Yesterday was our all-church picnic at Mammoth Park.  It was fun to visit with friends and even family in a comfortable setting – enjoying fellowship and of course great food!

After gabbing and gobbling, I decided I needed to walk off some of those desserts.  I swung the car into a different parking area and walked the lake a few time.  It was peaceful and beautiful and just what the spirit needed!  Even saw several dozen ducks and geese floating around on the lake, enjoying the day.

Perfect way to start the week!  God gives us so many blessings – if we just stop long enough to recognize and enjoy them. 

TODAY would have been my Dad’s 86th birthday.  He’s been gone a very long time, but his presence is still huge in my life. 

Although my dad did all the normal DAD things – encouragement, discipline, lectures, stability, providing a home – what I remember most about my dad was his jovial spirit and sense of humor. 

He could make anyone laugh, he could make friends in a heartbeat, and had been known on occasion to do the ‘Jackie Gleason’ impression.  He was generous almost to a fault and always stayed in the background when he did help out or donate. The only people who knew that my dad was helping out were the ones he helped.

Other than being at our family cabin in HOME, PA, my dad’s first love was his horses.  We had three during my teenage years:  Li’l One, Dusty, and White Cloud.  As you see by the photo, my sister joined Dad in the horse thing – I stuck with my car!

When Dad passed away, the lines at the funeral home were out the door – all evening, each evening.  Support and comfort came from all directions, and it was a testimony to the man that my father was.  So today I just wanted to stop in the middle of the crazy everyday ‘stuff’ and say ‘Happy Birthday, Dad.’  Here’s to your legacy! 

On our trek around Mt. Pleasant on Sunday afternoon, we were able to enjoy some fabulous views!  This photo was taken while standing by the fountain across from the doughboy.  Such a beautiful sky, with the Western Pennsylvania hills in the distance.

Of course I had to tiptoe through the fountain and get a little wet in the process.  The gazebo in the background made the whole thing ideal. 

From there we walked around the block, and peaked in the windows of the historical society.  Grand looking hearth, iron stove – treasures to be uncovered later when we could explore during the week.  I love new places!   

We went exploring in Mt Pleasant on Sunday afternoon.  It was a great day for a walk, and that we did!  About three miles or so, just up and down Main Street, looking at the old buildings and enjoying the unique designs.  This door front drew me – the old wooden door with the oval window.  If you look closely you can see the milk box in the front (right) and behind that is a mail box with the little slot in the front.  Very inviting and Victorian.

After a few inquiries I was able to locate the present site of Brown’s Candy Kitchen.  When I was a very young girl I remember taking my Grama Violet to Brown’s Candy on holidays to get candy for her family.  “Brown” was her maiden name, and I’m sure it connected to her family; maybe a sibling or an uncle.  I still picture pulling up in front of that storefront by the curb, and her going inside.  It was very difficult to wait in the car with all that candy inviting me inside. Wish I knew more about the history of that!

In the meantime, there are still M&M’s!

I had the pleasure of attending a play Friday night at the Ligonier Theater – ‘8 TRACK’ (Music from the 70’s).  Some of the songs I had TOTALLY even forgot existed!  It was a lot of fun and the four ‘Ligonier Valley Players’ did an excellent job!

I have known Bear (Barry Shirey) for about 25 years, and in all that time I have only missed two plays that he performed in: One was because of a hurricane and one because the roads were flooded and there was no power!  I contend that I am his BIGGEST and most loyal fan. 

Here’s to his continued success and to many more years of shared performances.  Him on stage, and me in the audience!   Love you, kiddo!

Ligonier is such a quaint little town, and it’s always a pleasure to take a stroll along the tree lined streets and browse in the shops.  Ron and I took the time after our writer’s meeting on Saturday to do just that.  The first photo is in the little garden-ette beside SECOND CHAPTER BOOKS, which now have a few of my books for sale!  If you stop by there, check out the ‘local author’ shelves to see for yourself!  How fun!

The gazebo in the Diamond is beautiful, and anyone strolling through Ligonier would just be drawn to it.  Flowers, park benches, white railings, brick sidewalks….  Who wouldn’t fall in love?

If you enjoy antiques, friendly patrons, café treats, unique merchandise, this is the place to spend the afternoon. Check out ‘Antiques on the Diamond’ Saturday August 23rd!

It was a lovely day and a fun time – I recommend it!

Vegetables do not like to grow for me.  For some reason, it takes an entire growing season to get a tiny knob of a tomato to even show up, and generally it doesn’t get much better than that.  I planted two tomato plants back in April or May; I fed/watered the little buggers and still almost nothing.  Don’t know what’s up with that.

HOWEVER…. When it comes to flowers, I can excel.  They bloom and grow and spread and sometimes even get a little wild and crazy.  I have morning glories popping up all over the place – seldom where I planted them, though.  I plant purple; they come up pink.  I plant pink, they come up white.  What’s THAT about?

But there’s almost no place I would rather be than outside, digging and planting and weeding and trimming and fixing and pruning.  Than I just like to walk around and look at all the little flower friends and feel the joy and beauty given in each plant.  My grandma Crooks, my mother, my friend Gen – – all have the ‘touch’ for gardening.  I was concerned for several years that it passed me by.  I may not have ALL the genes, but I received enough to appreciate and enjoy.  Bloom, little friends!  BLOOM!

On Saturday, Ron and I met Aunt Darlene (Ron’s aunt and my unofficial ‘publicist!) and Uncle Bud at New City Buffet for lunch.  She asked me how many books I thought I had sold, and we discussed that. 

Next thing I know, she plopped a box in front of me, and said, ‘This is in honor of selling 100 books!’  And there was this copper colored bracelet, with a charm that stated ‘Let Creativity Rule.’

I was very touched and honored that she would be so excited about the book and about its success.  She has been my champion since even BEFORE she knew me!  So I have added Aunt Darlene to my list of loyal fans, along with Mom/John, my favorite sister Kathy, my Skunk Hollow cousin Susan, and Ron. Plus countless others!

Thank you all for your support and for sharing in this adventure with me!  I could not begin to name all of you! 

Last night, after a full day of business and fun in Ligonier, Ron and I took a romantic walk…. in the cemetery!  Looking for deer, of course.  But it was coming on dusk, and we were struck by the beauty of the sunset – the full, glowing sun slipping behind the hill between the houses.  It was the perfect photo to share.

As we walked further, the full moon was just popping up over the trees, and again – perfect photo!  We did see deer – a family of three munching on some grass in a clearing at the lower field, and another deer up toward the pond.

All in all, perfect evening for a walk, even if it was in the cemetery!!

On Friday afternoon Ron and I took a few minutes out of our book-selling mode and went up to see the Battles Museum of Rural Life (Girard PA).  The Yellow House was open, and we looked through the rooms and read some amazing facts about the Battles family and about Girard in the 1700’s and 1800’s.

We drove down to Charlotte Elizabeth’s White House, but it was closed for renovations this summer.  We did, however, walk through the beautiful gardens.  We both took a minute for a ‘photo shoot’ on the green park bench under a lovely old tree – but I love the photo of Ron and the bird house.  I think it’s the Ritz Carlton for Feathered Friends! 

The museums are a great treat, and there will be more about Dan Rice and the Battles family (no connection except location) later.  But if you like history, check it out online! Here’s your homework:  What did Charlotte say in her letter to the President of the United States about closing her bank???  Good luck!  Answer next week!