Well I am a little behind in posting in the Word Garden.  I have several subjects to cover so these may be short! Two weeks ago we went to Mom and John’s, and decided even thought it was 10 days early we would make a celebration for John’s birthday:  97!  He may have a few struggles here and there, but he cooks all the meals and pays all the bills and takes care of my little mother!  We are blessed to call him Dad. 

Early on Saturday morning we took Mom over to get her hair cut, and walked around the store waiting for her turn.  She hadn’t really been shopping much since mid-fall, and as we wandered around several things caught her eye – – like donuts, sweet rolls, Chex Mix, little pies…. 🙂  So we stocked up for her and got John his cookies and peanuts.  She looked fresh and cute with her hair cut and styled.  Once we had lunch we did the cake and gifts.  John was excited to have us fuss over him, and we lit the candles and sang for him as he held his cake out for the camera.  Several big balloons danced around on the dining room table. 

It’s always a joy to spend time with our parents, and be part of their care, their celebrations, and their support.  Next trip:  mid-May!

As I’ve mentioned before, my sister Kathy and her husband Paul, my friend Joni, and myself – for the past 3 years have volunteered at His Place mission on the north side of Pittsburgh. Once a month during the school year we prepare lessons, crafts, snacks and songs and – with Paul as our trusty chauffeur – make the trip down to teach Care Club.  They are a group of young girls up through fourth grade, some as young as kindergarten.   We have personally grown and learned and became close to each other and some of the girls, and the experience  (though often challenging) has been amazing. 

Tonight was the annual His Place Banquet, giving an account of the past year, financial status, and future plans.  Although I try to keep my focus away from food, the first thing I noticed when we walked in was the chocolate fountain.  Oh, dear, keep me from TEMPTATION!  There were 5 types of cookies, strawberries, pretzels,  marshmallows —  yum.  What a way to start the evening!  We had pizza and a marvelous salad (I could have survived on the chocolate fountain!), then pie for dessert. 

Their love of God, for His children, and the devotion to the ministry of service to these kids was so entirely evident in all of those who volunteer.  His Place offers after school programs, personal and group tutoring, outings, classes, encouragement, meals, and of course love and God’s word.  Debe and Rick Weiss have served as directors and workers for the Lord in this ministry for over 40 years, and their commitment and dedication are entirely evident.  As teachers in the Care Club, we are privileged to be a part of this group. After dinner, reports, and the business meeting, there were a list of THANK YOU’s for all those who gave extraordinary amounts of time and talent to further God’s kingdom in this place.  Among the many who were honored, Steven (co-director and Debe/Rick’s son) recognized his wife Melanie for her selfless giving to these little lives, some of whom come from very difficult home situations.  He also recognized his mom, sighting her 40 years of devotion and love – every day, all the time! 

The big surprise – for us anyway – was that we were given recognition and a plaque – the Fantastic Four, they call us! – for outstanding group of the year.  We were humbled and honored to be recognized, and to hear their comments about our team.  Debe’s son Steven said that because of us, His Place programs have changed forever.  Kath was teary-eyed and we were all amazed that we could make such a difference – just for giving a little time and even less talent to teaching God’s Love to His children.  We will never forget these years of service, the girls whose lives we have touched, and the people we have met and grown to love and appreciate.  At the end of every evening that we teach, we turn down the lights, put a little battery campfire candle in the middle of our circle, and sing camp songs.  And we know, as true as anything we have ever known, the profound truth of our closing song.

God is So Good.  And He is.

Rumor has it that it’s supposed to be spring.  The calendar says that, the moon says that, and the seasons say that.  But the weather isn’t quite with the program yet.  Hopefully by the weekend!  Can’t wait for warm weather and lots of sunshine!  But when I came back from my walk this afternoon I strolled around the yard looking for hints.  My hyacinths are popping up everywhere.  I buy myself a potted hyacinth every Easter, and once it’s done blooming I tuck it away until I can plant the bulbs outside.  I usually forget where I plant them until they start coming up in the early spring.  I love looking for them, seeing all the different colors.  I have several shades of purple, pink and white, most in little clusters but some just freshly poking up through the cold earth. 

There’s even several little patches of daffodils coming up but they aren’t blooming yet.  The back yard ones will bloom first; they get morning sun.  The jonquils in the front yard won’t bloom until weeks after the back yard ones.  The back yard daffodils are all yellow; the front yard jonquils are yellow and white.  I believe there are even a few double daffodils, which are really fun! The little pink TEA TIME garden flag is a constant reminder that our annual Crocus Tea (the girls and I!) is overdue – gotta get that organized soon!

I even discovered a plastic egg that was overlooked during the big Easter hunt.  And guess what was in it?  Yep!  A sealed packet of pastel M&M’s!  Hurray!!!   I’m sure with the warmer weather this weekend, a lot more hyacinths will be popping up and dressed in full blooms.  May even get some tulips and Comfert with the little blue flowers.  I’ll keep you posted.  I’m pretty certain, however, that there will be no more hidden eggs with M&M’s.  Bummer….

This past Easter weekend presented us with a plethora of pigs!  It’s honestly something I never really thought much about – being connected to piggies.  For the past several years, Kelly’s boys have raised pigs for 4H and showed them at the fair in September in West Alexander.  They are very dedicated caregivers and their pigs have shown well and sold well.  So it’s always fun to go with them to pick the pigs and spend time with my family.  (My aunt Joan and uncle Clifford’s grandson Jason, his wife Miranda, and their kids breed and raise pigs  to show and to sell.) 

But let me back up.  My son and his girlfriend Jen (who runs an animal rescue) rescued a house-pig a few weeks ago.  It’s not very big – about 40 pounds – and is pretty well house trained.  He even knows some tricks (like, ‘sit’).  His name is Piggy Smalls and he’s almost totally black.  I don’t know why I thought pigs would be softer, but Piggy Smalls is NOT soft.  His long bristles are definitely prickly!  But on Easter Sunday, after putting a ham in the oven at about 5am (sorry Piggy), Jen went home and got Piggy Smalls and brought him over to visit.  Pig in the oven and pig in the yard!  OK – poor joke.  Piggy rooted around in the yard, dug holes and made little troughs through the gardens, which thankfully hadn’t been planted yet!  He even came inside and cozied up on the carpet for a bit. He even matches the new carpet!  All in all, it was a new experience for me.  Kelly said she thought she’d never see the day when there was a pig in my house!  I have to pretty much agree— 

But then on Monday morning, waking up to 4 inches of snow, we packed up a borrowed truck with a huge crate in the bed (for a bed!) and headed out Home.  I drove, taking Kelly, Logan, and Chase with me.  Peyton and Matt rode in the truck.  We got there about 11:30am and went straight to the barn.  All the pigs were huddled in the corner, and most came rushing over to greet the boys when we got there.  Two little guys decided to stay warm and were huddled together in the back corner.  The other piggies flocked around Ethan’s feet, liking to chew on his rubber ‘muck’ boots and lick them clean (double yuck).  Logan picked a black pig with a pink band behind his front legs, and Peyton chose two black ones.  You always have to have an extra pig in case one of the show pigs do not make weight (one didn’t last year!).  Logan named his pig Kylo Ren (Star Wars?), and Peyton named the other two Pancakes and Syrup.  Uncle Clifford and Aunt Joan came over to join in the fun and gathered around the pen to watch. 

While we were eating lunch, I looked out the kitchen window and said casually, “Are those cows supposed to be wandering around on the driveway?”  Everyone jumped from the table and rushed outside, and spent the next 15 minutes trying to herd the escape artists back into the barn.  I guess the answer to my question was ‘no’.  After lunch Ethan caught the pigs – amidst much squealing! – and Petyon/Matt put them in their crate, which was covered with a thick tarp and filled partially with straw.  Once everything was secured and the cars packed, we headed back home. 

I’m not sure how happy those little guys were to be snatched up from their families, but I know Peyton and Logan are really happy to be taking care of them, watching them grow … and Grow… and GRow … and GROw… and GROW!  We’ll ‘See you in September’ as the song goes….

I’ve been thinking all evening about the last supper – the night that Jesus spent eating the Passover feast – as Jewish custom dictated – with his disciples in the upper room.  There are only sketchy details about the preparation – how Jesus sent his disciples into the city to secure a room and prepare the meal.  I wonder if these faithful men had help preparing the meal.  It was a very exacting event, filled with tradition and symbolism. Did they ‘stress out’ over the preparations?  Did they perhaps complain, like Martha had done, about their lack of help?  Did they think that Jesus Himself should have been there to help them?  Were they confident that they would meet His expectations, and that everything would turn out just right?  I always stress over making a big meal; did those twelve men worry about the meal?  To them, it was the Passover Feast.  To those of us who came after, it was to become much more.

Yet Jesus’s friends apparently had everything ready, as Matthew says in Chapter 26 that they were reclining at the table. Everything was exactly right, according to the law.  But then Jesus surprised them, saying one of them would betray Him.  How could that be?  They all loved Him and were followers of Him for three years, not leaving His side. Judas knew Jesus referred to him, and he was saddened by that.  But not too sad to change his mind.  Is that not just like us?  We make decisions, or plans, and know we have chosen wrong.  We are saddened and even regretful – but we keep right on doing what we know is not right.  Every day, in one small way or another, we choose.  

But before the end of this meal, Jesus had instituted a remembrance, a way for us to focus on Him and to remember the great sacrifice He would make.  As we take communion each week, or month, or quarter (whatever is offered to you), we are commanded to take the bread, and think of His body that was broken for us.  Then we take the juice/wine, and think of His blood, shed for the forgiveness of our sins.  This, again, is a commandment – to remember Him as we partake, and realize what he has given so that we could live eternally:  His very life.  This Holy week – the last supper, the unjust and frightening trials, the crucifixion – that horrible death on a rough wooden cross between two common thieves – would be the end of life for those twelve beloved friends of Jesus as they knew it.  We focus on these things, on these hard, unjust, and overwhelming events, and try to absorb what they mean.  Because, if we don’t, Sunday holds no meaning whatsoever.  When in reality. Sunday … IS. 

Last Sunday morning we taught our 4’s and 5’s about this last supper, and explained just a tiny bit about what happened there.  They were so respectful, and accepting, and soaked up our words and the lesson like little sponges.  I love teaching that class, as I always go away having a deeper appreciation and understanding than I had when I started.  Somehow I know that these little ones took Jesus with them when they left the class that day, and will remember at least some of the meaning of what happened so long ago, but still means the world to us today.  Teachable moments:  for them, or for me?  Hmmmmm

We had a very nice – and fun! – evening at McKenna Center in Greensburg tonight.  My friend Mary, who is the director there, clued us in on their dinner and entertainment evening, and I decided I would go.  Dinner was yummy (I had fish and Ron had the chicken) with mashed potatoes, fruit, green beans and rolls.  There was a 50/50 and Chinese Auction, plus a door prize.  We weren’t lucky winners this time, but the evening was a winner. A former title customer that I FREQUENTLY bailed out of sticky title problems was there – Tommy for Tommy’s Truck Parts! – he recognized me and came over to talk.  It was so nice to see him and his wife, and to know how much he appreciated all those efforts to untangle his messes! 🙂

The entertainment was a two-man team called the G Boyz and they sang 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s music, plus some ‘bandstand’ dance music.  We listened to dozens of songs – but some of my favorites were ‘Wake up Little Suzie’, ‘My Way’, songs by Bobby Vinton, Tony Orlando, Ricky Nelson…  🙂  Mary was really into the whole music thing, keeping rhythm, dancing, and whooping around the room.  She really got us in the spirit and we were dancing and laughing and enjoying the music. 

They plan to do a spaghetti dinner closer to summer, and a mystery dinner theater in the fall.  Sounds like fun – so stay tuned for more details and come out and join the group!

On Saturday morning, March 17th, I left my house at 7:40am, armed with ‘show and tell’ visual aids, seminar notes, and a bag of red/white/blue M&M’s.  Ligonier Valley Writers and Ft. Ligonier co-sponsored an all-day history writing event in their new educational center, and I have to say the new addition is beautiful!  Bright, clean, spacious, efficient, welcoming – perfect! The view was inspiring.

I was one of three presenters, including Audrey Iacone and Jim Busch.  Each of us presented a different aspect on including history in your fiction and non-fiction writing.  Audrey talked about research and presentation.  Jim talked about creativity, and I shared specific examples about Civil War and Mt. Vernon facts and research used in Letters to Mary (novel) and my Tazz mysteries (Mt. Vernon a/k/a Fathers and Dads).  It was fun to share information and not only provide new facts but also learn from the others.  Audrey worked at the Carnegie Library, and said that she was working the day that David Carlyon came in looking for facts on Dan Rice – for his book ‘Dan Rice, the Most Famous Man you Never Knew.’  I actually have a copy of the book!  That was pretty exciting for me! 

As it was St. Patrick’s day, several of us dressed the part, including our resident Leprechaun, Carolyn Holland. Fact:  I have NEVER see Carolyn without a hat on of some type!  After the presentations, Mary Ann took the presenters to lunch at a quaint little diner-type restaurant on main street.  It was nice to network together and unwind. 

Mary Manges, Education Director at the Museum, took the group on a tour of the newly renovated space.  I loved hearing about Washington, Bouquet, Forbes; Arthur St. Claire’s parlor, and the diorama — and Ron decided to try out one of the tents to see how it compared to his little Appalachian Trail tent!  Washington’s was much more roomy!

The museum opens in April to the public, and I want to go back and spend more time looking at the exhibits and exploring the outside areas as well.  It was a great day, and I was honored and blessed to be part of this great event.  I highly recommend a trip up to Ft. Ligonier as soon as you get the chance.  Of course, you won’t get the royal treatment (having Mary as a tour guide – she’s an endless source of knowledge and makes it come alive!), but you won’t be sorry.  I guarantee it!

Sunday was a free museum day for Bushy Run battlefield and the perfect setting for a hands-on history class for my three home-schooled grandsons.  We took Chrissy along, too, and the four of them had a good time looking at the artifacts, watching the mini-movie, and eating the free cookies!  We spent about 20 minutes exploring the museum, then went outside with a tour guide and got a little more detail about the battle and its impact on our history.

My favorite ‘new fact’ was that the strategic moves make by Colonel Bouquet to defeat the Native Americans (called Pontiac’s War) saved Ft. Pitt from being taken over and lost to the enemy.  We were told that the maneuvers made by Bouquet’s forces were so impressive that they are still being studied by the military today.  In the worse of the battle, we lost about 60 men out of close to 400.  They had to have somewhere to protect the wounded, so they took the flour sacks (on route to Ft. Pitt to feed the troops there) and built a ‘fort’.  After the lecture we walked down to the monument then up to the meadow where the flour sack fort had been built.  The kids climbed the trees and we tramped back the paths through the woods. 

Kelly was reading the little booklet, and we discovered that a Penn Trafford high school senior planned and organized the entire event for her senior project.  Emily Liska had been volunteering at Bushy Run since she was twelve, and now it’s the place where she spends most of her free time – tour guide, fundraiser, all-around general volunteer.  She’s very passionate about history, about the Bushy Run site, and about making a difference.  It’s great to see dedication and passion in someone so young. 

We had a great time, and stopped at the little homestead house across the road.  A friend had painted a picture of the house for me about 10 years ago and I have it framed and hanging in my bedroom.  It was fun to see the real thing!  I advise anyone interested in history, in hiking paths, or being outdoors to check it out.  The site opens for the season the end of April.

Kath and I headed north to Mom’s this past weekend with an extra passenger!  My granddaughter Autmn came along to help and entertain, both of which she did well and pleasantly.  It was good to have her along.  Friday evening was pretty much a quiet night – we put the food away, lugged everything up to our rooms, and chatted with each other and the TV.  Autmn was very patient with John’s choices of The Andy Griffith Show and Gomer Pyle.  She’d watch some of her favorite shows scroll past as John channel-surfed, but never said a word.  We were surprised that when we got off I-79 and started over on 6N as there was quite a bit of fresh snow everywhere.  Except, thankfully, on the roads, which were totally clear.  The full moon glistened off the snowy yard and made for a beautiful landscape, even with the super cold temperatures. 

Kath and I, as is our custom, got up at 7am, bundled up, and took our two mile walk out to Route 18 and back.  It was 21* but the road was clear and safe so we did fine. The road was a winter wonderland and the beauty of it was a gift. Autmn got up when we got back and we all had breakfast and cleaned up dishes.  Mom really wanted a shorter haircut so we left John manning the fort and the 4 of us set off to handle the haircut and get some household groceries.  Autmn sat in the salon with Mom while Kath and I handled John’s list.  The haircut was a great relief and a great comfort for mom. (left face, right face!)

We stopped to see Byron and Abby (mom’s newly-wed preacher and his bride!) and their new house before going home to make a yummy lunch.  Autmn scooped Grama Dot up like a trooper and made sure she got around where she needed to be, chatting and talking about things that matter to a 15-year-old.  Mom was thrilled, and I think even John enjoyed her chatter. Now for the work!  We washed clothes, scrubbed the bathrooms, washed the throw rugs, changed the bed sheets, ran the sweeper, and put up fresh towels in the kitchen and bathrooms.  Autmn did all the dusting and everything was fresh and clean and lemon-smelling!  Our reward for the hard work was carrot cake and vanilla ice cream.  We chatted and visited for the remaining time until we loaded the Mazda and headed back down I-79. It was a great relief to find them once again able and stable, taking care of what they needed to do and getting around, haultingly as it was.  Our chipping in to help with the little every day things made a big difference, so we could leave knowing that we’d head back in a month, and in the meantime they could handle what absolutely had to be done.  Every visit is a blessing; every blessing is perfect!

Yesterday was such a beautiful day in Western Pennsylvania.  Almost 80*, bright and sunny, and barely a breeze.  It was much too nice a day to stay inside!  I was home early enough (before my doctor’s appointment) that I decided to walk the Five Star Trail.  I drove down to Buncher Park by Youngwood and parked there, then headed to Midway. I grew up on Shady Lane (Midway) and thought I might walk up there through the old neighborhood.  I had just started walking, and snapped a picture of the high water in Jack’s run, when I ran into one of those neighborhood neighbors. 

Ondi and Bill moved in across from us when I was in high school, and we became fast friends.  We stood and talked for about 20 minutes, catching up on family and community news.  One of the other neighbors had passed away last month; I hadn’t heard.  Bill had had shoulder surgery and it was slowing him down.  The years just fell away, and we really enjoyed talking.  She went south as I continued north on the trail, enjoying my little walk down memory lane. I love slate banks, and this one was note-worthy!  I snapped two pictures of the trestle where we had our ‘secret’ club. 

Further down there was the old prison, now empty, that we had sat on Bill and Ondi’s hill to watch it be built. Then one of the storm drains created a little waterfall.  I walked as far as the Midway-St. Clair fire department, where I had my wedding reception – flag waving brightly.  By the time I made it back to the railroad crossing, I came upon Ondi again and we spent another 15 minutes talking about exercise, food choices, and the crazy amount of times Weight Watchers had changed their program in the last ten year! 

By then it was time for me to head home – so it was my turn to continue south and she actually went east – up Shady Lane and home.  It was a particularly pleasant afternoon, an enjoyable visit, and a refreshing walk.  Can’t wait for the REAL spring to show up – I’ll do it again!