Last week I had the pleasure of attending Hempfield High School’s spring choral concert.  I haven’t been in the high school auditorium since Nate graduated from High School!  But Autmn was in the chorus and I was not working that night and could attend.  I really enjoyed the songs and the performances, especially the Jersey Boy’s medley – I was singing along the whole time!  Autmn looked so grown up in her black dress and heals, standing on stage with the choir.  Can’t hardly believe she is in 9th grade! Don’t think I even want to consider the future.  I’ll be like Scarlet O’Hara –  “I can’t think about that today; I’ll go crazy if I do!  I’ll think about that tomorrow!”  Well, maybe I won’t…..

Our family plans for Mother’s Day this year were very low key – which was happily fine with me!  After church, Chrissy and I stopped at Aldi’s to pick up a few items.  The store is closing for a massive remodel until the end of June and I had to grab my ‘stash’ before they closed.  As we both had plenty of breakfast (Panera Bread bagels and snacks!), we weren’t even thinking about lunch.  She was getting ready to start football camp and was hoping to be in shape, so I talked her into taking a walk with me.  What I DIDN’T tell her was that we were going down to the Five Star Trail.  We parked at Buncher Park near Youngwood and headed toward Midway.  As we walked, I told her stories of my growing up on Shady Lane, and we veered off the trail to walk up the hill past my childhood home, and through my old neighborhood.  I told her about our Mysterious Trestle Club, Cole’s pond, playing ‘jail’ with the neighbor boys, and having horses in the back yard.

We stopped for a quick photo shoot, and she contented herself by doing a selfie on my phone in the car.  It was her gift to me, even thought she didn’t realize it — going back again to those carefree days of youth and taking my precious Chrissy along for the trip!  We finished the evening with Jioio’s Pizza and Sun Chips.  It’s the little things….

I decided I would work backwards – I am behind 3 or 4 posts and will try to catch up quickly.  But I’ll start with this past weekend, as Kath and I took our monthly journey up I-79 to visit Mom and John.  It seemed to be a little trickier to get everything done this time, but we did it.  The weather mostly didn’t co-operate, but we had plenty to do inside so the outside work can wait until another time. 

We took mom to get her haircut, and although I think it’s a good cut and easy to care for, it was shorter than she liked.  Hoping it will grow out soon enough for her to be happy.  It’s hard for her to care for her hair by herself.  But she and John were smiling and comfortable enough to suit us. 

After lunch it warmed up enough, with the sunshine shining on the gardens, that we went out and played in the yard for about a half an hour.  Kath decided that she would get married in May so she could have a hairband of bridal wreath. Trouble might be – dear sister – that you are already married and have been for well over 40 years!  We did take time to smell the flowers, lilacs to be exact.  Mom has the three types:  White (most fregrant), dark purple (French), and the common (COMMON????) light purple. We placed a vase of lilacs on the dining room table by the little cup and saucer Mom got for Mother’s Day.  I liked watching their little colorful windmill spin and twirl in the afternoon breeze. 

After a morning of cleaning and laundry and errands and lunch, we sat down to a snack of carrot cake and ice cream before heading back home.  The hours fly by, and we are always planning the next trip as we travel back down I-79.  Look out, June, here we come!

Winter was a real bugger this year – overstaying its welcome and pushing spring much further forward than anyone liked.  My normal mid-March agenda got pushed into the end of April, and still was sporadic.  Who wants to do yardwork and landscaping in cold, snowy, wet, windy weather? (Sorry Gen – I know it’s your job!). 

But finally I began to attack the yard and the flower beds trying to right the wrongs of winter and late fall.  And thanks to Ron, some of these projects went better than I could have hoped for.  One of the main focuses was the bed in the front yard.  It was out of control, and I decided that I wanted to pull the fabric up, dig out the plants, and seed it for grass.  THAT was a chore; the fabric was rooted (literally!) into the ground and so heavy that once it was up we could barely move it.  We managed to get it into a pile and my trusty cousin Paul came and hauled it away.  I also dug up the small section at the bottom of my driveway and will seed that, as well.  Lots of stones in that one, and I was determined to finish despite the cold windy wet day.  Success! 

Second on the agenda was to weed and thin out the flower beds in the front and side yards, as well as the herb garden and by the driveway.  The section under the deck had stone steps that I had constructed back in 2000 when I had Tazz-pup.  He kept tramping through the flowers and the mulch so I made him an easy-access route from the door up to the top yard.  So Ron and I dug out the stones and began placing them so they looked nicer and were more sturdy.  The little pile of river pebbles beside the house (to deflect overflow of water down the hill) also got dug up and repositioned. 

Then on Sunday afternoon we moved stepping stones from behind the shed and placed them in the little section between the herb garden and the hill flower beds.  I placed a few solar lights there and it made such a wonderful difference!  And while I was weeding out the herb garden, Ron repainted my rusted purple bistro table and 2 chairs, making them look new and appealing. 

I couldn’t have done these projects without you, Ron – invaluable.  Not to mention fun, playing in the dirt, talking and laughing.  I promised that once my yard was finished we’d go over and start on his yard.  He did warn me, however, that he has several weed beds.  I’m REALLY looking forward to that, I can tell you!  But we’ll have fun, cause we can do it together!  Many hands make light work! 

Right after Christmas last year we all got together via email messages and finally chose the weekend of April 27/28 for our 2018 Dillweed B&B Skunk Hollow Women’s Fest event.  We had not been to the B&B in a few years, trading it in for bonfires in Beth’s back yard.  But we were able to see the virtue in moving the event from fall to spring, and made it happen. We love the Dillweed (Innkeepers Kyra and Corey Gilmore), with all the quaint little nick knacks sitting around. Out of the eleven of us, Susan was the only one who could not attend due to minor dental surgery.  We sure missed her!  It just wasn’t the same without our Sue!  Beth committed to driving up a little early so she could get the keys from Corey and Kyra before they left at 5pm.  Kath and I got there a little after 5 and several of the girls were already there, sitting on the porch enjoying the evening sunshine. 

By the time everyone arrived and all the luggage and food were inside, we were definitely starving, so we sat about getting the food ready.  Gail and Connie drove the five minutes to the pizza place and we had a feast.  Although everything was yummy, my favorites were Beth’s Charleston Cheese Dip and Holly’s triple chocolate brownies.  My friend Gen from New York sent us a goodie box which she ordered from Michigan, containing cherry salsa, huge cookies, chocolate covered cherries and trail mix.  It was her way of being part of the group and we appreciated the goodies. 

As we ate, we sat around the parlor and talked about anything and everyone.  We sometimes got off on tangents, such as bucket lists and life regrets.  There was a lot of laughing – which is super good for the soul! – and also a lot of commiserating with the regrets.  We all had them.  Holly shared that when her mom was so sick, she told Holly that she wished she would have bought more dresses.  My aunt and uncle were very frugal, and it was her way of saying that she needed to let go a little and do fun things.  So our slogan for the weekend – and probably a permanent for the group! – is ‘Buy the Dress!’  My friend Ron saw a sign in a window today and txt it to me :  Say Yes To The Dress.  So there you go.  It’s official.  It doesn’t pay to be careless but it’s good to let go once in a while.  Buy the Dress! Karen V had to leave about 10pm as she had another commitment early morning 🙁   I had two essays to read aloud – one about my dad’s horses, and one about going Home (meaning Home PA, where we all connect). We munched and talked and stayed up until almost 1am.  We had free reign of the whole B&B so we walked around in the gift shop, looking at all the neat items, figuring out what we were going to purchase in the morning. I really loved this sign, and almost said ‘yes…’ but practicality won out in the end.  Soon we were all settled in an ‘herb’ room – Kath and I had Parsley.

Kath, Holly and I got up at 7am and went walking 2 miles on the Ghost Town Trail, which is adjacent to the B&B.  We also took a stroll around the herb garden. By the time we were all up and dressed, Kyra had breakfast ready.  As expected (and as always!) it was delicious!  My favorite, though, was the chocolate chip scones.  Kyra was kind enough to share the recipe, and I already bought the ingredients to make them – soon!  Connie had a 50’s event to attend and left a little after breakfast – but she looked cute all dressed up in her wig and poodle skirt and saddle shoes!  Checkout time was 11am, but no one said anything when we sat in the front room and talked until almost 1pm.  It was hard to say goodbye to everyone, and we already have another event out for consideration.  Destination Albion – September 2018!  Hugs to my fellow Skunk Hollow Girls – see you all soon!

Explanation of photos:  Welcome at the front door

Angel on my dresser

Mini tea set in the dining room

Karen O, Kathy, and Marge standing; Gail sitting in chair

Colleen, Connie, and Holly on the swing

Karen V, Colleen, and Connie

Kathy and Marge standing on the sidewalk

Karen O and Kathy standing

Holly and Karen O on swing

Marge Standing; Gwen sitting in chair

Yes to the Dress!

Sign I really wanted to buy!

Herb rooms and herb garden

SCONE!

Kathy Marge and Connie sitting on steps

Bottom to top:  Connie and Gail bottom; Karen O, Holly, and Gwen – middle row; Colleen, Marge, Kathy and Beth on top.

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