It’s 10:30pm and I’m done for the day. For the next week or so I probably can’t post. I have so much going on and have been watching Cameron a lot. I’ll post when I can. Sending hugs – and thanks for your patience! God bless…

I slept well last night but woke up early – Couldn’t get back to sleep at 5:15am. So I read and checked Facebook and the weather. I had Flax balls for breakfast with hot tea, then started laundry. My schedule had not been confirmed yet, so I just did little things around the house and outside until I knew what I was doing. Do I EVER know what I’m doing? Anyway, I got to it and washed all the windows. The windows themselves are not the problem – they take no time at all. But the tracks and runners are horrid to clean. I do my best but it’s not perfect. I was washing my bedroom window and the screen just popped out and fell onto the driveway. I can’t get it back in by myself. So Nate and Dave are going to stop on Wednesday and help me insert it.

Window with no screen

There was a baby squirrel on my deck this morning, and a baby chipmunk on the steps, and now there is a baby bunny eating grass by the fence. I saw its mommy earlier poking her head out from under the deck. And I did check the nest on the porch light – it was empty. So I was able to get it down and clean everything up. I secured the light with a Walmart bag so the robin doesn’t come back and start again.

Baby bunny

Hope this works.

I came out of the garage to walk up front and ran smack into my clay pot wind chimes. Like, HARD! I literally saw stars. So I moved them. THAT won’t happen again!

I hung them in a tree!

I think Noah, Autmn and Cameron will be here later, so I buzzed over to Walmart and got some extra food and snacks until I find out what they’d like.

Variety of chips….

I walked around the yard to take some pictures – included below.

By driveway.

Red Hot Pokers in amongst my Solomon’s Seal.

Purple Dutch Iris at the corner under the deck.

A Baby Red Hot Poker tucked in a baby lilac.

Right side of hill.

Center of hill by the path and steps.

Other than a bit of ironing and making food, that’s about it for the evening. I have the History Traveler on in the background – he’s at Ft. Sumter today. I’ve been there!

Quote of the Day:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW May 26th is:

National Blueberry Cheesecake Day; National Cherry Dessert Day; National Paper Airplane Day; National SAFE Day; National Sorry Day; Sally Ride Day; World Dracula Day; World Lindy Hop Day; World Redhead Day.

My favorite redhead – love you, Beth! I haven’t made a paper airplane in decades, and I’m not a fan of Dracula. God bless!

On this day in History: 1787 Constitutional convention opens at Philadelphia, George Washington presiding

The day started out with sun and nice temperatures. We had our last lesson in the Max Lucado series. I’m sorry to see it finish – and I’m not sure what is next. During church time I was in Junior Church. It went well – and I only got hit with one ball – fairly soft – on the side of the leg. I feel like it was a successful morning. I came home and scrubbed the vent covers that I brought home from Autmn’s new place. They planned to spray paint them so I wanted to get them cleaned.

Once I grabbed a few bites of leftovers from yesterday’s lunch, I got the weed whacker out and did the worst of it. I wasn’t too particular since I knew it would rain and I’d have to do the whole thing again by the end of the week.

Mine is similar to this.

I noticed yesterday that there were some small branches and grasses on the floor below my porch light. But it didn’t look like a bird was building a nest. Wrong! I came home from church and found this! If there’s no eggs in the nest I will pull it down. I’ll look in the morning.

Nate had Cameron for the day so I stayed and helped with some cleaning. It didn’t feel very productive to clean too much – they are painting and putting down Vinyl plank flooring so that makes a mess. We’ll get the cleaning done last thing. Scott was there putting down the last of the subfloor in the spare room. I worked for a few hours then headed home. By then it was raining.

I plan to watch Cameron for a bit tomorrow so Noah and Autmn can move out of their old place. Not sure of the plan right now so I won’t speculate. And that will be it for the day.

QUOTE of the day:

PEANUTS?

I needed to hear this today.

Tomorrow May 25th is:

Memorial Day; International Plastic Free Day; National Bath Bomb Day; National Sing Out day; National Wine Day; Whit Monday.

Pause tomorrow for sure and think of the men and woman who gave all to insure our freedom. We should honor their memory. God bless…

On this day in History: 1775 John Hancock is unanimously elected President of the Continental Congress

I debated on even posting tonight – I had a full day again. Seems like there is something going on all the time. And I do seem to wear out quicker or earlier in the day. But I got up this morning and put clean sheets on the bed and washed two loads of clothes. I ate breakfast, and then put chocolate frosting on half of the brownies. I had a cool USA platter that I set them all on to take to Kathy’s. I even had time to do my ironing before I left.

Ready for icing.

Kathy had a feast set out. Everything was very good. She had Cheesy potatoes, Fried Chicken (from Walmart), Stuffed Shells, pita bread with a dip, fruit salad, corn on the cob, deviled eggs, broccoli summer salad, and for dessert we had the brownies, Potato chip chocolate chip cookies, and Chuck brought a box of snack-size chips. We ate and chatted and had a really nice afternoon. It was – of course! – too cold to be outside.

Paul – Kyle’s dad Chuck

Our friend Lynda Sue with Millie.

Tonia, Isaac (doing his music homework) and Kathy

Tonia, Sarah holding Wyatt, Jesse, and Kyle

I was just leaving when my cousin Mark called and said he was coming over to check a faulty fan. He had to take things apart, and I had almost everything moved out of the way, but there was shredded insulation everywhere. It was tricky to figure out the problem and correct it, but it’s all good now. There was insulation pieces in four rooms! I swept and wiped and mopped and scrubbed and shook and finally got everything cleaned up.

This stuff was everywhere!

My neighbor walked over and told me to cut some of the peonies from his bushes. They were full of flowers and they don’t last. So I put some in a vase with some purple Iris.

By then it was later in the afternoon, but I was determined to take advantage of the sunshine and cut the grass. The ground was still very wet, but I got it done and it looks pretty nice. I should have done some weed whacking but ran out of energy and sunlight! Maybe there will be a half hour tomorrow to do that. It seems that the worse the grass needs cut the better it looks when it’s cut!

Doesn’t look too bad for not weed whacking.

I haven’t heard from Autmn directly but it seems they got a lot done yesterday and today. So they are on schedule for getting moved. I didn’t take any pictures of the place Friday since it was in a state of ‘renewal’ – I’ll post some once they get settled.

Painting walls

Yesterday Cameron and I dropped Autmn off at the house to do some painting, etc. He was running around crazy – and when we finally headed to my place he was out like a light. Then we spent some time late afternoon watching videos – he loves ‘Going on a Bear Hunt’ – and he sat on the couch, cuddled in a blanket, clutching his new binoculars the whole time! He loved it! He didn’t move for probably 45 minutes! He had his M&M’s, then got a bath, and was a happy kid.

Sound asleep

M&M’s

Making ‘soup’ in the bathtub.

Watching ‘BEAR HUNT’

It’s very windy – and my new cow wind chimes are out there dancing around! I love hearing them! I think that’s enough for today. I’m ready to call it a night.

QUOTE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW May 24th is:

International Tiara Day; National Asparagus Day; National Brother’s Day; National Family Fun Day; National Scavenger Hunt Day; National Wyoming Day; Pentecost.

I lost my tiara (???) and I don’t have a brother. Maybe I’ll have fun with my family! I probably won’t do a scavenger hunt or go to Wyoming! God bless…

On this day in History:1985 President Ronald Reagan awards Jimmy Stewart the Presidential Medal of Freedom and promotes him to Major General on the Retired List

I regret doing this – but it’s been a long, wild day. I’m going to put off posting until tomorrow. Autmn and Noah (and Cameron, of course!) are moving to Elizabeth PA next week. Their new place needed a new ‘necessary’ updates so it’s been all hands on deck. Plus they had their car break down and still have a lot of navigating to do — from Monaca to Elizabeth to Greensburg and lots of trips between the places. I had Cameron duty today and trust me when I say he doesn’t ever sit still! He even swept the yard… So the plan is to post tomorrow. Got bless!

Sorry to say I’m not going to post this evening. I’m in the middle of things with Autmn and Noah, etc and just need a clear head. I’ll catch up tomorrow!

After all the activities I’ve shared over the last few weeks I feel like these posts will be pretty dull! Right now it’s 4pm and it’s raining – so no pulling weeds or cutting grass!

I did get to take photos of my Dutch Iris – I have white (with a yellow beard), yellow, and an abundance of purple. I got the yellow ones from a neighbor several years ago – traded a stranger on the next street over some purple ones for some yellow! Good trade!

Yellow…

White

Purple

Kelly dropped Ma off at the train station at about 7:45am (She was going to Kim’s) and came here to hang out for a few hours. Chase got up and moving, dismantled his video set up, and we packed all those cookies before she headed home. I headed to the tea wrap-up meeting at Hanna’s Town – and we made good notes so we’re prepared for the fall tea in November.

It’ll be here before we know it!

I got home in time for a half a grilled cheese sandwich for lunch, then had my chiropractor appointment. I really did need it, and I do feel better. From there I drove across the street to Shop n Save. They had their meat on sale – 5 packs of selected meat for $25.00. Also got some Quilted Northern – Vanilla and Lilac scented.

It was raining when I got home. I finished putting the house to rights after all the coming and going this week. We’ll see what the rest of the week brings.

QUOTE of the day:

PEANUTS?

Scripture:

Tomorrow May 21st is:

National Strawberries and Cream Day; National Waitstaff Day; National Memo Day; National American Red Cross Founders Day; End of the World (?); International Tea Day; National Memo Day; National Notebook Day; Talk Like Yoda Day.

I am always leaving myself memos and note. Sometimes in notebooks. And I have tea every morning! God bless…

On this day in History: 1932 Amelia Earhart departs Newfoundland on her journey to become the first woman to fly solo nonstop across the Atlantic

First off: Today is Aunt Joan’s birthday! Have a wonderful day and a beautiful year! Sending hugs until we can get out there to give you a few in person! Love you….

Uncle Clifford and Aunt Joan in the sunflowers! Don’t they blend in?

Aunt Joan (front) with my mom.

Here we are back on track – sort of. Kelly left later in the evening yesterday, then Chase and I got snacks/supper. Even though we kept a steady (and not frantic) pace all day, I was tired. And I did sleep well. I worked for a while this morning, then picked up a prescription and a few items for the house. Chase was awake when I got home but not ready for lunch. I did a few house chores and then about 1:00pm we went out and got Chick Fil-A. Autmn sent me a list of things she needs for the house but I don’t know what some of them are. So once I get back to a schedule I’ll check in with her. Sooner or later this crazy disruptive schedule will settle down for me.

When we got home from Chick Fil-A, I took a few pictures while I was checking on the gardens. I startled a groundhog under the shed – I was hoping they moved residence! We’ll see… But here are some flower photos. I think the hill is filling in well – and although some of the ground cover is less than desirable it does look presentable. Still some work to do out there!

right side from the middle looking over.

Right side from bottom – looking up.

Lilac bush finally got some serious blooms!

right side looking down.

Straight down from the top deck, far right.

After Chase put together my little candy dish (from yesterday) I put some wrapped candy on it – so cute! And took a picture of my doll with the old ’76 flag. That is the day so far.

Candy dish.

Doll ready for America 250 – with my older ’76 flag.

And now to finish up vacation. We had breakfast on Wednesday morning at the diner on site at the Bed and Breakfast – it was good, plus affordable, and filling for the drive home. We had already agreed to drive up to Mechanicsburg to go past the Waardenburg Family Farm – the videos that I watch all the time. It was raining but we stopped at the farm stand anyway. We each bought something (this early in the season there wasn’t a lot available) and I took some pictures. I was very excited to be there in person. I sent an email when we got home about stopping there, and the reply I got back said that any time I was back in the area I could arrange it ahead of time and they would show us around the farm! I was just all-around happy to be there – and as Minnie Pearl would say: “I’m just so PROUD to be here!!!”

Exciting!

Waardenburg Family Farmhouse

Farmhouse

We’re here!

Loofahs grown and sold by grandson Tice.

Jams, Jellys, dried flowers, eggs.

1840’s barn.

Where the Black Angus cows live.

Welcome from Don and Brenda

You can see the white High Tunnel in the background, and the solar pavilion behind the car.

The rain was light but consistent the whole way home – but the trip back went very well. We decided we didn’t want to deal with food when we got to our houses, so when we hit Greensburg we stopped at Chick Fil-A and sat together and talked about the trip for about an hour. Sort of a ‘splash down’ scenario! It was a wonderful trip, and we have already decided that we’d do another trip together at our first opportunity!

Quote of the DAY:

PEANUTS:

I think I’d enjoy this flag!

TOMORROW May 20th is:

National Rescue Dog Day; National Be a Millionaire Day; National Juice Slush Day; National Pick Strawberries Day; National Streaming Day; National Sugarbee Apple Day; Flower Day; International Red Sneakers Day; National Band Director’s Day; National High Heel Day; World Bee Day.

Jen and Ninth Life Rescue will for sure be celebrating rescue dog day. I’d love to be a millionaire – I’d share. And I like strawberries. My nephew Isaac would celebrate band director’s day. God bless….

On this day in History: 2018 American actress Meghan Markle marries Prince Harry at a ceremony in Windsor Castle, making her a member of the British royal family

I was glad I felt back to ‘normal’ and had no problem at church. Sunday School was very good – Max Lucado. He’s a wonderful story teller – especially Bible stories. Todd’s message was Faith in Motion. People (as well as yourself!) need to see and have an active faith — knowing that God’s got this and you believe it!

Max Lucado

I’m still listening to the History Traveler – this video is ‘What to do if you have three days in Gettysburg.’ We did that! I like listening to it – but I’m getting a little overwhelmed with battles and cemeteries! I am about ready to take a break. To top it all off, I’m reading a book set during the Revolutionary War (in Williamsburg). It’s time travel – middle grade – but I’m enjoying all the details. Trust me when I say the ‘fact’ of life then was not easy, or pretty.

This is book #5 – I’m re-reading #4 so I can remember where it left off.

Book #4

After church Mary and I stopped and had a quick lunch together. We haven’t talked in a while and needed to catch up. She (her husband, son and sister in law) is leaving next Friday for a 10 day adventure/cruise to Alaska! There are a lot of wonderful plans that will make for an amazing vacation – including whale watching!

Website photo.

Once I got home, I changed into work clothes and cut the grass. If anyone ever asks what an appropriate epitaph would be for my tombstone — ‘They TOLD me I shouldn’t mow!’ Kidding. It’s fine. And looks lovely!

I think the Scott’s Weed and Feed helped!

Back to vacation! We finished up the battlefield tour – which ended at the National Cemetery. This is where President Lincoln presented his Gettysburg Address. Yesterday I posted the memorial site that honored that – today I will post photos of the actual site where the address was presented. And before I sign off on the battlefields, I wanted to add something about visitors to Gettysburg. Aside from visiting veterans and family, and dedicating monuments, survivors came to find the battlefield places that they had fought. One man and his son drove up from North Carolina to find the rock on Culp’s Hill where he had been – and had carved his name and company in a rock. He found it, and now they have a plaque drawing attention to that. Just a little extra explanation. “A . L. Coble”

Coble rock

Gettysburg Address site

Three day battle

Dedication

Gettysburg Address

View from the monument.

After we left there, we went to the Military History Visitor’s center. Kathy had a picture that was taken of her at age 6 with Mom and Dad at a monument. We had no idea where to look. The rangers there were very thorough and helpful, and was able to tell us where to find it. We drove back to the National Cemetery and found it right away. Kelly had an app on her phone that pointed out monuments and there it was! Kathy was very emotional and excited about finding the same monument, and we took her picture beside it.

Kathy with Lincoln at the visitor’s center.

Kathy with Mom and Dad in 1961 (she was 6)

Kathy holding the photo.

For lunch we ate at a little diner in town, which was home-made food and very tasty.

Steinwehr Diner

We had scheduled a Ghost Tour for the evening, so after a short break and a rest back at the motel we set out to hear some stories of the town’s ghosts. Very interesting information – but not scary at all.

DO I see a GHOST? Opps! It’s Kathy!

Our tour guide

JESUS in the planter at our first stop!

We ended up back at Mr. G’s and had ice cream for supper! (Side note: You may remember that we call my neighbor Mr. G – and have for 35 years! I sent him pictures – he said it was his side franchise!) Kelly had a cone, Kathy had a ‘flurry’, and I had ‘death by chocolate’ – brownies with chocolate ice cream. Yum. There was a very spooky tree, and also some statues by the picnic table. It was a great day. I will finish up the trip – probably Tuesday. Do not expect a post tomorrow – Kelly and Chase are coming tonight for two days.

Mr. G’s.

Nice little shop.

In the courtyard.

Spooky tree

Mr. G’s at night. (It was supposedly haunted!)

Death by Chocolate

Quote of the Day:

PEANUTS?

Wouldn’t THIS be fun???

TOMORROW May 18th is:

No Dirty Dishes Day; National Cheese Souffle Day; National Visit your Relatives Day; I Love Reese’s Day; International Museum Day; Send an Electric Greeting Card Day.

I’m sure we’ll have dirty dishes since we are baking cookies. Kelly and Chase are relatives and they are visiting! Museums are super fun. God bless…

On this day in history: 1900 “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” is first published by L. Frank Baum with illustrations by William Wallace Denslow in Chicago

I did feel much improved when I got up – but I didn’t have too much ‘get up and go.’ I changed my sheets and washed them and had breakfast of toast (homemade bread). Autmn called and needed to grab a few items from my house – they are moving slightly closer at the end of the month and wanted to start cleaning and getting organized. I gave her what I had, hugged Cameron, and off they went!

I made a grocery list, an errand list, and then set off to do a few things in Irwin. I picked up honey at Miller’s crossing, and 3 little r/w/b ducks at L&L Fleatique. And got a trivet to be patriotic!

C D (3) Id E Bd E Ducks?

Trivet and honey

And here are a few places in my house that I got festive. I gave most of the decorations away but have enough to celebrate.

Bookcase – Red/White/Blue

Kitchen – including M&M’s

Lights over the sink

SO – the rest of the battlefield tour. The three highlights that I want to point out are 1) Spangler’s Spring. Both Confederate and Union troops used this spring to get water. 2) The observation tower – very high! Kathy went to the top, while Kelly and I stayed on the ground. 3) The monument to the PA 82nd Volunteers (Infantry). Why, you ask? Well, if Daniel Crouch (from Letters to Mary) had enlisted before September of 1864 he would have been at Gettysburg. That was the Company he was with when he did sign up.

Where one of the big battles took place.

Tribute statue

Daniel’s Division.

Monument for the 82nd PA.

Kathy – top left

Kathy’s waving from the top.

Spangler’s Spring.

Tribute to Lincoln.

The whole memorial site

Drums – the drummers and those who carried the colors were VERY important!

High water mark…..

This was as close as the Confederates got – and the list of divisions that were there.

Memorials to both sides.

When I came home I ate lunch, ran the dishwasher, and did emails. My stomach decided it did not agree with lunch (or vice-versa) but it’s not bad. I’ll probably go back to toast for supper!

Still some bread left…

QUOTE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

This is funny – but I’m fine, really!

TOMORROW May 17th is:

National Cherry Cobbler Day; National Take your Parents to the Playground Day; National Walnut Day; National Idaho Day; National Graduation Tassel Day; Pack Rat Day; Rural Life Sunday; Stepmother’s Day; World Baking Day.

I think I have my tassel (from 1968) somewhere! I bought walnuts today. Kelly and I will be baking on MONDAY! God bless….

On this day in History: 1986 Action film “Top Gun” starring Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer, directed by Tony Scott, is released across the US (Nate LOVED this movie and could quote most of it!)