It was a beautiful summer day. The grass seemed like deeper green; the sky was deep blue with fluffy white clouds (Presque Isle Sky!). Just a slight breeze. After breakfast I went down to L&L Fleatique and just walked around. Saw lots of interesting things but nothing motivated me to purchase. I even went straight home and didn’t stop at the store. Amazing.

The sunny, bright day inspired me to clean thoroughly, which I spent all day doing. I was finished about 7pm, and THEN ran quick over to Walmart to pick up a picture from the one-hour photo center. I wanted the one of Chrissy by the sunflower to put in a frame on my bookcase. The only photo I need framed now is Chase – the other four photos are a unique photo or milestone event. So I’m waiting for Chase to be unique! (Did I really say that???)

I did pick up a bag of M&M’s – it’s the first time since May that I haven’t had red/white/blue M&M’s in my bowl!

Just as I was finishing up cleaning it began to totally pour down rain. I could almost not see past the deck. But suddenly the sun came out and there was a rainbow! It faded quickly but I did get a few photos. There was another one when I was driving to Walmart but I couldn’t take a picture while I was driving.

I am a judge for the Flash Fiction contest for Ligonier Valley Writers this year, along with two other people. We have to read 58 stories, score them, and then submit the results to the administrator. She will calculate the scores and send us back the names of the top 15, and we have to pick the top 10, in order. I’ve already read 10 of them (Flash fiction is 1000 words or less) and I’m sad to say that only one was even worth reading. I think they need a younger, more ‘in touch’ judge than me for this. I just can’t wrap my head around these stories. This should be interesting!

Flash Fiction Contest: (mermaids, selkies, and water dwellers)

I was going to watch the newest movie on Hallmark with Paul Campbell, but I got home after it started. I don’t want to spoil it having missed the beginning, so I’m watching a different channel. Next will be supper. I changed bed sheets and washed three loads of laundry in addition to cleaning and errands!

August 20 – Did you ever make a purchase that you later regretted? “Nothing ‘big.’ I bought a lot of small items like irons, food processor, stationery bike, etc. Always think before you buy any large, expensive item.” Great advise!

Calendar inspiration – Everything looks different with time & experience. Consider a new viewpoint on a familiar topic.

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TOMORROW August 21st is:

• National Brazilian Blowout Day
• National Senior Citizens Day
• National Spumoni Day

Tomorrow is going to be ironing and wash the car day. Two great reasons to celebrate — when the chores are done. Have a beautiful day in the house of the Lord. God bless…

I left the house this morning about 20 til 8am and picked up Kathy. Chrissy and Nate left their house at 8am, and we all met in Smicksburg at the farm for a day of corn!

When we got there, Uncle Clifford had already taken the little tractor and cart out to the fields and brought in a whole load of corn. He even had a tub of it already husked. Nate, Chrissy and I set to work husking and silking, and Uncle Clifford set the water to boiling and tended to the cooking. Kathy took the food up to the kitchen and …. didn’t return! But eventually she came back down with Aunt Joan in tow. Kathy took the job of cutting the corn off the cobs, and Chrissy – who was starting to break out from the husks – finished scraping the little pieces off the cobs. Nate & I kept husking. We worked to get it all cooked and cut before we broke for lunch, with over half a dozen tubs in the freezer.

While we worked, Aunt Joan kept us entertained by telling stories of their many guests to the farm, of life growing up on a farm, and stories of us kids growing up visiting the farm. Medicine for the soul and spirit! Chrissy went for a walk and took some pictures, and she sent me this one of a purple flower. I took her picture in the grape arbor with the sunflowers. It’s my favorite picture of the day!

We had saved a few ears of corn to have for lunch, along with macaroni salad, lunch meat and cheese sandwiches, grapes, chips and dip, and ginger cookies for dessert. Plus a fresh-sliced tomato! What a delicious lunch! We made short work of cleaning up and dividing the leftovers, then bagged the corn and stuck it in the freezer temporarily. Uncle Clifford took Chrissy out to gather up goodies for us to take home. And Chrissy got to drive the tractor. She was SO excited! They came back with not only a cart full of fresh fruit and veggies, but Chrissy had a tutorial of farm life and gardening. We brought home apples picked fresh, cantaloupe, watermelon, tomatoes, cucumbers, and corn (Chrissy picked it right off the stalks!). What wonderful blessings, in addition to all the bags of corn tucked in our coolers!

We totally decided it was a perfect day, spent with family on the farm in the fresh air! When we left, Kathy & I stopped at Smicksburg Country Store. I got a little pack of Amish-made chocolate chips cookies, a bag of chocolate covered peanuts for Nate, and a block of Colby Jack cheese for me. We were greeted by the resident cat, who actually seemed willing to climb in the car and come home with us!

Nate took our corn for his freezer, and a bunch of the ‘plunder’. I dropped Kathy off with her share of everything and then came home and put my food away. I could have just chilled out for the rest of the day, but somehow felt energized. I cut the grass, weed whacked, and blew everything clean. It’s nice to have the yard looking neat, especially when rumor has it there’s rain in the forecast!

August 19 – Did you ever experience home sickness? “When I was five years old Mom & Dad took a trip to Niagara Falls. I was very homesick for my mommy to come home. when I married your father I got homesick, being so far from home. Everything was so very different. I learned so much to first year I was married.”

Calendar inspiration – There’s an inspiring book just waiting to match your mood or interest – READ!!

Quote – two today

Scripture – not a scripture but an encouragement to STUDY them!

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TOMORROW August 20th is:

• National Accessible Air Travel Day **
• National Chocolate Pecan Pie Day 
• National Radio Day
• World Honey Bee Day

Tomorrow is ‘catch up’ day – I’ve spent a lot of time being everywhere and doing everything – lots of fun and family and friends. Time to get something done! Have a great weekend. God bless…

Matt and Logan left a little after 6am, but I didn’t really get back to sleep. They were quiet, and left everything neat and tidy, but I was awake for good. They were going to weed whack at Camp Christian and it’s shorter to leave from here. Chase, Kelly and I were all up by 7:15am, and Kelly made breakfast while I got ready for work. Chase requested pancakes. I got everything done at work and was home about 11am.

Kelly picked Logan up in New Stanton and Matt continued on home. Then she and I left for Laughlintown, as I had to meet Merilee at the Pie Shoppe to give her the Fields of Blue books she ordered. We had a nice chat, and I committed to going to the Flax Scutching on Sunday – September 18. Kelly hopes to come with me – girls day out!

We ‘needed’ Snails (a treat that the Pie Shoppe makes and is our favorite!) so we went in an got a dozen of those, and grabbed a bite for lunch. We sat at a picnic table out under a shade tree before heading home.

I worked on getting organized for tomorrow’s adventure and Kelly made food for the boys. We did three loads of laundry, and tried to organize her stuff for the trip home. The boys never want to leave! It’s always hard to see them go. I cleaned up the Flag room (which always looks like a tornado went through – leaving a LOT of love and happy memories in its wake!), and swept the Goldfish crumbs from the family room floor. It’s 9:32pm and I’m ready to be done!

August 18 – Share your childhood experiences with roller skates. “Our front walk wasn’t long enough to do much skating. We skated when we stayed on Mace Street with Uncle Charlie & Aunt Amy. We liked to use ‘Which Hazel’s’ skates because they had wheels with roller bearings & you could go faster!! Hazel & I shared a pair when we were at home. We took turns in Greensburg using our skates & ‘Which Hazel’s’ skates. The skates fastened on to the sole of your shoes with a skate key.” I had a pair like that. We loved to skate!

Calendar Inspiration – Good friends brighten every get-together. Sort of like Roller Skating and family tornados!

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TOMORROW August 19the is:

• International Bow Day
• National Aviation Day
• National Potato Day
• National Soft Ice Cream Day

Tomorrow we will celebrate… CORN! 🙂 More about that on tomorrow’s post! God bless…

TODAY is Skunk Hollow Cousin Karen Ober’s birthday. Happy, happy birthday, Karen! Hope you had a wonderful day, filled with paper dolls, taping your hair, and counting how many pieces of silverware you had to dry! And maybe even playing ‘little men’ in the creek. Love you!

Chase was up early, and we made French toast for breakfast. Logan slept until 2pm, but by then Kelly and I had left for the funeral home. I was happy to see and talk to Deanna, Angela, Nancy, and Mel. We were hoping Aunt Nancy and cousin Debbie would be there but didn’t see them. We stayed about an hour, but everyone was being pulled in many directions so we slipped out. I was surprised to see some photos on the picture boards that I was in. I think Theresa was ten when I met Stoney.

On the way home I happened to see the sign for Palmer’s corn so we swung a right and I stopped for tomatoes. That, and homemade bread toasted, was what I had for supper. Kelly and the boys had quesadillas. I did take a few minutes while Kelly was doing school prep and pull weeds on both sides of the steps to the bottom yard. Logan helped by using the blower to clean everything off.

Another thing Kelly was working on was tying strings on the tags for the Blessing of the Backpacks service Sunday morning at church. That’s such a good idea. We had a blessing for our students and teachers last Sunday but not like her church is doing. Good idea!

August 17 – Do you remember being really curious about something? “Yes – a young woman had said our dad was the father of her child. This was several years before he married our mother. This woman would get drunk & call Dad on the party line. Dad finally explained all the conditions and my ‘curiosity’ was satisfied.” I remember hearing about that!

Calendar inspiration – When you are in the middle of a big project, it feels like you’ll never finish. Keep going – finishing brings great satisfaction!

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TOMORROW August 18th is:

• National Fajita Day
• National Ice Cream Pie Day
• National Mail Order Catalog Day
• National Pinot Noir Day

Have a great day tomorrow. Find something to celebrate! God bless...

In honor of today’s National Tell a Joke Day:

Today was my checkup at my dentist. That went fairly well, but then they scanned my mouth for the implant crown. That was weird. And I won’t even tell you how much that’s going to cost. I’m looking at alternative plans…

That appointment pushed back my day, so I didn’t get home until about 2:15pm. Kelly, Logan and Chase got there about ten minutes later. Kelly & I made an emergency food run to Walmart, then I cleaned the grapes and strawberries and made egg salad.

I had emails to answer, and then I took a break to get food. We had fried squash, mac/cheese, French fries, and chicken nuggets. Logan gets settled in front of the TV, and about 20 minutes after the rest of us are finished and the kitchen is cleaned up, he’s done eating. So he’s gotten used to cleaning up his own plate.

It was sunny but cool today. I walked outside and found a Stella Doro blooming. And the hill looks so neat and much sparser since I cleaned up yesterday. It will be at least Saturday or Sunday before I have time to be outside again.

I was excited to see an email in my inbox from my author friend Liz! She was just checking in! I was still working on the review for her newest release, ‘Home to Brambleberry Creek’, so I had sort of stayed in the background. But it’s posted on B&N and on Kindle now, so I’m posting it here, as well.

From the first introduction of Esther and Billy, then Morgan Jo, and on through the entire story, I felt like I had stepped into a real life setting.  Morgan Jo’s family felt like my family, in that no one was perfect yet everyone was perfectly characterized.  And the fact that there were cousins, and extended family, and fields and pastures and farm houses and creeks, made me want to meet each one of them in person and move in the house down the lane.  There were secrets in this family, and heartaches, but also joy and love.  We are introduced to a life that felt right and good, even with the imperfections.  Why was Essie obsessed with her twin sister’s death?  Why was Morgan Jo reluctant to reconnect to her grandmother?  What traumatic event caused her disability?  And what part, exactly, does love and friendship play in helping Morgan Jo – and her family – heal? Each family member holds a piece of the puzzle, and as the story moves between Essie’s memories and Morgan Jo’s reality, we put the picture together one step at a time. And they didn’t have to be in complete agreement to support and encourage each other. I think one of my favorite parts was the connection that the cousins had. Family – and coming home… That is what’s important. Elizabeth’s style and writing is clearly evident, but it’s also very clear that she has broadened that style. Well written in Liz’s unique yet refreshing approach. I loved it! (Just a postscript here for my Word Garden readers – there is a close connection of cousins and other family in this book – that made me happy!)

August 16 – If you ever ran away from home, tell about it. “I wrote on February 7th about Ruth & me running away. That was the only time, and I do think ONCE was enough!”

Calendar Inspiration – and Snoopy should be an inspiration for me to get more writing done!

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TOMORROW August 17th is:

• Black Cat Appreciation Day
• National I LOVE My Feet Day!
• National Massachusetts Day
• National Nonprofit Day
• National Thrift Shop Day
• Congressional Startup Day

Well, I do have to admit that my feet have been there for me since the day I was born. We’re very close. And as for Massachusetts, I LOVE Boston! I’d go back in a heartbeat. My favorite Nonprofit (small) is Ninth Life Rescue, of course. Have a happy day tomorrow, celebrating what makes you happy. God bless!

My beloved PENNDOT training started late and ran long. I ended up at two different banks three times, and finally got gas in my car. It was well after 2pm when I finally got home. Thank heavens for left over pizza (and also thank Kelly, because she bought it last night!).

I put together a little gift basket for Jen to use at a Ninth Life event. It’s nothing grand but every basket helps!

After the pizza I changed clothes, then went out and cut the grass. It was cloudy and very cool, but I hurried since I was trying to beat the rain that looked threatening. I also thinned out some of the overgrown plants and pulled more weeds on the hill. One little bit at a time. But instead of photos of my yard, I took pictures of my neighbor’s yard. Her flowers are beautiful! So, I thought I’d share THEM instead!

Laundry, ironing, supper, and a shower (I smell like Lemmon Balm and mint!) – that will finish out my day! Most of my focus was on Pinnacle and weeds! I’ll try again tomorrow.

This just in – my white lilac has 3 blossoms! How did THAT happen. Two are side by side; one is up a little. Can’t believe it…

August 15 – Share a memory of staying overnight with a friend. “Dorothy & Louise Marshall invited us to stay overnight once or twice a year. They would come & stay with us also. We always felt they were rich as they had 30 or 40 cows to our 3 or 4 cows. Larry Marshall is their nephew. Larry’s dad is their brother.”

Calendar inspiration – A regular schedule gives structure to your day – a comfortable ‘routine of happiness’. That’s pretty much me!

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TOMORROW August 16th is:

• National Airborne Day
• National Roller Coaster Day
• National Rum Day
• National Tell a Joke Day

If Bud was still around, he was always good for a fun joke! I still miss him. SO, I guess I’ll just have to look one up. Have a happy day, and find a reason to laugh! God bless…

TODAY is my cousin Allen’s birthday! We are the same age for the next ten months. 🙂 It seems like our opportunities to go Home have diminished, and I miss visiting and sharing times with that family. So Happy Birthday, Allen – have a great day and a happy year! Love you!

When I got home from church and was walking through the kitchen, I looked out the window and glanced at the neighbor’s yard. What a shock! Their pool was mangled and broken and empty. He was outside so I walked down to see what happened. Apparently the side blew out last night and all the water ran down the street. Thankfully the water stuck to the street and didn’t flood yards or homes, and no one was hurt. He spent the afternoon taking the pool apart so there is nothing left. He does absolutely intend to replace it!

After lunch of fried yellow squash (YUM!), I went outside and pulled weeds, cleaned up leaves, and cut back stalks. Another section cleaned up. I have Hallmark on in the background, and although I don’t like ‘time travel’ movies, I am watching Love Strikes Twice. It’s a very cute movie and the cast is great – though mostly unknown to me! I guess I’ll do a few smaller chores this evening so I’m ready to jump into the week.

My step-daughter Theresa passed away yesterday. She has been struggling with Dementia for at least 5 years, and she was too young for that. She was in her mid-60’s. Kelly plans to come up, and we will go to the viewing; I’m waiting to hear her schedule. My prayers go out to Mel (husband), Angela, Deanna, and their families.

August 14 – Tell about your bedroom. “Aunt Hazel & I shared a room. It was very small. It was big enough to have our double, metal bed and a 3-drawer dresser. Aunt Hazel didn’t like to be touched when she was sleeping so she put a string down the middle of our bed to show where my side of the bed ended. 🙂 I thought it was funny and I still do. It didn’t bother me at all. We had a very small clothes press (wardrobe).”

Calendar inspiration – Curiosity motivates us to learn more about something. So… what interest you? Learn!

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TOMORROW August 15th is:

• National Leathercraft Day
• National Lemon Meringue Pie Day
• National Relaxation Day

I’m sort of relaxing today – so I probably won’t celebrate that tomorrow. I have PENNDOT training in the morning. Oh, joy. Have a great week. God bless…

Happy birthday Deb! It was fun to celebrate with Deb at the reunion. She is a ‘Violet’ cousin. I even wore my violet bracelet in her honor. Her friend Maria from Charleston sent her a goodie box, and she wore her sash and crown in honor of the occasion.

I was excited when Kelly called me early this morning and was on her way up. So she and I and Logan went to the reunion together. We had a super nice turnout! Best attendance we’ve had in a number of years. We were all missing Judy – she was sort of the glue who inspired us all.

There was such a wonderful variety of yummy food – from salads to meats to pasta and potatoes to a sinful amount of desserts! It was really difficult to decide what to choose. After lunch we had the basket raffle. Kelly & I both gave Logan a strip of tickets, and he put them all in the same basket. We were all thrilled when he won. It was a 110th anniversary celebration Oreo pack, including backpack! Kelly & I didn’t win anything, but I think Sarah and Millie won several baskets. Millie won a Frozen kite!

Kelly had brought some work with her, so about 3pm we left the reunion and came home to get things accomplished. Logan was hungry about 6pm so his choice was Giannilli’s pizza. Brian stopped up and got my older mower; the one that keeps shutting off. Thankfully I have the other mower to take care of the lawn. Kelly & Logan left about 8:30 and should just be getting home and unpacked. It was a lovely week with Logan – I hope he wasn’t too bored and can remember his week fondly!

August 13 – Did you have any favorite family songs that you sang together? “Dad sang songs from World War II: ‘K-k-k-Katie’ & ‘How you gonna Keep Them Down on the Farm after you seen Par’ree.’ Grandma Crooks liked ‘The Old Rugged Cross.’ Mom played & we sang ‘Bring them in.’ Uncle Edd’s favorite song was ‘God will Take Care of You.’ ” I know Mom loved music and especially the hymns.

Calendar Inspiration was Peanuts:

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TOMORROW August 14th is:

• National Code Talkers Day
• National Creamsicle Day
• National Spirit of ’45 Day
• National V-J Day

I’ve been so mixed up on the days this week. My schedule was switched around so it doesn’t even seem like Saturday! But it was a fun week. Thanks, Logan. God bless…

Logan was STILL AWAKE when I got up this morning! He said he was just going to stay up all day. I figured that wouldn’t happen. We had breakfast, and I started laundry, and by the time I was done organizing food for tomorrow’s family reunion, he was fast asleep!

Since he was sleeping most of the afternoon, I went outside and cleaned up the walkway down to the shed. All the stones lining the walk were covered in vines or ground cover, so I cleaned them all off, pulled weeds, cleaned out flowers, and dug up crab grass. It took about two hours or so but it was very worth it. And the cool temps and nice breeze made working outside comfortable.

Logan finally got up and ate a bunch of pizza bagel bites so we could pick up Chrissy and go mini golfing!

We had a great time golfing – all three of us had a hole in one! Logan kept us entertained by using the wrong end of the club, and by using it as a pool cue. Alas… Chrissy seemed to have a penchant towards hitting her ball into the grass, or having it bounce back to the tee. But we all laughed and it was good. Logan won by one point – which deserved ice cream. We drove up to Peaches ‘n’ Cream. Logan got a banana milkshake, Chrissy a twist cone, and I actually did get something – I had a rocket, which was very filling but not the best choice for supper! 🙂

August 12 – Tell about being stung by a bee or wasp. “I was always getting stung when a kid. I got stung just below my eye, which caused it to swell shut. They itched more than hurt me.” I had my share of bee stings, but mostly from running in the grass bare-footed!

Calendar inspiration – Cautious optimism works well whenever you let new things into your world.

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TOMORROW August 13th is:

• International Left Handers Day
• National Filet Mignon Day
• National Prosecco Day
• National Bowling Day
• National Garage Sale Day

My dad was left handed, and so is Gen. I’m not a fan of bowling but I love garage sales! Maybe there will be a few in the neighborhood I can stop at tomorrow on the way to the reunion. Have a happy weekend. God bless…

Logan slept in this morning, so I got the whole house cleaned except for his room. Just started mowing when he woke up, so made him breakfast, finished mowing, then got a shower. Otherwise it was a fairly common day.

We went over to Kathy’s about 5:30pm so she and I could watch a zoom lecture about the Gilded Age – filmed partially in Newport RI. The speaker was so knowledgeable and very funny, and it was amazing to see how they constructed buildings and chose sites for the scenes. It was very fun!

From there we went for supper at Chipotle’s – Logan got a rice/chicken burrito and I just had chips – I don’t eat much Mexican food. But when I saw some of the choices I almost changed my mind! But it was fine. We stopped at Walmart for reunion food, which was a disaster. They didn’t have most of what I went for, and then I forgot something I needed. The card reader didn’t work and they had to move me to another register. I think I will never go shopping again. These last two days have been very trying!

August 11- Did you ever play in the sprinkler or hose? “We didn’t have enough water pressure to use a hose. We would go to the creek behind the barn. It had leaches in the cold stream. They would ‘leach’ onto our feet and legs. Dad would put his lit cigarette against them & they would release their suction & fall off.” Now doesn’t THAT sound like fun???

Calendar inspiration – take time to reflect on all you have achieved this past year. You’ll be impressed!

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TOMORROW August 12th is:

• National Julienne Fries Day
• National Middle Child Day
• National Vinyl Record Day

I kept all my favorite vinyl records, and do have a record player so listen occasionally! And I have Kelly’s middle child with me all week so we will have to do something special!! God bless…