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!!!

Today 40 people gathered on 40 acres to celebrate 30 years of love and marriage with our wonderful parents.  People came from Virginia, the Carolina’s, (almost) West Virginia, Tennessee, and several parts of Pennsylvania. It wasn’t easy to pull off this surprise with so many people involved, but I think we WERE able to surprise them.  When I showed up with Autmn, then Nate and Chrissy walked in, they didn’t quite know what to think!  But as the hour passed, car after car loaded with food and family pulled into their drive, until John’s kids, grandkids, and great grandkids – and Mom’s kids, grandkids, and great grandkids – all bustled around the house and yard.

My day started at 5am, and by 7:15 we were on the road, loaded down with sun tents, lawn chairs, coolers, drinks, food, games, balloons, streamers, and excitement.  We could have probably fed 40 more people, but I don’t know where we’d have put them! John’s family is much larger – and much more spread out – but what a great representation came to celebrate!

We took the opportunity to get some special photos – Kath and I took all our grandkids (and a few adults!) making a pyramid in the yard.  My family stepped together for a quick photo – one of the rare times we were ALL at the same place at the same time!

All of Mom’s family (except for three!) crowded around Mom and John on the porch for a photo, and after we dispersed John’s family started getting photos, too. We had a wonderful day visiting and playing and talking and eating and catching up – I know we left two tired but happy people behind at the end of the day.

When the crowd started to thin out, some of the group drove over to Lake Erie (Beach 11!) and hit the sand and sun for a few hours, while some were just sort of worn out from having so much fun!

It was very exciting to spend time together, and to celebrate a beautiful marriage and a precious family. 

God Bless us Every One! 

This is my M&M shelf.  I love it.  I just filled it this morning.  Anyone who can open a fresh bag of M&M’s and not grab some and munch is not quite normal (sorry) – even if they are a gizillion weight-watcher points (which they are).

And even more especially if they are the red white and blue ones that aren’t that easy to find.  That’s why I always grab the party size bags when I see them.  Takes me through Memorial day, Flag day, July 4th, Labor day, and any other day I can think of!  So grab some – you gotta do it.  Just sayin’ …..

30 years ago today my mom – Dorothy Crooks Steiner – married John R Graves Sr.  I don’t think he realized he was getting a packaged deal.

Mom had known John most of her life, but life took them down different paths until 1986, when their paths joined in a different way. They were married on a beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon, in a little white country church in Home, PA.  Family and friends from both the Steiner/Crooks side and the Graves side were there to help them celebrate – then Mom moved lock, stock, and furniture to Albion – a 40 acre farm and a three story house.  She went back to her country roots, after being in Greensburg for over 30 years.

And it worked.  We have all watched our parents make a wonderful life together, full of happiness, laughter, hard work, devotion to the Lord, and lots of cats.  I’m sure there were some hard times in there, too – but they were wise enough to know what to do about that.  They have traveled through hardship and plenty, both of their cancer surgeries and recoveries, and lots of cats.  There was gardening and mowing and weeding and lots of cats.  But they loved each other through it all – and still do.

I know from talking to John’s family that Mom has been a blessing to them, bringing them together in a way that helped them grow closer.  And I know for a fact that John has been a blessing to our family – opening his home and his heart and his love to us any time, all the time.  We wish them a happy celebration of their 30 years, and although it may be unlikely that there will be 30 more, we can honestly wish them MANY more, so they can truly say their cup runneth over!  We love you!  Happy anniversary!!

I have been blessed to have two wonderful fathers in my life!  I was born on Father’s day – how do you follow up THAT with a gift??? But I remember my dad – Cliff – as being a fun-loving, friendly, generous, good man.  He created fun wherever he went, and always left people feeling better about themselves when he left. Our adventures took us from Home, PA, (where Mom’s family lived) – where eventually it included a colony of Amish friends – to horses in the back yard and a retail parts counter in our utility room.  I’m thankful to have these memories of a loving dad.

That being said, thanks to my Mom’s gentle heart, Kathy and I gained a second father – John – who has really been a dad to us over the last 30 years.  He has been faithful, steadfast, insightful, supportive, humorous, full of wonderful life stories, a true example of Christ – and most of all, he has loved our MOTHER. He has opened their home to us without question, and enfolded us with love and PATIENCE!  And I believe it has taken quite a lot of patience over these 30 years! 

So today, on FATHER’S DAY, I was to express my gratitude for having been nurtured and loved by two wonderful dads.  I wouldn’t be the person I am today without both of them in my life!  Have a great day, John – I’ll give you hugs next weekend!!!