My sister Kathy and I had a wonderful day yesterday in Smicksburg with my Aunt Joan and Uncle Clifford at their farm.  SUNFLOWERS!  Dozens and dozens of them.  UC picked a few for Kathy and I to carry home with us.  Bright and cheerful and inviting. 

We put up dozens of freezer bags of corn – fresh picked while we sat there! – and had a yummy garden lunch.  Couldn’t have asked for more.  Such a wonderful, loving family – one of God’s greatest blessings!  Add to that little take-home containers of fresh green beans, chocolate from the Chocolate Shop down the road, cheese from Smicksburg Country Store, and it was a perfect day. 

A special thanks for my dear family, so gracious to share their bounty, their time, and always —- their love!  We love you back!

Today just a rising of prayers of thanksgiving and petition for my step-father, who was suddenly ill yesterday at his home in Albion.  An ambulance trip to the ER thankfully eliminated the possibility of a heart attack (their first thought), but the staff are still doing tests to discover why he would have a little ‘spell’ just sitting on the porch steps.

When the emergency crew showed up at the house, they couldn’t understand where John was – he had gotten up and walked inside the house!  No visible signs of any problems but wanted him to be checked out and monitored.  Thankfully he is alert and in good spirits, and my mom is comforted by the prayers, support, and kind professional people surrounding them!  Prayers HAVE BEEN answered already, and I am confident that John and Mom are surrounded by God’s grace, peace, and care.

This past weekend my son and his two daughters were in a wedding.  The girls look so grown up – except for the fact that Chrissy ditched her bouquet and shoes the minute they said ‘I DO’!  Autmn stayed in her dress all evening but Chrissy was back in shorts right after dinner. Chelsey told me they were wonderful and it was a fun day for all of them.

Here’s to wishing Josh and Chelsey many years of happiness together! 

Meet my youngest fan – Laila.  Her mom Jen works with me and just purchased Letters to Mary on Monday.  Laila was fascinated by the cover and ‘wouldn’t put it down’!

I promised her that when she was old enough to read it the whole way through by herself she would get her own autographed copy.  I think she’s four, so I’m hoping to keep the momentum going for the book so she’s still excited about it when she can actually read it!

Thanks, Laila, for sharing the excitement of LETTERS TO MARY!

Just a short note today – while we are on the subject of first days of school….  This is my first day of first grade, and my sister Kathy wanted to be part of the action.  You may note that her dress is on backwards, as she was afraid she was going to get left out and hurried to dress herself!  The buttons and the belt are in the front!  And of course, bare feet!  I probably shouldn’t mention the year.  Let’s just say it was nineteen….. something!!! 🙂 

Well the school year for 2014-2015 has started!  The Hancher boys are settled into their routine, having started school on the 18th.  Logan is in 2nd, Chase in kindergarten, and Peyton a big 3rd grader already!  They will have an exciting year ahead of them in a new school – where Kelly is actually a classroom assistant this year. 

Chrissy and Autmn started today – and Autmn is in 6th grade – her first year at the middle school!  Chris is in 3rd grade, and for the first time in her school career, she doesn’t have her big sister there! 

All five had great ‘first days’ and are excited to look forward to learning and growing and making friends.  ‘Oh, the places you’ll go!’ as Dr. Seuss would say!  What a wonderful future – do us proud, kiddos!!! Love you!

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!