and sent. Resolutions made. Sweets eradicated from the house (or well hidden). Now there's no excuse at hand... I must get the skis out of the barn If memory serves me right, I always enjoy skiing around the property. So why oh why am I dragging my feet? Tomorrow, I'll do it tomorrow.

Tom's Birthday

2011-01-04T19:54:00.000-05:00

I love when Tom has a birthday. He catches up to me. It's a long three months from October 4th to January 2nd. But we're the same now... again. Doesn't he look happy about it?

He's happy because we had such nice company with us to celebrate his birthday. There were balloons and streamers, and he got to watch Merry Madagascar and play outside in the snow. Can't beat that!

Pictures to go with Previous Post

2011-01-02T23:18:00.000-05:00


Christmas Eve Dinner at our house

Christmas Eve Party at Shaffer's new house

Matt & Erin's den with a large TV and big game trophies

Nathan & Mel sharing a big chair

Christmas morning...breakfast for three...

We forgot to take our camera to Tom & Maggie's, so I have no pictures. I'll have to get Melanie to share. She took some pix of the lovely table set with her grandma's china...a wedding present to her and Dave from Grandma Blais.

The day after Christmas Tom & Anne Bruce hosted our family get-together...

Ali and Dave

Nathan, Tom, and Pop


The next generation filling up plates


The Gips family

Family Times and Traditions

2010-12-30T10:15:00.000-05:00

It was a good holiday of spending time with family and friends. Pictures? Not sure if I have any downloaded to the computer, but I'll check.

We had a Christmas Eve dinner with 3 of our boys, one daughter-in-law, and one significant other, who we love as much as a daughter-in-law. After exchanging gifts we all headed to Shaffer's house for our traditional Christmas eve gathering, culminating as usual with singing Christmas carols. Our tradition began about 35 years ago. Tom and I would pack up our two little boys, then three, then four little boys and head over to Gary and Nadine's house. Sometimes we'd take a detour through Pleasant Hills and look at all the pretty Christmas lights. At Shaffer's, in the early years, our kids played with their kids, we exchanged gifts, snacked, and sang Christmas carols before heading home, sometimes in blizzard conditions. Through the years our small group grew adding the Thayer family, Fergusons, Parsons, Thumms, and more. Kids grew up, families came and went. A few years ago we moved the gathering to our house. This year though the Shaffer's grown children hosted the Christmas eve party, and it was splendid. What a joy to have Shaffer's little ones running around -- a treat that the Parsons' grandchildren and the Thayer's grandchildren offered in years past. I fantasize about a day when my own grandchildren might be among the little ones who cheerfully chant "Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer" and sweetly sing "Away in a Manger". Someday -- maybe. On the other hand, my children may be busy creating their own family traditions -- and perhaps we'll be drawn into theirs. Traditions are lovely, but they aren't sacred. Only love is sacred and it can be lived out in so many wonderful evolving ways.

Christmas Day was relaxing...waking up late and enjoying a quiet morning with just Nathan here. We had coffee, and opened presents, and then made a light brunch before heading off to Erie to have a delicious Christmas dinner with David's in-law family. What a treat. I can't remember when I didn't spend Christmas morning fixing Christmas dinner. We had a happy, blessed time with the Blais family.

The day after Christmas, after church, we were off to State College with half of our kiddos for the Bruce family gathering. Good times, grand confusion, great amounts of food, exchanging of gifts, playing games, catching up with sisters, brothers, and their super-duper spouses (who are like sisters and brothers), nieces, nephews and their friends. Even Pop-Pop made the trip from Florida, although without Oma -- because that's just the way it worked out due to a business meeting. We missed Kathy's fam from France and of course missed our brother Rob who has gone on, but is with us in spirit... always.

Days after Christmas we took Nathan, David and Melanie last night to Adam and Alicia's house. The seven of us enjoyed a long s-l-o-w dinner at Chili's. We spent the time laughing about lots of stuff including our favorite sitcoms :-) Then Tom and I headed home, leaving the early morning airport run (which I trust happened at about 6 a.m.) to Adam and Alicia. That allowed Tom and me to stay snug in bed at 5:00 a.m. rather than finding ourselves cruising down the highway to get all 3 out-of-state kids to the airport for morning flights.

Enough. I've got to get ready for company. Apparently we just can't get enough of spending time with people! Tomorrow is New Year's Eve. Enjoy, be safe, review your old year, and no matter how good or bad it was, make good resolutions for the one coming up. My resolve will be to know and love God more clearly and His people, all those He puts in my path, more dearly. Happy New Year to you and yours.

Counting Down, Looking Up

2010-12-20T08:37:00.001-05:00

Ready or not, December 25th comes. I'm ready enough. My trip to Philly last weekend was so inspiring that I came home and got the tree decorated and the stockings up. Then I rearranged the living room. My friend says that's the sign of an insecure woman...always rearranging furniture. Maybe. But I really like the furniture this way...for now.

I was inspired by my sister's newly arranged den, which is much classier. I have to rely on the old farmhouse charm...such as it is.

But all the trappings of a happy Christmas aside, this is the focus, this is the reason to look up: God sent his son, to save us from our sins. That's my reason to rejoice... all year long, all life long.

Catching Some Holiday Spirit

2010-12-13T21:37:00.000-05:00

The Sister's Christmas Party...Aunt's Party...Cousins Get Together...with friends too.

Everyone but the gals in the kitchen

It was a wonderful fun time at Aunt Ro's house...

Mom and Aunt Lou came from Florida, I drove clear across the state and back again. A sister-in-law of one cousin came all the way from Wisconsin, or one of those mid-west states engulfed in blizzard conditions. By the by, there is no snow in Philly and it was warm. The temp was falling when I left this morning and there were reports of snowflakes in the air, but I couldn't see any. Another pic...

My momma and her life-long friend. Look, you can still see the little girl in them...

You're looking at 160 years between them!

Mom is going to hate reading that. She's not willingly owning her 80 years yet.

She and Sara are giggling over being two 40's each.

A Break in the Precipitation

2010-12-09T22:28:00.002-05:00

Pink snow babies ready to play...

Two kids, one sled...

Happy to share...

It was a good day.

Shoveling the Roof

2010-12-07T18:45:00.000-05:00

Thirty inches of snow, I wonder how much that weighs? I don't know, but we had to get it off the roof.

Don't worry, honey, help is on the way...

Me!

A VIEW OR TWO FROM THE ROOF...

The fence is 6 feet high, snow 3-4 feet

That's the diving board

We only got about 1/3 of the job done. More snow falling, but tomorrow it should stop.

Snow Day

2010-12-06T17:23:00.000-05:00

Twenty two inches and counting. This beautiful fluffy white stuff is falling at about 1" per hour. The local school district called for a two hour delay this morning, but then went ahead and had school. Crazy. The surrounding districts played it safe and took a snow day. No one likes to make them up, but no one likes to have buses full of little kids stuck on bad roads or in a ditch either.

I went to work at the church only because I had an appointment to get snow tires put on my car. Yeah, like a day late -- that's the price you pay for being a practicing procrastinator. But it worked out for me because I could leave my car at the garage and walk to work. Assessing the church parking lot, my PT Cruiser never could have mustered through. I used Hoover's Tire as my parking garage and trudged the few blocks in knee deep snow. No kidding. In a few places the drifts were thigh high. I wore snow pants and boots and swooshed onward like a champ. So about the time I was done updating the website, answering mail and phone calls, sorting out other business, my car was ready to be picked up. Oh, I also shoveled a path for Mr. Mailman from the main sidewalk to the church mail slot. I'm sure he appreciated it. I know I appreciated it when I left work to go get my car.

With all this beautiful snow I should be happily decorating the house for Christmas. But no, haven't found the spirit yet. Perhaps I can cajole Tom into helping when he comes in from the great outdoors. He's out hunting for Bambi's father. I'm not hoping he finds him, but then again, I am hoping for venison in the freezer. Can't have it both ways.

This little car wants a garage for Christmas.

My Inspiration to embrace today...

2010-12-02T10:09:00.000-05:00

I want to call her my friend, but we've only met through cyberspace and Christmas cards. She is my husband's third cousin, I think. (I would have to get the chart out and see if that's correct, or if it's second cousin once removed.) I know her mother and father. I pray for this young woman, her husband, her children and her parents. She has been fighting IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer) for 3 1/2 years. As a scientist, wife, mommy, blogger, and all around amazing woman she has touched countless lives -- including mine. I've been following her story, eavesdropping on her life for more than 3 years. At turns I've rejoiced, cried, laughed, sighed, and even gotten angry (not at her, at the cancer and the unfairness of life). Her most recent blog post Unexpected Strength moved me to tears this morning. Her words are profoundly touching, inspiring, heartbreaking, uplifting, sad... and somehow... full of hope.

First Day of Buck (or Doe)

2010-11-29T16:50:00.001-05:00

The not so lucky buck and doe. Real men wear blood on their shirt.

This is a northwest PA holiday. The kids have no school. One fella that was scheduled to work today had to tell his boss he'd be late. How late? Well that depends. But most likely he could get there by late afternoon, right about dark thirty.

I was way too tired to get up with Tom at 4:30a.m. (owing to still being awake, tossing and turning at 2a.m. -- both of us.) But I'll tell you what, by 6:00 breakfast smelled wonderful -- bacon and eggs, pancakes, cheesy potatoes, and coffee. The coffee aroma nearly put me over the side of the bed and on my feet. But no, I resisted. I enjoyed warmed overs at 8:00, quick made some soup and sloppy joe, and went to work for a couple of hours. (On Mondays I update the church website -- and I hate to let that go, since I don't work on Tuesday. So you see, I actually write two blogs a week. I'd like to post on this one more often, something I only occasionally accomplish. I knew you'd want to know all that.)

I got home in time to put lunch on the table for the grateful deer-slayers (2 of them) and the guys who came up empty handed (5 of them). Eat, drink, tell stories, call neighbors, friends, family, then back out to push the loop. That means most of the hunters go get in their places and a couple of them walk around the field called the flats, all the way to the creek and then loop back. Out of today's push one more from our hunting party got a buck. That makes 3, and it appears the hunters are done for the day. What?... it's not even dark yet. So the lucky bucks get to live another day.

Giving Thanks with Grateful Hearts

2010-11-28T13:00:00.001-05:00


Beautiful borrowed beads and a scrumptious pumpkin pie

I got to watch my little girls on Thanksgiving eve. As they were leaving Audrey offered to let me borrow something from her. (Mommy is teaching her not to ask to take things home. She's very bright. and although she probably can't articulate it, she's figured out that perhaps if she offers something, the favor will be reciprocated. Of course it will -- if mommy and daddy allow :-) So she offers her pretty pink princess beads. Well, how could I resist that? I told her I would love to wear them on Thanksgiving Day. And I did.


Adam, Alicia, Gary, Nadine -- a small, but lovely gathering

Cleo the cat's thanksgiving dinner was pretty much same old same old. But she didn't seem to mind a bit. After dinner the girls sat around the table chatting, the guys caught some football, then we all watched a chick flick. It was a good day and we do have much for which to be thankful.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY!

2010-11-25T11:40:00.001-05:00

The pies are in the oven and the turkey is waiting his turn. This is the first time in a few years that we've done our Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday. Usually we feast together on Saturday to accommodate busy schedules and other obligations. Not so this year. Last year on Thanksgiving day we took turkey and all the trimmings and shared the day with our friend "Aunt" Ronnie. This year she's celebrating in heaven...

I'm catching a few minutes of the Macy Day Parade -- here they come led by the Master of Ceremonies and the parade producer. There's Snoopy right behind the big yellow Macy's stars, followed by Lucy and Charlie Brown. ...And I have to interrupt this blog to say that I just had a Happy Thanksgiving phone call from Dad. My parents' tradition of having Aunt Lou and Uncle Harry over is reversed this year and they are traveling to the west coast of Florida for turkey dinner at Lou and Harry's place instead. ...Before that call the cast from Sesame Street sang a song about music touching everyone's heart... and it touched my heart. Sweet memories. Those Sesame Street people are like old friends, who have grown quite a bit older over the 20-30 years since my kids were Sesame Street age. Only Big Bird hasn't aged -- he's still spry, has a child-like voice and his color hasn't faded a bit. Oh this really is too much fun, high school bands and university bands, and singers...all sorts of entertainment.

I think I'll wrap up this blog. I really must go. There are things to do, getting ready for company to come. Meanwhile, the pies are out of the oven and the stuffed turkey is in.

Pictures from one year ago...

A gorgeous woman and great friend, a beautifully set table... a fond memory.

And now... to get busy making this year's memory! Have a wonderful holiday.

Day of Worship, Day of Rest

2010-11-21T08:50:00.000-05:00

The early morning frost is melting away. Chris Matthews is on TV (without Chris this morning), and mmmm, I'm enjoying my first cup of coffee. This is part of our Sunday morning routine here, and it's almost heavenly. I'm dressed and ready for church. Better grab some breakfast and get ready to head out the door. Don't want to be late. I so enjoy our Sunday morning small group that meets before worship time. After church we have a baby shower for one of my friend's daughters. Then tonight a group of us will sing hymns for residents at the local care facility. Sunday is a day of worshiping in more than one way, giving God honor and praise, blessing people, and being blessed. It's a wonderful break from routine, a day for God and people, a day of unconventional rest. I love Sundays.

Let Everything That Has Breath Praise the Lord

2010-11-15T22:21:00.000-05:00

15 days since my last post. Will I post again? Probably, but not just now. William Wordsworth said, "Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart." First I have to breathe again. It'll happen, always does. Then I'll write, and blog, and praise God. "Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord!" Psalm 150:6. All I have to do is find my breath.

One Last Fall Walk

2010-10-31T21:59:00.001-04:00

Nathan and Phoebe heading to the beaver dam after shearing Christmas trees. The leaves were crunchy beneath feet and paws.

Guard dog...

The beaver dam...

Nate's back to California. The dog misses daily treks to the tree fields with him. The decision has been made to put up a "No Trees For Sale" sign this year. We need a catch-up season...too many customers last year.

Autumn Leaves...Endless Raking

2010-10-28T08:11:00.000-04:00

The beautiful, colorful fall season is so pretty in real life and in pictures. We're blessed with huge old maple trees all around our house. Simply gorgeous. For several weeks. Then the wind and rain drives the leaves to the ground, and somebody's got to get them off the grass. Me. And Tom. But he's busy doing things I can't do...so mostly it's me.

I feel overwhelmed when I start the leaf mulching, raking, hauling (or, shhhhh, don't tell the environmentalists, burning) process. It takes about three sessions. I've tried waiting until all of the leaves are off the trees so the job could be done in one session. Hah...then it's dang near impossible.

At the start I attack the job with vigor. Then alas, the energy flags, my back aches, I can't see what I've accomplished, only what's still to be done. I won't quit, can't quit, I just want the job finished. Tom comes to my rescue and talks me into a sensible stopping point. We sit on the porch swing and drink in the view. A lawn (nearly) swept clean of leaves. Ahhhh, what a sense of accomplishment. Life is good again. Not perfect, but good.

Me and My Dad

2010-10-21T17:29:00.000-04:00

When my boys were little, Mercer Mayer books were favorites at bedtime. Just Me and My Dad was a particular favorite -- this post and picture have nothing to do with that, except that this is, I think, a wonderful picture of me and my dad. And I don't have many pictures of just the two of us. So this will no doubt remain a favorite -- just like the book of similar title.

A wedding and two funerals

2010-10-19T08:25:00.001-04:00

In the midst of the wedding week, on a Wednesday, my dear, dear friend "Aunt" Ronnie died. She was 94 years old and completely ready to go to be with God. She said to the nurses, "I don't know why it's taking so long."

For the past year she had been up and down with health issues. During the down times she would often say, "I just keep asking God to take me. I don't know why I'm still here." She was lonely for her Frank who died in October 3 years ago. I don't think she ever fully got over losing her first husband, Byron, back in the early '60s. I had held on to hope that Ronnie (Rowena) would have a second wind and be able to enjoy getting out and about after Frank's passing. Her health did perk up some at first -- I think because they got all the smoke from his old stogies out of the house. She had begun having bouts of pneumonia in the years before Frank died. And in the end that is what caused her death.

We attended her funeral on Sunday, after David's wedding on Saturday.

The next Wednesday, Gerri Deeter Mitchell passed away. She was 95 years old and had been as vibrant and vivacious as can be. She always sat in front of me in church, often joined by her granddaughter and great granddaughter. She absolutely lit up when they breezed in and sat beside her. The tall, gorgeous granddaughter had to bend way down to hug her tiny gramma, but as she said in her eulogy, "Even though Gram was only 4 feet 10 inches tall, I never stopped looking up to her.

I know both of those sweet ladies are hanging out with special loved ones in heaven and basking in the presence of Jesus. But I miss them.

Wedding Pictures!

2010-10-13T17:26:00.003-04:00


Melanie's new husband, brothers, and father-in-law

David's new wife and sister-in-law


Melanie's mom and dad


David's mom and dad


The moms

The groom


The ceremony

The married couple

One Week

2010-10-02T21:18:00.000-04:00

Two Weeks Minus One day

2010-09-26T23:08:00.001-04:00

David and Mel's wedding is fast approaching. I'm paralyzed. By what?... emotion, excitement, expended energy or all of the above? Yet I'm thrilled that the day is approaching. I'm looking forward to family and friends celebrating with us. I will miss those who can't come and those we weren't able to invite. But here I am anticipating the joy of expanding our circle of family as we have already expanded our circle of friends through getting to know Melanie's loved ones.

In less than two weeks Maggie Blais and I will both watch our youngest child commit to the other, joining their lives and ours inextricably. I think we'll both shed tears of joy, tears that will release the conflicting tension of letting go, giving and gaining children till death do (any one of) us part. Sweet, sweet, bittersweet.

Turn around and they're two.

Turn around and they're four.

The Middle of September!

2010-09-15T22:30:00.000-04:00

We're counting down the days until David and Melanie's wedding. Well, they're counting down the days. I'm just sort of keeping in the front of my mind that it's coming up quick. Meanwhile... Tom works crazy hours, just for a little bit yet, until the bus drivers all get acclimated to their routes and the new point of sale system smooths out. Who would have thought we'd see the day when children could buy their school lunch with a finger scan? I guess it beats losing your lunch money, or worse, getting it stolen and going hungry as result.

So those fishing days I blogged about below provide memories that still offer relaxation to Tom and quick meal fixes for me. And after dinner it's off to the tree fields, mowing and shearing, getting those spruces and firs in shape to be Christmas trees come December. The weather has been perfect for mowing an entire gas tank's worth at a time -- about 1 1/2 to 2 hours -- and that's a lot of pushing, pulling, and reefing on the mower. The light gives-out earlier each week. I had to quit last night for fear I would run over a little tree camoflaged by weeds.

My fall schedule is to work at the church 3 days a week and babysit one. Tomorrow is my babysitting day. It'll be me and the girls doing fun things like playdough, coloring, reading stories, and walking to the mailbox, which is always an adventure what with lucky stones to find and butterflies to chase. There used to be a sandy spot where my own little boys would stop to sift sand through their fingers and practice making letters using sticks for writing implements. Now the sand is covered up with pseudo paving -- a chip and tar thing. No more muddy ruts, puddles, holes, which I don't miss. No more sand to stop and play in. I miss that terribly.

Funny how I can get all nostalgic and glamorize the past. Like the sandy spot in the driveway, our old woodshed now a lovely entry and diningroom, and most recently, the 100 year old windows replaced with new vinyl, tilt-in-to-clean, beautiful, efficient, functional windows. Functional means you can actually open and close them, or even keep them open without a stick. And you can see out them sans distortion. Although I miss the wavy glass...it's really cool to see the birds, deer, baby woodchucks and leaves on the trees clearly. Oh yeah. It's great.

It's the middle of September and soon the broad strokes of God's paintbrush will turn grain fields to gold and dot trees with myriad shades of red, orange and yellow. It'll be right about the time of Dave and Mel's wedding. Perfect timing.

Fish Stories

2010-08-29T22:36:00.000-04:00

One fine day Tom and his boys went fishing. They were lucky enough to have a photographer along (Thank you, Matt) There were plenty of fish biting and some were keepers. Matt doubled as fish lander and holder for the photo op..

<<<

Dave and his really long pike.>>>>>

Of course someone has to clean all those keepers -- after measuring them, that is. Tom and Aaron were up to the task.

And I learned something I didn't know before. Fish get longer after you cut them up! At least in the telling of the fish stories that's the way it goes.

39 years and counting

2010-08-28T22:43:00.001-04:00

For our anniversary today, we went to a wedding. It was a fabulous day for an outdoor ceremony. We took advantage of the beautiful setting to commemorate the day for ourselves too.

Kimberly Thayer married Marcus for the second time on Saturday. Their first wedding was an intimate private ceremony on a beach in Florida. The bride's Floridian brother performed both ceremonies for the gorgeous, happy, free-spirited, romantic couple.

A picture of the newlyweds at our house before the wedding.

The musician. Our boy, David, provided the music for his childhood friend's wedding.

(David and Kim go way back... to their diaper days.)

We're so looking forward to the next wedding we'll be attending...our own David and his sweet Melanie.

Ladder Golf

2010-08-23T21:06:00.001-04:00

Sometimes called Ladder Ball... pictured in the previous blog. Two golf balls are tied to a rope. Participants stand a designated distance away and toss the balls at the "ladder". Points are awarded for landing on different rungs. 3 points for the top, 2 for the center, and one for the lowest rung. The title "Ladder Golf" is linked to a website which gives a bit of a demonstration. Our game is a homemade version using PVC pipe (I think...or, ummm, er, some sort of white plastic pipe).

Come on over and try it out.

Free vocabulary lesson: two balls tied to a rope is a bola. Plural: bolas.

The Cousins Came

2010-08-13T23:50:00.000-04:00

The cousins came. They camped.... and played...

...............................But then they left. Sniff, sniff.
..........................................See you next time!

Reunions

2010-08-09T23:07:00.000-04:00

Who doesn't like reuniting with friends and family? Here are pics from our 10th annual Henning Cousins Reunion!

...Eating, playing, visiting, catching up on the past year(s)!

And here are some of the next generation of cousins.
Cute, huh?

The Storm(s) and the Calm

2010-07-28T23:30:00.008-04:00

The last week of July has been a week of thunder, lightning, and rain storms. Very different from heat lightning shows that illuminate the sky on hot summer evenings, which generally lack rumbles, cracks and booms of thunder and present themselves sans rain. No, we’ve been inundated with noisy, flashing, pouring-cats-and-dogs storms. They seem to come out of nowhere. But after a few weeks of drought, the drenching rain is welcome -- at least to the farmers and ducks, it's welcome.

Good news though: we're expecting beautiful, sunny weather for this weekend's family reunion. So the campers won't get damp in their tents. The swimmers will enjoy the pool. Picnic tables will be the main dining venue. We’ll set up games on the grass. Only those who hope to canoe and fish may be disappointed. The creek is high and muddy, but who knows, it may clear up by Saturday, provided the rain stops soon.

We've been running helter-skelter between enjoying summer events, attending a high school class reunion, standing in support of our newest grandchild getting dedicated, entertaining at the pool, and oh yeah, clicking off projects that we put on a list, projects that were supposed to be done in time for the family reunion. Guess what? They aren't all going to get done. But that’s okay. Next year, maybe.

The house is clean, and, at 11:15p.m., the night before the first of the guests arrive, it is quiet. Perhaps this is the calm before the storm. We're ready. Bring it on!

Consider the Lilies

2010-07-18T22:23:00.000-04:00

Our lilies...

Aren't they beautiful? I wish they lasted longer than they do. We planted some that bloom more than once -- ever blooming, or re-blooms, or something. So far they act just like regular lilies except that they bloomed earlier. They seem to be done for the season, but I hold onto great expectations that they will bloom again.

We went to a funeral today. A man whose wife passed away just 40 days ago. The testimonies were wonderfully hopeful and comforting -- a couple who has left a spiritual legacy in their children and grandchildren walking with the Lord. A couple who is reunited in heaven for all eternity. Although the Bible clearly says that in heaven there is no marriage or giving in marriage...what does that mean, I wonder? Not that I really care. I just know that it's all good. A God who has created all the beauty and wonder of this world must have something incredible for us to enjoy for all of eternity. I can hardly wait to find out!

Meanwhile I'll just consider the lilies of the fields. How they neither toil nor spin, yet they look gorgeous. And the birds of the air don't fret about what they'll eat. If our heavenly Father cares for them, why should I worry?

The Dog Days of Summer

2010-07-08T16:44:00.000-04:00

The heat brings guests to the pool.

And we love it.

July brings day guests to the pool, overnight guests, traveling for a family reunion and class reunion,graduation parties, wedding showers, hosting our own "Cousins reunion" right here...which reminds me...gotta track down that piggy.

Happy Belated Birthday to...

2010-07-05T23:12:00.001-04:00

my sister Kathleen (who is back to Kathy these days) and her husband, Bernard (and you need to roll those r's to say is name correctly because he is French) and, oh yes, our country -- the good ole U.S. of A. I hope everyone had a wonderful Independence Day. We did. Church was terrific -- my friend Robin sang a gorgeous medley of patriotic songs, really belted it out, it rocked. Then the message, A Declaration of Freedom, was equally good.

After church we went to the Riverside Inn in Cambridge Springs. The new owners were throwing a big party all day long. It started with a pig roast barbeque at 11:00am - 7pm. The food tent was surrounded by smaller tents for civil war re-enactors, a quill and bamboo pen making workshop with "Ben Franklin," maple syrup and candy making, organic soaps, vintage games, face painting, history displays including "The Mineral Water Boom," which put Cambridge Springs on the map. It was tons of fun for tons of people. There were pie and hot dog eating contests, musical presentations until dusk and then for a grand finale to a grand day -- fireworks!

We stayed for lunch then went home to cool off in our own pool. (Although the Riverside opened their pool to the community, free swimming all day...actually, everything was free except the picnic food, which was extremely reasonable.)

We returned for the evening festivities.

What a fabulous gift to the community this party was. It's so fun to be part of a small town. Everywhere I looked I saw familiar faces. People out and about, greeting people they know and making introductions to those they don't. Many, many thanks to Brenda Evans and Ken Falkenhagen the husband/wife proprietors of the beautiful, historic, 125-year-old Riverside Inn for showing us all a good holiday.

The Stowaway

2010-06-30T08:47:00.000-04:00

This little guy joined us on our little fishing trip the other night. He didn't make his presence known until we were nearly back to the bank where we keep the canoe. I begged him to stay, that we weren't far from his home and possibly his family, but nothing doing. He jumped. I thought he was committing suicide, but Tom reassured me that mice are good swimmers. Sure enough we watched until he safely reached the bank. Do you think he'll have found his way back home? (It wasn't too far off from where he jumped and he swam to the right side of the creek.) Oh, I hope so.

Paddling Up the Creek

2010-06-28T23:54:00.001-04:00

It's too late at night to blog. I'm just about to go swish through the pool and then head to bed...but for tomorrow's blog...A Lovely Evening on French Creek (and a stow-away guest in the canoe).