My Reading Blog

Tomorrow would have been Mom's 99th birthday.  Summer time reminds me of her.  She always had a smile shining brightly, just like the sunshine She spread love and kindness, like the birds and butterflies flitting about Her clothesline was filled with sheets & towels and unmentionables,  gently blowing in the fresh summer air Her vegetable garden flourished and grew,  like her love of life Her flowers bloomed and brought comfort  to all who received them  No matter what happened in her life,  she always kept summertime thoughts of pure joy I know that in Heaven she is enjoying summertime every day.  I thank her for showing me how to find joy no matter what time of year, but especially in the summer months.  Happy Birthday to a special Mother.

After eleven days of travel, we arrived safely home yesterday.  It was a wonderful trip, filled with lots of sights, enjoying the company of our daughter, son-in-law and granddaughters, laughing. relaxing and enjoying several boat rides. We traveled to Northern Michigan via Indiana covered bridge country, to meet up with Michelle and her family.  We wanted to seem some of the covered bridges, but arrived mid afternoon (that darn time zone change) with a storm brewing.  We happened upon the Bridgeton Covered Bridge and Mill, just before the sky opened up with a torrential downpour.  There was a young couple just leaving and they were giddy beyond compare.  I said to the proprietor that they must be newlyweds to which he replied no, but they had asked him to take some picture in front of the bridge and while he was taking the pics, the young man got down on one knee and pulled out a box.  She said "yes". Saturday we were on our way to Harbor Springs, MI t...

Almost two years ago, we moved into our new house.  We have been working at making it "our home" and have added wood to several walls, a new sliding glass door, new wall of cabinets, a fire place insert and now we are having our front enclosed porch converted to an all season room. We have been waiting for the construction crew to begin since the middle of April, but apparently their time frame and ours hasn't always coincided.  But last Thursday the crew of ONE appeared to dismantle the existing frame work of clear vinyl windows and screens.  He looked, removed some screws, scratched his head and said he never seen anything like it.  This didn't give us much confidence, but he persevered and finally got the first piece out.  Hubby and I watched, looked at each other, shrugged our shoulders and said a prayer.  Mid afternoon another guy showed up to help.  Demo was completed by the end of day.  They packed up their stuff and said "we'll be bac...

On a Father's Day 14 years ago (6/15/03), my Dad went to heaven to spend his eternal life with my Mom.  What a glorious feeling that is - knowing that he is at home and enjoying himself!  So on the anniversary of his death and Father's Day, I remember my special Dad. He was a people person - he loved to chat with everyone he met.  I don't think there was ever anyone who he couldn't talk with. His sense of humor was amazing - he liked to tease, but not to the point of annoyance - he just wanted everyone to be happy. He was a hard worker - a farmer, a carpenter, a lawn mower, a courier, a crusader of our heavenly Father, a husband, a father, grandfather, brother, and uncle.  He loved his family and wanted the best for all us. He wasn't rich, but always had enough - money wasn't the source of his happiness. He enjoyed being busy and yet it was always good to find time to relax.  He loved watching the Chicago Cubs play and must have been ecstatic when they...

Lots of stuff going on the past two weeks and no time to write.  Hubby went on a trip to Montana to visit with his cousins and do some shooting.  So I was left to myself for four days before heading to Illinois for a week.  Thought I'd share the joys that I experienced during that time. Having the house to myself - peace, quiet - and I got the TV remote! Had a marathon watching "This is Us" - like everyone else, I'm hooked! Worked on my scrapbook "All About Me". Read, read, read. I even got to mow the grass - a first on our riding mower. Had a gab fest with my neighbors over a bottle of wine Drove myself to IL (10 hours), listened to a book on CD - made the time fly quickly The weather was absolutely perfect all week. Spent countless hours with my granddaughters. Being a support for my daughter (Michelle) Drove girls to Sport Camp each day Went to the park Explored Egypt, Australia, France, Japan with the girls Worked on Origami projects Mad...

While wondering what to write today, I checked the phone and saw four missed calls - no messages.  I checked the numbers, two were "toll free", two from "imc"???   I don't recognize the numbers and am so happy that we have caller ID.  We've received calls from these numbers over the past few weeks or has it been months.  How annoying!  If they really want to tell me something, leave a message.  One thing I can say is that they are definitely persistent! And since I'm ranting.  Why is it that if you order one thing from a company, you get bombarded with catalogs from ten other companies?  At least this must make the post office happy to have something to deliver to my mailbox. And then there's the internet...  Start a search and voila it keeps coming back to haunt you every time you change websites.  I think if I want to find or order something, I need to be the one to make that call, but just because I ordered it once doesn't ...

After all the rain and stormy weather for the past several weeks, we have been blessed with the most delightful day. The windows and doors are open wide with a gentle breeze bringing in fresh spring air.  No humidity, which makes this an even more wonderful day. The birds are singing to their hearts delight, spreading the news that this is truly a blessed day. The rabbits and squirrels run, chasing and playing. The little lizards scurry around or just sun themselves on a stone. The smell of fresh mown lawns. The cows bellowing in the distance. The roosters crowing. Me - having the luxury of doing something or not.  Me - taking the time to just enjoy this day and thank God for His many blessings - especially this beautiful day in the Ozarks.  What Joy!