I can’t believe it’s the last day of July. Where did the month go?? First, as promised, I am posting a photo of the Skunk Hollow girls at breakfast Saturday morning.
Today we had our first candidate to be considered as our Minister for Hempfield Church. I didn’t meet him personally (face to face chat) but he seemed to have a comfortable, confident air about him, and he and his wife both looked like a good fit. His name is Todd Payton and his wife, Heather, was there as well.
Todd
I went straight from church to Hanna’s Town. I had time to grab a hot dog and take a few photos before my station at the tavern. I did not have time to study or discuss the different displays. It was a great representation and I hope they do it again next year!
WW IIWW IIScott Henry – Proctor’s MilitiaFiring the canonCivil WarEncampment
World War I and II displays:
War postersFlowers in the dye gardenBlossoms, butterflies, and beesThrough the windowHeading to the skirmishOff to the battle
Teresa and GiGi stopped out and we got to sit and talk for a while. GiGi was so good to pose for a few photos!
WW II puppyReady to carry water
July 31 – Tell a memory about riding on a ferry, bus, train, or plane. “Hazel & I were staying at Uncle Charlie’s and Aunt Amy’s in Greensburg. They took us on the train to Pittsburgh. The train station was so huge to us we couldn’t stop ‘gawking’ at everything.”
Calendar inspiration – Old ways and new ways cross paths in our lives. Enjoy the best of both!
August is a brand new month – with three medical appointments, Logan’s week at Grammy’s, hopefully a trip to Dan Rice Days, Ninth Life Volunteer Picnic, and Ninth Life Bingo (where I’m hoping to help!). That leaves a number of days to fill – or not fill! Have a happy August. God bless…
I will start at the end and go back to the beginning later! We had a great Dillweed weekend and loved spending time with each other. But first, the finish of my day. When we got home I emptied the car and my suitcase and the food. I changed clothes and went outside to weed whack. I didn’t realize how long it would take – the heat and rain of the last 10 days made it extremely difficult. Usually I can weed whack and blow everything clean using the two battery packs. Today, I did not get through everything. Ended up sweeping up with the broom. But it’s done and that’s a relief!
Looks better weed-whacked
On to the Dillweed. Kathy and I got there about 5pm Friday and everyone was already there but Karen V. We put out luggage in our respective rooms then settled into the front entrance to chat until we were ready for food. Beth and Holly ordered the pizza, then Beth and Karen V went to pick it up. We had so much food: Charleston Chicken dip and scoops/Ritz, three kinds of chips, fruit and dip, veggies and dip, shrimp ring, tassies, Brownies, York Peppermint Patties, M&M’s, and Oreo Ice Cream – plus the pizza. We had one white pizza and one with the works!
Dillweed Bed and Breakfast and Trailside Gift ShopConnie, Karen O and Gail – entrance parlorHolly, Karen O and GailKaren v, Connie, Beth, and HollyColleen & Kathy‘Princess’ Holly trying on hats!Dishes in the dining roomSideboard in the dining roomFinishing up dinner
After we ate, Connie pulled out the cake she had bought as Thursday was her sister Karen V’s birthday. And Colleen’s is Tuesday. They are both celebrating 63 – but we switched the candles to read 36. They were mostly happy with that.
Karen V – Happy birthdayKaren V & Colleen – Happy birthday – 36 years (haha)
We sat around the table for at least an hour talking. Oh, the conversation topics we got into! And each one went in a dozen different directions. But we cleaned up the food and moved to the Parlor where the discussions continued. We passed around old photos and discussed an essay that I had written and read to the group. We all love thinking about those happy growing-up years together – at each others’ houses and at Grama Crooks’. And at the cabin in later years.
Parlor before we invaded itParlor AFTER we invaded it!
It was well after midnight when we locked up, turned off the lights, and found our respective bedrooms. Kathy and I shared the Parsley suite. There are two beds in that room. Connie, Karen O, and Gail took the other three rooms on the second floor. The ‘littles’ – Karen V, Colleen, Holly, and Beth took the Garden Suite on the top floor.
Keys to our kingdomsMy own bedOur room
Breakfast was at 9am, buffet style. Kyra and Corey made breakfast frittatas. strawberry/almond scones, and cranberry scones, rosemary potatoes, and fruit cups. So very good, as usual! After breakfast Kyra took a group photo, and when I get a copy I’ll post it!
Back yard
Most of us carried our luggage to our vehicles but left the food inside. Connie and Gail planted themselves on the side porch while the rest of us took a walk on the Ghost Town trail. Below are a few pictures of that. Karen O walked out part way, then went back to sit with Connie and Gail.
Making plans – Kathy, and Karen O.Organizing our hikeView from the foot bridgeHolly and Colleen See the pattern of light through the trees on the trail?Holly and Colleen in front Beth and Kathy behindSlate bank with moss and springslate ridge above the trail
It was about 1pm when we resurrected the food again and walked over to the pavilion across the street. There was plenty of left-overs for lunch and still some left. I sent some Oreo Ice cream home with Kyra and Corey, and left a piece for Debbie in the shop before we packed it all away. It was hard to say goodbye to everyone. It was an amazing, wonderful weekend and I am more than blessed by being with these precious girls – our Skunk Hollow Cousins! Can’t wait for the next event!
Beth and ColleenGail and HollyConnie and Karen OKathy and I
July 30 – Do you have any other memories about a river, lake, or beach to share? “I was a teenager when our family went to the area above the Mahoning Dam to fish. My mother had cleaned the fish and was taking them to the fire to fry them when she slipped on the rocks. Somehow she held onto the skillet of fish and didn’t spill any. We all clapped! 🙂 “
Tomorrow I will be at Hanna’s Town from 1 to 3pm for the Military Timeline Event. This is a new program and I’m excited to see all the presentations! Come out if you can! God bless…
Di and I had a nice visit and a lovely visit – and breakfast of hot tea and warm scones. I sent her home with 2 star balloons and a copy of the Loyalhanna Review. She txt me that she wants several more to take to church. The publication has been well received!
So… that being said, after I went to the post office and mailed a LR to my author friend Liz Bromke in AZ, I stopped by Ruth’s and picked up an extra half a box. Now I can distribute as needed!
I did two loads of laundry, did the ironing, packed, and loaded everything but what goes in the cooler. In the background on TV is the Hallmark movie Once Upon a Holiday. Although I don’t enjoy watching ‘royal’ movies I like this one; mostly because Paul Campbell is in it!
And by the way, I moved the little bear on the window sill and the bird still spent the afternoon flitting! So who knows? Now it’s time to finish chores – I’ll catch up tomorrow! Happy weekend!
July 29 – Share the most unpleasant vacation experience you can recall. “I guess it was when I got very sick, when your Dad & I took a long trip in Canada. We went to a French speaking hospital in Quebec where they treated me FREE. We were traveling on the Gaspe Peninsula along the St. Lawrence Waterway (River).” I don’t remember Mom getting sick. I know Dad did at least once!
I won’t be having cheesecake nor blowing whistles. And I don’t have a father-in-law. So I’ll enjoy my Skunk Hollow Cousins at the Dillweed and forget all my cares! God bless…
I had a longer work day that usual. I had a training seminar online at 10am, and it lasted longer than expected. But I did learn a few things in addition to getting my normal work done. I had to stop to see Mike P, and was also longer there than planned.
First slide…
Just as I pulled into the Greensburg store, Gen called. She was on her was to Pittsburgh to stay with her oldest sister Kathy for a few days. Gen’s brother-in-law Dick passed away yesterday and Kathy needed some support and comfort. Dick had been ill for a number of years but this last issue was pretty intense for a few weeks. Please keep Gen, Kathy, and the family in prayers, and for Gen as she travels. Kathy & Dick did not have children so Kathy will feel this deeply.
I stopped at the bank and to get gas for the car on the way home. After lunch I answered some emails and finished some leftover tasks from yesterday. I also read a few chapters in Liz Bromke’s new book: Home to Brambleberry Creek. I’m so glad to finally get a new book from her! It’s been a long time and I’m excited. I really love her writing style.
I’m a quarter of the way through…
After the hard rain we had this morning, I didn’t expect to be able to mow my grass. I went outside about 5pm and pulled weeds for about an hour, then decided it was dry enough to mow. I was dripping sweat when I finished but it’s done. I did NOT weed whack (bummer) but I still have evening chores to do so that will have to wait! I think it’s supposed to rain tomorrow.
Looks a not better -and neat!
My bird was back on and off all day. Several times he was really agitated! I’m hoping he gives up – if not I’ll move the little bear.
Fluttering around today
July 28 – Share the best vacation experience you can recall. “As a child the best vacations were to Greensburg to spend a week with Aunt Amy & Uncle Charlie. As an adult it was going to Middlefield, Ohio, and staying with the Amish in their homes.”
Calendar Inspiration – Everybody has a valuable job to do; do your best every day!
Tomorrow is officially the Skunk Hollow Dillweed Day! I may not have the opportunity to post tomorrow so don’t be concerned if you don’t see anything. I’ll catch up on Saturday! God bless…
I started my day early by meeting my friend Ginny at Bob Evans for breakfast. We were neighbors when I lived on Mohawk; her son Tim and Nate are 2 months apart in age. We always enjoy catching up. She sent me a picture of her and her two dogs lazing on the bed after a day at work!
Ginny with Charlie & Gracie
When I got back my little bird friend was busy at the window. He’s been flitting around all day but seems resigned to his solitary life. The bear, on the other hand, is sulking…
Early morning courting
I spent the rest of the day cleaning and finished about 3:30pm. I zipped down to a little fleatique in Irwin that I haven’t been to in a while. I found the ladle I wanted to hang on my milk can. It was very inexpensive and is ‘vintage’. So — Yea!
My lucky find.Fits just fine.
When I got back I spent a couple of hours outside. I probably should have cut the grass but maybe tomorrow. I pulled weeds and cut back some dead stalks. Still a good bit left to do. Tomorrow is another day!
July 27 – Tell about a family vacation trip. “The only ‘family’ vacation we ever had were to visit our aunts & uncles. We didn’t go very often.” Those were our favorite vacations growing up, too – Cabin family! But we went OFTEN.
Calendar Inspiration –
Our Sunday School lesson will be in Philemon on Sunday!
After work today I went up to the church to do a project for Mary and I. Our storage cupboard and shelves were a mess, and we could barely find anything and never what we actually needed. So the first thing I did was take everything out of the cupboards and off the shelves and piled it around the room. I sorted things and threw a lot of stuff away. There was so much random junk in that room!
Just SOME of the stuff…Part of the cluttered cupboard
After I got everything emptied, I wiped it all down. Then I went through and sorted things out and put them away neatly. I spruced up the bulletin board with some photos, and put little butterflies and lambs on the one wall, and organized the toys and games. It looks so nice, and feels fresh, and is ready for us to be more efficient and capable!
Wiped cleanBulletin board with photosTidy shelvesToy shelvesButterflies, kittens and lambsSorted and organized
My little love-smitten bird has spent the afternoon courting the solar bear. It’s really cute, watching him dance and flutter and tap at the window. I wonder what would happen if I put the little bear on the outside ledge? I couldn’t get the video to post but it’s on facebook if you’re interested…
Bird on the fence – right above fish…
Once this is done, I have some inside projects to do, then maybe pull more weeds. I did not get to the ironing last night, so that’s still on the list! So I will keep busy this evening.
July 26 – Share a special memory about riding in a boat. “When I was 17 I spent the summer with Aunt Blanch & Uncle Harry. I had a fellow that asked me for a date & took me out on Lake Erie in a speed boat. It was a moonlight night and very romantic.” That sounds like something out of the book I’m reading!
Calendar Inspiration -Focus on a goal, follow through, and you’ll see great results.
Quote –
Scripture –
Random Photo –
This is Dad and I on a boat, but it wasn’t Lake Erie!
Now that the big event is past us, my days will slow down and there won’t be much excitement to write about daily. Unless pulling weeds, doing laundry, and running errands is excitement!
My exciting laundry…
I found that I had (unthinkingly) ordered two of the same DVD movie, and Amazon makes it pretty easy to return them, so I stopped at the UPS store on the way home from work and handled that. After lunch and laundry I drove out to Blairsville. I have been wanting to visit the Blairsville Fleatique (right before Walmart plaza) and today was the day! I was looking for something specific, which I did not find, but spent less than $3.00. The view from the parking lot alone was refreshing and made the trip worth the drive. I do love walking through those antique and resale shops, though. So it was fun!
Nice little Fleatique, but L&L is still my favorite.View from the parking lot
If it cools off a little, I will go out and clean up another section of my gardens. I have a few flat stones to rearrange, as well. Then I plan to finish the ironing. Again: Excitement! Oh! But this just in. I have a little yellow and black bird that is trying desperately to make friends with the little solar bear on the window ledge. He’s been at it all weekend. He flaps and taps and clacks incessantly! I can hear it over the TV! I feel bad, because this relationship is going nowhere. If I get a better picture later I’ll repost. When I get too close Bird flies away...
July 25- What memories do you have of lightning or thunder during your childhood? “I hardly remember but the lightning struck the barn. It came down the side, where the chicken coop was. It cooked a whole nest of eggs that one of the hens was laying to hatch.” THAT would have been amazing!
Calendar inspiration – Keep the good ‘early morning’ feeling that you begin the day with – it gives you a calm spirit!
Scripture –
Quote –
Today’s quote borrowed from Beth’s post on facebook. Thanks, Beth!
Oh! I will have a bagel for breakfast tomorrow – but not, EVER, have a coffee milkshake! I have one aunt and one uncle (who are dear and special to me!) and hope to visit them soon. Go for the ALL rather than the NOTHING! God bless…
Uncle Clifford and Aunt Joan in their sunflower field!
JJ & Max are on vacation, so they were not at Sunday School. It always feels strange when they aren’t there. Ben and Shanelle were there, though. Our lesson was about Paul & Silas in prison, and they made paper chains with wrist cuffs. They took up the challenge to do the right thing, even when it’s hard.
Shanelle and Ben in chains!
So – last night’s event. Everything went so well! We had just the right amount of food, a little too much Lemonade (last year we ran out!), and a room full of talented and engaging writers and readers. We had a table of snacks, a table of sandwiches and fruit, bowls of M&M’s (my contribution!), and coolers of bottled water.
Roomful of writers…M&M’s, sandwiches, fruitSweets and snacks and more M&M’s
Ruth (our editor-in-chief) started the program with announcements and introductions. I was the first reader, and read about a third of the story. Sort of to break the ice. I haven’t read all the stories yet, but the ones who read had great pieces, and Joe Potts always makes us laugh! He has a totally unique way with making common, ordinary words and events seem extraordinary! His wife Susan had photos included in the magazine. I have included one of her photos here.
Ruth – our Editor and program chairmanRegistration table – Linda, Anita, Judith
I was very thankful for all the people who helped set up and tear down, and who packaged and distributed left-overs and helped carry things out to my car. Tom, Nancy, Joe, Susan, Ruth, Linda, Judith – thanks for your help! It made getting home and unloading the car easier since I didn’t get totally worn out tearing down.
My dear friend Nancy in the red . Happy writers
There were several younger ones there, and once the event was over I had them pick their favorite star balloons to take home. Several adults (including me!) also took some. I have red, black, and purple balloons floating around my family room! It was a great night – lots of good comments on the book covers and first lines – and several people took the decoupage cans home! The evening was a little rocky getting started for me (I sliced my finger trying to open a box of Loyalhanna Reviews!) but everything else was 100% and I got nothing but appreciation and favorable comments. Whew! Another event on the books!
My personal balloon rescue…2022 issue – photos, art work, stories, poetry, and talent!Contributors who attended the event last night. Some of my helpers in the front row – Nancy, Ruth, Susan Joe is the tall one in the back row right (Susan’s photo)
July 24 – Relate a memory of a tornado, hurricane, or destructive wind. “We had a very bad storm come through in 1939 or 1940. It took the tops out of all the trees on Sinktown Road. It missed our place but did take the roofs off the neighbors’ out buildings.”
The day of the long-awaited Publication Party has arrived. I was up very early; changed and washed bed sheets, made breakfast, then left to collect all the last minute items.
The HCC Helping Hands ministry leader was at the church to help finish setting up, and we placed tables and chairs around comfortably. He also set up the mic and reading stand and showed me how to turn it on and adjust the volume. I got busy with tablecloths and centerpieces, balloons and crape paper. I was at the church about three and a half hours. I’m happy with the way it turned out, even though I’m not super creative! AND happy for the help!
Colorful tablesCenterpiecesBalloon and crape paper on the railing.
I did plan on getting some yard work done between morning and evening at HCC, but 96* (real feel) and high humidity was very unappealing. So I heated up some soup, emptied the dishwasher, and folded the dryer load. On with the day!
It’s now almost 11pm, and we had a very successful evening. Lots of fun, yummy food, good stories, and nice people! Everyone loved the centerpieces! But since it’s late, I’ll recap the event tomorrow. Right now, it’s unwind and then bedtime!
July 23 – Relate a memory involving a flood or cloudburst. “I just remember the rain came so quick & fast it was over the road & the debris was clogging the culvert. Grandma & Mom were very upset when Dad & Edd went out in the storm to get the water flowing through the culvert. It was a very bad cloudburst.”
Calendar Inspiration – In your busy day, take time to recharge – it’s important!
National Cousins Day! We are celebrating next weekend with a sleep-over at the Dillweed. Can’t wait! In the meantime today I’ll celebrate – with my writer friends – the publication of the Loyalhanna Review. Congrats to the published authors! God bless…
Today was laundry, shopping, soup-making, card writing, and organizing. I sampled the soups one too many times and I’m stuffed – just like the stuffed pepper soup. Made potato soup, too. Also did prep work for a frozen dessert I will take next weekend to a Skunk Hollow event.
Stuffed pepper soupCream of Potato Soup
Once everything was cooked and the kitchen cleaned up, I finished pulling the stalks from the Dutch Iris by the driveway fence. Only two more sections of irises to clean out. It’s better to do that in the evening when its cooler.
Cleaned up the corner.
Mary stopped to pick up some items for their flea market in two weeks, and Nate stopped to drop of speaker wire. That will be a Sunday project.
Short post tonight – I need an early bedtime because tomorrow will be super busy!
July 22 – Share a memory about a power outage. “I was in 6th or 7th grade when the Rural Electric Company brought the electric lines across our area. We had used gas lights & gas stoves before the ‘power’ came along. I remember more about the gas regulator freezing & we would be without lights & heat. Dad usually had it on quickly.”
It’s also the Loyalhanna Review Publication Party – but we won’t be serving ice cream OR cowboys! I know there will be a few grandmas in the crowd. Have a super Saturday! God bless…
Recent Comments