Will mow for gas

Tom and I went to Hobby Lobby today to pick up some pictures we had matted and framed. On our way to get them we checked the price at the gas stations along the way. Our return trip home we had determined we would stop at a gas station that had the lowest price. I couldn't believe what was parked at the gas pump. Ummm...I don't ever remember seeing a lawn mower parked for a fill up. I had to jump out and grab this shot. I am sure he was a local fellow. My question is - - did he need a license for his mower?

200

200th post

Wow.......I have just completed my 200th post. It has been exciting and enjoyable to belong to the blogosphere world. A huge Thank You to my wonderful daughter-in-law (Jennifer) for creating my interest in this adventure. I surely did not know what I would have to say, but as it turned out, I have plenty and then some to say. I relish the challenge it affords me. My first post was painstaking slow to achieve, but I finally figured out something to say on it. Thanks to all who take the time to read and share in my little corner of the world.

Here Comes Peter Cottontail

"Here comes Peter Cottontail,
Hoppin' down the bunny trail"

Well, it wasn't exactly Peter Cottontail, but it was a baby Wabbit. I know my neighbors are not going to be happy. The rabbits, just like Peter in the story, love to eat their fresh garden greens. They capture and relocate the rabbits in our neighborhood. But Mother Nature has her own ideas about how things are going to go. The other day I captured a rabbit eating corn from a 'bouncy thingy' (how do you like that for terminology?). I guess it may have been Mrs. Wabbit instead of Mr. Wabbit. Mama must have shown the kits where the corn and bird seed is located. This is the one of few little rabbits we have seen in the 39 years we have lived here. He/She was enjoying the food.

Looks like 'Peter' got what he came after

Good bye little 'Peter' Wabbit, until we meet again - - or the neighbors take you for a ride.

Fun with Animals

I love to feed the birds, well sorta.

I got my love of nature from my Mom and Dad. Mother taught me about the trees in our area. It was the dreaded 'leaf book' for my kids for science class at school that started my learning experience. Mother is a wealth of knowledge. I am afraid if I don't pick her brain enough, I will miss something. We searched the Wabash area for as many different trees as we could find. What amazed me was how many mom knew just by looking at their leaves. She is so knowledgeable on plants, both the edible and those you better not eat. She passed her expertise down from the lessons she learned as a young girl from her grandmother.
My Dad hated to be confined. He was not a factory worker, someone to stay inside for any length of time, or a person to just sit all the time. He was a busy busy man. He loved to be outdoors. He should have been a farmer. He loved the work involved in farming. One of his favorite things to do was to go to Shipshewana so he could see the Amish hard at work. Dad loved to sit out on their patio and rock in one of the many rocking chairs he made. He liked to feed and watch the birds in his backyard.
How does this all fit into the title of my post? Mom and Dad instilled in their daughters the love of all things living. Mom and Dad have enjoyed the animals in their backyard. Birds, raccoons, deer, rabbits and hoot owls. I claim to feed the birds in our backyard, but in all actuality I am feeding the squirrels and anything else that may approach the area. (Raccoons are welcome as long as they don't destroy anything) In the last week, I have been able to capture photos of strange happenings. I have nicknamed squirrels at our feeders -Wilbur.

Wilbur is enjoying a slice of bread.

Wilbur is on the watch to be sure no other squirrel is going to get a piece of his bread

One morning Mr Wabbit tried his hand at corn on the cob

Charlie the Chipmunk decided he was not going to be left out of the treats

Now who could ask for anything more than the entertainment provided to us by these beautiful animals?

Grannie's Garden

Once upon a time . . .

If you see the magic in a fairy tale, you can face the future. Fairy tales are more than true, not because they tell us dragons exist, they tell us dragons can be conquered ! 
So it is with mastering nature. We have been patiently waiting for Mom's garden to dry out enough and the rain to subside long enough so we could do the annual planting.  Mom and Dad always had a garden for as long as I can remember. We made sure there was a garden for Dad to watch grow last year. This year the garden is Mother's project of love for her family. Mother is a natural caregiver. She loves to do things for other people. She has been at this since she was very young, cooking, baking and housekeeping from the age of 6, for her Dad and three brothers. This gift flows over into her garden and every aspect of her life. She loves to grow vegetables to give to others. Green beans are one veggie that is in high demand to be included for planting. Mother makes the best green beans ever ! They are a necessity at all family gatherings. This year was no exception to Mom's family garden. She had most of it done when Tom and I got there. Amanda and her kids stopped by and 'helped' too. (well Amanda and Luke helped)! We all are very appreciative of Mother's gift of giving and helping. 

Granny working in her garden  

Planting seeds of faith

Looks like Cindy didn't get it just right

Amanda and Luke helping Grandma

Cassidy and Lauren 'helping' - - holding down the chair?

The seeds and plants are planted and we will patiently watch as they mature.

PLAAAYYY BAALLLLLL

Luke at his first T-ball game.

What fun it is to watch our grandchildren. Luke is in T-ball. His Mom and Dad are so proud of him, as I am sure all the other parents were of their children on the team. They are such small and tiny little people on the ball field (Malia said he was playing in a cornfield-that is another story). We didn't have a single player run the wrong direction. Of course there was the usual small person playing in the dirt, twirling around, and looking at the birds. Luke had a very good first game. He had no injuries, he was able to get on base,  run the bases and touch home plate ! Love watching our grand kids...did I already say that?

Getting ready to bat

A little instruction from the coach

Good follow through ! ! ! Now run to first base !

Move me over to second base -  will ya buddy?

Dad with some knowledgeable instructions?

Hey buddy, who do you think will get the next ball?

I think I've got it !

Luke came with a large crowd of people to support him.

. . . his cousin came to relax and enjoy the game. Way to go Malia

Congratulations Luke on a well played first T-ball game. We look forward to supporting you in what ever you choose to participate in.
Love you
Gma and Gpa

P-School Gwaduasion

Yes. . . P-School.

Luke is in the second row on the left in the plaid shirt.

Luke graduated from Pre School May 12th. It was a very enjoyable program provided for the parents and other relatives. Luke was well represented in the crowd of people. He smiled at us all, and waved. He is starting to come out of his shy shell. The children entertained us with several songs. One song was about little Duckies. Of course there were lots of arm motions to the songs. One such movement, the kids appeared to be looking far far away.

Teachers and assistants presented the class to receive their diploma's. Mom and Dad were so proud of their little fellow.

Malia was very excited to attend Luke's graduation. As you can see, she was overjoyed !

Proud Mom and Dad with Luke

Congratulations Luke....now it is on to Kindergarten.

Sunday May 9th

What a privilege to celebrate Mother's Day with my Mother, our daughters & daughter-in-law (who are mothers) on Sunday May 9th. There is nothing more rewarding than being a mother. I loved being a mother, from the moment Amanda was born. I know we are not all perfect in our attempt to be the best mother's we can be. (Children do not come with instruction booklets!) I do so appreciate the stay at home mommies. It is not an easy undertaking.

Motherhood:  the qualities or spirit of a mother

I am so in awe with the course of life my mother has journeyed on. She was born 2 years before the Great Depression. She lived in an area of Illinois, even today, is like stepping back in time. Her mother never lived long enough to see her grow and mature, because she passed away when my mother was 4 years old. She spent several years in different homes, eventually being able to stay with her Dad and 3 brothers in her grandparents home. Her Grandmother taught her lots of things that she is able to pass along to our family. Mother's thirst for knowledge lead her to be well educated in various areas of life. How fortunate I am to have my Mother to share life with. She is an inspiration to so many, none more so than myself. Most importantly Mother has instilled in our family. . . love.

Front: Luke, Amanda, Mom, Stephanie

Back: Lauren, Cassidy, Me, Alex, Jennifer w/ Malia, Spencer

~ ~  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~  ~  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As I Look Back

As I look back on my life

I find myself wondering

Did I remember to thank you

for all that you have done for me?

For all the times you were by my side

to help me celebrate my successes

and accept my defeats?

Or for teaching me the value of hard work

good judgement, courage and honesty?

I wonder if I've ever thanked you

for the simple things . . .

The laughter, smiles and quiet times we've shared?

If I have forgotten to express my gratitude

for any of these things,

I am thanking you now. . .

and I am hoping that you have known all along,

how very much you are loved and appreciated

Author Unknown

 

Unfinished

     Four months ago my Dad passed away. He left behind a family that loved him so very much. He also left some of his projects unfinished. He was able to work in his shop until he got sick in November of 2008. At that time he was helping my sister Jane build a dollhouse for her granddaughter Mallory. The last item he created was a chair for the table in Mallory's house. I was in Dad's shop this morning and found this. I don't know what it is. Mother didn't know what it was going to be. He was always puttering around creating things from wood. I am sure he knew what it could be, but we sure don't. I would love to be able to pick his mind to know what he was planning for this small piece of wood.

Mom and Dad grew up in the era of the Great Depression. You used and reused everything possible. If you could, you would create some way of fixing a broken item. Dad was not any different. I was cleaning my fans and needed a screwdriver. Into Dad's shop I go. Again ... I was amazed. Did I notice his tools that much when Dad was alive? Nope. I notice things now. Here is a broken screwdriver Dad made new again. It didn't go to waste. I am so proud of the creative mind he had.

The reason for our time at Mom's this morning was so Tom could paint her garage door. Dad had bought the paint. It just needed someone to apply it. As you can see, Mother is in her usual position.....supervisor ! ! !

                 

Be sure as life goes by each day, you don't leave things unfinished. The piece of wood Dad was working on, didn't change the importance of his life. It is the small things you should not leave undone. A smile, a simple thank you and most importantly . . .  an I love you. Dad made sure we knew we were loved.

They knew better !

The Greeks believed that the Goddess Iris searched for a woman's gravestone that had a purple Iris above it to signify that the person wanted escorted to Heaven.  In ancient Egypt the Iris symbolizes rebirth.  The greek word for Iris is rainbow.  The flower is used by the U. S. Military to represent strength and power, standing for courage, admiration, wisdom, hope and faith. Iris's date back to the 1600 in Virginia, probably coming over from Europe.

My Iris's - - however, knew they should bloom this year or they were going to be eradicated. They came from my daughters home. She does not have much of a green thumb. (artifical plants die in her care) She was giving away her multitude of flowers, so I decided to move some to my house. The Iris's bloomed fine until last spring. !!Nothing!!. I gave them until this year to show their fancies or they would be removed. As you can see, they kept their promise of blooming.

Sweet sense of Iris

Softly blankets

the senses.

Erect and noble

She slowly nods

at the wind.

Purple velvet robes

Soothes, beckons

and addresses

Butterfly questions.

Author Unknown