My Reading Blog

We have always taken a week to travel in the winter months and get away from the cold.  We traveled to Florida for many years, but since my Aunt passed away, we decided to try other parts of the country. Several years ago to Las Vegas where we made the decision to purchase a time share.  Good, bad, otherwise.  Well, it's been all of that.  But last year we enjoyed a week in Angel's Camp, CA and this year we're traveling to New Bern, NC. Hopefully we'll find warmers temps, but if not, we'll enjoy seeing new places and investigating the Outer Banks.  And while we're there, we will visit a 95 year old friend.  She has been living with her daughter, but just this week she has moved into a Senior Apartment/Assisted Living.  So we'll get to see her new abode and have lunch with her.  Then we'll stop in Asheville, NC and meet up with Len's cousin and his wife.  They sold their home in TX and have purchased land just south of Asheville.  We ...

Last week I wrote about our After School Mentoring Program.  This is a follow up to that slice. Joan and I were still heading up the program this week as Paula is still off her foot until it heals completely.  Hoping and praying that she will be with us this week. The mentors showed up on time, most of them early.  We were chatting and I looked up and the kids were at the front doors waiting to be let it, but it's only 3:30 and they aren't suppose to be here until 3:45.  Randy hadn't shown up yet to give the kids a good workout before settling down.  Fortunately, one of our new mentors took charge and herded the kids outside.  I frantically called across the street to see where Randy was and shortly he appeared.  Thank you Lord! In the meantime, Joan had to go to a doctor's visit and she is my calming buddy.  Where were the kitchen gals?  What do we do for snacks?  Could Randy & JoAnn keep the kids occupied for a little longer?...

The past two years our church has offered an after school mentoring program.  The first year we tried 8th & 9th graders.  It went well, but a lot of us mentors felt like we were out of our league - too many years have elapsed and my how things have changed. Last year we opted for 3rd and 8th grade.  Since we didn't have any 8th graders sign up, we concentrated our efforts on the 3rd graders and found them to be delightful, a little challenging, but overall a good fit for our group. Last August we again started plans for mentoring 3rd graders, but we ran into a few bumps in the road and it didn't take off.  So we decided to try again in January.  We initially had seven kids sign up and decided to go forward.  But then, the weather hit and it got pushed back.  Then they were off of school for one reason or another. Finally, two weeks ago, we got started.  Twelve kids signed up.  We had a mentors meeting and they were excited.  We...

Since we've lived  in our house, we have noticed that we have a large amount of raised dirt mounds trailing back and forth in the front yard and between our house and the neighbor's.  We seem to have an over abundance of moles that enjoy what I call "aerating" our soil, but they call creating havoc in the lawns.  Last year Ed & Len used the pistol, but to no avail.  This winter, Len and our neighbor, Ed, have had some down time to investigate. Ed went to the Extension Service to get their recommendations, Hubby searched articles on line to find the best way to get rid of these pests, which traps work the best, how to determine where they are active. etc. Both Ed & Hubby purchased mole traps.  Len got some flags to put out to see which tunnels are being used.  And so, the hunt has begun.  I'm getting the feeling that this might be a competition to see who can get the most moles! Traps have been set.  Ed came ringing the doorbell las...