Southern Sky

First Full Moon of 2012 --- Bella Luna

2012-01-12T17:44:00.000-05:00

On the first full moon of the year, January 9, 2012, Emmy and I got our scarves out and danced in the moonlight.

Cold Night Tonight

2012-01-03T20:30:00.000-05:00

Emily and I brought in all the potted plants before the freeze tonight. Low of 29 degrees. It is only supposed to last for a day or two, but it sure causes a lot of damage to Florida.

Time to snuggle up in quilts and watch TV.

I sing, I dance, I make things up! Oh the joys of being four!

2011-12-31T12:34:00.001-05:00

All God's angels come to us disguised. ~James Russell Lowell

2011-12-28T14:10:00.000-05:00

The Best Gift Is Being Wrapped Up in Each Other

2011-12-28T14:01:00.000-05:00

Lighting the Hanukkah Menorah

2011-12-28T13:39:00.002-05:00

A Visitor This Morning

2011-05-30T16:11:00.000-04:00

I opened the door this morning and found this little raccoon in my wheel barrel. He wouldn't leave when I asked him, so I had to call animal control. He was gone before they got there.

Graduation Day!

2011-05-14T10:13:00.003-04:00

Anna Marie Island

2011-05-14T10:00:00.005-04:00

Crosses on the Pines

2011-03-27T09:29:00.000-04:00

I can always tell when it is getting close to Passover. The new growth the pines in my pasture looks like little crosses, reminding me of the great sacrifice our loving Lord made for us.

His ways are perfect.

Peacefulness

2011-02-12T16:57:00.002-05:00

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee; because he trusteth in Thee.

Isaiah 26:3

My osprey neighbors have arrived to their Florida home, high on the telephone pole.

On Giving

2011-02-12T13:45:00.005-05:00

To give without any reward, or any notice, has a special quality of its own.

~ Anne Morrow Lindbergh ~

2011-02-06T13:07:00.000-05:00

I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see. ~ John Bourroughs ~

We celebrated Mary's new car with hot fudge sundaes!

2011-02-05T09:34:00.000-05:00

Last week we went digging for shark teeth!

2011-02-05T09:23:00.000-05:00

My grandkids love to dig for fossils and shark teeth at the Phosphate Museum in Mulberry, Florida. We found 8 sand shark teeth, some shell fossils, and some dugong bones.

Gift from a Beautiful Friend!

2011-02-05T09:10:00.001-05:00

My wonderful friend, Frankie, crocheted this beautiful table scarf for me.

Cold Oklahoma Blizzard

2011-02-05T09:03:00.000-05:00

Winter's Day in West Virginia

2011-02-02T16:23:00.001-05:00

I please myself with the graces of the winter scenery, and believe that we are as much touched by it as by the genial influences of summer.

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 - 1882)

Season Suite Winter John Denver

2011-01-24T15:51:00.003-05:00

I posted this for my grandchildren living in Oklahoma. The Summer Sun is not far away!
Please stop the music on the right to hear.

"Getting in the Coal" by Roger Williamson

2011-01-23T07:14:00.008-05:00

A few years ago, homesick for West Virginia, I was surfing the web for paintings of the Applachian mountains. I came across Roger Williamson's site. He sells his paintings online and in a small drugstore in Logan, West Virginia. I took a trip to my hometown and talked my sisters into going with me to Logan. I found the painting I wanted already matted. "Getting in the Coal" reminds me of my Grandmother's house. Her coal pile was in the same place. I love this painting. I recently visited Mr. Williamson's web page and have found that he is no longer offering this painting. I'm glad this one belongs to me now.

The Wisdom of Winnie the Pooh

2011-01-22T15:12:00.001-05:00

"A little consideration, a little thought for others makes all the difference."

~ Winnie the Pooh ~

2011-01-16T14:24:00.002-05:00

Winter came down to our home one night
Quietly pirouetting in on silvery-toed slippers of snow,
And we, we were children once again. ~Bill Morgan, Jr.

Winter Days Are for Working on Your PHD...Projects Half Done

2011-01-09T14:57:00.007-05:00

Mary Beth, Emily and I were all sewing. After the third time threading Emily's needle, Mary Beth said, "Mom, I appreciate all the times your stopped for me, when I was little, to thread my needle. I just now understand what a sacrifice that was. I keep losing my place."

The Wonder of Snow

2011-01-03T07:43:00.002-05:00

Snowflakes are one of nature’s most fragile things, but just look what they do when they stick together.
- Verna M. Kelly

A blanket wraps you in warmth, but a quilt wraps you in love.

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

After my Mom went to be with the Lord, I found these quilt blocks in her closet. I put them together in a quilt. Emily is wrapped up in love of her grandmother and great-grandmother.

The Best Christmas Present of All Is to Be Wrapped Up In Each Other.

2011-01-01T17:03:00.003-05:00

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights...James 1:17

Like Waking Up From the Sweetest Christmas Dream

2011-01-01T16:50:00.007-05:00

Spending Christmas in my hometown of yesteryear.

Many winters were spent in this wonderful house!

Beachy Day

2010-07-23T05:53:00.005-04:00

Little Country Kids Having Fun

2010-07-14T05:34:00.003-04:00

The Eggs Have Hatched

2010-07-14T05:23:00.003-04:00

The momma dove that made her nest in my flower pot on the front porch has two little babies now. This is the first time she has let us see them. They are getting tiny feathers.

The Phosphate Museum and Digging for Shark Teeth

2010-07-14T05:11:00.004-04:00

Digging for Shark Teeth at the Phosphate Museum

2010-07-13T11:23:00.003-04:00

Momma Dove Thought My Flower Pot Would Make a Good Home for Her Babies

2010-07-02T09:58:00.002-04:00

Summer Rain in Florida Makes Good Splashin' Weather

2010-07-02T09:47:00.004-04:00

Liz's Graduation June 23, 2010

2010-07-02T09:27:00.008-04:00

Fun with the Grandkids at Atiquatica

2010-06-27T05:56:00.005-04:00

Savannah's 12th Birthday

2010-06-27T05:46:00.003-04:00

Lesley and Darrell's Beautiful Wedding

2010-06-27T04:35:00.008-04:00

One of God's Magnificent Idea's

2010-05-17T04:45:00.005-04:00

My beautiful little Kiwi!
Every day I am surrounded by the beautiful crying forth of the ideas of God, one of which is you. To my sweet little Kayla, how beautiful you are. Indeed, His magnificent idea!

Spring Violets

2010-02-20T07:12:00.002-05:00

Surely as the winter cometh
There are spring violets under the snow. ~ RH Newell

( In anticipation of spring for all my northern friends.)

Happy Valentine's Day!

2010-02-14T16:57:00.005-05:00

This Live Oak tree in Mary Beth's backyard looks like a heart. The perfect place to frame my little Valentines.

Chuck E. Cheese here we come! Nick said he was going to ask that mouse if he had some cheese so we could make some soup.

This little guy surprised us in the parking lot.

I sat Kayla in the tree and took a picture. I realized then it made a beautiful heart.

My little Wild Thing!

My Funny Little Valentine!

Valentine's Day Cards

2010-02-13T11:30:00.002-05:00

I love Valentine's Day! I remember the old Valentine cards we used to get when we were little. Here is a picture of the Valentine's Day cards and gifts I received from my little students yesterday.
Happy Valentine's Day!

Christmas Eve at Mary and Emmy's

2009-12-26T09:09:00.002-05:00

Ready for Christmas Eve!

2009-12-26T08:41:00.005-05:00

Christmas Eve was spent at Mary and Emmy's. We had so much fun!

Christmas Present from My Brother in West Virginia

2009-12-26T08:32:00.001-05:00

Lonnie carved this beautiful Welsh Love spoon to say, The love of family persists through years and miles." I love it! Thanks, Lon. I have it hanging in my kitchen now. I love my family.

Lighting the lights of Hanukkah

2009-12-26T08:17:00.002-05:00

Mary Beth bought me the beautiful Hanukkah tablecloth and the dreidel.
"With every candle on the Menorah that illuminates the night, comes my prayer You'd kindle in me, Yeshua, a desire for your fire for your light. Take my supply of oil, not enough to burn long I fear. But oh how I pray that someday I'll say, "A great miracle happened here. On this Hanukkah, on this feast of dedication. I dedicate myself to You."

Chilly Weather Calls for Hot Chocolate, Books and Two Snuggley Grandbabies to Read to.

2009-12-23T10:26:00.003-05:00

Thanksgiving with the Kids in Tulsa and Ice Skating at the Oilers Stadium

2009-12-02T20:27:00.008-05:00

Putting on my ice skates.
Dylan, Cody and I ready to go to the Oilers Stadium to skate.
Emily, Darrell, Dylan, Savannah and Cody getting ready to skate.
Darrell helping Emily. She actually did very well for the first time ice skating.
Lesley on ice.
Cody in the orange hoodie...a speed skater.
Cody's taller than Darrell
Not the first time she fell.
D's a strong skater.
My nephew Kevin.

We had so much fun.

Fall Shares Her Secrets

2009-10-20T06:09:00.005-04:00

Fall slips in quietly, waiting for just the right moment to jump up and shout, "Surprise!" Then shakes the golden rain tree and covers the ground in tiny yellow flowers that look like confetti. Like magic, the little golden flowers are turned into pink, paper lanterns
and pumpkins into coaches and mice into horsemen.

An Autumn Tradition

2009-10-18T07:41:00.003-04:00

"Hiawatha's Childhood" ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow ~

Cold, autumn nights, prayers said, quilts tucked tightly around little warm bodies, Mom would recite "Hiawatha's Childhood." I started the tradition with my children. Now I am thrilled to read this beloved poem with my grandchildren.

Drawing Out Some Joy

2009-10-12T05:49:00.003-04:00

"Therefore with JOY shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation (Isaiah 12:3)."
I was watering my flowers yesterday. We have only had a few sprinkles of rain in the past few days. The Florida sand drinks it so fast that it leaves my flowers looking parched and withered.
I filled a bucket with water to pour on the ruellas by the mailbox. Almost immediately they began to perk up. King David knew the kind of thirst that can wilt the soul. He wrote, "As the hart panteth for water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God...(Psalm 42:1).

Today, I will go to the source of life-giving water and experience His over-flowing joy.

October Treasures

2009-10-04T13:05:00.004-04:00

I realize the beauties of living, untold
While watching the treasures of autumn unfold. ~ S. Gallisdorfer ~

October

2009-10-04T09:31:00.005-04:00

First frost tonight,
Stars wink winter warning:
Yet, warm is the kiss
Of autumn's golden morning.
Becky Hunter
I miss the cold frosty mornings in October, the smell of golden rods from a little chubby hand, the warmth from quilts pulled close to chin. In Florida, we won't have frost in October or November, probably not in December. We may get some icy crystals of frost in January or February. But I miss the changing of seasons.
There is one way I know the season is changing from summer to fall. The Golden Rain tree in my yard puts on her bows of yellow frills.
The slightest sea breeze causes the little flowers to shower down like rain covering my yard with tiny flowers.

"You cannot hope to enjoy the harvest
Without laboring in the field." ~ Plaque ~

A Great Cloud of Witness....

2009-09-05T07:59:00.006-04:00

Crisp, starched, calico dresses, black patten leather shoes, a long dusty road, a little white church with a rusty old bell calling us to the meeting. Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights, we met. Our voices rising in harmony as we sang, "Heavenly Sunlight," "Prayer Bells from Heaven," and "Amazing Grace."
I'm so glad I found these old photos. What precious memories they stir! If the old adage is true, "It takes a village to raise a child," these people helped mold and shape my life. How thankful I am for their prayers, teachings and great witness.
Chattaroy Church of God, my Church in the mountains
Pastor Davis was not only my Pastor, he was my boss. I worked at "Jimmy's Shoe Store" for about three years when I was a teenager.
Ruby Jean was our piano player and Pastor Jimmy's wife. She had a kind gentle spirit. At my Bridal shower, many years ago, she bought me a set of pots and pans. I still use the muffin tin she gave me.
Granny Wells spanked me with her fly swatter when I was little. She said I was too close to the state road that ran in front of her house. She knew Mom would never allow us to play close to the road.

Aunt Annie --- what a prayer warrior! She walked down the old dusty back alley once a week to visit us. She and Mom were best friends. Her pinto beans and chow chow were delicious.

Sister Watson would gather a bunch of us girls together, and we would walk to her house after Church. She served us cookies, Kool-Aid and instructions on becoming a woman of God.
Ellen and Taulby Runyon
I don't remember Ellen, but Taulby and Dad were good friends. Taulby loved the Lord and would spend long minutes in Church telling us about Him.
Frank Porter
Brother Porter would preach on Wednesday nights. He loved to preach from the book of Revelation. Walking home from Church on dark nights after Brother Porter preached caused three little girls to walk fast and close together!
Jossie and Haskell
Jossie was a gentle person always willing to help. Haskel would always make us laugh. He had a light-hearted disposition.
Mary Jane and Leon
They were the teenagers' mentors. They loved and cared for us and we knew it.
Lorraine Runyon
Lorraine was a gentle soul, carrying in food for every occassion.

Patsy and Walter Burgett
Their girls had the most beautiful voices. I loved to hear them sing.
Rhodie
Our neighbor and friend. When we were little girls, she would always give us her discarded purses. What a treasure!
Sister Porter. We all loved to hear her sing!
Sara Collins
A faithful follower of Jesus Christ unto the end.

Where's a Rock When You Need One?

2009-08-14T13:16:00.004-04:00

My beautiful coquina rocks are native to Florida but not native to my yard. I had to buy them. In fact, Florida has very few native rocks, some limestone and coquinas are about all the rocks you find here.
Nearly all the old east Florida plantations and sugar mills were built with coquina. The rock is made up of shell fragments, and quartz grains held together with calcium carbonate. The deep hole in this rock holds a little "devil's backbone" plant. It seems to thrive there.
Coquina is Spanish and means "cockleshell" or "tiny shell." Take a closer look and see the tiny shells embeded in the rock.
You can tell mine have been highly worn by the ocean and time.
If you need a rock in my yard, you'll have to go to the pond and tug on a coquina.

A Long Way from Home

2009-08-11T08:50:00.004-04:00

I love the Internet! My nephew, Jamie is in Iraq. He posts pictures on Facebook. I asked him if I could use them on my blog and he said, "Yep." I'm so glad because we are really proud of him. This is his second time there.

I love this picture. His sign says, "Amsterdam 2,715 miles then below West Virginia 6,720 miles.

Take care, Buddy. We love you and pray for you every day!

Hand-made Persian Rugs. How beautiful!

Yesteryear

2009-08-09T17:49:00.003-04:00

Memories of home at Chattaroy, West Virginia (Remember to turn off the music on the right of posts)

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I know You By Heart

2009-08-09T08:03:00.006-04:00

I love the words to this song, "I Know You by Heart."
Here are the lyrics.
Midnights in winter
The glowing fire
Lights up your face in orange and gold.
I see your sweet smile
Shine through the darkness
Its line is etched in my memory.

So I'd know you by heart.

Mornings in April
Sharing our secrets
We'd walk until the morning was gone.
We were like children laughing for hours
The joy you gave me lives on and on.

'Cause I know you by heart.

I still hear your voice
On warm summer nights
Whispering like the wind.

You left in Autumn
The leaves were turning
I walked down roads of orange and gold.
I saw your sweet smile
I heard your laughter
You're still here beside me every day.

'Cause I know you by heart.

The Joy of Seeing Old Friends

2009-08-09T06:37:00.002-04:00

Driving I-10,on our way to Oceans Springs, Mississippi, my grandchildren and I took exit 85 to Destin, Florida. She knew we were coming and was waiting for us. Patty is my childhood friend.
We hadn't seen each other in forty years. We kept in contact through e-mail and Facebook, but we hadn't been together in years.
When we stepped out of our cars and hugged each other, we pulled each other back to look for old familiar little girls. There was that little blond-headed girl I knew. I could see it in her eyes.
My memories of childhood are packed with scenes of Patty. What a joy to see her again and meet her husband Bill.
We laughed and laughed about old times, but our stay was too short. We'll visit longer the next time.

Slipping Through My Fingers

2009-08-03T01:59:00.019-04:00

Slipping through my fingers
I try to capture every minute
The feeling in it
Slipping through my fingers all the time.
Do I really see what's in her mind?
Each time I think I'm close to knowing
She keeps on growing
slipping through my fingers all the time.

Sometimes I wish that I could freeze the picture and save it from the funny tricks of time
I'm glad whenever I can share her laughter

That funny little girl
Slipping through my fingers all the time.

Schoolbag in hand she leaves home in the early morning waving goodbye with an absent- minded smile..... Slipping through my fingers...

Sissy's New Bible

2009-07-29T08:55:00.002-04:00

"Anyways, I need a new Bible, Gram," my granddaughter said as we stood beside the books lined on neat shelves at the book store. We took it home.
"Gram, it has red letters!" We began to eat it. Slowly at first, letting the sweetness of His red words melt in our mouths.
"and Jesus said unto them, I am the Bread of Life, he that cometh to me shall never hunger... (John 6:35)."

People Rain

2009-07-28T09:01:00.001-04:00

I loved this! Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Gifts from a Sweet Friend

2009-07-23T16:09:00.004-04:00

My grandson, Dylan, brought the mail in and laid it on the coffee table for me and ran outside to play. Later in the afternoon, I saw it lying there and squealed. It was from my sweet friend, Sharon at Sit with Me Awhile. I won her giveaway. Thank you so much, Sharon. How kind of you to send me all these wonderful gifts. The note was precious.

I'm listening to the music now, and I love it. The book, the CDs, the candles, the pin and the shower gel are great gifts. If you visit her blog, Sit with Me Awhile, you will be blessed.

Lost in Time

2009-07-18T11:47:00.013-04:00

She loves to explore the boxes in my closest labeled, "Old Things." There it was, lying at the bottom of a stack of faceless books. "Gram, I saw this book at the library at my school," she exclaimed.
"I want to read it!" "Donna Parker Mystery at Arawak."
I hold the book in my hand. I'm 11 years old again. Her age. I'm in the hospital. My mother brings me a package from South Korea. It's from my oldest brother stationed there in the Army. He knew I was sick and sent three books to Mom to bring to me, "Five Little Peppers and How They Grew," "Donna Parker Mystery at Arawak," I, somehow, cannot remember the third book's name. I only have Donna Parker now.
She reads, lost in the world of a camp counselor named Donna. For a while we are the same age, she and I, as she reads the pages out loud.

Nick and the Purple Crayon

2009-07-18T07:46:00.002-04:00

He had been coloring "a picture for Mommy." I don't know when he stopped drawing on paper and decided the wall and the cabinet would be a better medium. It must have been when I was changing Kiwi's diaper.
"Nick, did you draw on my wall?" I asked. "Grammy, see it's a giraffe."
I looked at his artwork and thought of all the little scribble marks I have cleaned from walls, tables, doors and anywhere my little children decided to draw.
I think I may leave it. My friends would think I lost my mind. How many times have I painted over marks from my little ones pencils?
I remember when my sisters and I were little. We loved to play in Mom's basement pantry room where she stored all her canning jars. We wrote all over the walls with pencils. She never cleaned it up. Those marks remained on the walls of her pantry long after we were grown. I loved to come visit and go to the basement. The old familiar smells, the dusty canning jars and the scribble marks were still there. It was home. Dad remolded the basement a few years before he went to be with the Lord. The canning jars are gone, the child-like scribbles have vanished, but the memories of hot summer days, pencils in hand, jars lined up on neat shelves and three little girls giggling remain.
I want my children and grandchildren to have wonderful memories of scribbles long ago.

Clouds

2009-07-14T06:52:00.003-04:00

I took these photos yesterday, right before the storm. I love the shapes. Is it a bird or a fish?
Look at her cute little face. It looks as though he is going to kiss her as soon as he gets his hair out of his eyes.
A Volcano, maybe?
I am going to get these photos developed and use them in my classroom when we study clouds.

July Days

2009-07-11T07:07:00.005-04:00

July
I would know you anywhere.
You ignite my crepe myrtles
And make them burst with color like
Fireworks on Independence Day.
Your breath smells like
new-mown grass in the
Back pasture.
Joyful crickets lull
us to sleep on dreamy,
blissful nights.

Your big, golden sun
bronzes the faces
of little children.
Grasshoppers with fat little bodies
feast at your table.
Don't leave so quickly.
Stay and let me embrace
You longer.
All too fleeting are
Your sun-drenched
days.

Pink Skies in the Morning

2009-07-09T06:42:00.003-04:00

I sat on the front porch this morning to watch the sun come up. At first light, the sky was bathed in a golden-rosy hue. It's one of those mornings that sailors are warned about. "Pink skies in the morning all sailors take warning. Pink skies at night, a sailor's delight." It is sure to rain today.
When confronting the Pharisees and Sadducees, Jesus spoke about the signs in the heavens.
"When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, it will be foul weather today; for the sky is red and lowring...Matthew 16:3
Then with a stern warning He said, "...you can discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times (Matthew 16:3).
"Therefore be ye also ready...Matthew 24:44"

Our Writing Spider

2009-07-07T09:23:00.005-04:00

In the backyard this morning, we found a writing spider. Her scientific name is Argiope Aurantia. Writing spiders are fascinating. I know she wasn't there yesterday evening because I was pulling some weeds there. She built her web last night. A typical web can take hours to construct but the beauty doesn't last, within hours she will destroy and eat her web then start again.

God's wonders never cease.

"On foggy mornings, Charlotte's web was truly a thing of beauty. This morning each thin string was decorated with tiny beads of water. The web glistened in the light and made a pattern of loveliness and mystery, like a delicate veil." E.B.White

Shopping on the Island

2009-07-05T22:34:00.004-04:00

This sign is so cute. It says, "Mermaid Parking." I had to get a picture because Emily loves mermaids.

Savannah's a sheller like her Gram.
"No Guts...No Glory
Mary Beth's new shirt.

Island Shopping

2009-07-05T22:28:00.001-04:00

Perfect Day

2009-07-05T22:21:00.000-04:00

Gellato Anyone?

2009-07-05T22:11:00.004-04:00

We stopped at the "Shake Pit" for ice cream. Everyone had to have a gellato when thy tasted mine.

Sea Oats, Seaweed, Seagulls, Surf and Sushi at Anna Maria Island

2009-07-05T21:56:00.004-04:00

Anna Maria Island

2009-07-05T21:16:00.005-04:00

Keeping a close eye on three little heads in the water.
In the car, on the way to Anna Maria Island, Emily said, "I'm happy as a clam, Gram." When she found this clam on the beach, I had to get a picture.
One, two, three little heads in the water.
Beauties and the Beach
Happy Birthday, Mary Beth!

When Dylan opened the chips, I think all the seagulls on the beach flew over him.
Beauty and the Beach

Beauty and the Beach

My Rose Rock

2009-07-03T17:34:00.004-04:00

When I was visiting my daughter in Oklahoma, she gave me this beautiful Rose Rock. I used to have hundreds of Rose Rocks when I lived in Oklahoma, but I gave them away when I moved to Florida.
I remember when my children were little, we went to Lake Draper in Oklahoma City because a friend told me I could find lots of rose rocks there. I looked and looked for these beautiful rocks and couldn't find any. Then I prayed, "O Lord, You know where all the treasures of the earth are, please show me where the Rose Rocks are." I turned around and looked at a little hill in the distance. As I got closer, I could see hundreds of little Rose Rocks. I scooped them up with a thankful heart. God not only hears our prayers, He listened to the heart of His child who wanted some rocks.
The legend of the Cherokee Rose (Rose Rock) says the brave Cherokee Indians were driven from their homeland in Georgia and forced by the US Government to walk the 1,000 miles to Oklahoma. Many of the Cherokee tribe died on the way.
The legend has it that God looked down on them and turned their tears into rose-shaped stones. These rust-red rose stones are found only in Oklahoma, at the end of the "Trail of Tears."

It Rained Every Day This Week

2009-07-03T14:38:00.001-04:00

Just finding things to do on rainy days.

Great Job!

2009-07-03T14:30:00.002-04:00

Outside work is so hard. Time for a nap.
Sissy put some crepe myrtle flowers in my plant.
Work's all done. Time to rest.

We Made Gak

2009-07-03T13:55:00.005-04:00

Recipe for Gak:
Equal parts Elmer's School Glue and Liquid Starch
Mix well, and add food coloring. Have fun! We did!

Not All Fun and Games at Gram's

2009-07-03T13:26:00.004-04:00

Lots of work to do! Dylan is covering up a hole in the pasture that he and Cody dug last year.
Need another bucket of dirt!

Dylan and Sissy help me dig an old fence post out of the ground.

Journaling with the Kids

2009-07-03T12:41:00.009-04:00

Dylan's got talent!
Sissy's got talent!

Emmy's got talent!
Dylan's got potential.

Sissy is into sports.
Kiwi wasn't interested in journaling right then.

Dylan didn't want to call his book a journal, so he called it a drawing book.
Little Nick loves to cut and paste.

Beautiful Nicky!
Busy, Busy, Busy!

Foggy, Rainy Morning in the Back Yard

2009-07-02T09:09:00.003-04:00

"...The earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessings from God...(Hebrews 6:7)."

Raindrops cling to the ends of the pine needles.
My crinum lilies are beginning to bloom by the fence line in the back yard.

Morning Rain In The Front Yard

2009-07-01T07:12:00.003-04:00

The quality of mercy
is not strain'd.
It droppeth as the gentle rain from Heaven
Upon the place beneath.
It is twice bless'd.
It blesses him that gives
and him that takes. ~ William Shakespear ~

Savannah's Opinion

2009-06-30T22:07:00.005-04:00

Savannah said my blog looked like it was swallowed by the ocean...so I changed it. She also filled me in on another secret. The grand kids have a new nickname for me. It's "The Paparazzi." She said when they see me with the camera in my hand they all try to hide. I think this is so funny.

Surprise Visit in Oklahoma!

2009-06-27T08:13:00.004-04:00

My sweet little sis, Nancy, came to see us. I have some of the sweetest memories of her as a little girl. We love you, Nancy!

Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa Oklahoma

2009-06-27T08:01:00.004-04:00

This Indian head dress was in a glass case. Emmy bent down and I snapped her picture.

Down town Tulsa taken from the Gilcrease Hill

Mud Boggin' at the mud hole

2009-06-27T07:36:00.005-04:00

Muddy feet!

Girl Power!

Livin' On Tulsa Time

2009-06-27T07:03:00.003-04:00

D's catch of the day.
Cookin' out

Chillin' out

Goofin' off
Coolin' off

What fun we had! Climbing on the rocky beach.
Swimming in the lake
Sleeping in the tent --- roughing it!
Sunning
Fishing --- D caught 2 bass and a catfish.

Livin' On Tulsa Time

2009-06-27T06:55:00.003-04:00

Camping at Keystone

Setting up the tent

Our Road Trip

2009-06-27T06:48:00.004-04:00

Long hours and many miles to Tulsa.
Mississippi River Bridge
The Driver -- Mary Beth
The Back Seat Driver -- Emily
The Navigator -- Me

Hollis Gardens

2009-06-16T09:20:00.001-04:00

On Sunday, my sweet friend, Carol, and I walked through Hollis Gardens in Lakeland, Florida. It was beautiful. Music was playing, the air was perfumed with fragrant flowers. We had a wonderful time.
Hollis Gardens was recently voted one of the "Best in the Class Gardens," by the Gulfcoast Research and Education Center.
The garden is a formal 1.2 acre botanical garden donated to the city by the Hollis family. It is located on Lake Mirror.

Songs My Mother Used to Sing

2009-06-15T06:53:00.001-04:00

Fragments of songs
Captured in memory
Come and bring a smile.
Old guitar in her lap
"What do you want me to play?"
She'd ask.
We'd sing the day away.
"Life is life a mountain railroad
with an engineer so brave
We must make this run successful
from the cradle to the grave."
Her alto voice
was easy to follow.
Her agile fingers
Strummed the chords.
Many nights we fell asleep
to Mother softly singing
lullabies or songs we
knew from church.
She would have been
Ninety years old today.
Now she sings with
the angels in God's
heavenly choir.
One day we'll
sing together again.

"But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope (I Thessalonians 4:13)."

Happy Birthday Day Sissy!

2009-06-15T06:02:00.000-04:00

Happy birthday, little girl
You're growing up so fast
I wish these moments of our lives
Did not so quickly pass.

I love you, sweetie!

Flowers from My Morning Garden

2009-06-13T11:09:00.000-04:00

Gathering flowers in the morning sun.
Reminds me of Mom
I miss her
In memory, I hear her sing
"Gathering flowers for the Master's bouquet
Beautiful flowers that will never decay
Gathered by angels and carried away
Forever to bloom in the Master's bouquet."
Tear drops touch
the delicate petals
and slide away.

You're the Reason God Made Oklahoma

2009-06-12T14:25:00.000-04:00

My best friend Ethel and I in Oklahoma last year.

When I first moved to Oklahoma from West Virgina, Mom would sing "You're the reason God made Oklahoma and I'm still missing you." I never thought that I would sing that song to my daughter and my grand children, but I do now.
It won't be long! Mary Beth, Emily and I are packing our bags. We'll be there on June 19th. Camping, swimming, water skiing (isn't that like riding a bike-- you never really forget how? I promised Dylan, Cody, Savannah, and Emily I would teach them how to ski. Hope I remember! LOL) and four-wheeler riding on Saturday and Sunday, a birthday party for Savannah and Cody, and a "Hoedown" at my best friend Ethel's house on Monday. Lots of old friends, music, laughter, and plenty of food. Yipeee! I'm so blessed!

Super Hero or Big Brother?

2009-06-12T08:33:00.000-04:00

"Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a super hero." ~ Marc Brown ~

My Kiwi

2009-06-12T08:22:00.000-04:00

"Little girls, like butterflies, need no excuse." ~Robert A. Heinlein ~

My New Great Nephew Or Is It Niece?

2009-06-12T08:04:00.000-04:00

Only 13 weeks.

"For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret... Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect, and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there were none of them. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God. How great is the sum of them (Psalm 139:13-17)."

Congratulations, Teresa and Rog. I love you all!

We've Thrown Away Our Calendars and Clocks for the Summer!

2009-06-11T18:37:00.000-04:00

Splish - Splash! We're having a blast!
Ah summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it. ~ Russel Baker ~

Baby Nick

2009-06-11T09:59:00.000-04:00

When I approach a child, he inspires me to two sentiments; tenderness for what he is, and respect for what he may become. ~ Louis Pasteur ~