What an amazing weekend we had!  The Skunk Hollow girls (cousins) all met at the Dillweed Bed and Breakfast for our annual get-together.  After we had finished our pizza (and assorted junk foods!) my sister called to order the first annual Skunk Hollow Literary Society meeting – and announced that I was the guest of honor! 

Her interview questions were perky and funny, and YES, KATHY, YOU HAVE BEEN A DIRECT INSPIRATION IN MY WRITING!  I received a little Snoopy with a pen – which I was advised that I would need later.  They presented me with a trophy that said ‘LETTERS TO MARY     MARGE BURKE’ with gold stars and an American flag.  Then they presented me with a cake – the icing was an exact copy of the book cover.

After eating cake, the girls brought out their books, and I sat in the wing chair and signed all of them.  I really did feel like a famous author!  These girls are special; part of my life-long life line.  My adoring public, my favorite fans:

(LEFT TO RIGHT  Gwen, Colleen, Susan, Kathy (my sister), Gail, Holly, Karen, Beth.  Thanks to all of them for their love, and support, and for giving me those fun and humbling moments of ‘fame’!  Love you all!!!

I was taking my power walk through the neighborhood tonight when I saw one stalk of corn growing in front of this house!  There were no other plants/trees/flowers/shrubs in this yard at all, and there was one fully grown ear of corn on the stalk. 

Now trust me:  I am a HUGE fan of home-grown corn!  Ask my Aunt Joan and Uncle Clifford!  but I cannot quite wrap my thoughts around this crop.  I’ll have to think about it just a little longer before I make up my mind!

I saw this photo online and just loved it!  The colors and design just drew me in.  It is such a comfort to have something ‘speak’ to me and I feel inspired, comforted, delighted! 

The next two days will involve lots of work and chores, but on Friday I will get a little break and be able to spend time with some special people at a ‘girls get-a-way’ at a Bed and Breakfast.  SO looking forward to good times, good food, good people!  So I will fill you in on all the crazy things we talk about (well, not ALL the things!) and also our activities. 

The picture is changing color for me.  Wonder if it is for you, too!  Enjoy, and I’ll catch everyone SOON!!!  Happy Hump Day!

Last night we had a fire in the firepit in my back yard.  We sat and watched the logs burn, listened to the crackling and snapping, heard the crickets singing.  It was very cool but the warmth of the fire felt good.

Ron kept the fire going, and at one point the log made a little tunnel and created an aura about it.  We enjoyed the quiet and the peace and the glow.

  We had to laugh at Autmn’s picture, though.  She looked like an apparition appearing in the dark, floating in mid-air.  The only light was the glow from my Nook, on which she was playing Spider Solitaire!  We all enjoyed the evening and being together. So glad to have Autmn over to spend the night with Mimi!  Thanks, Autmn, for sharing your day with me!

Here we are, half way though September already, and it feels like just yesterday we were enjoying a Labor Day break.  It’s been a wild ride – we just have to hang on!

After our writer’s meeting yesterday, we went for a mid-day walk in the cemetery, totally not expecting to see any deer.  HOWEVER…. We had barely stepped onto the roadway when we spotted them, munching among the tombstones by the wood’s edge.  They seemed unconcerned about our presence. 

We watched them for a few minutes, then tip-toed off in the other direction, leaving them to their snack. And since it was daylight, I was finally able to snap a photo of the military section, so impressive with the cannon and the flags.  The gravestones dated back to at least the early 1900’s.  It is a fitting tribute to those who have fought for our freedom and to preserve peace.  A great reminder, and yet another reason to be thankful.

 HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Susan, one of the Skunk Hollow girls and possibly one of my longest, most faithful. encouraging fans!  I have known Susan since…. Well, since she was born, as she is my younger cousin.

We have shared memories together from —- playing ‘little men’ in the creek behind Aunt Hazel’s house, to eating sugar cookies at Grama Crooks’, to camping in the woods, to trips to Williamsburg, to touring castles, to hiking and eating and laughing and crying!  Times with those we love are always the most precious, and today, I celebrate the precious life of Miss Susan, friend, cousin, hand-maiden of the Lord, loyal, faithful, loving — Thank you Susan, for all you do and who you are.

Can’t wait until the Dillweed next weekend when we can make more memories and be drawn closer into God’s circle of family, friendship and love! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!  Love you!

This morning I woke up thinking about the end of summer, and the last of the colors of the flowers that still dot my yard and the fields along the roadways.  I know fall signifies color, as well, but fall sends my thoughts in an entirely different direction. 

Amidst all the uphill climbing I have done this week, I am thankful that I can look at the view from the top, and know that God puts everything in our lives for a reason, and when we trust, we know that all things work together for good.  So many GOOD things to look forward to, (like Dillweed B&B next weekend with the Skunk Hollow Girls!) and so many GOOD things to smile about right now, today.

I will make TODAY’s good things my focus, and ‘rejoice in the day that the Lord has made!’  God bless…..

Part of our walk along the creek on Sunday took us past a white, clapboard cottage perched about 20 feet up a steep bank from the water.  Some of the charm came from the stone paths and walkways, and the little arched stone ‘troll’ bridges dotting the yard. The steps into the house were also formed from natural stone, and it was totally inviting!

The house itself seemed to smile and wink with all the windows and little nooks and crannies.  We took the steps down to the creek, which were made of solid stone blocks. The railing was painted green pipe that was the only thing between us and a hillside of undergrowth and tall spindly trees.

By the time we had walked all the paths, tramped over the bridges, peeked in the windows, sat on the wooden plank benches, and explored the outbuildings, we had composed several ‘what if’ stories – people who might have lived there, people who might haunt there, people who might like to stay there (us!). I hope to do some research and find out what it would take to sit in the cozy great room, with the floor to ceiling fireplace and the wooden staircase, and sip hot cocoa as the snow drifted down.  That, my friends, is to be determined!

Sunday, early evening, we left a writer’s meeting and went hiking at Linn Run.  As dusk was falling we wove our way slowly past the Mellon estates and watched for deer – saw 15!  I think that was a record. 

We also got several photos of the moon, peeking out from the swirls of clouds painted in pinks and yellows as the sun set.  It was a quiet end to a busy day and really helped settle the soul.  As Anne Shirley says – again – God is in His heaven and all’s right with the world.  Amen, and Amen….

Last night I had the pleasure of going with Ron to his 45th high school class reunion.  Although I didn’t know anyone there but Ron (and one previously-introduced friend), it was interesting to sit and listen to the conversations going on around me.  Thankfully, our table were ‘entertainers’ and we had a lot of laughs.  There were the standard ‘we’re old’ jokes and the ‘way back when’ stories that talked about party lines and TV antennas.

The highlight for me was when the DJ switched from the ‘Mony-Mony’ and the ‘Electric Slide’ songs into the mellow late ’60’s slow-dance tunes.  Ron and I took advantage of the opportunity and I enjoyed every minute.

My reunion was last year, and it was such a similar format that I’m thinking maybe there is a book out there that everyone just follows.  I knew the people, of course, but the conversations of ‘catching up’, who’s retired, grandkids, ailments…..  Same!  But last year the highlight was spending time with my two best-friends-from-highschool- and- still- are- the -best-friends Diane and Gen.  It’s great to remember where we started, but even greater to enjoy where we are!  God bless – happy Lord’s day.