Work was light today – I was able to come home and mix up scones and get them in the fridge. Then I picked up Kathy and we headed over to Laughlintown for our last Fireside Chat. And the fireside was blazing and warm.

It was raining, but we grabbed umbrellas and went across to the Pie Shoppe and got pizza and a cookie for lunch. Since we couldn’t eat outside on the patio we took our lunch back to the car and sat and ate and talk. It was a nice, quiet hour. I don’t think we solved any of the world’s issues, but if discussing them could have made it happen, we’d all be in fine shape!

I am fascinated by the barrel catching the water at the corner of the building, knowing that the wooden barrel was handmade. The huge stone in front of the porch has so much character. I have a very small version of that by my front porch, and that stone was the front stoop at my grandparents’ house when we lived on Shady Lane. I love seeing that stone! I have so much from the Crooks family, and the stone is from the Steiner family.

Emily’s presentation was fun and informative. We learned a lot about the combination of words and phrases, and the introduction of new words or the spelling of words. We were sorry that this was the last Chat!

The sun came out on the drive home, although the sky was very dark over the opposite hill. Wondering what weather we will get this evening.

April 7 – Did you ever try to adopt a wild animal? “Yes – we raised wild rabbits when we found a nest. We used a baby bottle to feed them by dripping milk in their mouth. Tried to keep turtles but they wouldn’t eat so we had to let them go back in the wild.”

Yesterday’s vacation destination was Nashville TN, and the picture posted was Belle Meade Plantation. Other sites in Nashville:

Calendar inspiration – Start early on big jobs – progress will inspire you to keep working.

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TOMORROW April 8th is:

• National All Is Ours Day
• National Empanada Day
• National Zoo Lovers Day

Tomorrow is: bake scones, make homemade bread, and do laundry day. I’m also having my friend Diane over to share breakfast. That should take me till lunch time! Have a happy weekend. God bless…

There’s nothing too exciting about spending the day doing laundry and cleaning. But it’s done for another week. When I took the trash up I found that I actually have several white hyacinths in bloom outside so that was a bonus discovery!

I ran into an unexpected disappointment today, and it saddened me considerably. Right now I am just trusting God for comfort and resolution (nothing health related…). Just a little cloud – waiting for the sun to return! God is good!

Our last Fireside Chat is tomorrow at Compass Inn. We have really enjoyed them, and I hope Kath and I can find additional programs to get involved with! Our Gilded Age series is done for the season, and now the Chats are concluding. Bring on more fun! I’m ready!

April 6 – Have you ever hunted or tried to capture a wild animal? “I would take the 22 rifle & go & set in the woods and watch for a squirrel or a rabbit. Never fired at one. I did try to shoot a groundhog but always missed.”

Yesterday’s vacation destination was Buffalo Bill Ranch historic site, in Nebraska. If you recall, Tuesday was National Nebraska day so it seemed fitting. Other sites in Nebraska:

Calendar inspiration – Be Enthusiastic in using your talents to do good work.

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TOMORROW April 7th is:

• National Beer Day
• National Coffee Cake Day
• National Girl Me Too Day
• National No Housework Day
• National Burrito Day
• National Alcohol Screening Day  

No housework! I don’t think I could get through a day that way. I’ll stick with our fireside chat and whatever I can get done at home! God bless…

I got a lot accomplished today – beginning with Pinnacle in Jeannette. Rege is back from vacation but he didn’t feel his best the whole time he was gone. Despite that, he managed to find the coveted postcard and bring it back for me. I had heard he was sick, so I packaged up a handful of the chocolate/ peanut butter pretzel nuggets for him (his favorite). I told him that was his prescribed medication and he was to finish it completely! He was eating them when I left.

I had a few things to do in Greensburg, then headed to Cracker barrel to get Root Beer Barrels. They did NOT have them! But I did find what Chrissy wanted so that mission accomplished. Matt finally txt me the mixture of Scott’s lawn treatment that I needed, so after a lunch of leftover pizza I treated the entire yard. Used the whole bag. Then I ‘suited up’ and sprayed the rocks on the hill with the Round-up. Those are things that work better before a rain. Hoping it turns out as planned.

While I was outside I saw an amazing phenomena – an EGG was growing up the middle of my hyacinth. Wonder how THAT happened???

Walmart finally got their spring flower shipment, and I got a small hyacinth and a larger one, both a shade of bright pink. I was looking for white but didn’t find any. But once they bloom the house will smell amazing, and then I will plant them strategically to bloom forever.

Bill Smail’s obituary was in today’s Trib. It was a nice write-up and a good photo. I also saw that Dr. Courtney passed away – he delivered both of my kids! He was a very nice man and a good obstetrician. And while we are talking about the Trib, search for Ninth Life Rescue and see the article about the 70 cats rescued. Jen is interviewed. There is also a 60 minute news clip on WTAE about the same rescue that features her, as well. So she’s really received some positive exposure and opportunity to raise some much-needed funds.

April 5 – Did you ever feel a hatred for another person? Explain. “I just remember after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor the whole nation had a hatred for them. We also hated Hitler. When I got older I understood not to ‘hate’ anyone. Just what they did.” A huge truth – we should all share and embrace it!

Yesterday’s vacation destination ten destinations for flower gardens, and the picture posted was Las Pozas Mexico. Other locations are:

Calendar inspiration – Accomplish tasks one by one – take time to do each one well.

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TOMORROW April 6th is:

• National Caramel Popcorn Day
• National Sorry Charlie Day
• National Student-Athlete Day
• National Tartan Day
• National Teflon Day
• New Beer’s Eve
• National Bookmobile Day
• National Walking Day
• Childhelp National Day of Hope

Bookmobile! That’s cool. Something you could walk to. Enjoy the middle of the week and check in again. God bless…

Today is PEEPS day – April, Liz, and Joelyn are coming for an evening of fun and food. We have a lot to catch up on, because we haven’t had a PEEPS night since the pandemic. PEEPS stands for Previously Employed/Employed People of Smails. 🙂 I bought little peeps to share for the occasion!

I have the table all ready, the drinks in the mini-fridge, the salad made and the pizza ordered. Just have to wait until 5pm to set the rest out. I’m excited to catch up with everything that’s going on in their lives.

The girls arrived right with the pizza, about 5:15. We dove right into eating and chatting. Let’s see – what’s new? Liz finished her classes, and will graduate and walk with her class in May. She also bought a new car – a really sharp Mazda! I may be a bit jealous… Joelyn just ordered a new Chevy, adopted a dog and got a puppy in addition. Her daughter is still taking classes in Arizona and she misses her being home. April just got back from a wonderful cruise and already booked another one for September. She just spent a long weekend with all three of her kids and all three of her grandchildren for her birthday in March, and it was a great time. I shared my basement water disaster and my friendship with Liz Bromke, and the fact that I am so glad to be working where I am! And that was just the tip of the evening. We had a lot of great conversations. So glad they shared their evening so we could finally get together!

Out of nowhere the thought came to me that I had the ladder from our old bunk beds in the shed. The beds are long gone, but the other day I saw a segment on HGTV where a designer displayed blankets on a ladder. So I went to the shed, got the ladder and scrubbed it, and put a few blankets on it. Ta-da!!! I like it!

April 4 – Did you ever make a kite? How? Tell about your kite flying experiences. “Every year we made a kite for each of us kids. We used brown butchers paper. Made our paste by cooking flour & water together. We used scraps of old material to tie onto a string to make a tail. The hardest thing was to save enough pennies to buy our kite string. We decorated our kites by coloring designs on them.” Oh, what kids miss nowadays! As much excitement in making as in flying!

Yesterday’s vacation destination was Richmond Virginia, and the picture posted was the Garthright House at the Cold Harbor Battlefield. We went on a tour of the battlefield when I was researching ‘Letters to Mary’. Here are more points of interest:

Calendar Inspiration – Use the energy of springtime to begin some new resolutions for personal growth.

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TOMORROW April 5th is:

• First Contact Day
• Gold Star Spouses Day
• National Caramel Day
• National Deep Dish Pizza Day
• National Flash Drive Day
• National Go for Broke Day
• National Nebraska Day
• National Raisin and Spice Bar Day
• National Read a Road Map Day 
• SAAM Day of Action
• National Library Workers Day
• National Employee Benefits Day 

There is definitely a lot of celebrations to choose from! If I was going to choose one, it would probably be Deep Dish Pizza. Or Road Map day. That sounds fun! Where can we go? Hmmm. Have a blessed day!

It never even hit 40* today. It was cold and cloudy and rainy and not the best day to be running errands after church – but there were several things I needed to do. It was after 1pm when I got home, and the neighbor was mowing his yard! It was in the 60’s yesterday when I was mowing – it was in the damp mid-30’s today. Brrr.

Mary was not able to be in Sunday School, so after the lesson I helped the kids with their palm leaves. We attached stems and glued the word ‘HOSANNA’ on the leaf. They each took a turn as Jesus riding into Jerusalem on the ‘stick’ donkey while the others waved their branches and shouted Hosanna. We sent a photo to Mary to cheer her up.

After lunch (toast!) I did the ironing and then finally made the chocolate covered pretzels. They did turn out better than I thought. Just as messy, though. I’ll find little non-perils all over the floor for weeks!

Last night, a little after midnight, I received a txt message from my long-time friend, Rick Kozar. He and Bill Smail have been together since about the late 80’s or early 90’s. I met Bill (Bud and Jim’s younger brother who is exactly my age) in the first month I started at Smail’s in 1967. We became friends and I feel blessed by having them in my life. Rick wanted me to know that Bill passed away last evening. He has suffered from Parkinson’s for over 25 years. Rick has been a primary caregiver since the onset, and I know it was a total love commitment for him to care for Bill. He will be lost without him. I am sorry for the loss of my dear friend, but he has struggled for so many years that I know now he is at peace. Love you, my friend!

I’ll miss you, my friend.

April 3 – As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? “I wanted to be a dancer & work at the fairs. Tiz-Liz was the dancer I saw when I was about 7 or 8 years old & I practiced dancing when I could.” You go, Mom! I would have guessed a doctor….

Yesterday’s vacation destination (closely aligned with our own Newport destination) was New London CT. Do any of these appeal to you, Kath? The picture posted was Old Town Mill. Other points of interest are:

Calendar Inspiration for today is Snoopy:

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TOMORROW April 4th is:

• Jeep 4×4 Day 
• National Chicken Cordon Bleu Day
• National Hug a Newsperson Day
• National School Librarian Day
• National Vitamin C Day
• National Walk Around Things Day

I have spent today thinking about Bill, and will probably do that tomorrow as well. But I do have the PEEPS to look forward to tomorrow. Take your vitamins and take a walk – and hug your librarian! God bless…

Christina, Autmn and I are trying to get a time and day for the Crocus tea. Hoping for next weekend. The girls are spending tonight and tomorrow together at Lori’a so they can work out details around games and rides and puppies and we’ll go from there! Autmn sent me a picture of her with Shawn and Rosy.

Kathy (aka Aunt Cordelia) and I took a trip out to Lapp’s Family Market to get block chocolate for my pretzels. They only carry the block chocolate at Christmas, so I got the wafers. Hopefully it will work ok. I’ll try it tonight or tomorrow. We left Lapp’s and went to 2 different Dollar Trees, and I sort of found what I needed but it wasn’t exactly what I wanted. It will do. I did get the cinnamon rolls iced (yellow and green) so that is finished.

After lunch I decided to mow the grass – first cutting of the season. The mower started right up and the lawn looks wonderful. I even weed-whacked and only went through one battery! I did, however, realize that it’s time to start the spring projects, and I need to get my annual hyacinth to enjoy and then plant. I need to get Round-up for the stones between the fences on the hill. I need to get the lawn fertilizer now that I have my spreader. And I need a bag or two of top soil to fill in a few places where the winter washed away the grass. Tis the season!

After the yard work I washed the car. First time for that with this car. It was so totally dirty! I know it doesn’t appear to be too bad but it was horrid. Now it’s clean and shiny and happy in the garage!

April 2 – Tell about a practical joke or prank someone played on you. “Uncle Edd had a wooden snake. He would hide it where he knew I would see it & think it was a real snake. I would always yell & sometimes throw the snake as far as I could when I knew it wasn’t a real snake.”

Yesterday’s vacation destination was Phuket (never heard of it!) and the picture posted was Island hopping. Other points of interest:

Calendar inspiration – We are all teachers; people watch and learn from our behaviors.

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TOMORROW April 3rd is:

• National Chocolate Mousse Day
• National Film Score Day
• National Find a Rainbow Day
• National Tweed Day
• World Party Day
• Geologists Day 

Rainbows are cool – but that means it has to rain first. Hmmm. Let’s see what tomorrow brings! God bless…

So far, so good – no April Fool’s pranks! It was a strange weather day; sunny, windy, snowy, cloudy. I was hoping to not go out anywhere but had a call from Mike P and had to run over there really quick. Thankfully it’s close. Happy:

Thanks to Deb for the hint for puffing up my cookies. I’m planning on trying it on my next batch. In the meantime, I had two little duckies decide they want to go to live with Kathy. So I helped them pack and will deliver them tomorrow… .

I did some vacation research earlier, did some laundry, and mixed up two batches of cookies (not Chocolate Chip, though). I used the Candy Cane recipe and just made multi-colored twists. I made pie dough cinnamon rolls – but they still need iced. That might be tomorrow’s task, as I have to grab some dinner yet. And Iron. And answer an email!

April 1 – Do you have a good April Fool’s Day story? “We thought it was good when we were kids. We put salt in the sugar bowl. Dad wasn’t too happy when he had to throw out all his breakfast cereal.”

Yesterday’s vacation destination was Martha’s Vineyard, and the picture posted was the Charlotte Inn. Ever since watching A GODWINK CHRISTMAS in I believe 2018 – knowing it was based on a true story – I have been drawn to the island and the Inn. Maybe someday… other points of interest are:

Calendar inspiration – Today, focus on the positive.

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TOMORROW April 2nd is:

• National Ferret Day
• National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day
• National Reconciliation Day
• World Autism Awareness Day 
• National Love Our Children Day
• National Handmade Day 

I do love my children! And grandchildren, and sister, and cousins, and other family, and friends! So much happy love! Tell someone you love them – tomorrow and every day! God bless…

At this point I would vote that March is going out like a lion. It’s very sunny and bright, but the wind is fierce and we had a quick thunderstorm – with a downpour – blow through about noon. I was happy that I was home; I had just came in from a windy walk. In fact, I took about 20 trash and recycle cans out of the middle of the street and put them in yards on my walk. I hesitated to do that but at one point a guy in a pickup just plowed into one in the road. It’s sunny now and hoping it stays that way!

The stream down the street was clear and reflective; notice the clouds reflected in the water?

After my walk I had lunch, then painted my nails. I had left them unpainted all winter so they could breathe. A little purple for Easter! I’m so horrid at doing it myself. But it will have to do!

There are a few hyacinths blooming, plus the myrtle. The ground cover that I planted at the bottom of the driveway at the end of the summer is really filling in!

My spreader also came, and I put it together and rolled it down to the shed. Can’t wait to use it! I have to find out if I use it BEFORE I cut the grass or after.

Just got a call that my prescription is ready, so I may run over there to pick it up when I’m done with this.

March 31 – Tell about a practical joke or prank you played on a person. “I never thought ‘practical jokes’ were funny so I never played them on anyone, even as a child. That doesn’t mean I didn’t do things that caused problems, but not as a joke —-“

Yesterday’s vacation destination was SeaWorld. They do have an extensive rehabilitation program, which was yesterday’s picture post. Here are more photos:

Calendar Inspiration – Make a fresh start today in some way – perhaps add a new good habit.

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TOMORROW April 1st is:

• April Fool’s Day
• National One Cent Day
• National Sourdough Bread Day
• Take Down Tobacco Day of Action 

I was never a fan of April Fool’s Day. I worked with a guy at Smail’s that was CRAZY about pulling pranks. One day I set his cloth snowman on fire because he had done something really STUPID to me! I regretted it but it needed done!!! Glad I’ll be here alone tomorrow. NO PRANKS!!! God bless..

The day kind of got away from me – not sure how that happened! Diane’s txt with the song of the day woke me at 7:30. I had not slept on Monday night, so I needed the extra time. After I listened to the song I decided to read a little in the book I just started, and read for almost an hour! After a shower and breakfast I intended to start cleaning but my neighbor called and had some title questions. They popped over and as they walked in they announced that they finally bought a house! She’s been looking for almost a year! We did get around to discussing the title work, but spent more time talking about the house. She will only be a few miles from Nate’s new house. SO – if this goes through I will be getting new neighbors this summer.

It was almost noon when I finally started on the cleaning, but I kept at it at a steady pace and was finished up about 4pm. It was such a lovely day that I took a walk through the neighborhood to get some fresh air. It felt so good to be outside. I had a few things I needed that our Walmart did not have so I went to the one in Irwin and got what I needed. Irwin sounds so far away but it’s not any further for me than going to Pinnacle Greensburg from here.

April (one of the PEEPS) txt me this morning and said they decided we needed to get together – so we picked Monday after work. I found this cute little sign to put in the yard – PERFECT!

Kelly called me to let me know what their April schedule is, and we are working on dates that they can come up for a few days. She told me the crazy story about Peyton getting two baby pigs for market – not for showing at the fair; they will get those next month. But the pigs were so small that when it got really cold they couldn’t leave them in the pigpen outside. Peyton put the dog crate together, spread hay in it, and put them in the kitchen! They were nice and warm and slept like babies and were no trouble. Now their pen is secured for the colder weather so they are out in their cozy home now, safe and warm. Their names are Maxwell and George. I don’t know which one is witch!

So that was my day.

March 30 – What were some crazy names or nicknames in your school? “One of the older girls, Viola Heberling, was nicknamed ‘Toots’. She is still called that at age 77. One of our teachers, Mayadore McMillen, was called Mickey Mouse!”

Yesterday’s vacation destination was Johnston, PA, and the picture posted was in 1891. Some things to see in Johnstown:

Calendar Inspiration – Our view of the world depends on what we choose to focus on.

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TOMORROW March 31 is:

• National Bunsen Burner Day
• National Clams on the Half Shell Day
• National Crayon Day
• National Prom Day
• National Tater Day

We must have about 200 crayons in a box in our Sunday School room. So I do appreciate them! Hope you do, too! Enjoy the last day of March tomorrow. Lion or Lamb? God bless …

It was 17* this morning! Thankfully it was sunny and that made it tolerable. I am – for some reason – fascinated by the shadows that the bright sunshine makes on the blind and the walls. This was this morning’s patterns. I worked at both Pinnacle stores and did some title work for Mike G. I had the last of the tuna salad for lunch. All that is left now is a little bit of egg salad.

Autmn face-timed me to show me her latest surprise. Actually two, because she got her hair color changed to black! But she and her friend actually rescued a 5 month old puppy; they named it Rosy. Not surprising since Rose is Autmn’s middle name. Autmn is taking care of Rosy for the time being, so it will give her a responsibility and a focus until things settled down for her. Rosy may (not a sure thing) come for Easter dinner. I’m not entirely sure of the breed but Autmn says it’s an Alaskan something…

I will pick up Chris from track practice at 5pm and take her home. Since I got my second Shingles shot this morning I am just being lazy today. I feel fine but (forgive the whining!) my left arm doesn’t want to cooperate. It’s very stiff and sore! This too shall pass.

March 29 – Name your best school chums. “Vera Redinger; Ruth Sink; Dorothy Marshall.” Ruth Sink was her best friend, cousin, and basically her partner in crime!!!

Yesterday’s vacation destination was Washington DC and the picture posted was Georgetown Historic District. Other points of interest (there are WAY more than this!):

Calendar inspiration is – look for moments of seasonal beauty, even in your own back yard.

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TOMORROW March 30 is:

• National Doctors Day
• National I Am in Control Day
• National Pencil Day
• National Take a Walk in the Park Day
• National Turkey Neck Soup Day
• National Virtual Vacation Day
• National Little Red Wagon Day
• Manatee Appreciation Day 

I’m not sure if I’ve totally been in control of anything my entire life – not even my pencil!! One thing is that we’ve been taking virtual vacations since January. Where will we go tomorrow? Maybe to visit a manatee. God bless!