As mentioned in my last Word garden post, I am a little behind in things.  Sigh.  But that being said, just catching up on last weekend!  It was a beautiful, sunny day – perfect for an outdoor event, especially at the facilities offered at Greenhouse Winery in North Huntingdon.  I seldom get to see my step kids/grandkids, so having them all in one place at the same time was a blessing and an honor.

Having Ron attend with me as my guest also made the evening one step better. Thanks, Deanna, for including us!

While Kelly and Matt were deeply intwined in several other projects for the weekend, Nate, Chris, Autmn, and Nate’s date Jen were there, too.  Deanna is his niece (by blood) and it was great to see the families blended, even if just for an afternoon. Everyone looked amazing all dressed up – but of course, there was no getting Christina into a skirt or dress!  So there she is in a dressy shirt, tennis shoes, mismatched socks, and white jean shorts!  Autmn likes to dress up and add ‘glam’, so she was into it. 

Nate looked like he stepped out of a fashion magazine, and Jen was truly a China-doll beauty, especially with her bright eyes and genuine smile!  I like that girl! They had the reception at the Harrison Room – good food, time to chat and catch up with not only Theresa, Mel and Deanna, but Deanna’s daughter Rheanna (who was taller than her mom!) and son Jace; Nancy Jane and Mike (whom I was glad to finally meet!), and Angela and her son Alex. My kids even got into the dance-mode several times.  Autmn and her dad really got into Mambo Number 5!

Deanna was a beautiful bride, and her mom, Theresa, came close to out-shining her.  So glad to see the whole group – and to watch two happy people – Deanna and Bradley – choose LOVE!!

I had very good intentions (???) to post photos and highlights from the family wedding on Saturday, but that didn’t happen.  I also was going to do a happy birthday card to my dad, who would have been 88 on Tuesday. (love you, Dad!)  I was going to talk about school starting, and post a photo of the boys’ first day on Monday, and talk about my 3 hour school shopping adventure (!!!) with Chris and Autmn.  I was hoping to talk about the summer, and some fall plans to look forward to.  But my week has been extremely busy, and tonight – at 9:22pm – I still have miles to go before I sleep!  So I will wish sweet dreams to everyone and try to catch up a little next week!  God bless!  zzzzzzzzzzzz

I started out my walk tonight at about 8:45pm, after I got home from a way-too-long day at work.  But heading up my driveway took me past the new tier lights that I got for my birthday from my family, and it makes the front sidewalk look like a landing strip for a Boeing 747!  I LOVE them!  Just perfect.

The lights on the Rose of Sharon by the back fence are solar powered, and they mostly last all night if the day has been bright.  I love all the colors, and I can see the lights from my bedroom window.  That’s an extra special treat, as I often am up several times during the night.

As the evening got darker – as it got later – I could see all the stars twinkling overhead.  I stood in the middle of the street (not good, but what can I say?) and searched for the big and little dipper:  The only constellations I would recognize! 

The moon was full and bright, and followed me all the way on my two mile loop around the neighborhood.  For a few moments, though, I thought it might be Halloween.  As I walked up Mohawk, I had just passed under a street light when I saw a huge black cat run across the road in front of me and disappear into the darkness.  Good thing I’m NOT superstitious! 

It was a beautiful evening for a walk, and even though I was running late, and it’s 10:30 and I still have to finish my cleaning, I’m glad I can take my evening walks and clear my head and heart of all things crazy from the day, wrap myself in my cute little (safe, snug, secure!) house, and take a deep, cleansing breath.  Ahhhhhh.  Home. (Just kidding.  That’s the Governor’s Palace in Colonial Williamsburg.  HERE is my house!!!)

I headed out for my walk after work in a very hot 94*.  When I left the house I just wasn’t thinking about taking water along, but soon realized it was a foolish venture in the heat without a drink.

 I had just made a little loop around the block and was heading down Wren when my neighbor burst out the door.  “You need water!” she yelled, running out through her yard.  “It’s too hot to be walking.”

I did feel mildly embarrassed that I was fool-hearty enough to just get ‘er done regardless of being safe and sensible.  But she handed me the very cold bottle of water and said to keep drinking all around the block.  I thanked her and realized I was indeed ready for the cold drink.  Her little gray dog sat happily in the shade of their tree, watching the transaction.

So I was the recipient of two acts of kindness today.  A very dear, old friend (by old I mean knowing 49 years!) brought me the very first zucchini and pepper from his summer garden, because good things should happen to good people!  And then the neighbor rescued my thoughtless tail by keeping me alive in the heat! 

So I am going to keep my eyes open to see how I can keep the chain moving, and do something for someone else… just because I can!  Have a great day!

Although I did not have a book booth this year to sell LETTERS TO MARY, I was able to make it over to Dan Rice Days for a few hours late Saturday evening.  We got to Mom’s about 6pm, and visited a bit before we headed over.  There seemed to be less craft booths this year – possibly because they had upped the cost of renting a space.

After walking around looking at the wares for sale, we settled on French Fries and fresh lemonade for supper, then met up with the tour guide for the History Walk.  I’ve been on them several times in years past – both History tours and Ghost Walks – and they are amazingly fun.  I was happy to see that my friend Stephanie Wincik was taking us on the walk!  It was good to catch up with her, and follow her around Girard to hear about the history of the town, of Dan Rice and his circus, of the Underground Railroad and Rev. Shipman, and of the Battles family and the two museums that were their homes.  It was one of my favorite parts of the trip.

When I posted this picture of the ‘White House’ (Charlotte Elizabeth Battles’ home) I said that the person in front was the president!  And he could be – although he is in reality Ron Shafer who made the trip with me.  We both loved the History Walk!

The next day after dinner, we took a few pails (as Grama Crooks would call them!) and went berry picking in Mom and John’s side yard.  We picked blackberries (complete with appropriate number of scratches and jabs) and blueberries.  It made us feel like kids again, picking berries and having purple fingers, sneaking bites when no one was watching!

Freddie the cat was skeptical of us and kept his distance, but he was interested in what we were doing.  He was dive-bombed a few times by a hummingbird and did a total flip, which had mom and I laughing at his antics. 

It was a great trip, and we had a lovely visit, and it’s always very hard to go home and leave my darling parents waving goodbye in the driveway.  So glad for the fellowship and love when special hearts spend special time together!  Already looking forward to the next trip!

I know life can’t always be easy, and pleasant, and even sensible.  But some days it just seems tough.  I try to keep my posts light-hearted and upbeat, and mostly that is genuinely how I feel.  But this has been a rough week – and it’s only Wednesday morning!  I have felt like Christian in Pilgrim’s Progress, with my backpack full of rocks.

Admittedly most of those rocks we put in the backpack ourselves; deciding that we will lug them around when we have the option of turning everything over to God to handle.  But even though God will handle any issues, there are times when we do NOT choose the rocks – someone else puts them in.  I think it’s often harder to let the rocks behind when we are holding anger or frustration towards someone who caused our anguish.

I considered a walk at 2:55am, when I was tossing and turning.  The moon was bright enough to tempt me, but I couldn’t make myself get dressed.  Instead, I opted for a few games of computer solitaire and reading old emails.  I even read a chapter in the book I’m reading – a Civil War time-travel sort of story, which I am really enjoying.  That helped but I couldn’t sleep.  I think my fitbit said 3 hours 55 minutes of sleep….  Alas….

BUT!   You cannot let yourself get down so low that it consumes you — as my dad would say, you have to take off your shoes to brush your teeth.  So I will be like Anne  (of Green Gables) and say that it is a new day – with no mistakes in it, even ones that I don’t make myself!  I cannot change some (most???) of the things that will happen today, but I can change how I deal with it and what my attitude is.  So Anne-girl, here we go.  It’s a wild ride, but we have lots of people to make us smile and one Friend in particular who will carry the rocks, if we let Him.

Have a blessed day!!!

On Saturday July 23rd, we had an all-camp reunion at Camp Christian.  This place – as the sign says – is truly set apart; a place where kids and staff came together to live God. According to camp records, the land was purchased in 1941 and was open to campers in 1942.

Driving through the stone pillars at the entrance always felt like going into another world.  A week (or maybe just a day(s) for the younger ones) at camp meant you never knew what was going to happen; what adventures you were going to have, what spiritual journey you would embark on, what life-changing moments you would experience.  I remember by name some of the early campers and staff, many of whom I never saw after that week, and many whom I still call friends to this day.

The pool was such a huge part of camp life, and a favorite part.  And although it wasn’t an entirely spiritual part, the best parts were the baptisms in the pool at the end of the week. My son was baptized in the camp pool, along with his best friend.

In those old days, the boys dorm was above the rec center, and the girls were in a circle of cabins that had a no-boys policy except for prayer circles around the flag pole.  That is not to say that the boys didn’t occasionally wander in there, to the feigned indigence of the girls! Now there are two huge dorms up near the ball fields; House of Eve, and House of Adam.  Still a no-boys policy past the House of Adam.  OF COURSE it’s strictly adhered to!

The old white clapboard chapel has long since disappeared, replaced by the newer, larger, all-purpose chapel.  The original Mill House – back before camp was CAMP – was replaced several years ago by a modern facility that easily houses staff and serves as the kitchen, dining room, and camp store.

A lot about the campus has changed, but really, nothing has changed.  It’s still a place set apart; a place where campers and staff come together to live God.  The programs and buildings may be altered, but God has remained steadfast and remained the center of camp since the first campers set foot in the dorms.

I have great memories of my weeks of camp, and my kids and grandkids have been part of that place set apart.  My nephew and his wife just took their son up for his camp week after church today.  I know Isaac will have a great time and come home with a renewed relationship with God, and a closer bond with those he spent the week with.

And a huge thanks to all those who have made it their ministry to support camp – and live God!

I’m not sure what else I can say about my mom that I haven’t said over and over before; other than the fact that having her for a mother has blessed not only my life but countless others — including our families above and below her generation.

This is the generation above her –  I believe her mom is the far right back row.  I’ve heard story after story about her and her siblings growing up, and going to her Grama’s and visiting her aunts and uncles.  A lot of love and respect and faith was gained from that family, who are a part of her history and mine.

This is her family when she was young, taken in their side yard with the chicken coup in the left background.  Those fields are now tall with trees and grown up to hide the hills.  My Grama Crooks is front right, Aunt Joan front center, Grandad Crooks front left, with mom behind him.  Uncle Jim in the back center with Aunt Hazel on the back right.  I love this photo.  Sometimes when we look at our parents/grandparents/aunts/cousins – we forget they had a life of their own, and it was so vastly different than ours we cannot begin to understand how they were raised!

This is Uncle Jim, Aunt Hazel, and my mom on the far right.  She doesn’t look too happy in that picture! But I think they are all quite good looking.

Eventually Mom married my dad, and became a wife and mother.  All her life she had been learning and growing, and had lots of knowledge, faith, and love to share with Kathy and I, as well as all those who would gather around her through the years.

Today – July 20th, my mother is 86 years old.  She has shared 66 of those years with me.  I am more blessed and honored than I can say to have her as my mom, and with this post am sending equal amounts of love and appreciation for her support and belief in me.  Thanks, Mom – and happy birthday.  Here’s to MANY MANY MORE!  Love you!

Seems like I’m running behind these days – too much going on to keep up with, then nothing at all and I get lazy!  But last weekend we celebrated independence, and anyone who knows me know that it is my favorite holiday and also my favorite historical time period.  The Book LETTERS TO MARY is Civil War, which is also dear to me, but Colonial History is in my heart.  Would I be a Patriot or Loyalist?  I’m amazingly loyal and unmoved.  I will have to think about that.

Last Saturday evening as the sun was setting, I heard the fireworks display in my neighborhood start off with a bang – several bangs!  We have a neighbor several blocks down that can rival any professional display, and normally he does that on the 4th.  But as I walked I was convinced that he was indeed setting them off right then!  I picked up the pace and joined the crowd at the bottom of the hill. 

I know we stood there for 45 minutes, watching and appreciating the lights and sparkles and even the noise.  What would fireworks be, after all, without all the booms and crackles?  I don’t know any of those people, but they were chatting and sharing and enjoying the show.  I dare say that most of them were invited to this ‘bash’ and had known about it beforehand.  I just feel thankful to stand there and watch and soak it all in.  

July 4th, 2016, may be past us, but our independence – and the protection of that lifestyle – should be appreciated every day, all the time.  I am thankful to live in this country, to feel blessed by God’s hand even when things go terribly wrong, and to have the choices that I have each morning.  Have a great year, and stop to consider every single day the cost of becoming and remaining independent.  God Bless!

What a beautiful day it was today!  The Arts and Heritage Festival at Twin Lakes has been in full swing since Thursday but today was my first visit out there.  My friend and fellow writer (very talentedly prolificly successful!) Ed Kelemen had a book table on the Heritage Trail, and invited several authors to join him.  Bev was there with her psychic book, Linda had her time-travel fantasies, and I was there with Letters to Mary.  Ed – of course – sold quite a number of his book.  Ghost stories and paranormal are very popular! The rest fared ok but no records set!

I was very excited to be there, and to spend the day with special friends: fun people and great writers.  Ron stopped by late in the day, and Ed’s daughter Kat was there, as well.  Thanks, Ed, for the invitation and the opportunity you presented us all!

Then to cap off the day, when I returned home my Amazon order had arrived!  I can’t wait to get started on reading this newest book – this is one of my FAVORITE authors and I wait hungrily for each new book.  I know what I will spend part of my day doing!

All of these great things in one day – plus a long walk in the dusk watching neighborhood fireworks – and another whole day OFF tomorrow to celebrate Independence!  Happy birthday USA!!!