Wow – another low-key day. I was busy all day, but nothing worth sharing! I’ll bore you anyway.

I couldn’t get to sleep last night, and I couldn’t say why. I finally fell asleep sometime after 6am, and woke up at 8:30. After a shower and breakfast I started cleaning, and finished upstairs by 1pm and then I was done downstairs by 5:30. I took the trash up, even though since Monday was a holiday, the pickup is probably a day later. I’m ready, whichever day they come!

The furnace-a/c guy called me with the second estimate. The two companies are only a small amount apart, so now I just have to make the decision and let them know my choice. I already made up my mind but I have to let it settle a few days then I’ll call. Hard call to make but basically an easy decision.

The silly robin keeps trying to rebuild the nest on the light, even though I did put a plastic bag over it. I’ve torn it down a few times yesterday and today. I just can’t deal with all that mess again, when my yard is full of trees and they can have their choice.

I also signed up for Family Frontier Court Days at Hanna’s Town – which is June 14 and 15. I will work the tavern upstairs from 10am to 1pm both days as those are harder spots to fill. And I leave for vacation on the 16th and need to be organized and ready.

I think I’ll make myself a burger for supper later.

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW May 29th is:

Ascension Day; Learn About Composting Day; Mt. Everest Day; National Alligator Day; National Biscuit Day; National Paperclip Day; National Snail Day; Oak Apple Day; Put a Pillow in your Fridge Day; National 529 Day.

I’m sure I don’t have room for a pillow in my fridge. Is the asparagus having trouble sleeping? Biscuits sound good! I have a bunch of paperclips, mostly multi-colored. God bless!

Started out as a nice day but slipped into rain and wind. I had a few things to do today – Work in the morning and an errand in mid-afternoon.

After work I left the car parked outside, and got the tote out that I store the r/w/b decorations in. I gathered them all up – inside and out – and tucked them in the box. I also changed the flags.

While I had the garage wide open, I decided to go through the little boxes and trays that held my miscellaneous items – like screws and bolts and wires and light switch plates, etc. I had 3 piles. The first – the smallest – was ‘keep’. I eliminated an entire basket, which I felt good about. The second was toss, which was the largest. I had a replacement bulb for a flood light that I haven’t had in about 8 years! I also discovered a hidden treasure….

The last bag was to take down to Peyton. He’s always fixing something for someone and I thought he could go through everything and keep what he wanted. The shelf, and my mind, is much clearer now! Also swept out the garage.

I handled a few emails, then drove over to the bank to get cash for the weekend. I was supposed to pick up Autmn’s little sister Josie but her event got cancelled so I didn’t have to. I stopped at Gabe’s to get sponges for the kitchen, and ended up with a pair of capris for summer – plain black and very comfy.

And now I’m sitting here watching it lightly rain…

Scripture of the Day:

PEANUTS?

Two today:

TOMORROW May 28th is:

International Burger Day; National Brisket Day; Whooping Crane Day; World Hunger Day; World Otter Day; National Flip Flop Day.

I’ll gladly pay you Tuesday for a Hamburger today! (Anyone recognize that quote??) That would stamp out world hunger. God bless!

Started the morning by doing a load of laundry, then I finally got to the Orange Drop Cookies. The recipe makes a lot of cookies – seven trays! – but I figure if I’m going to that much trouble (and squeezing the fresh oranges is a bit of trouble) I may as well make the whole batch.

While the cookies cooled – before I iced them – I went outside. I pulled stray weeds and trimmed a bunch of branches from trees and shrubs that were dead or in the way. I also took time to water the seeds, grass, and newly planted ground cover and azaleas since it (amazingly) hasn’t rained in a few days.

I was looking for a hook to tie the peonies back – Surprise!

I came back in and iced the cookies and tucked them all in the freezer. Also threw a load of towels and cleaning rags and gardening stuff in the washer – they are drying now.

Earlier this morning I was checking facebook and Tonia posted the Mt. Pleasant parade and band performance – it’s Isaac’s last time to march before graduation. I was impressed and touched by their performance and listened to everything she shared. It was very moving and helped me focus on the great job – as well as sacrifices – that so many made for us to live in this country as we do.

Today I’m honoring my Grandad Crooks, my dad, my uncles Sidney Steiner, Jim Crooks, Gene Cornman, and Hank Steiner. I’m sure there are others – but these were the ones I was closest to. I know my friend April’s daughter Gabby is also currently serving in the Air Force. Sorry I don’t have military pics of Jim, Hank or Sid!

Scripture of the Day:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW May 27th is:

National Cellophane Tape Day; National Grape Popsicle Day; National Gray Day; National Sunscreen Day; Nothing to Fear Day; Old Time Player Piano Day.

Grape popsicles used to be my favorite growing up. I’m generally afraid of something. Grama Crooks had a player piano and we loved to watch Grama or Aunt Joan play! God bless…

Seven months until Christmas Day, as Bud would have said! Better write out your list…

Beautiful day today but it did get chilly. The sun was bright and happy. Wayne preached this morning on Prejudice. We see things through our filter and not as God sees them. Everyone is valuable in God’s eyes – and we were born into blessings and should be thankful. We often rationalize so we don’t feel guilty about our thoughts. Ask God to help us overcome prejudice.

I buzzed home after church but decided to stop at the cemetery and take pictures of the flags lining the driveway. I was surprised at how cluttered the grave markers were. I looked for Aunt Peggy and Aunt Gail but couldn’t find them. I know they are close the bench that is dedicated to them.

I didn’t have any garden tools with me and I was dressed in good clothes, so I went home and grabbed a bowl of potato soup. Then I made chocolate drizzled popcorn.

My honey supply was getting low, and I have been saving the empty jars. I get my honey at Miller’s Crossing Fleatique so I went down there. They were happy to get the jars, and I purchased a bluebells coaster from Rusty’s booth.

Autmn called and asked if I had any totes that I wasn’t using, so I quick buzzed home and we found one they could have. She and Noah showed me their new pink frog and a weird lizard. I wouldn’t let her show me anything creepy…

Finally, once they left to go to Noah’s mom’s (who lives a few blocks from me) I decided I could go out and clean the markers at the cemetery. They look so much nicer.

While I was there I found my friend Ron Buschek’s marker, down the hill from Mom and Dad. I didn’t have any water left, and my rag was total mud, so I just brushed it off and cleared a few stray weeds. Maybe his family will go over tomorrow. They live just down the road.

I picked a few tiny flowers and stuck them in a vase. They brighten up the room!

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW May 26th is:

Decoration/Memorial Day; National Blueberry Cheesecake Day; National Cherry Dessert Day; National Paper Airplane Day; National Sorry Day; World Dracula Day; World Red Head Day.

I remember that during my whole childhood we would pile into several cars and all go ‘decorate’ the cemeteries of our families. It was our way to honor and remember them. I’m not sure what I should be sorry for, but I’m sure it’s something. And I do have a favorite red head! God bless..

I don’t mind saying I’m tired. I worked inside all morning until lunch, then outside all afternoon. Just little tasks but I didn’t take any breaks. Started out changing and washing bed sheets, then after breakfast I cleaned and wiped out the medicine cabinet, the warming drawer on the stove, the wooden bench in the kitchen, the extension cords and light bulbs in the front closet. That took me up to lunch.

After my hot dog, I came downstairs and cleaned out the old shower, which I use for storage these days. Wiped the walls down and cleaned out the drawers and shelves.

I also cleaned out under the bathroom sink downstairs, and took everything out of the pantry. Some things that aren’t getting eaten quick enough I plan to share with Autmn. The kids are never here anymore for quick lunches and I don’t want them to go bad.

By then the dryer load was finished and I folded everything. Now it was time to go outside. I started out by finally mowing the lawn. I had to weed whack the bottom yard but that didn’t take long.

The last two times I cut I didn’t clean out under the mower so I did it today. That is such a messy job and I don’t really know how to do it right or easily. But it looked a lot better. Once I had that done, I started on my garden tools and supplies. I few years ago the girls at work got me a cute little bench/cart and I let that sit for a while. It was good to get it totally scrubbed out, dried, and everything put away nicely, Also organized the few tools that I use every day and straightened the shelves. By then it was time to come inside.

I hope to make potato soup as soon and I finish posting this. I needed to take a shower, since the last thing I did before I came inside was to spray B-Gon around the fire pit and along the white fence. I get nervous using that stuff so I wanted to use my inhaler, get cleaned up, and put on different clothes. I’m officially hungry!

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW May 26th is:

Geek Pride Day; Indianapolis 500; National Bath Bomb Day; National Brown Bag it Day; National Sing Out Day; National Tap Dance Day; National Wine Day; Towel Day.

I use towels every day. I like singing with the radio. I don’t expect to dance at all, or to pack my lunch. But go for it if that’s your thing. God bless…

Here we are, beginning the first ‘summer’ holiday of 2025. Can’t believe it’s Memorial Day weekend.

I started a load of laundry first thing, then got right to work on washing windows. It was raining off and on but it came straight down and didn’t bother my task at all. I finished up by wiping down the garage door – it always needs that after the sloppy winter.

The second task on my list was a meeting with a furnace/a-c rep, getting a second quote for the furnace and air conditioner. I’m pretty well convinced I’m going to take the first offer, but I’ll wait for his official submission before I notify both parties.

Even though it’s been cool and rainy all day, I still set out to get my errands done. Still had one final chore for Logan’s party, then got groceries for myself. That took three different stops! Once I got home, Nate and Dave popped over and checked the gutters on my house. They were cleaning the neighbor’s, so it was an easy stop.

While they were checking it out, I took some pictures of the newest blooms in the yard. And that will be it for the day.

Oh, but I did get a frozen Coke at Burger King when I went at Shop n Save in Youngwood. I was due for one!

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW May 24th is:

National Brother’s Day; National Italian Beef Day; National Scavenger Hunt Day; National Wig Out Day; Tiara Day; National Escargot Day.

I don’t have a brother, but my daughter does! We always loved scavenger hunts. And that’s about it. I will celebrate sunshine if we finally have some. God bless…

Rain, rain rain. And too cool for my taste, and for May 22nd! I had a few things to do at work this morning, and also helped Ken sort out some old files. We talked about holiday plans — Not sure what Barry is doing, but Ken’s having a family picnic and Rege is going horseback riding! I’m cleaning the oven and washing windows. 🙂

I came home to find that another robin is building a nest on my light. I knocked it down twice and sprayed different things on the wall but it keeps coming back. It wasn’t fully built so I knew there were no eggs. I don’t want another messy bird up there! Ugh!

We had a meeting at Eat n Park in Latrobe for the Flax book I’m writing. My friend Linda is doing the sketches for the book, and Merilee is in charge of the Flax Festival. I think we did get a lot of things accomplished but still a ways to go. I don’t know much about the publishing side of the industry.

One good thing – the oven is scrubbed! One thing off the list.

I have had some pot pie filling in the freezer for a short while, and I plan to defrost it and put together the pot pie this evening. Tomorrow when I go to the store I’ll get potatoes and milk to make cream of potato soup. So that’s it for my day!

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW May 23rd is:

Carb Day; Don’t Fry day; Lucky Penny Day; Medical Coder Day; National Road Trip Day; National Taffy Day; National Title Track Day; World Turtle Day; National Cooler Day.

It’d be fun to find a penny, and even take a road trip! Not interested in turtles but if I do go on a road trip I’ll need a cooler! God bless…

I took my time cleaning and doing laundry, since it was raining and blowing most of the day. Every once in a while the sun would come out and I would be hopeful, but it didn’t last. And I couldn’t mow since the yard was soaked.

It was nice to navigate my day, knowing that the major part of the yard was weed-free. And I do have a nice selection of spring flowers. But it was for sure an inside day. I put the spring blankets away and got the summer flag blanket out. I hung the mother’s day blanket on my blanket ladder, since it’s the biggest and most comfy blanket I have. And it’s Chase’s favorite, in case he gets back up here this summer for any amount of time.

I’ve had ‘My Lottery Dream Home’ on while I was cleaning downstairs. And that is my excitement for the day. I hope the holiday weekend is a little more interesting to write about! 🙂

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW May 22nd is:

Bitcoin Pizza Day; Buy a Musical Instrument Day; Harvey Milk Day; International Coco Mom Day; National Maritime Day; National Solitaire Day; National Vanilla Pudding Day; Sherlock Holmes Day; World Goth Day.

Strange celebrations tomorrow. I’ll take the pizza without the bitcoin! God bless…

Well, today is election day. I was surprised when I stopped to vote before work that I was the only voter in the place. And there were several empty slots on the ballot. I did my best – and thankfully I knew enough about most of the candidates to make smart choices (I hope).

I handled what work I had, then got gas for the Jeep and for the mower. Saved me a trip doing both. After changing clothes I watered all the new plants and the grass seed. It’s filling in, so I’m hopeful. Third try is a charm. My main goal for today was to change the deck lights, which I did, and changed the flags as well.

I put a few things up in the house, but not much. I barely touched the tote everything was in.

I did, however, find Jesus in a box of red lights.

I swept out the garage, watered a bird that was hopping around in the yard, paid a few bills, and read the sale ads. Still helping Kelly look for party food – and I think I can get Sprite on sale over the weekend.

Scripture (sort of):

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW May 21st is:

Eat More Fruits and Vegetables Day; End of the World (?); I need a Patch for That Day; International Tea Day; American Red Cross Founders Day; National Juice Slush Day; National Memo Day; National Strawberries and Cream Day; Talk Like Yoda Day; World Fish Migration Day: National Waitstaff Day.

If it IS the end of the world you won’t care about this list. I should be eating more fruits and veggies for sure. I make memos for myself all the time. I’ll take the strawberries without cream. God bless!

Happy, happy birthday to my sweet Aunt Joan! Hope your day was filled with love and family and cake! Love you!

The sky was beautiful last night but I had already posted the Word Garden – so this is yesterday’s picture.

This morning after breakfast I went over to Giant Eagle and picked up the Pepsi products that Kelly needed for Logan’s party. Then I stopped at Walmart and got three big bags of chips. While I was there I splurged on a little package of watermelon – just because!

As soon as I changed clothes I went outside – it was close to 11am. Except for a hot dog about 2pm, I was outside until about 6:30pm. THIS is a red letter day – or maybe a GREEN letter day – I have finally got through the first round, and all of the gardens have been weeded at least once! Some even twice! I will have to keep after them every possible day, but it sure feels good to have it done the first time.

This is the space I started with, and finished off with giving it a quick clean up this afternoon.

I also planted the two azaleas and both trays of ground cover. I put most of the ground cover on the hill, left side, to fill in the bare spots. But I had a little bit left and put it along the white fence, about half way down. If I like how it fills in, I’ll get more for the rest.

The yellow iris are blooming!

The grass is even starting to fill in more.

Even thought the yard basically looks the same, it feels totally different to me, because I know it’s done. I’m so glad – finally!

However, I didn’t get anything else done but a load of laundry. I have a list for the rest of the week… Maybe tomorrow I’ll change the deck lights to red/white/blue for summer if it doesn’t rain.

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW May 20th is:

World Bee Day; National Sugarbee Apple Day; Be a Millionaire Day (I wish!); Clinical Trails Day; Eliza Doolittle Day; Flower Day; International Red Sneakers Day; National Band Directors Day (Go, Isaac!); National High Heel Day; National Pick Strawberries Day; National Rescue Dog day; National Streaming Day; Weights and Measures Day.

It’s Primary Election Day in Pennsylvania – VOTE!! Isaac is going to IUP to be a band director and study Jazz. I don’t know any place around here to pick strawberries. I’m sure Jen will celebrate Rescue Dog Day! Celebrate! God bless…