When my daughter Kelly was four (she’s married now with 3 boys!), she and I took a long walk in the cabin woods that fall and plundered for nature’s goodies.  We found pine cones, walnuts, acorns, hickory nuts, grapevines, flower pods.  Along the way we added Indian corn, silk leaves, and dried gourds.

I have meticulously put them away every year in zip-lock bags and tucked them in an airtight container.  In early fall, I lug out the makings of the fall arrangements and fill little baskets, bowls, and leaf or bat shaped plates to set around the house.

This year Autmn was here to help, and I just handed her the box and all the dishes and said, ‘go to it’!  She did about a dozen little arrangements all by herself.  They looked amazing – better than I would have done myself! And she was so excited and pleased with herself for doing such a great job.  We ended the afternoon by putting the window stickees creatively on the doors and windows.  Now my house looks like fall, and Autmn is thrilled with her accomplishments.  I’m proud of the job she did – she’s growing up to be quite a young lady!

Although today started out windy, dark and wet, the day turned sunny and nice by the time April and I got to Smicksburg (PA).  This weekend is their Fall Festival, and there were people everywhere!  I have been going to Smicksburg my entire life and have never seen it so crowded as it was this weekend.  I was happy for the stores and the vendors, but it made it tricky to get around.

We each bought a few little items, but took our time walking through all the displays and getting ideas from the creativity that was abundant everywhere.  From wreaths to framed artwork to spooky goblins and witches – to hot sausages and funnel cakes and homemade baked goods – there wasn’t much missing.  It was a lovely day and we had a very nice time.

Before heading back home, we drove past my aunt and uncle’s farm just for fun, and found a cow standing in the pond having an afternoon drink.  It was the first time I have every actually seen a cow STANDING in the pond drinking.  She looked very content there so we left her and drove on. I enjoyed the entire day, but we decided that next time we planned a trip to Smicksburg it would be an ordinary, nothing-going-on day.  Crowds are not our thing.  But the fun and laughter and beautiful countryside definitely were!

Here it is – October already.  September seemed to fly past, and I barely know where it went.  There has been a lot of trauma in September, and a lot of heartache in the lives of those around me, which is very hard to deal with sometimes.

BUT…. there are always flowers!  I took this picture of the last roses of summer this evening when I went out for my walk.  Still has brightness and beauty, and I can have it in my memory even after it  scatters to the ground and be done blooming until spring.  So glad I could see them just once more.

Was also surprised to see a bloom on my azalea.  All by itself, just reaching for the sun.  Which goes to show, that even when it’s unlikely and seemingly impossible –  there is beauty and life!  God Bless Us, Every One, as Tiny Tim would say.

But possibly the best flowers of all are those created in love and friendship, like the ones decorating my driveway where Autmn and her friend Torilyn were creating with the sidewalk chalk.  Thank you, girls, for the reminder of beauty, love, friendship, and all the good gifts we have each day.  Come on, fall.  Bring it on!  The flowers will still bloom, one way or another!!

Yesterday my friend Mary Ann and I attended the first annual Railroad Days festival at the Darlington station near Ligonier.  It was a small event as these things go, but very well organized and also well attended.  There were several vendors and craft booths, as well as a very talented band (lots of Civil War music!) and great food.

The caboose was open for viewing, and a volunteer described the history and use of the car.  The kids especially loved ringing the bell.

My niece Sarah (seated) and her husband Kyle painted faces all afternoon and did an amazing job.  Thomas the Train was a particular favorite, but mostly the girls liked rainbows or their name among the stars.   

All in all it was a great day, and we met a lot of lovely people and made some good connections.  I sold several of my books and Mary Ann sold several books in addition to her hand-made jewelry (all available at Craftique in Greensburg in the Davis Plaza).

Special thanks to Mimi Owens and the entire committee for including us in this first annual festival.  We’re already looking forward to next year!

This week I can really say I am glad for tomorrow.  I have the rest of my chores to do this evening, then I can play ‘I spy’ for the weekend!  Thanks to my little buddy Snoopy for the thumbs up!

Along with the thumbs up, let’s do a head’s up!  The Darlington Train Station in Ligonier is having their first annual Railroad Days Festival on Saturday from 9am to 5pm.  My friend and I will have a booth there, both of us selling books – LETTERS TO MARY will of course be available!  There are activities for the kids and displays and crafts.  If you are in the area, stop in!  It’s looking like the weather will co-operate, as well.

Have a great weekend, and enjoy your family and friends.  God gave us so many things to be thankful for.  I am thankful for all of you who read and support.  God bless…..

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.