Sunday, April 24th, my middle grandson Logan turned 9 – on the day he was born:  again!  I tried to download the video, but with my unskilled computer knowledge it kept saying it was too large to transfer.  🙁  But Logan asked back in March if he could be baptized – immersed – on his birthday.  His parents and ministers talked to him and gave him a workbook – to be certain he understood his choice and what it meant.

So early on Sunday morning Autmn and I drove to Martin’s Ferry Christian Church and took part in their worship service, and at the end of the morning, Logan’s dad went down into the water with him and performed the baptism – transformation into a Child of God!  It was exciting and amazing and emotional and wonderful!  So proud of this little guy and the huge decision he made to choose Jesus!

Back at the Hancher house, Matt manned the grill (burgers and dogs) while several of us handled the rest:  homemade mac/cheese, strawberries, watermelon, corn, baked beans, chips, and sweet tea.  After eating way too much (strawberries went like WILDFIRE!), we gathered in the living room and watched Logan open his presents.  There were some gifts that even I would have loved to get!!  Chase was so excited for his brother he was grinning ear to ear!  We sang happy birthday and then had Oreo Ice Cream Cake for dessert.

The afternoon wound down with the guys playing a mini game of soft ball, the kids watching the new Star Wars video, the dogs basically lying around in the sun — I opted for a run to West Virginia.  Before you think this is an amazing feat – it’s only about 3/4 of a mile!  The neighbor’s 3 brown horses pranced up near the fence to great me on the way past – they are beautiful horses!  I ran back through the covered bridge and across the bottom yard to the pigpen and personally introduced myself to Baconator, Blackbeard, and Second Breakfast – which were totally unimpressed with my presence.  The boys found a snake on the hill – Kelly whacked it with a shovel and threw it in the creek.  So it was a very animal-istic afternoon!

Autmn slept most of the hour’s drive home, and we were glad to be back safe and sound.  But I want to say a huge HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my Logan – with wishes for many more, and a loving, dedicated life lived for God every single day!  Love you, my little one!

Last night – Friday – it was Chrissy’s turn!  Nate had several things going on at once, so I offered to take Chrissy to Blairsville to meet her mom.  Chrissy was not quite as chatty as Autmn had been, but we still talked about the state school tests, recess (I gather that’s her favorite), and her violet Bear that she dressed in a blue striped onsie. 

The great exchange went without a hitch, and when I left they were playing the lottery at Sheetz.  I buzzed across the street to Walmart to do some long over-due grocery shopping – plus a birthday gift my Logan (smile).  When I walked out of the store, dusk was just falling, and the bright pink sky was very striking.  It wasn’t until I was in my car that I thought about taking a picture. 

Every time I would go over a small rise, the trees would clear and I would see the sunset again.  It followed me into New Alexandria, where I could just see the misty fog rising from the ground.  It’s very hard to take a photo when you’re stopped at a traffic light, but I tired.  You can barely see the layer of clouds resting above the earth.  The amazing thing is the little ‘ tower’ of gray lifting from the pink glow of the sunset.

As I came down the little hill into New Alex, the striking contrast of the colors from the car lights, traffic signals, and businesses at the corner really struck me.  The rain made everything dazzle.

I got home in time to unload and put away groceries, do 2 miles on the treadmill, wash a load of laundry, make Logan’s Oreo Ice Cream cake, and grab a quick snack before falling into bed at 11:30.  So this week I got my ‘Burke girls’ fix, and tomorrow I will see my Hancher boys.  Great balance, if you ask me!

I had the unexpected opportunity tonight to spend a delightful evening with Autmn!  Her dad was working late – Chris was at the sitters – so I popped over to check on Autmn and just decided to stay with her until he got home.

She was just getting ready to make cheesy garlic shells for supper, but stuck them off to the side to take a walk with me.  We went in a big loop, and she pointed out all her friends’ houses, who lived where, and what grade they were in.  We talked about the PSSA’s (State testing at school), wearing shorts to school, and a bee in her classroom.

After she cooked and ate her shells, we talked about favorite foods (KRAFT macaroni and cheese, canned sliced potatoes, tacos, mashed potatoes!), and tried to find Tigress the cat, who was hiding somewhere … well enough so we couldn’t find her.  It was stuffy in the house, so we went out for another walk, and went the other direction this time.

There’s a quaint little creek (crik???) below their plan, and the kids love to play down there.  They have their little secret entrances and special places – Chrissy even found a $20 bill floating there a few weeks ago!  Autmn took a second to show me her favorite spot, and climbed on the branch of a fallen tree for a photo shoot.  It really did look inviting, and very fun, as I’m a creek kind of girl myself.

We walked back home, and came across a back yard full of violets, clover and dandelions in bloom.  It was so inviting you wanted to take your shoes off and just run around – but Autmn sternly warned me about the bee possibility.  So I refrained.

A big thanks to Autmn for the lovely evening – and even though I had a chore list waiting for me at my house, it was well worth the trade off to spend those hours with my Miss Autmn!

Well, Pig day again has come and gone!  Last year -2015 – the day after Easter found us making the trip to the Marshall farm in Smicksburg, PA.  We spent the day roaming and visiting and meeting the pigs.

 These little guys grew REALLY big – they had a short but happy and fulfilling life at the Hancher ranch, and ended up placing very well at the 4H showing at the West Alex fair on Labor Day. 

Spring is once again upon us, the time to begin again, and last weekend Kelly, Matt, Peyton and Logan made the trip to the Marshall farm to choose the piggies.  It was a quick trip this time – nasty cold weather, snow and wind, and a hectic schedule got in the way.  I did not even go along this time.

But along came Baconator, Blackbeard, and Second Breakfast (Right to left), and these ‘three little pigs’ are settled in their new home on the Hancher ranch.  The boys do an excellent job taking care of their pigs, and by the time the fair rolls around, these piggies will be WAY bigger! 

I will be heading to West Alex next Sunday for Logan’s birthday, and will meet these guys for myself.  They are noisy and skitterish and pretty much don’t like people at this point, so I’m sure it won’t be a warm and cuddly exchange, but it’s very fun to see how small they are now and compare them to the finished show-pig. (Pictured with Peyton is the 2014 grown up pig!)

Good luck, boys!  I am confident you have winners here!  Oink!

  I have to say that this year’s weather – so far – has been puzzling and confusing.  I’m not really sure WHAT season it is!
I like to walk in my neighborhood, and I noticed the other day as I walked that my neighbors aren’t really sure either.  The first sign is evidenced by the valentine flag hanging on a mailbox over on Quail.

I didn’t have to go very far until I found another flag, this time with a snowman and a snowy background.  The puppies look cold.  If you were outside any time last Saturday you were too, as we woke up to snow and ended up with blizzard-like squalls before noon!  But that’s a story for another day – one I share with my friend Di.

I finally felt a little bit of encouragement when I saw a tree swing over on the next block.  I heard kids running and shouting in the back yard, and knew that they were enjoying a little bit of outside time.

I know I’ve been too quiet on here lately – unaccountably distracted – but hopefully that little sojourn is behind me and I can keep up with this again.  I’m totally looking forward to playing in the dirt; pulling weeds, cutting dead stalks from last fall’s flowers, straightening out the decorative stones, cleaning up the clutters of dead leaves.  I see persistent little shoots sticking up, and am taking that as the promise of spring.  Bring it on!!!

Once again this year I had the honor of attending Action for Animal’s ‘LOVE IS IN THE AIR’ fundraiser at the Latrobe Country Club.  Smail Auto is an underwriter for the event, and several of us attend to represent the company.  It’s a beautiful, worthy event and raises money to keep the shelter operating.

Latrobe Police officer Robert Derk and his K-9 partner Officer Rocky attended the function.  Rocky is a German Shepherd that has been part of the Latrobe Police Unit since 2011.

Officer Derk shared details about their training and service.  They have been deployed 550 times and have made 35 suspect apprehensions, 3 of which were ‘use of force’ apprehensions. It was obvious that there was mutual love, loyalty, and even a measure of canine respect between these two partners.

Because the care and training of these canines are not funded by the police department, funds must be raised through donations and grants.  After watching some of the training simulation videos and hearing the stories of their service, one could not help but want to be part of their support.  If you want to donate to Rocky or to the K-9 program, you can do so by sending your gifts to the Latrobe K-9 fund c/0 Latrobe Police Department.  It’s a worthy program and I was amazed and impressed by their devotion to duty and each other.

But back to the evening.  There were almost 30 donated baskets, plus a silent auction and ‘adopt a dog for a month’ opportunity – in addition to the door prize.  It seems like Snoopy even decided to take part! I didn’t win anything (typical for me!) but my co-worker Sue won the 50/50 raffle.  I was very excited for her!

In addition to all the other festivities, there were very yummy Hors d’oeuvres and pastries for the guests.  My favorites were the mini-meatballs in sauce and the heart-shaped sugar cookies with pink sprinkles.

It was a fun, lovely evening, and I encourage anyone to do some research into the K-9 programs.  They put their lives on the line every time they are called out, and our financial/emotional support means a lot to them.  Consider making a donation – it’s one of the better things in life you could do! 

Latrobe K-9 Fund    CITY OF LATROBE    901 Jefferson Street    Latrobe PA  15650

In a galaxy far, far away – several (??) years ago – a little bundle of blessing came into my life – and she has indeed been an immeasurable blessing!  I am unfortunately not very computer literate so I couldn’t figure out how to scan and drop photos into the website, so I don’t have any ‘young’ photos.  But Kelly has been a delight since the hour when she was born and turned over in her little bed at Jeannette hospital!  I have watched her grow through years of directing dance productions in the basement, teaching the neighbor girls how to twirl her colorguard flags, being an invaluable nanny to miss Leanne, being a valued editor of Messiah college newspaper the Swinging Bridge, traveling France and Europe, helping as a youth sponsor, and bringing joy and smiles to my life.  She brought Matt into our family in 2002, and added precious time and love to her first little niece Autmn Rose (pictured) and then Chrissy.

The year Peyton (her firstborn) was a baby her and I took Jacob and Autmn to Presque Isle for a weekend vacation. She was the ‘planner’ and the reason that the little ones had so much fun!

Thankfully she accepted the position of spray director for the kid one August afternoon, or all of us would have been soaked!

Before I even realized how is happened (although I do know how it happened!!!) she had 3 little boys to love and care for, and of course share with me! Peyton, Logan, and Chase are stars in my heaven! I am so thankful for the lovely woman she has become, the wife, mother, and daughter that she is.

She completes our family – one that was special and important from the very beginning – even when she made her brother crazy.  But I think he’s gotten even for that many times over !! 

The year that Autmn could not be at the Easter Egg hunt, she picked up a bag and gathered eggs to share with her.

I know I could go on and on – about her place in the community, in the school where she works, with the sports teams that Matt and the boys are part of, her in-laws, her friends, her church, her faith — they all speak of her life as a daughter of Love and Peace and Light – and I’m proud that she’s mine.  So my little girl – even though you aren’t little any more – you’ll always be my little girl and I love you to the moon and back!  Have a great celebration of you!  And thanks for being you!

We have definitely had a winter adventure tonight!  I’ll admit that it wasn’t (or isn’t) really a blizzard, but we are certainly dealing with some snow.  This is probably the first significant snow we have had this season.

Predictions were crazy from one end of the scale to the other.  Someone posted on facebook that the forecast was a possible 1 inch to 2 feet.  I guess we’ll know when we know.  It started to get a little dicey just before I left work, and the roads were not clear;  traffic was tangled and there were cars everywhere.  Part way home I noticed my ‘door ajar’ light on.  Now how had that happened?  I obviously couldn’t stop on Route 30, so I waited until I got off the West Newton Street ramp and pulled over.  The back hatch was not secure.  I had tried to open it before I left work, but as the doors were locked I didn’t get it.  But I guess I DID get it open; thankfully it stayed closed until I got it tight again.

I was glad to pull into my garage, and thankful I didn’t have to go back out.  I called Nate to see if Chrissy was coming over.  I didn’t want to drive and I suspected he didn’t either.  I got my answer about 20 minutes later.  They were on their way:  WALKING!!  It’s not as bad as it sounds; his place is 1.27 miles as the crow flies.  So they bundled up on their end, I bundled on mine, and met them part way.  We gave hugs all around in the middle of St. John’s Church Road, then parted ways. Once at my house, Chris stood near the heater to warm up, then had a chocolate chip cookie.  That, my friends, cures all ills, including the chills!!!

We waited until a little after 8pm then bundled up again.  This time with more layers as we would be out longer.  It’s so much easier to clear the driveway and walks a little at a time, and there was already several inches, drifted higher in spots.  Immediately Chrissy grabbed her snow saucer and went flying down the driveway.  I must say, the sled traveled well, and she was laughing with delight.  So I shoveled, she sledded, and I had to do some fancy steps to avoid the flying granddaughter down my driveway!  I regret to say that she made quite a solid path.  I’m hoping that by the time I have to get the Mazda out we’ll have enough tread to make it to the top! 

Once Chrissy was completely tired of thoroughly packing down the snow on the driveway, she chucked the sled and declared she was going in.  My admonishment to put the sled away, pick up the discarded scarf and hat, and throw her wet clothes in the dryer, was short lived.  The next thing I know she was outside in her sock feet, flying on the sled down the drive again!  Oh, brother.

She grabbed her boots and gloves again – -plus the extra shovel – and challenged me to a race.  She’s strong and quick and her side was cleared before mine was.  I could say my side was wider, I could say I’m older than she is, I could say her shovel was bigger.  But, she beat me.  I finished the sidewalk while she threw herself in the yard to make a snow angel, one glove totally missing — but that hand wasn’t cold.  ???  We put everything away, closed up the garage, and got Chris into a warm shower.  She is now eating ANOTHER chocolate chip cookie, this time as a reward for a fun adventure in the snow. 

I’m pretty sure we’ll have to do this all again in the morning.  But don’t worry, Daddy.  We do have both gloves.  You can relax!!! 🙂

On January 21, 2003, Autmn Rose Stairs-Burke entered this world at Westmoreland Hospital, wrapped in a pink blanket and snuggled in her daddy’s arms.  We were so excited for Nate and Jaime as they presented the grandmothers with their first grandchild.  What a blessing!

It didn’t take long to see that she would take after her paternal grandmother in the gardening department, and was soon digging and planting right beside me. Gardner in training!
I could not believe how fast she grew – and soon she was running about the yard, laughing and looking for eggs that the Easter Beagle had hidden.  These days, she helps him HIDE the eggs, rather than looks for them.

I’ve watched her grow from playing with dolls to showing ME how to enhance my text messages and change my computer settings.  She loves lime green, listens to 96.1 (unlike her Y108 grammy!), keeps and collects everything she can get her hands on, likes to help teach Sunday School with me in the 4’s and 5’s class, and still wears a size 7/8!  She loves the fact that she used to live with me, and can recite her genealogy (all branches!) without batting an eye.  She likes being by herself sometimes but also likes all her brothers and sisters — step, half, or otherwise!  

I thought she looked so grown up last year-  but now she’s 13.  I can’t wait to see where this year will take her – and I’m so glad to be the ‘grammy’ that’s there for the ride!   Love you Miss Autmn!!!  Happy birthday!!!

After several weeks of delays, Kath and I finally made it up I-79 to Albion to visit with our parents.  We made our customary stop at the Edinboro Walmart for Kitty food and pulled into the drive at about 8pm. It’s always so great to see them smiling and looking so good!  Hugs all around!

We lugged the luggage to our bedrooms, then settled down to have Christmas.  It’s so fun to watch the paper fall away and see the reactions to what was inside.  I think the biggest ‘hit’ was the huge coffee-table book that Santa left for John.  It was all about tractors; their history, their pictures — just fun!  He poured over the pages as if they contained buried treasure – I’m convinced they did!

A fairly new addition to the family is the kitty –  he showed up one September day, hiding under my car and then burying himself in the blackberry bushes beside the garden shed.  The stray that couldn’t stay is now an inside cat, entertaining my parents with his antics and worming his little way into their hearts.  He sleeps on a rag-rug on the table by the washing machine in the basement, and likes to take naps on the air-conditioner in the dining room. 

Fred did NOT warm up to either Kath or I, even with a steady coaxing effort of tiny treats.  Maybe he’ll eventually relax and let us scratch his ears, but in the meantime he hides under the TV stand or dashes around the table if we get too close.

After a super-yummy lunch of Lake Erie Perch (caught by John’s son-in-law!), John turned on the basketball game and lost himself in the baskets and referee whistles.  Mom, Kath, and I sat around in the parlor and talked about family – Mom’s parents, grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles.  We love hearing stories about these people that we barely remember but are part of our ancestry! 

The hardest part is always backing out the driveway to head home.  Today it was even a little harder, because as we turned right onto Route 6N, a little icy mix greeted our travels.  The roads were slippery, and we took extra time to get to I-79 South.  Thankfully the remainder of the trip was clear and safe, and we arrived home in good time, tired but happy, with great memories and hearts full of love and the blessing of a cherished family.  AND…. the happy thoughts of the next trip as soon as we can manage it!   Love you!!!