Fourteen years ago on January 21^st we were waiting for a little bundle to arrive.  I had to work late and just barely walked into the hospital waiting room when little Autmn Rose Stairs Burke entered the world. 

Her life has been a series of ups and downs – great moments of joy and fun, and hard moments of struggle.  She slept in dresser drawers and Snoopy cribs, hopped from one house to the other, and just tried to figure out her life.

But I have seen in the last few months that she is growing up.  She’s pretty and smart and has really been working on doing the right thing – which is hard for all of us!  She splits her time with her mom and sisters, her dad and Chrissy, her Nanna, and me.  I’m always excited to spend time with my Autmn, just hanging at the house or going out on missions or outings of some kind.

Last week when she was over, I showed her my new Samsung tablet, and the one app that I had downloaded.  She just looked at me.  Before fifteen minutes had passed, we had downloaded facebook, and the weather app, and the Hallmark Channel, and several other things that I wanted to have.  So now, thanks to Miss Autmn, I’m all set!

I look forward to what this year will bring – before another year passes, she will move from the middle school to the high school (yikes!), and before two years pass she will be talking about driving.  How does time go by so fast?

Happy birthday, Autmn – I’m really excited to see what comes next for you.  And I will pray for wisdom and peace and joy in your life, every single day!  

My sister Kathy and I came to the conclusion a long time ago that we were the true ‘Mary and Martha’ sister-types. 

She is by FAR Mary in every way.  She has the heart for ministering to others in any situation, and is loving, kind, insightful, and very giving.  She gets strength and energy from sitting at the feet of Jesus.  She is tender, yet strong in standing for the principles of God’s word. 

I am the Energizer Bunny Martha – always busy with something.  I am in my element when I am cleaning, working, and being behind the scenes.  I am not comfortable interacting with groups of people, most especially when I don’t know them well.

We all know that story; Martha was frustrated that Mary sat talking to Jesus when she was doing all the work.  When Martha spoke her mind, Jesus praised Mary for choosing the better part.

Being Martha, I spend a lot of time thinking about that scenario.  The obvious reaction is that we should all be encouraged to be Mary.  But I want to present another point of view (not disagreeing with Mary’s choice, of course!).

If Martha spent enough time with Jesus to feel comfortable approaching him with her concerns, then they were very close.  This was not a stranger, nor was He someone she felt intimidated by.

I am very uncomfortable in social situations.  I do not like mingling and I am not good at meeting new people.  I’d rather be behind the scenes, doing busy work and making things happen.  And not because I want credit for anything; I love to serve others and I love a good project with the end result of a job well done. 

Perhaps Martha felt that way.  She knew Mary had chosen well, but was afraid that she, Martha, could never meet the expectations of others the way Mary could.  So she was trying to redeem herself by placing undo significance on the menial tasks that she took upon herself.

I’m sure there were a lot of emotions running through Martha’s mind that day, as would be mine.  And I’m also sure some of them stemmed from feeling frustrated and maybe inadequate.  But I have to trust that God will see the love and devotion of those of us who are Martha.  And those of us who are Martha can maybe make more effort to sit at the feet of Jesus. 

These are just my humble reflections, just so you know that. And by the way, I could never figure out how anyone could have eaten that day if everyone was sitting!!! Just sayin’……..

I can look outside my door as I sit here, and see the brown, dirty landscape.  In winter, it feels like everything has died and left us void of life and color.

But the roots and seeds and sprouts of spring just sit dormant, waiting for warmer temperatures and sunshine.  Then they will burst forth with life and color, and the world will rejoice!  Although summer is my favorite season (give me bare feet, 90*, and shorts any day!), the arrival of spring lifts my soul.  Winter is the time that God has determined that his earth (at least in Western Pennsylvania!) needs a rest. 

As we all do.

I keep busy – I love being busy and having things to do.  I make lists and take on projects and get involved in many things, including my jobs.  I often refuse to let myself take a break, or be ‘tired’, or just say ‘no’ now and again.  But just like winter, I need to be dormant, and feel the quiet calm around me.  God did not design us to be busy and engaged every minute. 

I am giving myself my own advise here.  It’s very difficult for me to let up on my schedule. But these past few weeks have found me taking a little extra time in the evening to sit and read, or fall asleep on the couch.  It’s my winter, so I’ll make a cup of hot tea, grab my current read, and let myself relax just a bit.  Spring is around the corner, so look out!

Kathy and I had a lovely couple of days visiting Mom and John.  We traveled up on Friday evening, and even with a traditional stop at Edinboro Walmart we were there before 7pm.  It was nice to get hugs all around and catch up on what was happening.

Saturday morning Kath and I did our 2 mile hike up the road (no forks this time!) and oooohed and aaaahed over the preacher’s house-in-progress.  Every time there is a little more to see.  Great job, Byron and friends!

John was content to stay out of the rain, but Kath and Mom and I went over to the Thrifty Shopper to eye up some specials they had.  We stopped at the consignment shop in downtown Albion, then buzzed into Sure Fine for one of their famous roasted chickens for lunch.  We topped that off with carrot cake and ice cream and it was a fabulous lunch!  Cleaning up was a snap with so many happy hands helping!

John was making a trip outside, probably to check on the bird feed, and modeled his new hoodie, a Christmas gift from his daughter Barb.  It’s fluorescent yellow, and makes it very easy for mom to spot John when he’s wandering around in the gardens. 

All too soon it was time to head back down I-79, to our home and to the obligations of every day life.  But our little retreat is always refreshing, as we are refueled by love and precious family time!  Can’t wait until next time!  Love you guys!

TODAY was beef day – something that has been a tradition in our family for most of the last 25 years.  My uncle (and now his grandson) raise beef cattle, and every fall we put our heads together to organize a day that the already-butchered cow can be cut, trimmed, wrapped, and / or ground into hamburger.

I really didn’t take any pictures this year – except for the over-flowing freezer full of Nate’s portion (middle and bottom) and my portion (top).  This photo is from last year. Looks like a Flintstone’s steak for their backyard Bar-B-Que! 

Our dearest Aunt was in the hospital, recovering from a recent illness, and my uncle was in there visiting her.  But Jason (grandson) stepped in to save the day and help Nate and Dave make the major cuts and trim off the steaks and roasts.  We call worked at trimming the meat for grinding – until I stepped away to handle lunch.  Feeding seven hard-working beefers is a big deal!  We had all pitched in and spread a feast of lasagna, broccoli-chicken cassarole, Italian bread, salad, and chocolate pudding cake.  Yum! 

Having a freezer full of home-fed, well-raised beef is a great opportunity, but the conversation, hard work, and ‘bonding’ are the best parts of the experience.  We were blessed that by the time Jason had to leave, Uncle Clifford had arrived to finish out the day’s work.  We all pitched in to get the work space, tables, saws, and grinder all scrubbed and cleaned, ready to be tucked away until next season’s butchering.

As we prepared to leave, Uncle Clifford talked about what they had gone through in the past three weeks with my aunt’s illness, and how God had carried them all through these past very rough times.  We formed a prayer circle, held hand, and prayed together, a blessing that few realize in this world today.  I am indeed blessed with this loving family – and close friends (Sarah and Lynn) who are exactly like family – and it was a precious day with an even more precious end.  The 90 minute drive home had Kathy and I reflecting on the day’s events, and how a day spent with family is indeed more precious than silver or gold – or even a freezer full of beef!

And we are already talking about next year!  Love to all, and a huge thank you!!!

Thanksgiving was such fun this year!  It was wonderful to have my family all here and enjoy a day of fun and food.  I am thankful for each one who came, bringing their own offerings of love and joy. But ironically, the day started with a Christmas present!

Peyton climbed out of the van and carried in a long, wrapped plank that looked like a rectangular ironing board.  I could not even imagine what it could be.  He was beaming with excitement and presented it with great flourish.  I took the very heavy object and tour off the paper.

I cannot even tell you the amazement and joy that settled over me when I looked at this present.  Between Peyton and Kelly (his mom/my daughter!) they explained that the evening before Peyton had taken this heavy, rough plank of wood and sanded one side smooth.  Then he had painted the scene – the snowy ground, the blue sky with snowflakes, the bright green trees sparkling with gold ribbon, topped by shining stars.  I was speechless, which for me says a lot.  Even as I write this the tears are in my eyes and on my cheeks.

That little man is beyond talented.  To create such a piece of art and beauty is a blessing and a gift.  I have watched him create his projects from the time he could pick up a crayon, then a hammer, and now this.  I’m not sure I can put it away once Christmas is over!

But after dinner and dessert were over, and we had placed the Nativity pieces in their traditional places (always on Thanksgiving when we are all together), the kids needed something to do.  Peyton and Autmn got out the art paper and masking tape (of all things!), and Peyton set about making a basket (sort of the bottom of a hot-air balloon).  We were looking for something to put inside when we came up with the Peanuts idea.  Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and Woodstock are now floating below the window by my desk, watching me type and taking in the sights.

I am thankful for each person in my family, and all of my ‘grands’ are special in their SPECIAL ways, but this Thanksgiving I am especially thankful for my young grandson with a very loving, giving spirit, that he would present me with something that will last my lifetime and beyond, and for sharing his talents in so many ways.  Love you, buddy!  Thanks from the bottom (and top!) of my heart!!!

On November 3rd, 2005, my daughter gave birth to her first born son — and no, she did not lay him in a manger!  It was more like in a little plexiglass bassinet that wheeled around the hospital. And thus arrived my first grandson.

It was not quite that easy, though.  Matt and Kelly had decided to share their birth of their first child together, and the family was asked to wait until the baby was born.  I sat – and paced – at home until I got the call.  But it was slightly different than I expected.  The baby had lodged itself in a position that made natural birth impossible, so they were prepping Kelly for a C-Section.  Could I come down right away?  Of course I could – but ‘right away’ was an hour’s drive.  It was definitely one of the longest drives of my life!

But backing up a minute – or eleven years!!! – I was scheduled for Jury duty that day, and you don’t just not show up for jury duty.  I was advised to wait until I was called to the judges chambers, explain the issues, and asked to be excused — if I was called at all.  Thankfully, I was NOT called, so I rushed home… to wait! 

I was just pulling into the parking garage when Matt called to tell me that Peyton Matthew Hancher had arrived, and both mother and son were doing fine.  I raced the 47 miles (???) from the parking garage to the maternity ward to see my daughter and her tiny boy. 

Now, in 2016, Peyton has grown into quite a little man – doing well in school, participating in sports, raising pigs for 4H and showing them at the fair, part of the Bible Bowl team, and a huge help to his parents and to Ma (grandmother). Last year he went to his parents and told them he wanted to be immersed, to be baptized and become a child of God and follow Jesus.  That was a happy day, and the angels in heaven rejoiced with us.

So now, as he celebrates being eleven years old, I want to wish him a very happy birthday and many more wonderful years to grow and learn and service God.  Love you, Peyton!  See you next week!!!

What a beautiful weekend!  So hard to believe it’s the end of October and still in the 60’s.  The sun was shining, the sky was bright blue with puffy clouds, and the cows were in their fields.  Kathy and I hit the road for Home early Friday morning, and stopped to visit the aunts (and uncle!).  We got a bonus visit with cousins which made it perfect.

After a picnic lunch at a roadside pulloff, we headed to Route 422 and up I-79 to Albion.  The leaves were spectacularly colored under the bright skies, and we could not help being taken up with the beauty and majesty of it all.  What a glorious drive!  It was great to see our parents looking happy and content, and we were so glad to be spending the time with them.

Because it was such a balmy evening – most likely one of few that would be left – before supper Kath and I took a walk out to Route 18 and back.  The fallen leaves accented the woods, the little ponds, and even the huge red barn near the corner.

We were puzzled, however, over a fork in the road, and were uncertain as to which way to go. 🙂  We decided to ‘leaf’ the way we came and made it back safe and sound.

The next morning, bright and fairly early, we took our 2 mile ‘constitutional’ down Crouch Road and captured the sunrise, as well as the little overflow under the bridge. After breakfast we got to work, cutting tree limbs, carrying dead branches back to the woods, cleaning up leaves, sweeping off the porches, and climbing 100 year old ladders (That was KATH!!!) to unclog the porch gutters.  The friendly birds had deposited seeds and there were clusters of grapes growing from the roof!  Silly birds….

By lunch time we had worked up quite an appetite, and truly enjoyed sizzlers, cauliflower, scalloped potatoes, applesauce, and carrot cake for dessert.  Yum!  The afternoon sped by, and by 4:30pm we were back on our way down I-79, sad to wave goodbye to two dear little parents standing in the drive, but anxious to reach home and our families.  A 30 minute delay by Moraine State Park set us back a bit, but we arrived home tired but refreshed from the lovely days of visiting with the people we love most in life.  So to Aunt Dolly, Aunt Joan, Uncle Clifford, and of course Mom and John, we love you to the MOON and back!!!

Over the last several weeks I’ve had outings every Saturday.  All but one has found me tramping around on cool, cloudy rain-filled days.  But last Saturday – October 15th – was the exception.  My friend Diane from high school invited me to join her and her daughter Shannon on their monthly hike, this time at Moraine State Park.  I pass this State Park every time we make the trip to Mom’s and back, but have never veered off the highway to explore.  So I was excited, and the bright morning sun and calm no-breeze day added to the adventure.  We left Greensburg close to 7:30am, and took a lot of side roads up to Butler and across to Route 422.  It was a very scenic route and not the boring Turnpike/I-79 view that I am accustomed to.  As we pulled into the parking space and got out of the car, I looked over my left shoulder to the lake.  It was beautiful.  The leaves were just beginning to turn colors, with spots of bright red and creamy yellow interspersed. 

The first hike was through the Sunken Garden, and — unlike the Appalachian Trail! — was wide and level and smooth walking.  Shannon is into mushrooms and I got a lovely education about the many different kinds we saw along the trail.  There was also an abundance of wild flowers for so late in the season.  We finished that section and drove to the other side of the lake, where we took the Butterfly Trail, which wound around through various plants and flowers and across little wooden bridges over streams.  There was a gazebo and a trellis and quaint little benches to rest along the way.

By now we were ready for lunch –  which we had each packed on our own – and sat beside the lake in the pavilion and ate.  Diane had booked a water tour on their nature cruise – 90 minutes! – and we listened to stories of fish and birds and wildlife, as well as the history of Lake Arthur and the surrounding acres.  It was a very fun day, spending time with Di and getting to know Shannon, and being outdoors walking in the sunshine and fresh air.  I’m so blessed to be included – for the second time! – in one of these hikes, and am looking forward to another one in the spring.  Thanks, my friend, for a lovely day!

This past Saturday, the original four Skunk Hollow Girls met at Volant (just outside of Grove City, PA) to have a fun day of shopping and visiting.  It seems like forever since we’ve done that, and despite the rain and cold we had a wonderful time!

We parked by the old mill – and armed with rain wear, ‘mad’ money, and a heart for a day of shopping and bonding – we set out through the little village.  The street is several blocks long, with quaint stores and boutiques lining each side of the road.

Evidence of fall was everywhere – from pumpkins and corn stalks to witches and ghosts and goblins—- Oh My!  The little shops welcomed the shoppers in out of the cold rain, and we spent far too much time chatting in the middle of the aisles and standing in front of the displays! 

It was exactly what we all needed!

We ate lunch at the little restaurant, where the food was old-fashioned made from scratch yummy, and we sat over our teas and iced water for longer than the waitress probably appreciated.  When we walked out with our tummies full, the sun was shining through puffy white clouds against the bright blue sky.  We had all bought treats at the old fashioned candy store, and shared our dessert snacks as we finished up looking through the shops.

We found garden flags on clearance in one store, and I found a beautiful Christmas flag with a white church and a steeple.  Kath was immediately taken with it, and was compelled to buy it.  She insisted, however, that it was MY FAULT that she bought it and also insisted that I owe the money for her buying the flag!  I think this friendly little battle will keep going for a long time – and I also think she made a great purchase! Other than that – and a table runner that Susan found – we bought very little, but we loved browsing and chatting and catching up. 

You can’t put a price tag on friendship, especially between sisters and cousins. THAT is invaluable!  The day was perfect from start to finish, and we’re already talking about when we can do it again.  So to Sue and Gail and Kath, thanks for a lovely day, lovely memories, and a prescription for happiness that was just what the doctor ordered!  Let’s not wait so long next time!  Love you guys!