HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009

Well- a new year is just around the corner with so many unanswered questions still remaining in 2008. Much happened in 2008 and one was the longgggggggg election year campaigning. It was good since we had such a different campaign--but boy was I happy when we got into Nov. The new president has a lot on his shoulders-may it all go well-and may the economy get better with many changes with the big wheels trying to run the businesses with such a smallllllllllll salary.

One thing is still true no matter what some may say and try to rationalize--GOD is still in-control. I found a great poem that tells us how to handle the unknown---

"Talk it Over With God"


You're worried and troubled about everything,
Wondering and fearing what tomorrow will bring-
You long to tell someone for you feel so alone,
But your friends are all burdened with cares of their own--
There is only on place and only ONE FRIEND
Who is never too busy and you can always depend
That HE will be waiting with arms open wide
To hear all your troubles that you came to confide-
For the heavenly Father will always be there
When you seek HIM and find HIM at THE ALTAR OF PRAYER."

May you and yours have a very HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Christmas Preparation

We are having a few extra activities this year for the Holidays. This year the choir is giving their Cantata at the Osage Village Nursing Home on Dec. 15 and again at Shilo Rehab on the 18th. We will have it in Church on the 21st.

They went caroling on Wed. and returned to church to have some hot chocolate and hot cider. I volunteered to serve a few goodies. That was fun for me and all enjoyed it very much. Made some candies-- cookies--pinwheel sandwiches --and dips.

Then on the 19th our choir director is having a party at his home with goodies and a small gift exchange. We are soooooo busy, but oh such a nice break.

I'm just so glad I don't have to buck the crowds at the stores at this time. We do have the tree up and one present under it. Every thing looks so nice and just love the Christmas CD's and tapes.

We have had so many cards already this year and a number of very nice photo cards. They can do such good work with the new digital camera's. So proud of our good looking family--grandchildren--and great grand children.

I may not blog again until after the New Years and our family gathering on Beaver Lake. Sure looking forward to that. Merry Christmas to all.

Christmas Is Coming

I know that Christmas is right around the corner. This morning it was 26 degree--Yesterday we had snow on the ground--Radio stations are playing Carols and Holiday music--so I must do something about it.

Saturday we put out our few decorations. No outside lights-no big fresh cut tree- no fancy evergreen wreaths--but everything that has home made value to us. We have a small tree that stands on our sofa table, decorated with just about every ornament hand made by me or some friend. The Seasonal pictures hung for the occasion are all stitched and framed by us--a lot of the figurines have been made years ago at ceramics classes that I went to, mainly to remove stress that took it's toll on me from the business--A rusted wreath made by our creative Rozeboom family-etc.-etc. But Oh what memories.

Then I have my Christmas greetings written-sealed and today , delivered to the mailbox. Yesterday I made those Ritz, peanut butter dipped goodies. Today I plan to dip wreath pretzels--then tomorrow Rice Crispy cookies and Chow Mien cookies on Thursday. Have already made Carmel corn and nibble mix. Do you see ,I only plan one thing for a day. Seems I need more time to do stuff these days.

Our church choir has a 20 minute cantata we are giving on the 21's. This year we also plan to give it at 2 nursing homes. One on the 15th and the other on the 18th. They are going caroling on the 10th, but we are staying at church and when they return we will have a snack lunch ready for them. Hot chocolate, apple cider--dips and crackers and all the other fancies for Christmas parties. Doesn't that all sound great?

Our minister has taken another church at South Haven, Mo. He preached his last sermon this past Sunday morning. Mixed feelings on his departure-but some time we will get a replacement. Oh--what a beautiful season. The birth of Christ!.

Black Friday

Why don't they just call it--Green Friday. I hear the lines in Rogers was again unreal. Some one I know was at the store at 4 o'clock. It wasn't bad at that time, but by the time she left , the store was jammed. She then went to Kohl's and the lines there were even worse. She stood in line to pay for her purchas-- 1 hour. Crazy. I'm glad I'm old and find not the desire to do that.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving will soon be upon us--with so many things to be thankful for and ALL of our many blessings. Today some may be very worried about the economy of our nation, and rightly so. But I think of the word that the hymn writer penned--"Count your many blessings, Name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord has done." So I did just that.

Good health ---A happy family--A wonderful husband-- Awaking each morning and seeing the new day--Being able to dress myself-- Having plenty of food--A good church where we can attend without danger--being able to drive a car yet--Able to help rake leaves--Good eye sight--Just about all my hearing --Only taking 3 pills a day--Money to buy a piece of pie if I want--Many friends--A warm home--An electric blanket--Wonderful grand children and great grand children--Seeing beautiful skies-moon-sunset-etc.--My computer to pass the time--Warm clothes--A God who takes care of me--and the list goes on and on. Yes, we have so much to be thankful for and Thank the Lord again at this Thanksgiving Season.

Emptness

Mom used to be an excellent piano player and instructor. In fact, she gave lessons in Maurice long after she became bound to her wheel chair. She had lots and lots of instruction books and sheet music. She could play the most complicated classical and non classical music. She had a couple that were my favorites, where she would cover every key on the piano. "The Flight of the Bumble Bee and Falling leaves."

This week my thoughts turned to my dad a lot. He was my favorite, and left us much too soon. He did not play the piano, but boy could he sing. I remember how he would always start the fire in the morning-set on an old pan and make coffee -- then go out to the out house for his morning chores. I can still see him sharpening his razor on the strap back of the kitchen door--being pulled to the house in a coaster, after being kicked by a cow that he had just beat up with his milk stool--and tieing his suspender straps while coming out of the outhouse.

We went for a lovely fall ride this week end. The colors were gorgeous,maybe not as brilliant as some years, but fully as overall colorful. We took 59 down to Van Buren -then 64 to Russelville--7 up to 412 and back home. Had some good pecan and pineapple pie (never had that combination before),at the Grand Canyon Cafe of Arkansas on hwy. 7--saw a natural dam at Natural Dam, (really something to see)--and old-old bridges, you never see on the busy interstate.

Now, what has the title and the picture have to do with this writ ting? We have had a few frost--getting very windy weather today--and have a yard covered with a heavy layer of colored leaves. The trees are becoming empty, quickly. My mother used to have sheet music about a little girl who was going away (can't remember her name)," When the last leaf falls from the Tree" and so we have gone full circle and that is how mind works.

What's Coming

Food

I'm really getting sold on this. Not that I'm lazy, but becoming so. Each day, Monday through Friday, the door bell rings and there stand a nice old man ,delivering meals on wheel. I'm sure some are as old as what we are. The first day I was not impressed. We had a hamburger , and by time I got back from Rehab. the warm bun was soggy and I had lost my appetite. Since then, I have learned a lot. If food is on a bun, remove it-dry out the bun and warm it up when ready to serve it. Also, turn the mini oven on to 150o-put the meals in and they stay nice until dinner.

We have been having good meals- Today we had garlic chicken, herb potatoes-carrots-fruit salad- and milk. Tomorrow we have baked fish- french fries-coleslaw-pudding and milk. Monday we had potato casserole-green beans-beets-applesauce- and milk. Tuesday was roast beef with mushroom gravy- Mashed potatoes-peas and onions-jello -and milk. Wednesday they served ham and cheese casserole-green beans-lettuce salad-bread pudding- and milk. So you see--It really is good, and more than enough.

On top of that, Vicky , who comes each time I go to Rehab. does all my work. Tomorrow she will mop the kitchen and bath . Wednesday she vacuumed and dusted. Monday she sweep ed the garage, emptied the waste baskets and does what ever she sees to do. Do I like it? Of course, but my strength is slow coming back, although I feel good. Sorry to say, I am not showing much signs of improvement at Rehab. Nothing has been increased, some has been decreased. My pulse goes too high and so I have to slow up and wait for it to go down before I can go on. So I will continue to plug away. So what am I complaining about. The Tampa Bays lost last night, but will win tonight I am sure.

Just another Day

Don't laugh! This is actual. We are two of the most uninteresting people on this planet.

Have I made it known yet that I hate rehab. with a purple passion? I now have 7 sessions back of me and have not changed my mind yet. If it wasn't for the 3 wonderful nurses. Cindy-Rocky and Ann I swear I'd quit. Got a good report from Dr. Inlow though, and all seems well.

Went to Bella Vista, Sat. with our friend Francis. Stopped and got mulch from Dave at the Bentonville waste treatment plant. That is the best stuff. Then drove on to BV and stopped at Elaine. She was having a garage sell. I showed interest in 6 steak knives, and she gave them to me. Showed Francis where we used to live and drove back to the Village Inn. Guess what? We each had a whole piece of their very delcious Carmel, pecan pie. Sinful, filling but ah so gooooooooood. She plans to take us out to a BBq place in Bentonville next week. Presd. Bush ate there while in Bentonville this spring.

Keep busy watching the baseball play off's. So far , so good, cuz I haven't picked who is going to play in the series yet. I really want the Tampa Bay Rays and the Los Angles Dodgers. Want to see more of Manny Ramirez's play.

Things that go bump in the night

I know Halloween is drawing nigh but I hate to be awaken at 10:30 at night from a musical sound of 4 notes going down -dah-dah-dah-dah every two minutes. Yah, that's what happen to me last night. In the corner of our bedroom, came a sound that scared the crap out of me. Every 2 minutes on the dot, it would sound off again. I checked the fire alarm-doorbell-alarm clock -TV-and finally figured out it was coming from the new contraption they installed last Tues. Ken Williams came an installed a HOTLINE for us. This should enable dad to call for help in case I am incapacitated.

I unplugged it, but it kept on going, for it has a back up battery in it that runs for 24 hours. Then I tried to cover it with a blanket, but touched something wrong and a lady replied, "Thank You". I finally crawled back in bed, knowing I would not sleep another wink that night. I lay on my "getting deaf ear" and covered the other one with another blanket. That helped immensely, but I could still faintly hear that agggggravating sound (every 2 minutes).

It is now 12:30 and my patience is just about worn out. Finally at 12:43 the sound turned to a nice little ditty and all was peace and quite. Called the hotline this morning. They had never heard of that before, but told me to call in and reset it, and if it ever happened again, Ken would have to come out and replace the unit. Happy Scary Halloween.

Fall and Home

It is now officially fall and the trees are starting to show signs of it. Won't be long and we can go for a ride in the country and around town. Found some poems I'd like to share.

"Indian Summer"
by Luella Carr

Now is the perfect time of year, Loveliest to behold, When birches wear heart-shaped bangles of purest minted gold; When poplars are laden with dollars, more than I ever could spend.

And the slow -moving river before me that creeps around the bend, Is covered with coins of gold and silver that glitter before my eyes, afloat on the rippling water and of every imaginable size.

The mountain ash wear copper, bronze are the leaves of the oak. Around me the magic of color as if the whole world spoke. Saying, "Take of my beauty, Cheriish it, keep it until the dull days of winter are over, and gone is winter's chill."

I also read this poem and after last week I realize how comforting to have a happy, God filled , loving HOME.

"HOME"
by Esther Randall

No other place on earth can be so filled with heart's fidelitiy, and warmed with good and fine desire as HOME, when lit with true heart's fire.

No other place can be so dear, so full of charm, delight and cheer, as HOME, when those within it strive to keep it nourished and alive.

No other place was ever found more free and yet securely bound than HOME, whose members all unite in love for harmony and right.

No other place as good to start right growing of the mind and heart; No other place like HOME, to blesss HIS name and show deep thankfulness.

Thanks for another day.

Wednesday Pick Up

Wednesday is garbage pick up at our home in Rogers. We have the neatest pick up. The city has given each of us a very tough container to set out by the curb by 7 o'clock. Well today is the day. A large truck comes along, pushes a button inside the cab and arms come out , grabs the container , lifts it high in the air, and tips it out into the truck. The driver never gets out, even if there is a boo-boo. Today was the day. Some how he drug our neighbors container along side his truck, for about 10 feet, gouging the lawn as he went, but he never got out. Must have been an inexperienced driver, but he got the job done and the container is none the worse for wear.

Ahead of the Season

It may be only August 16- but the weather is definitely fall. We have been able to sleep with windows open now, for the past week ,or so, and the air condition seldom runs. That should save on the electric bill, although I can not complain about our July bill. It was only $14.49, and we had only used 22 kilowatts. Now that could not be true. I didn't go right our and spend the savings though. I called Carroll Electric and they came out and reread the meter. It had been read wrong and the bill was $88.40 instead. That still was good compared to the year before. We really have had a good summer with only about 2 week with temperature in the 90's and never 100 so far.

Anyway --the reason I know it is fall-- the katydid's are singing. They are the neatest things to listen to at night. I just could not sleep last night until at least 1:30, but I did have something very delightful to sooth my busy mind. Do you know, I solved just about all the world problems but not any of my own. I really should quit worrying. Worry is like a rocking chair--it never gets you any place.

They are the problem

I've never been much of a writer-but I enjoy reading and quoting from those who do know how to write.

After reading this article I thought--yes that's exactly the way I am -- and I must do something about immediately.

" Researchers from Virginia Tech University, along with police administrators, recently determined that distracted drivers put others in more danger than aggressive drivers. ( I new that all the time.) Drivers who eat, discipline children in the backseat, or talk on the phone are the most hazardous.

When residents in Mi. were asked about the bad habits of drivers that made the highways unsafe, most felt that OTHERS caused more problems than they themselves. ( You tell um) One woman said that she talked on her cell phone a little bit---but at least she didn't dial the phone numbers while on the road. (Dah!) Then she said--OTHERS aren't following the rules of the road------THEY put us all at risk.

It's our nature to point a finger at OTHERS. We avoid looking at our own behavior instead of attacking our wrong behavior. We measure ourselves by ourselves. When we don't look at our own actions--BUT-- instead compare ourselves with others, we often come out looking good.
It's not the approval of ourselves that counts, but the Lord's commendations, instead.

The faults I see in others's lives are often true of me. So help me, Lord, to recognize my own hypocrisy. If I must compare myself with someone, compare it with Christ.

I just got back from the bank on New Hope Road. Really--I was surprised how many times in those few blocks, I could see a motorist doing the wrong thing-- while-- I was right( in my eyes).
THEY ARE THE PROBLEM.

Reflections

The summer days are getting hotter and hotter. More humid and I'm glad to be inside.


That set me to thinking back to 1936. It was hot-very hot-and getting hotter. Absolutely no rain, no crops and no promising future. My mother was expecting her 5th child.
She was 39 at this time.

Joyce was 13--Wallace was 12-- and Lois and I were 8. We had NO electricity -so NO fan or No air conditioning. It must have been trying for everyone.

We girls would sleep across the bed (yes, beds. We had 2 beds in the room and 3 girls), so that we could be near the windows and get as much cool as possible during the night.

But poor mom.. I can remember she would rest at every noon and try and stay cool by lying down on the linoleum floor. Not a bed or sofa, but the linoleum floor , trying to stay as cool as possible. Can you imagine that?

This was late July and Aug. Dear Harriet, was born Sept. 17- 1936.

Happiness

It does feel good

Falling in Love
Laughing so hard your face hurts
A good conversation
Finding $20 in your coat pocket from last winter
Laughing at yourself
No lines at a supermarket
Getting mail
Friends
Sweet dreams
Watching a sunrise
Hearing your favorite song on the radio
Taking a drive on a pretty road
A hot shower
Giggling
Listening to the rain outside
Getting up on a beautiful day
Knowing you are missed
Hearing- I love you

But best of all- Knowing you've done the right thing no matter what other people think

Housework

I don't do housework every week. In fact , I only do it if company is coming. Company is coming next week , so I decided to mop, polish , vacuum etc. today. It is now 11:30--I am finished, even if I only went over every thing lightly. I started right after breakfast. It was so pleasant outside this morning that we sat on the patio and had a second cup of coffee first--then about 8:15 I dove right into the project ahead and started mopping--resting--polishing--resting--vacuuming--resting and now I'm ready for my 2 hour noon nap. Hope the telephone doesn't ring.

Homesick for Heaven

Yesterday we had such a soul searching sermon . It really made you think about what God has planned for this world and how we are to live our lives for Him.

When I got home I googled to Heaven. My mind was boggled at all the 50 images posted about Heaven. I played around on the computer a long time looking into what some other views were on heaven. I came up with one solution,. Read about it in your Bible. You may not understand all about it now-but God promises us ,sometime ,all will be made clear to us.

Isn't God GREAT?

4th of July

Just a short time and gas prices will go up and fireworks will go off. We plan to do the same thing we have done for the past few years--watch elaborate displays from all over the US- from our easy chairs in front of our TV.

Have a safe 4th and enjoy the rest of the summer.

Photography

I just unloaded our camera and wanted to share this picture S.J. took Sat. We were on the way to Megan's shower when S.J. made me stop the car. The sky was so blue and just these fluffy clouds as far as you could see. I don't care what any one says--but GOD is so awesome. Could just anyone make this-hold it all in place-? I don't think so!

Red Flag

This may seem rude and crude to some of my readers. Sorry-but this is exactly how I feel this morning. Two things happened this week end that really made me see red.

Yesterday it was the top of the 9th. The score was 6-6 and I had to see my favorite catcher get plowed down by a Phili pinch runner who just had to win. This was not an accident . This was intentional. Latter , Bruntlett said--"I intentionally collided with Molina so he would drop the ball and we would score--I did not mean to injury him. DAH! Terrible! They just had to win--but they lost 6-7 in the 10th. I checked on Molina's condition this morning on Google and the reports states a concussion with neck and back injury, with possible more damage. Something he may suffer from the rest of his life--this is nothing to sniff at.

The other upsetting thing is how some people with pea sized brains are inconsiderate and oblivious to the fact that they making life miserable for some people I LOVE dearly. You can see things happening--Happiness fading from their eyes and tears wailing up instead--Joy absent from happy moments-- Lumps forming in their throats. This should not be. Why? This is a hard thing to do----but you must IGNORE these kind of people with their stupid action-attitudes-stubbornness-no PR- and lack of LOVE. They can not be victorious.

Restless

Have any of you ever have a restless night? Well I just can not find sleep yet, so I'm on the computer.

Maybe it's because I ate lunch out with a friend today and had some chill soup made with turkey and topped with jalapeno peppers.

Maybe because I went shopping today for SJ . His birthday and father's day are coming up, plus we are making plans for traveling this fall. Anyway , he has lost about 15 pounds and I thought I'd get him some new pants and shirts in smaller sizes.. resulting in overspending.

Maybe because it has been a rainy ,dreary day all day.

Maybe it's because I hear airplanes flying over low, just when I think I'm going to fall off the deep end.

Then I went to Google to get a picture for this blog and I found the answer. I came up with a pictures and it clearly shows what I am missing in the upper story-one or more of these necessary parts. Guess I'll just take a sleep ez and try again.

Summer Time

Schools out this week. NOW WHAT? Always so much to do-the summer is never long enough. Church camps--Recreational camps--ball games--baby sitting--vacations--Bible School--summer jobs--lawn mowing--etc.

I know it was always a big deal for us. The last day of school meant a picnic for kids and parents. My Mon always had to take a huge bowl of potato salad. She made goooood potato salad and was known for it. Eating wasn't the best though. We got to go down the fire escape as much as we wanted to-all day . It meant climbing back up to the second floor each time we came down the circular enclosed slide. What fun! Now that slide is in the Maurice park and still provides so much fun for kids and even grown ups.

Much of our summer was taken up helping on the farm, although we always had time to walk about 1'2 mile to go fishing in Chester Van Peursem's creek--play with Lucille Jahn in our hay mows--enjoy an open air band concert in the Maurice park ever Saturday night--feed the grain threshers and then have a big picnic at the Sheldon park when the harvest was in. We could go swimming ( about the only pool around) and go skating (just across from the park) while the men settled their threshing expenses for the summer--riding our bikes 4 miles to Strubble to play with Charlotte Mieras--working in the garden and then help with canning food for the winter--taking a shower in the silo shed (no plumbing, but we could shower when the sun warmed the barrel of water that was on the silo roof). riding the backs of our old sows and young calves--climbing on the barn roof--drowning ground squirrels from cream cans of water we would pull in a coaster wagon up to their holes in the pasture--picking up cobs in the pig yard, then store them to burn in the winter--putting corn flakes in and short sheeting mom and dad's bed--eating green apples--washing outside in a gas driven maytag washer and rinsing clothes in 2 tubs of cold water( all the clothes in 1 fill of water)--jumping 2 fences to get to the young chickens to feed them--walking 3'4 mile to bring dad or the hired man their lunch in old gal. or 1'2 gal. syrup cans--climbing trees--going to night ball games and having time to swing in the school swings ,with our heart beats, while they played ball--walking to get the mail about 1'4 mile away and taking time to play with Donna Brink (most of the time it would end in a quarrel)--etc.--etc.

And so our summer's went. Truly, I would not trade any of it for anything in the world. Life was so simple then. Have a great summer.

Bent

"DON'T GIVE UP. MOSES WAS A BASKET CASE TOO."

Cute! Interesting! Saw this on a Church sign yesterday. I thought--yes--too many times we get so bent out of shape while all the time God could have taken care of it--had we only talked to Him about it first.

A Day in the Life of two old people

We are really living it up. Our weeks- months-and years go by faster and faster. Actually, each day is sort of routine, but each day holds something new an beautiful.

Last week we had a wonderful Mother's Day. Calls or cards, from all the kids and grandkids. The Richardson's called and took KK and us out about 1 pm to a
Chinese Buffet. I believe all the other children took their Mothers out to the same place that day.Was busy, we had to wait, but the food was great.

Monday we were able to see Miranda play baseball. They lost, but were ahead until the bottom of the last inning. (Something like the SL Cardinals lately.)

Tuesday , little Sarah stayed by our house with Stiches. That is one patient dog. (something like Job) I could have bitten her a number of times if I were stitches the way she pulled him around. I got informed it was a boy not a girl.

Wednesday Kelsey stayed overnight because of school activites.Gave us a good reason to see if CC's still serve good pizza.Set the cot up for her and all went well.

Thursday a nurse pricked my finger again, and I believe all is under contol this time.

Friday- a day of rest. Crocheted-- read books.

Saturday- another day of rest, except I took time to make Saturday telephone calls and salad for a a church dinner today.

And, so the world turns. More aches and pains, but still two old people to talk together and watch all the birds and squirrels. Saw two swallows trying to build a nest above our neighbors outside light. (Hope they stay there.)

Really am not copying your last blog B; but great minds run in the same gutter and I had the same idea for my next blog.

Tornado Time

Boy, lately we have had a lot of threats of tornado's, but so far we have been spared any damage. Saturday, we actually had weather warnings for at least two hours. Seems like the storms were all the way down from the Quachta's and Tx. up through--Ok--Ar--Ks and Mo. The sirens blew a number of times-others got strong winds--hail--heavy rains and tornado's. One touched down briefly about 5 miles from us. Very little damage though compared to the ones that hit Pitcher, Ok and Seneca, MO. about 50 miles north of us. That tornado was about 300 yards wide and 30 miles long, doing very heavy damage and taking over 20 lives. Made us think of the movie, "Wizard of Oz". Don't still know why our tallest girl was sooooo scared of that show. Must have been the( Tin Man or the Straw Scare Crow.)

Today the weather is sunny and warm, but they are predicting rain and storms including tornado's again for the the rest of the week. We shall wait and see. We sort of plan to take a short ride again this week and see all the changes in the scenery and stop at some new place for our big day out.

Dry to Wet

We took our trek from dry Benton to wet Washington this a.m for SJ's red wine at the County Line Liquors Inc. Always amazes us how big that place is and loaded with ALL types of drinks.

We also enjoyed seeing all the changes in the surroundings. More and more ground being made ready for bigger and better developments. Also who could resist eating out at Ron's Hanburger and Chili joint when leaving Lowell.

The azeales are just beautiful this spring, and the leaves have blocked much of the unseen summer back road stuff. It's fun getting kicks out of small things.

Heavy Rains

This past week we have been going to a lot of flea markets-thrift shops-garage sales and sight seeing. Harriet was with us and we had a wonderful few days together.

This spring we had unseasonably high amounts of rain and most every stream, river and lake has overflown. We drove to the dam on Beaver Lake, off hwy 187, to see the opened flood gates. It was something to see. They were raised 3 1/2 feet that day and at it's peak they were raised 9 1/12 feet. That must have been awesome. We posted one of the pictures we took. Then we went to Lake Atlanta--Bella Vista- Pinnacle --Promenade at Pinnacle and the new XNWA airport. This place has grown by leaps and bounds these past few years. Rogers now is pushing 50,000 people.

Of course we couldn't pass up --Helping Hands--Salvation Army--Rose Mall-- Homestead Mall and a neighbor hood garage sale that could have been a days event in itse

The flowering shrubs-- tree-- and early bulbs are finished blooming and most all the leaves are out, leaving us with a lot of yellow pollen. Pity the people with allergy.

The Joy Of Happy Children

This morning we were sitting on the back patio, enjoying another cup of coffee and a beautiful spring day. The tulips are nearly finished blooming--the grass needs cutting at least once a week and the birds are so busy hunting for food(probably for their young).

We had an extra bonus this morning. The neighbors who live right across the alley from us, have five children. They are young, probably the oldest being 13-- home schooled--always pretending--playing with their two dogs--picking up the doo-doo back of them and very active. Today they were playing outside until it was time for school. What a joy to see such happy children--never a rude word--beating up on each other--bad language nor tattle taling. I just have to believe that there is not one inkling of making a bomb to blow up a school or kill teachers and companions.

You won't believe it!

Last week I was working in the back yard. The late April hard frost,last year, did havic to the trees, and are still constantly dropping dead limbs. I had a big bundle in my arms to bring to the trash can in front of the house. I came around the corner and there in the driveway sat a brand new TOYOTA HYBRID.

Our friend had just purchased it and was eager to show us all the bells and whistles on that thing. You won't believe it!!. He doesn't even have to take the keys out of his pocket, ever. He walks out of the house and the doors unlock. We walk out, and the doors remain locked. He touches the car and the motor starts. It has airs bags all over the place. The gauges -lights-etc. are not on the dash, but behind it, near the windshield. Nothing is on the dash behind the steering wheel. It has a three tier trunk. Tools- first aid kit-etc. are already in there for them. These are in the bottom layer. Then a huge place to store all the purchases made at the mall that day. Above that you pull down a covering and can place lighter items up there or stuff of the kids to play with. When he's ready to back up a TV comes up on the dash and show him all the way to the pavement just what is back of his car.

I guess if I had to drive one of those things, I'd be like my mother. She was learning to drive ,soon ater they were married, and went to get the mail 1/4 mile away. Dad climbed up the windmill to watch her, which made her so disturbed, that she never drove again. Guess I'd never drive a new hybrid either.

Birds and flowers

My flower pots, given to me by some crafty people, blew over in the wind this winter and crushed to pieces. I replaced two of them and put the arrangement back together. Added my artifical flowers and the necessary moss to cover the styrofoam. Then I put some lattice work around the muns. ( Last year the muns fell all over so that was enough of that. ) In so doing, I lost my balance and fell backwards and landed on one of my lattice rings, still waiting to be installed, and crushed that poor thing all to piece. SJ was able to retrive it for me by screwing all the lattice back on the leather, Looks good as new.

Went out to check the changes in the yard , like I do every morning, and found the birds have been taking all my moss, apparently to build another nest.. Probably sparrows, which brings back a memory. When Lois and I were about 10-12, we would walk to Lucille and play in her large barn with a great haymow. We would climb on the beams and get the eggs out of all the nest and then destroy the nest, of what ever bird had used those beams to raise another batch of young'ns . Then we would take the eggs and mix them with cracked corn and pretend. That was great fun, also kept the haymow cleaner.

Can't really believe the weather

I woke up this morning to 41 degrees. Not bad for March but yesterday I woke up to 66 degrees. It's been my assignment to jump out of bed,- plug in the coffee pot--turn up the thermostat--turn on the electric heater in the bathroom--and then crawl back in bed under the electric blanket for an other 30 minutes and watch the news on TV.

Sure beats growing up in Iowa. Dad was the first up. He didn't just turn up the thermostat, but rather started a wood and cob fire in the kitchen cook stove. Then he'd stoke up the coal stove in the dining room and shake down the ash that came in the night. Next he'd set on a pan over the open cook stove grate, fill it with water and throw in coffee grinds. While that boiled, to make up his 1st cup of coffee , he'd go out to the outhouse for his morning chore--probably using peach paper or catalogue pages for a soft wipe. No electric blanket--no TV- no electric heater or furnace. NO ELECTRICITY!

Yep, we've got it good. But we had more relaxed family time than what we have today, actually enjoying working together.

"Sorry about that"

Heard today on the telephone, that some states are getiing snow,(Iowa -maybe Mi.) while we had 82 degree weather. Sorry about that. SPRING.



Isn't its something tho - the Bartlett Pears are all in bloom and soon leaves will be appearing? We even saw one turning green on our way to town today.The yellow forsethye -white popcorn- and red regalia bushes are beautiful. Daffaodil are over doing themselves everywhere and so are the blue flags. It's awesome and it's only the beginning of all the new growth life coming soon. God is Great.



It's not pretty all over Ar. though. So much flooding on the eastern part of the state along
the Mississippi. Over 30 counties are now declared disaster areas, with supposedly more rain on the way for that area tomorrow.



Sure is fun watching the squirels scratching all the lawn for their buried nuts and the robins building their nest on the neighbors outside light. So much to see and do, but I best turn out the lights and turn in for the night.

Progress

Rogers is growing by leaps and bounds. What used to be farmland and run down junk filled homesteads (when we were living in Bella Vista) are now 5 lane byways, with a bank on every corner.

Just last week 40th. street was opened . It runs through farm land and creeks from Walnut to the new Hospital (7 stories no less) and on to Pinnacle and Promenade Mall. Just beautiful and efficient.

Next--a 5 way byway running right past the front of our Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. All the large pines have been bull dozed down--pipe lines laid and now the dirt is moving. We don't have the rocks like many places in Ar. do though--just red top soil. It will run all the way to the new Mall-Walmart-Golden Coral-Starbuck etc.

Something very interesting to watch and we are looking to the finish of it.

Easter

Tomorrow will be Palm Sunday. What a glorious time of the year. Easter was not only the second most important religious season of the year, but the folks always saw to it we got a new outfit. We did not get new clothes at every little flip flop. Most of our things mom sewed for us--but at Easter, we would get a new coat or hat, if we needed them , and generally a new boughten spring dress to be used only on Sunday. Just because we did this did not take away the true meaning of the Risen Savior.

We not only had special services on Palm Sunday and Easter, but school would let out early and all the stores would close from noon until three. All of the local ministers would have a short sermon on the words on the cross from our Savior, Jesus Christ . It was very special and still is to me. HE IS RISEN AND LET US NEVER-NEVER FORGET THAT. HE IS LORD AND ALWAYS WILL BE. LET US ALL GIVE THANKS FOR THAT, AN LIVE OUR LIVES FOR HIM.

May each of you have a blessed Easter season.

Backyard Snow

Sentner took this photo from our back porch.

Snow is great when it leaves us so soon.

Good Morning:

The sun is out and is in the 70*

Evonne is working with me today and she is very patient

Hurray--I did this all by myself.

Old Dog - New Tricks

They say you are never too old to learn. So here goes. This is my first time. Evonne is here teaching me the ropes of blogging.

I will post a real one after I learn more.