Today was an on and off day for weather. It rained several times, but also the sun was shining and bright. I was able to be outside for about an hour, pulling weeds and cleaning up the yard while I was waiting for Kelly and Chase to come.

Autmn and Noah came to church this morning! I was so excited to see them there.

Kelly did a few loads of laundry, then we went shopping for a few things that she needed for camp this week and I needed for Chase. I think Chase will mostly be content to connect via his gaming system with his friends all week. BUT – we are planning to go to a movie on Tuesday, and maybe mini-golfing one evening.

Kelly just left, so she’ll have to drive home in the dark. Mommies don’t like their babies out alone after dark, even when they are in their 40’s!

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TOMORROW July 10th is:

National Pina Colada Day; Global Energy Independence Day; International Town Criers Day; Chronic Disease Day; National Clerihew Day; National Kitten Day.

Ask Jen about kittens! She’ll say EVERY day is kitten day! Have a great day and a happy week. God bless…

This morning’s program at River Hill Church was really nice. Tracey Scott and her grown daughter Alicia did a great job with their testimony and their encouragement. They both went through some tough trials, and with their unwavering faith and belief in God’s word as truth they saw miracles work in their lives. Ask in faith, believing, and God hears and answers.

Lunch was served after the program, and it was very good. My favorite were the little boat cakes and the chocolate covered strawberries. I was just craving those yesterday and there they appeared! And I didn’t even ask!

Again, I had a few small indoor projects to do before I went outside, but worked out there for over two hours. Today I cleaned up the weeds in the stones on the hill, between the fences. Dottie’s fence is still not secure, and it made me really nervous to be climbing on the hill, knowing that in April it came crashing down. I took comfort in the fact that it fell into HER yard, so I did both ends (above and below the loose brace), then cautiously got the rest in the middle.

There were other places along my fence line that needed cleaned up, so I got them, too. Job much needed but well done.

Ninth Life Rescue – Jen’s rescue – is looking for homes in barns for outdoor cats. They are fully vetted, spayed/neutered but unadoptable. If you know of someone who wants or needs outdoor barn cats – let one of us know. Check out Ninth Life Rescue on facebook for more details…

I still have to go over my Sunday school lesson (about De-bugging ourselves???!!!!) and balance my checkbook before I call it a day.

Oh, and yesterday Beth brought me down one of my favorite things: A coaster! I love it — It’s right beside the couch and near my computer, so I can use it all the time.

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TOMORROW July 9th is:

National Sugar Cookies Day; National Dimples Day.

Let’s go with the Sugar Cookies. I wish I had one of Grama Crooks’ sugar cookies right now. They were the best!!! God bless…

Here it is, July 7th. And it was a good day! I managed to finish the brownies with frosting and sprinkles, and roll out the cinnamon rolls for baking. So that got done earlier in the day.

About 10am Beth and Harold stopped by, and we had a really nice visit! It was good to just chat about things – like our kids and grandkids and our homes and plans. Beth dropped off a trunk that had belonged to Mom, as she thought one of us would like to keep it. I actually felt bad, because after they left I realized Harold had probably never been here before — I should have given him a walk-through of my little palace! Next time!! (That means you have to come back, Harold!) I love my family ~~ so glad for a visit.

I did a load of laundry, swept out the garage and cleaned the driveway and the sidewalk (rabbit was scattering mulch again!) and tidied up the kitchen. After I had procrastinated as long as I could, I ‘suited up’ and cut the grass. It was fairly warm, but I took a few breaks and managed just fine. Nate & Jen stopped for their brownies, and Nate finished cutting the front yard.

I took a shower, and even at 6pm I put my star PJ’s on and I intend on just chillin’ out for the rest of the evening. I’m going to a program at Kathy’s church with her in the morning so that will be a nice event.

Here is a little post-July 4th message I thought I’d share. It’s SO TRUE!!! From here on, the year goes so fast…

4^TH OF JULY IS OVER. TIME TO GET YOUR BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLIES & HALLOWEEN COSTUMES & THANKSGIVING MENU & CHRISTMAS SHOPPING DONE NOW BECAUSE IT’S BASICALLY 2024. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

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TOMORROW July 8th is:

National Chocolate With Almonds Day; National Freezer Pop Day; International Skinny Dip Day; National Raspberry Day.

No Skinny Dipping – I barely manage a shower! Chocolate is great with or without almonds. I’ll skip the freezer pop. Have a great day, all day. God bless…

Today is a repeat of most Wednesdays. I just did cleaning, walked around the yard, read book 5 in the series I’m in the middle of, washed a load of towels. That was the excitement for today. I was going to cut the grass but it was 90*!

I did get an email notification that a very dear friend of my sister’s from grade school lost her brother today. He was considerably older and had been ill for a while, on and off. Mae has lived with her brother for years and years in Kentucky, and I know this will be a huge adjustment for her. If you think of it, send up a prayer for Mae, and for Jim’s family and friends.

Last night, amidst the fireworks, the moon once again was bright, and illuminated the clouds.

As I look outside I can see fireflies flitting around. These are the first I’ve seen this summer. I almost feel like going out and trying to catch one! The little rabbit that lives under my azalea bush keeps pushing the mulch onto the sidewalk. I sweep it clean, she pushes it back! Tug of war! That rabbit will undoubtedly win!

I noticed that the neighbor has lights strung on his back patio. Don’t they look like Christmas ones???

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When Gen called me yesterday she said she wanted to wish a happy July 4th to the most patriotic person she knew! So, maybe Linus beats me out!

TOMORROW July 6th is:

International Kissing Day; National Hand Roll Day; National Fried chicken Day.

Hoping you can celebrate by kissing someone you care for very much! Or — have a piece of fried chicken. That’s probably what I’ll do… God bless.

Last night the sky was beautiful – fluffy white clouds on a blue background. Then after the moon came up, it was also bright and beautiful. The July full moon is the a Super Moon.

My 4th was very nearly perfect! Started my day with a phone call from my long-time best friend, Gen, from New York! She called to wish me a Happy 4th – and we talked for 45 minutes! Yesterday she took a 40 mile bike ride and I’m sure I would not have been able to do ONE! Her son Dan’s family was in from Colorado for almost a week and her whole family was together – a rare occurrence. They had a great visit, and we had a great chat!

I was at Hanna’s Town at 10:45am, not necessarily thinking that we would have much people traffic. Boy, was I wrong! It was a steady stream of people from 11am until 4:35pm. Here are a few early photos:

I left Hanna’s Town – after helping lock up – and drove over to Teresa’s. We put together a salad and garlic toast, took a walk, and solved a bunch of the world’s problems. Well, maybe not solved. But we did hash them out!

I got home just before dark, and the fireworks were already going off all over the neighborhood. I did try to take pictures but I’m never successful capturing the lights.

Also got half an email from a friend from out of state. So the day was very full!

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TOMORROW July 5th is:

National Graham Cracker Day; National Apple Turnover Day; National Hawaii Day; National Bikini Day; National Workaholics Day.

Ummm. Hawaii sounds fun. And I tend to be a workaholic. I’ll just clean the house and have a happy day. God bless!!!

“… Declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be, Free and Independent States; that they are absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown,…” God bless America! *1776

I stopped at Jeannette this morning, even though there were no deals. I had to organize the documents listing the new fees for the sales department. Also I wanted to take a card in for Rege’s daughter Kelly & her new husband Justin. There weren’t a lot of pictures on facebook yet but I did pirate a photo of Sir Rege dancing with his ‘baby’ daughter! She’s beautiful!

From there I went to Greensburg, and Joe had a fairly big pile on my desk. He was in a super good mood and the morning went very well. I got everything finished and was home by noon. Changed clothes and made myself a cup of potato soup. I trimmed more dead stalks and pulled some weeds on the hill. Here are before and after photos:

I took time to put out a few 4th of July decorations. I thought I should be a little festive!

In addition, I spent the afternoon listening to CD’s with music from the 1700’s and 1800’s. THAT was fun, too.

Now I’m typing, and I have ‘Haul out the Holly’ playing on Hallmark in the background. It’s so silly it’s ridiculous — but really very funny!

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TOMORROW July 4th is:

National BBQ Spare Ribs Day; National Caesar Salad Day; Alice in Wonderland Day; Independence Day.

I love July 4th! Where would America be without it? Plan your day tomorrow around some reflections of our great nation, and thank God for the blessings we enjoy.

It was rainy this morning, but no storms. Mary and I taught our class about ‘Jesus is the vine; we are the branches bearing fruit.’ We had Max and his two cousins, Jack and Josie. They love being together and had a good time in class. Here they are, eating grapes!

After we left church Mary and I went to Eat n Park for breakfast. We haven’t done that since the pandemic. It was nice to just sit and chat. It’s so nice to have someone to talk to that will listen, share thoughts, be honest, and comfort and encourage. It was a lovely almost-two hours!

When I got home, since I didn’t need to eat, I changed clothes and went outside. By then the sun was shining so I trimmed overgrown stalks, pulled some weeds, and cut the grass. It was warmer as the day went on, and by the time I was done I was soaked. But the yard looked great!

It felt good to get a shower, and now I’m in my red star PJ’s, watching ‘Christmas by Starlight’ on Hallmark. I will work in the morning for a short bit, but nothing else planned. Maybe some writing!

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TOMORROW July 3rd is:

International Drop a Rock Day; National Eat Your Beans Day; National Compliment Your Mirror Day; National Fried clam Day; National Chocolate Wafer Day; International Plastic Bag Free Day.

Chocolate is good. I’m good at dropping rocks but not so much eating beans. Enjoy your day, whether you work or not. God bless….

I waffled all last evening and even most of the morning about going to the Twin Lakes festival. I kept watching the weather and finally decided I could go first thing when it opened and leave if it started to rain. So I did my typical Saturday morning change the sheets chore, then headed out. It’s a good thing I didn’t wait, because traffic was bumper to bumper and I sat for about 20 minutes before the park even opened. I was able to park in the park-sponsored lot — first time EVER. Normally I parked in a farmer’s field and risked sliding or getting stuck in the mud.

There were crafts and booths with just about anything you can imagine, including music stages, kids area, winery section, artist and author section, and food all over the place.

One of my primary focuses was to find Noah’s food truck – Tiny’s Tacos – which I did. I said a quick hello and finished looking around. Once I had seen everything and resisted multiple temptations I went back and got fresh-cut fries with cheese. I sat in a covered pavilion and ate before heading out. Just as I got to the car it started to drizzle. So that was timed well!

I was only home about half an hour and the thunder and wind came, and it started to pour down rain. I turned on the TV, and ‘Christmas in July’ is playing on Hallmark in the background while I type. Just now the sun peaked out, but I don’t think our storms are over! I know when I left the park, the line outside the taco truck was about 10 deep. I hope they did well in sales today.

A big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Chase – the youngest (for now) of the family but growing up fast! I’m looking forward to his coming up to stay a week next Sunday through the 15th. Happy Birthday, Chase! Love you!

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TOMORROW July 2nd is:

National Wildland Firefighter Day; World UFO Day.

I feel like I should be doing something patriotic every day from now until the 4th but don’t know what! I’ll think about that. Today I was listening to holiday-related music – especially Lee Greenwood’s God Bless the USA and Toby Keith’s American Soldier.

God bless — the USA!!!

You would think with summer here there would be a lot of things to share. Not so. I’ve been busy all day – but nothing noteworthy. I worked at the Greensburg store, stopped for one item at WOW Outlets. Mike P needed me to stop and help with something, which I did. I chatted with Mike and Renee (talking car-shop!) and chatted for about 20 minutes. Also stopped at the bank before coming home.

I had a Panera Bread bagel for lunch, did a load of laundry, fussed around outside doing little things, answered some emails, talked to my friend Teresa on the phone for an hour, then came inside and made potato soup. Swept the floors, changed a lightbulb, and filled the M&M bowls. So there. Isn’t that an exciting day? But I did keep busy all day. We’ll see what I can get into tomorrow!

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TOMORROW July 1st is:

National Creative Ice Cream Flavors Day; National Gingersnap Day; National Play Outside Day; National Hop A Park Day; National U.S. Postage Stamp Day; Camera Day; National Postal Workers Day.

Doesn’t it seem like we just had these days? I’ll stick with the ice cream. Happy first day of July – the year is half over. God bless…

The air quality has been horrible the last few days. I decided I would be pro-active and did use my inhaler twice yesterday. That being said, it ‘wires me up’ and I could not fall asleep. When I got up for a drink at 2am this is the photo I took out my bedroom window. Spooky!

Kelly and I left the house about 9 am and did some serious research shopping. We both did buy a few things but have a fairly clear picture of what we both want to accomplish for our respective parties. It will help that we can share the plunder! We started at Michael’s, then WOW Outlet, then Ollie’s and the neighboring Dollar Tree. Joanne Fabrics was next, then Walmart, Sam’s Club, and the other Dollar Tree. We didn’t spend much money but again we know where we are headed. She left for home about 2pm and I went to work. It’s 8:20pm and that’s mostly all I’m doing today. We did finally stop for lunch at Chick-Fil-A – which was of course yummy!

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TOMORROW June 30th is:

International Asteroid Day; National Meteor Watch Day; Social Media Day; National OOTD Day; International Cream Tea Day.

For most of the world every day is social media day! And OOTD is Outfit of the Day. What will YOU wear tomorrow? Watch out for meteors and asteroids! God bless…