It was very cold and cloudy all day – with non-stop wind. Kathy and I had plans to go after work out Home and tramp around in familiar woods and lanes — but she was ill and we had to postpone. Susie had us feeling nostalgic with her wonderful photos and we were really looking forward to it! But we’ll try to go next week or the week after. It wasn’t long after lunch that my step-sister and brother-in-law sent some photos of the barn from Albion (from past years). That, too, made us nostalgic and we’d like to take a trip up there, too! But probably not until spring now. (Photo credit to Steve Szymczak – Virginia)
Barn on the farm -2015Barn behind the cattails – 2019
With the cancelled Home trip, I didn’t feel inspired to do much of anything by myself. I went down to L&L Fleatique and spent about $3.00. I bought a stack of small, wooden books for my night stand – just for cuteness. Also bought a little glass jar with pumpkins on it. Very hard to tell, but it’s a pretty good match for the bathroom towel.
My cute little wooden booksGlass, corked jar with pumpkins on it.
I also took a few pictures of my neighborhood – one of the hills beyond my house, and one of the hills above my house at sunset. Also – pictures of the imprint of leaves on my driveway. I thought that was pretty cool!
My house is about 2 blocks from where I took the picture. The mountains are beautifulLast night’s sunsetImprints of the leaves on the driveway- cool!
Happy birthday to Skunk Hollow cousin Gail – wishing you a great celebration and many blessings in the year(s) ahead! Love you!
October 18 – Did you ever lose or break something that belonged to someone else? “When Hazel & I were very young we played house with our dolls. We asked our mother if we could play with her China doll (it was a cloth body stuffed with sawdust). We pretended our dolls were jumping into the ‘pretend water’ & we dropped the China doll & it’s head was broken beyond repair. We were NOT punished as we both cried & felt as sad as Mom.”
Calendar inspiration – Sometimes life blesses us with second chances – don’t waste it!
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Mom and John watching the garden grow – Albion farm 2012
I will clean tomorrow, then go to Bible study. After tomorrow I think it will warm up some. Sure looking forward to that. Have a great day – God bless!
On a bright, sunny day sort of like today (only a good bit warmer!) I had 3 1/2 year old Kelly outside in our back yard on Mohawk Drive, raking and jumping in the leaves. Well, I was raking, she was jumping. When we went inside, I called my parents to say that I was having contractions. They were sporadic but definitely happening. They came over and picked up Kelly, and I waited for Stoney to come home from work (car salesman). He called and said he’d be late; he had a delivery. I said, ‘So do I!’. Nathan was born about 4 hours later. So happy birthday to my sweet son! Love you bunches!!!
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TODAY we are officially celebrating Boss’s day! I am more than thankful and blessed to have these four wonderful men in my life – as bosses but also as friends. They support and encourage me, are patient and understanding, fun and funny, honest and fair and hard working — and forgiving (I often need it!). Here’s to another very successful and profitable year!
Sir Regis (Rege Faddish)Barry FregerKenneth MooreJoe Faddish
Matt called me about 10am and asked if I could meet him and Peyton in New Stanton. He bought a truck and I offered to help with title work (of COURSE I did!). So I got to see them for a few minutes, and tomorrow I’ll get the title handled. I took a short cut from Jeannette to New Stanton (Expressway), and the mountains were beautiful.
Mountains in the distance, and dramatic sky.
Remember yesterday when I said Peyton looked like Morgan Wallen? Well, here – decide for yourself! If Peyton wore his hair back they could be twins!
Peyton….
Here are a few more of Susie’s pictures from yesterday: She does such a great job – so glad she shares her pictures! Thank you, Susie!
The creekUncle Jim’s workshop
October 17 – Did you ever lose something really important to you? “I ‘misplaced’ a ring your dad brought from Korea. I found it years later & had it valued at a jewelry shop. It was not as valuable as they told your dad it was when he bought it. I still have it. It’s a man’s ring.” I don’t remember the ring. Not even sure where it went!
Calendar inspiration – Liven up your routine – it’s not always what you do but how you do it!
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A routinely wonderful event – a weekend at the Dillweed with the Skunk Hollow Girls! (Marge and Beth)
First, a big happy birthday to my great-nephew Isaac! He spent his birthday weekend in Michigan checking out the college band. Chase your dreams, Isaac! Happy birthday!
Sunday School with Max and church were very good. The order of worship was changed slightly and it brought me into each separate aspect individually instead of an automatic process. I really appreciated that. The message was about anger – and Todd had so much to say about that – or rather, GOD does! We must guard our hearts against anger – unresolved anger is dangerous and opens the door to sin. The Bible says that an attack of character is worse than murder. Figure this out: Hurt people hurt people. Don’t carry your anger around like luggage. Identify it, pursue reconciliation, and CANCEL the debt! When we are angry we are incapable of love. Jesus cancelled our debt; can we do the same?
Todd Payton
Mary made a bunch of little gnomes and shared one with me. I have it hanging on my stair railing. Thanks, Mary!
My new little gnome friend!
After lunch I raked leaves in the front yard and spread them thinly over the newly planted grass. That should help it grow. Then I watered all the new patches since it hasn’t rained and rain is not in the forecast.
A good place for the leaves
My Skunk Hollow cousin Gail’s teen-age granddaughter Susie posted pictures of some fall scenes. These pictures are of places I played at and loved growing up, even younger than Susie! With her permission (Susan Grace Patterson) I am posting these, enjoying the beauty, the memories, and a taste of Home! Thanks, Susie.
Uncle Jim’s pond – we used to swim here!Country road through the treesAnother view of the pond.Another of Uncle Jim’s ponds – the trout pond in the woods.The slate bank above the creek – we played at both.
We had a singspiration at church this afternoon and it was a wonderful time! My dear friend Patty Buschek played the piano, with three song-leaders. We had actual hymn books – no projectors or screens with words! Sang all the old favorites. I sat with my cousin Deb, my friend Mary and her mom, and a friend Janie Close Ball. Janie and I were best friends during High School, attending youth group events and programs and sharing sleepovers. So many precious memories! Even though Janie and I don’t see each other a much, we are still connected as sisters in God’s family! It was so good to share this afternoon of worship and fellowship.
Patty – endless talent and love for the Lord!Me and JanieMary and MeDefinitely a favorite hymn!
October 16 – Tell about pulling or losing a baby tooth. “I remember trying to pull a tooth & not being able to get it out. Uncle Edd got a pair of needle nose plyers, washed them in hot sudsy water & pulled my tooth. It didn’t even hurt.”
Calendar inspiration – Explore your spirit of adventure; plan an imaginary trip!
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An unexpected adventure – Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco CA.
I stayed in bed this morning and read Gwen W’s daily email devotional, my five chapters in Psalms, and one in Proverbs. Then I changed and washed bed sheets and had scones for breakfast. Called in a refill for a prescription, made an appointment for a 12:30pm haircut, and made a new to-do list…
Reading in bed…
I still don’t like CVS pharmacy. The plan was to go through the drive-thru, but the line was snaked all the way around the building. I went inside and there was nobody in line. From there I went to WOW outlet, as ‘My Favorite Things’ (antiques and collectibles) was having their 10th anniversary sale with special events. There was a lady’s choir there singing when I left. There was also free food and discounts. One of the outside tents offered free items. There were some really cute things there. I picked up a tin punch picture to take to Hanna’s Town as another example to show the kids.
Celebrating My Favorite Things anniversaryAn old tin-punch picture to share at Hanna’s TownI love this sink – so many cool things in that store!
I also found carved, wooden fruit. I did not take the banana or the grapes (although they were very nice!). I did get the pear and the nut. Looks really nice in my wooden leaf bowl. That bowl I got as a wedding gift in 1974!
Wooden fruit in wedding bowl
From there I got my hair trimmed. I think the girl was new. But she did ok.
The welcome committee at Fantastic Sams.
Autmn sent me a copy of an old Soda Fountain menu from 1966. It says a lot that she thought it was ‘ancient’ and I was 16 at the time! Ice cream has been around longer than you think! Some of the trivia posted was really interesting. Such as:
A little history: Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour was started at NW 21st Avenue in Portland, Oregon, by Bob Farrell and Ken McCarthy in 1963.[ Farrell’s became known for their offer of a free ice cream sundae to children on their birthday. The parlors had an early 1900s theme, with employees wearing period dress and straw boater hats, and each location featured a player piano. The last Farrell’s ice cream parlour closed in 2001.
Farrell’s world-famous ‘Zoo’.
I found it very fun to research and read about this soda fountain and sandwich chain. And there is a lot of little bits of trivia on the menu if you can read it. But look it up. You never know when you are going to learn something new and fun when someone cares enough about you to share it! Thanks Autmn Rose!!! Love you!
Prices and specials – fountain menuFood menuHope you can read the trivia! If not look it up!
The neighbor’s pool is full. He said yesterday he had to fill it and run it for a while before he closed it. No swimming until spring!
Kelly sent me a picture of Peyton and his girlfriend Rae’Lynn before Rae’Lynn’s homecoming dance. (Wheeling High.) She’s cute and super sweet (according to Kelly AND Peyton!). They look so nice. I said Peyton was a Morgen Wallen lookalike. (He’s a country music super star if you don’t know. – Morgen, not Peyton!) Rae’Lynn likes Peyton’s hair long, so he may let it go to his waist before he gets it trimmed. I must say it looks good on him. Handsome couple there! Proud grama here!
Rae’Lynn and Peyton
October 15 – Do you have a good school pants-wetting story? “Never in school. We could go to the outside’ outhouse’ any time we needed to.”
Calendar page – from my Williamsburg mini-calendar for October!
I did laundry and some household chores first thing this morning, and then talked to Kelly for almost an hour on the phone. The timing was perfect, because not only did Kelly and I solve the world’s problems (just not our own!) but it took me right up to the time I planned on leaving for Ft. Ligonier Days. I was watching the weather/temperatures and wanted to get there when there was guaranteed sunlight with the warmest daily temps. And it worked!
This year’s theme is ‘Honoring Historical Traditions’.
There was a lot of traffic, of course, but I easily parked in the BARN’s parking lot. All lots were $10 for all day – one or two included shuttle service – but I opted to walk up. The craft booths started right across the bridge from the parking lots so it didn’t make much sense to park further away and still end up in almost the same place. I decided to walk the entire festival and check things out before I purchased anything. That worked, too!
Heading to LigonierReally quaint, cute bench – I think I want it….
There were a lot of people but everyone was polite and careful and it wasn’t hard to get access to the booths that you wanted to see. There were a lot of wineries represented – more than I remember. And lots of food booths. I was very tempted at The Pie Shoppe’s booth, but they were only selling package goods (mostly by the dozen) and I was more interested in just buying one thing to nibble on there. So I passed on that. I finally made it up to the diamond, and spent some time at the Smail Automotive Main Stage (Gazebo/bandstand) – yes, Smail’s are still a major contributor to the festival.
The first (and one of MANY) cluster of craft booths.My favorite house – purple Victorian! I take a picture of it every time I walk past it – every year!Nice photo op booth – I should have had someone take my picture!
The band that was playing when I got there was ‘Renegade Ridge’ – country. They were pretty good, and are described as authentic, twangy guitars spanning seven decades. My two favorite songs from the playlist that I heard was ‘Tiger by the Tail’ (a Buck Owens song) and ‘ The Cowboy Rides Away’ (a George Strait song). They did a good job on both, but the COWBOY one was way better!
Band on the main stage The guy on the far left was the lead singer
Once I had walked around and skimmed everything once – including some antique stores fanned out from the diamond – I scoped out the food booths. I was craving fresh cut French fries so I walked around looking a the samples to make sure they were fresh cut. I decided on the booth sponsored by the Festival and wasn’t disappointed. The were fresh and hot and just right. I found an empty park bench by the Town Hall, sat and read and ate and had a nice break.
Isn’t that the way it always is???
Here are some festive decorations in town.
I love the butterfly bench – it used to be red, I think.
I made my way back down the hill, going through the booths again. I was pretty sure I knew where the items were that I had decided on earlier. There were several so I wanted to pick carefully. I ended up with a little bucket of snowballs for my Amish village, a hand-sewn little birdie and another ear of corn (hand-sewn) for my leaf dish. I also got the cutest pair of white ice-skates (just like the ones I used to have a a young girl) but they will get packed away for the Christmas Tree. They’re about 2 inches in size.
The yellow corn is new; and the little birdie in the top left cornerClose up of bird
I spent about 3 hours there, and really enjoyed the day. It was beautiful weather, not crazy-crowded, and the food lines were not long at all. It’s these little things that can make the day bright, bring a smile, and give you a different activity for a change. So glad I went – and that I spent very little money. The most expensive thing I did was to pay for parking!
Sky, mountain, trees and creek by the parking lot.Heading homeMy favorite picture I took – in my rearview side mirror – of the Ligonier mountains behind me!
October 14 – Do you remember the first movie you ever saw? Who starred in it? “I think it was an Abbott and Costello movie. I don’t remember its name. They made several. “Gone with the Wind” was the 1st ‘serious’ movie I saw. I fell in love with Clark Gable & I still like to see & read about him.” GONE WITH THE WIND was released in 1939. Mom would have been 9 years old. Not sure what year she went to see it!
Rhett Butler (Clark Gable) with Scarlett!
Calendar inspiration – Experience brings rewards – knowledge is never wasted! Save the best of what you learn for future use.
I hope you have the sweetest person to celebrate with tomorrow! It’s so important to let your favorite sweetheart know that you care about them. I plan to celebrate the fact that October is half over! Not sure if that’s good or bad. I don’t want to wish my life away — although there is a great deal of excitement in seeing the ‘room’ Jesus has waiting for me! I think it’s Victorian… God bless!
Had a rough start getting to sleep, but then did sleep well except for a nightmare: I was trying to pull a snake off of a clothes tree in a hallway, and it turned around and bit me in the face. That’s one ‘dream’ I don’t want to relive! But I did fall back to sleep quickly and slept until the alarm. I hate snakes…
Jeannette store was light, and only a few titles in Greensburg. I felt it was a sign of comfort and encouragement when I pulled out onto Route 30 to see a rainbow!
Rainbow surprise!
I stopped at Craftique and got the special candle light bulbs that I use in my little electric candles. I don’t use the flicker ones for my nightlights so these are perfect. Craftique has tons of wonderful little unique items. Hard not to spend money there…
bulbs for my little candle.
After stopping to put gas in the car, I came home, did a few things outside while the sun was shining, like pulling some dead plants and returning a few items to the shed. Then I decided to take a walk, but by the time I changed shoes and coats it was raining. So maybe later.
Contemplating the leaves in the yard – just starting to come down. Silver maples are slow to fall.The two trees behind the sheds (mine and my neighbor’s) are now fully turned, orange and maroon.
I met Mary, her mom Nancy, and friends Colleen and her husband Chris at Jioio’s for supper. Nancy had a burger and fries because she doesn’t like their pizza. The rest of us had pizza. Yum. There was enough left that we could all take a few pieces home for tomorrow or Saturday.
The sky was beautiful – like God took a paintbrush and just swirled some pink clouds around! I took two pictures, one was panoramic.
CloudsPano view
October 13 – Did you ever have any other strange animal in the house? “NO” My daughter had black snakes in their house – two days in a row. They moved… (Kelly moved, not the snakes!)
Calendar inspiration – Today take life at a slower pace and do one thing at a time. You’ll accomplish more!
Tomorrow is hopefully Ft. Ligonier Days for me. One of the things I usually do is purchase another little hand-made cloth item for my fall display. One a year! So maybe I can add to my collection tomorrow. I won’t go if it rains, but don’t mind if it’s a bit chilly. Have a great day. God bless…
I took my shower last night after fighting with the mulch all afternoon, so after breakfast I got right to cleaning. Alternated dusting and sweeping and bathrooms/kitchen with reading current book (#3 in a series) until I got an email from Fiona Baker with an ARC copy. So I jumped into that. It’s a Christmas novel set in the mountains (refreshing after so many set at the beach!) and although a category romance I think I’ll enjoy being a first reader.
Current read
It was about 3pm when I finished everything, so I drove over to Lowe’s to get top soil and grass seed. Well, no top soil. So I went over to Home Depot, and even though they had to do a search and seize I got what I needed. At home I backed the car into the yard (being careful not to run over the Halloween projector!) and unloaded. Spreading the soil wasn’t as bad as I anticipated, and I used the yard spreader for the grass seed. What was left over I filled in some thin places in the side and bottom yard. Another task done!
I wonder if I planted bluegrass – maybe music will grow!
The mailman (lady) came right as I was cleaning up, and my Amazon order came. It’s been 3 or 4 years since I bought a Peanuts page-a-day calendar that you rip off. I’m not wishing time to go fast, but I am excited for January first to start reading and ripping. Also got a movie – Love Strikes Twice. Seldom do I buy movies these days unless I’m really captivated by them, and with this one I was.
Bible Study tonight – The Case for Heaven – so I’ll grab food after that.
October 12 – Share a memory about a bat in the house. “The bats that live in our attic here on Crouch Road during the summer are not as plentiful as when I first moved here. I burn a light day and night and that has discouraged new families from taking up residence there. The old ones will return as long as they live. We don’t get very many in the upstairs or the rest of our main living area. I don’t like them but I am not afraid of them any more (2005).”
Calendar inspiration – We need to take advantage of opportunities to work together to accomplish great things
I took time to have hot tea and Cheerios for breakfast before I picked Autmn up. We made such good time to Norwin that we popped into Walmart for a few minutes. I needed onion salt. Yesterday when I went they were totally out at Greensburg’s store. Totally! So I got two just for a security measure. Also had been doing some thinking about what kind of lights I wanted to put on the deck for the holidays. I was going to put up ‘curtain’ lights but was worried that they would tangle and blow down. So I got a box of LED multi-colored icicle lights. They will hang down enough that I can see them from the family room. We’ll see how that works!
Halloween lights look nice but don’t hang downThese should hang down a bit.
Autmn’s appointment went well, and we were headed home before 11am. I dropped her off at her dad’s then got a Frozen Coke at Burger King in Youngwood. They were short staffed and I had to wait a few minutes but not a problem. When I gave the lady my order she handed me the drink and said: It’s on the house – sorry you had to wait! That was very nice.
My free Frozen Coke
I worked both stores, then had to stop and see Mike G. Made a small Vacation Account deposit and then headed home for lunch. I have been working on the idea that I would rake up the mulch at the left side of the front yard and let grass grow. It used to be a flower bed but that didn’t pan out very well. Letting grass grow back would be much easier – mowing that small space is easier than pulling weeds. I’ll stop Thursday after work and get grass seed.
I moved the stones to curve around the bushes and pulled up the plastic and mulchLittle pile of rocks covers up a shrub stump.Raked smooth – now for grass seed!
Ended up I had mulch all over me and through my clothes. I changed in the garage, then got a shower and put on my PJ’s. That will be it for today! Except for supper later.
PJ bottoms
October 11 – Relate a story about a mouse in the house. ” ‘Mice’ always found a way in when cold weather set in. They were usually caught in the cellar before they ever came into the kitchen. Your (meaning mine) story of the mouse at the cabin is more exciting.”
Calendar inspiration – Golden days, happy memories. What is a favorite memory from your childhood? My favorite memories would probably be playing paper dolls with Karen; playing in the cabin woods, especially Dot’s Boarding House. In Greensburg, probably teaching my sister baton and playing ‘bride’ with our cousin Terry. Any cabin activity or time at Grama Crooks’ was wonderful!
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Skunk Hollow family at Greensburg house: back row: Cousin Allen, Mom, Jack Sink, Grandad Crooks Front row: Cousin Susan, sister Kathy, Grama Crooks, me!
I know several farmers so I can certainly celebrate and appreciate them. I just put money in the savings account today and I’m not going to work tomorrow so forget the Teddy Bear! I’d LOVE to take my parents to lunch… I’ll celebrate their memory! God bless…
Columbus Day! Here’s to being glad that our country was actually discovered!
La Nina, La Pinta, La Santa Maria
Started the day with the doctor’s appointment. Still have to wait on results of one more test. Tomorrow I have to take Autmn for her follow up appointment so it will be another day of late work for me – but that’s no problem! Today was a fairly easy day despite work at both stores and also stopping to help Mike P.
I’m sure I didn’t fail it!
I did a load of laundry, then had Stuffed Pepper Soup for lunch. Also went for a nice walk. Met a new neighbor (from a distance…) Also, here is a picture of the moon from last night as I was standing on my deck.
Actually, could be a old neighbor – couldn’t tell for sure.Last night’s moon
My neighbor IS filling his pool…
Picture of bottom deck from top deck.
Beautiful sunny fall day.
October 10 – What is the strangest thing you ever saw in the sky? “When I was a teenager & was out in our front yard a small airplane circled over the yard & the person in the plane called my name. I was so excited I couldn’t sleep that night. It was our neighbor taking a ride with a friend who owned a plane. Stan told us the next day he was flying over his house & saw me in the yard & yelled my name.” That WOULD be exciting – and the plane was pretty low if she heard that!
Calendar inspiration – Peanuts:
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This is joy right here (2015) Five sweet grandchildren!!!
Well, let’s see. This has been a hodge-podge of a day – lots of little chores! First, we had NO STUDENTS in our Sunday School class – the class regular student was at Sight and Sound with his family. So that’s an excusable absence!
Sight and Sound – Lancaster
Mary and I used our time wisely. We made booklets about creation for the class, and copied then cut out some of the pictures for in their books. We don’t often have time to work together on projects so this was a blessing for us, too.
Next week we will teach day 1 and day 2 – can’t skip a day!
Todd’s message was again very good – it always feels like he’s preaching right to me! Here are a few key points: You are blessed so you can BE a blessing to others – make a difference in someone’s life. We are to be salt and light; salt was precious and valuable – the word solarium was used for payment, which was made in issues of salt. Our word salary comes from that. Light doesn’t mean anything unless there is darkness – shine your light in the dark world, just like Jesus is our light. WE are the salt and light!
Todd
I came home to my long list and after lunch of cauliflower and garlic toast I started working on it. I changed out a bad extension cord; took the dehumidifier to the shed. SCRUBBED the car windows. Sent several emails and started an Amazon order (didn’t send it yet). I spilled tea on my Snoopy church bag so I scrubbed that and hung it out to dry. Fixed the lights in my indoor lantern from battery to electric. Printed out my bank statement and will balance the checkbook after supper. Still have 3 chapters to read in my Psalms and Proverbs reading plan.
Bible study
Took a half an hour and went for a walk. A few fun decorations in the neighborhood since last walk.
Fall is falling – pretty!Baby bunny who lives under the deck.Wonder how much mail he gets?Happy ghosts dancing around the tree!This big guy is REALLY ugly – and when I drove past in the dark last night his face and chest were glowing fire! Ugh!
Saw this on my way to the theater – looks like Word of Life church has a new greeter…
Oh, deer!
Last night’s play was REALLY funny! I was SO glad I stayed. It was just that: Play that goes wrong. Anything wrong that could happen did happen, and the whole theater crowd laughed the entire time. It was family friendly which always makes it more fun for my taste!
Actors were VERY funny!Moon outside the theater last night before the play.
October 9 – What was your most prized possession as a child? “My little ‘bank’ that looked like a dome trunk. It had a key that would open a small door so we could shake the dimes, pennies and nickels out and count how much we had saved.”
I am celebrating Columbus Day with a doctor’s appointment! I doubt I’ll kick any butts or decorate (or even eat!) any cake, but I MAY take a walk in a park. Whatever you do – if you have a day off or not – have a great day. God bless…
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