This is Jake – the Hancher dog.  He was an official welcoming party of one when Autmn, Chris, and I went down for Logan’s birthday yesterday.  He’s such a prim and proper pup – crosses his paws just SO, and always poses for the camera. We were all glad to spend time together!

After a yummy lunch of burgers on the grill and fresh fruit, Peyton and I took a walk while everyone else was watching Aunt Kimmie put together Logan’s soccer nets.  We stopped at the covered bridge for a quick photo shoot and we were on our way.

We had just crossed into West Virginia when I spotted a little group of May flowers!  I remember playing with those as a child – pretending they were umbrellas or looking for the little apples hiding under the leaves.  I hadn’t seen them in… forever!  Peyton was somewhat unimpressed.

Across the road were the horses – Peyton was sure the one was named Buttercup.  We watched them munch and run for a while, then walked down to the barn.  Peyton gave me a history lesson, as the barn was made of all wood with no metal – quite rare, and very old!

Again, Peyton posed, then we headed back to the house.  We heard the kids on the dune buggy, so we took off at a run – I must say he was faster at it than I was!  But we all (yes, including me – I think I have a bruise on my right hip to prove it!) took a ride, with Matt driving, before going in for ice cream.

Logan’s Dairy Queen cake – complete with candles and motorcycle – was yummy!  I believe he was officially very glad to be eight, and we were glad to help him celebrate.  Have a great year, Logan!

Robins build nests in the most bizarre places.  I looked out the kitchen door the other morning and there was a next in the corner of the top deck.  At that point there were not eggs in it.  Also didn’t see any birds around, ever, so wasn’t sure it was a robin.  We have those chubby love doves hanging around, too, but don’t know anything about their nesting habits. Autmn and I watched them ‘make out’ the other day on the deck bench.  Shameless little things – though obviously in love !  

But I knew I couldn’t move the nest after I found an egg in it the next morning.

I took these pictures on Sunday, and by this morning there were 3 eggs in the nest.  (Opps!  I just looked outside and there are FOUR eggs!)

I have caught the Robin nesting several times, but can’t get close enough the door to get a photo.  Any movement inside the kitchen scares mamma bird off the nest.  I know that as soon as those eggs hatch and the babies take off, that nest is outta there.  Messy little things.  But I won’t uproot them now. I can wait!

Saturday morning was the 5th annual ‘Walk a Mile in Her Shoes’ fundraiser, to benefit the Blackburn Center Against Domestic and Sexual Violence – an organization that supports women facing abusive and violent situations.  In addition, it is to education everyone – especially men – on sexual equality.  It was a very interesting event, and I learned a lot from this experience.

The first thing Autmn and I noticed was the dozens and dozens of signs of those who support this event – and there was the Smail influence!  Smails are extremely supportive of the community, and I always feel an extra presence when I know they are supportive.

Our own team wasn’t large, but the three guys in our group did wear high heels – as did hundreds of other men participating in the walk.  Community political and business leaders as well as men whose family were victims of violence, walked a mile in those shoes.  I was surprised at how well they did.  The entire Seton Hill University men’s football team walked in spike heels as a group – in uniform.  Very impressive.

Autmn and I took a ‘selfie’ just as we were starting out.  We talked a little about the reason behind the event, and I used the opportunity to enlighten her on just how subtle sexual inequality could be, and what its effect was as a whole.

It was a great experience – Do some research – Reach out and support.

I know this is posted on my ‘Where I’ll Be’ page, but thought it worth mentioning here, as well.  On Friday May 29th, from 3pm to 9pm, there is a Civil War Festival at the Connellsville Junior High School.  Plans are firm with re-enactor groups, live music, impersonators, drills, booths — wonderful event!  Be sure to check out the details and plan on attending.  You won’t want to miss any part o this event!  I will be there with several friends selling books – Of course I will have Letters to Mary with me! See you there…

It’s been a busy week, and life does not stop for holidays!  That being said, we had a great day here on Easter Sunday with my family.  After a yummy lunch of Ham and all the traditional foods – including mini-pie dough cinnamon rolls requested by Chase – the big kids (Matt and Nate) help the Easter Beagle hide the eggs in the yard.  Then the younger kids (Chase, Logan, Peyton, and Chris) went in search.  Autmn was not there yet, so Kelly pitched in a scooped up a few eggs for Autmn.

Once the four had tracked down all visible eggs, they held up their bags as evidence of their spoils.  I believe they will be spoiled by the time they eat all the treats inside the eggs!

Autmn got there in time to sit with the kids on the deck and empty all their eggs.  There was a lot of candy-bartering going on – trading Twix bars and Sixlets for gum and Reeses.  In the end, everyone was happy with their treasures, including gift cards to Sweet Frog Frozen Yogurt for the girls and Coldstone Creamery for the boys.

What a wonderful day to celebrate!  And I am feeling blessed!

I believe this says it all.  Happy Easter.

After a productive week at the other Burke household, several dozen dyed eggs became a part of the Easter dinner preparations today at THIS Burke household.  Autmn and I had a busy morning, with more to look forward to this afternoon.

After normal household chores – like changing/washing sheets, treadmill, shower, breakfast – we ran some errands and were home before 11am.  Then it was the attack of the egg shellers. 

We had them done in a snap – many hands make light work! – and Autmn happily laid claim to all the colorful shards.  The work had just begun!

Boiled potatoes got chopped, and then we added a few eggs – a little mayo and some spices and we had potato salad.  Next came the egg salad, which she diced to perfection!  Good job, Autmn!  But in her opinion, the best was yet to come.

Autumn sliced the eggs in half and scooped out the yoke into a separate bowl.  We stirred and mixed and scooped and there was the finished product! She insisted in being the taste-tester, ‘just in case!’  What a kid to take one for the team!

We are going to take a break outside for a few minutes, then get a jump on things for the over-worked Easter Beagle and fill several million (well, slight exaggeration!) plastic eggs with candy for tomorrow’s anticipated Easter Egg Hunt.  A big thanks to Autmn for the expert help!  And a happy Easter to all of you!

TODAY … is Good Friday.  I could never really understand the origin of that name.  I realize that what was accomplished that day was very good . . for US.  But I cannot imagine ANYONE on that day smiling and saying it was good.  Even Jesus, on the cross, said ‘It is finished.’  And God turned his face away.

TODAY … I was thinking back to when I was very young – junior/senior high, then part of the working world.  Every Good Friday our church would have services from Noon until 3pm.  Area churches would join with us, and their ministers would share thoughts on the seven statements that Jesus said when He was on the cross.

In between the devotions, we would sing the old, favorite hymns, like ‘In the Garden (My dad’s favorite) or ‘The Old Rugged Cross’.  Then there would be special music by the Heavenairs, church choirs, or soloists, duets, and quartets.  We always looked forward to ‘Our Minister In Song’ – Raldo Cook – bringing us closer to the cross.  Some people stayed for the entire three hours.  We usually stayed for about an hour.  Once I became employed, I would take my lunch hour and drive up to the church on the hill to be part of that very profound service.

TODAY … I grabbed a lunch of frozen waffles and a diet Pepsi on the run, and spent the day handling work issues and catching up the boss’s emails and correspondence.  There are no ‘darkest hour’ services at noon any more, no gathering of sister churches, no seven words offered.  But TODAY, I thought about all of that, and what Good Friday is, and why – ultimately – it WAS and IS good.

And I said thanks.

Yesterday I had the very great pleasure of spending the day at Martin’s Ferry Christian School.  My three grandsons (Peyton, Logan, Chase) go to school there, and my daughter is a teacher’s assistant.  I took my ‘road show’ down there, and presented a workshop on reading, writing great stories, and Civil War history/research to three classes:  3rd/4th grade (Darla Hannen), sixth grade, seventh grade (Zach Rhodes).

The students were all very attentive and participated in discussions, and had super great questions!  They most especially loved the history segment, and liked hearing the stories about Cold Harbor, Dan Rice, the Underground Railroad, and also seeing Mary’s wedding dress and Lydia’s church dress.  I was so glad to share my time and information with them.  And – as always! – did get lots back in return!  A big thanks to the students and the teachers for being such gracious hosts!

After a full day at school, I went home with the Hanchers to a yummy dinner prepared by MA (the other grama!), and spent some time with the family.  Also got to see the newest addition to the farmyard family:  Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie, three black baby chicks that live in a Rubbermaid tub in the camper!  They are patiently awaiting their buddies – 3 white longhorn peeps – that will arrive within the next few weeks.  Something is ALWAYS happening with the Hanchers! 

(I’m afraid to say I can’t tell them apart!!!)

Yesterday Autmn and I spent the morning in Smicksburg.  Even thought it was cool and cloudy, we still had fun!  We stopped first at Smicksburg Country Store, where Donna (the proprietor) helped Autmn with her list of  cheeses for her, her dad, and her sister.

From there we went to the Chocolate Shoppe – and got the BEST chocolate-covered peanuts in the USA!  Yum!  We also got non-perils and a huge slab of bulk Premium Milk Chocolate.  This will be melted down in pieces for my Easter projects:  Peanut-butter pretzel nuggets, Oreos, and Ritz crackers spread with Peter Pan.  That will be NEXT weekend’s project!

With our major chores done, we parked over by the post office and walked around town, peeking in all the shops and seeing the unique and interesting crafts and décor.  We both saw tons of things we just HAD to have, but ended up just choosing a few small things to bring home.  Even left some  Letters to Mary postcards in one of the shops with a sales clerk whose brother is a Civil War buff.  Autmn made friends with the resident cat in The Drying Shed (by far my favorite shop!) and the cat liked the attention, as well.

We stopped in Indiana on the way home, grabbed McDonalds for Autmn’s lunch, and hung out there for a while.  All in all it was a great day, and we both enjoyed the company and the window shopping.  Such a great way to spend a Saturday – with people you love!