Happy New Year

Just believe it. Another year is coming up real soon-Jan. 1-2012.
May it be a good year for you and yours.

"If solid happiness we prize,
Within our breast the jewel lies,
And they are fools who roam:
The world has nothing to bestow;
From our own selves our joys must flow,
And that dear place---our home.

Life begins each morning..
Each morning is the open door to a
new world--new vistas--new aims--new tryings."

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Merry Christmas

After Thanksgiving was over I was ready to put out my Christmas stuff. Everything looks so nice.

I had picked up a few things at the Goodwill, which I thought were cute, and I couldn't resist taking them home with me. Even found a place for them. No one will know they are hand me down's , but me.

Outside the door I have all snowmen in various shapes and sizes. They are so cute.
Inside I have my ceramic nativity scene--houses--and ceramic people. It is simple, but right for a small apartment.

Enjoy the true holiday spirit. Mom

Preparing for Fall

As you all may know-Henrietta spent a few days with me last week.
We had a very good time. One day she took me to Silom Springs to a Music store, and we got a large new book for my organ playing. Then she took me to see "Courageous." It was very good, one of my kind. The next day she took me to Branson through the back roads. We saw the Hugh's Bros. and family. That also was very good. I really liked it better than the Dutton's. The next day she took me to another show, "The Help" Great. Part of Thurs. and Fri. we worked out in the Osage Gardens.

She loves to keep busy and I didn't mind the help. I did not suggest it, but gladly went along with it. Since it had frozen on Wed. many of the plants were affected. We pulled out a lot of sick flowers, put all the good soil on plastic bags on the benches and tables and when it was dry we bagged it and put in garbage bags to use again next year. We will mix it with some new miracle planting soil.

There are still two planters to empty, but the flowers in them have not frozen yet.
Then we have four hanging planters, which I will move into my room and try to keep them through the winter. 3 dianthuis and 1 Lantana. The Lantana is really an annual, but I'm going to try anyway. I already have 2 ferns-a cactus and ivy in my room, but always room for more. We also found time to play Pinochle and three games of Dirty canasta with Jonny.

Must close and watch the Series.

Signs of FAll

I know this is Sept. 13., almost half way through Sept., and fall is on the way, but I saw my first red maples turning yesterday when riding on the bus.

I had to go to Dr. Riley for my 1/2 year check up. All is well. Next appointment is in Mar.

Our gardens flowers are doing well. The two zinnia plants, one yellow and one rose, were so pretty, but they died while I was at Harrison. Was surprised they weren't taken care of better, but that's past. The mums are starting to Bloom. All in all it should be pleasant to sit outside this fall with a cup of coffee. Our sunflowers are all finished blooming, but one. The rest are all going to seeds. Our cosmos are slow this year. They just started to bloom this past week. Nice and tall and pretty though.

I got some very nice pictures from Belinda yesterday. Plan to put some in Dad's white book and some in the scrap book.

Had a nice shower early morning. The forecast is cooler weather coming in and showers most of the week. Hope all are well and thanks so much for all the love, work, and advise given me last week. Love mom

News Flash

I have received some news you all MAYBE interested in. I entered an acyclic painting in a state wide contest, for the Arkansas Health Care Foundation ( This isn't the picture). Over 100 people living in resident care homes, like Osage Gardens, entered.

I was informed yesterday by a form letter sent to the 14 winners, that we had been chosen to have owr picture on the 2012 calendar.

Katryna, our activity leader, has told me personally, that out of the 14 I have won 1st place. Our pictures will be in the Arkansas capital for the month of Sept.
for all to see. Then they will be sent to the Clinton Museum in Little Rock for s short time, and they will be actioned off to invited bitters only. This money is used to help activities in all state care homes.

Anyway, now I must get busy painting a picture for our Osage Gardens painting ,silent auction in Oct. This money goes to our activities for supplies which we can use, at no charge.

I will not get my picture back, but Katrina is getting me a laser copy of it , Mon.

My head really hasn't grown any.

Really--Nice showers

Just thought I'd let you all know how happy I am to see the beautiful rain, falling from the sky. We had our first nice soaker on Monday p.m. Then again that night. Ged and Banj. had come to visit me, and I told them they should have come much earlier. Then we had another soaker Tues. night and early morning. Well, Wednesday it has been raining off and on all day. Still another nice soaker. Oh, how wonderful. Already the grass looks greener.

Evonne's had to pick Kyrna up at the NWA airport, so they all stopped about 2:15. Kyrna took doughnuts along from Canada. Had a cup of coffee with them and boy were they good.

It cooled off a lot today. Only up to 78o. We've had over 100 for a number of weeks. Almost need a jacket- but I refuse to get carried away over one day. Fall is on the way though. School starts next Monday and soon our Osage Gardens will look beautiful.















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