I woke up this morning to pretty shadows on the wall and on the blind. I just cuddled in and enjoyed it for a bit, then got started on my day. Had scones for breakfast then organized my grocery list. I was determined to stick to it, which I did admirably.

After lunch – which, ridiculously, was the lady lock from the Pie Shoppe yesterday! – I attacked the window-washing project. I moved into this house in March of 1991, and once I was settled one of the first things I did was wash windows. So it’s tradition to me to wash windows in mid-March to clean off the winter grime. I do them several times a year but March is the first one of the ‘new year’.

I have been thinking about moving some furniture around in the living room, just for something different. So after I finished with the windows I tried a few different things – but the way I wanted didn’t work – the couch covered up both air vents which wouldn’t be a good plan. I did move a few things around just to give the room a different feel, but it was easy and quick!

There is a very funny movie on tonight (Hallmark’s Friday night Christmas movie – An Unexpected Christmas) which makes me laugh out loud. My goal is to finish up here, get something to eat (something healthy, this time!), then settle in with a warm blanket (I believe I have quite a number to choose from!) and watch the movie. I don’t plan on going anywhere tomorrow with the predicted snowfall. So be safe!

March 11 – Did kids ever tease you? About what? “Mostly because I was such a little kid they never wanted me to play on their ‘team.’ ” I bet they were sorry afterwards!

Yesterday’s vacation destination was Cape May NJ, and the picture posted was JERSEY SHORE ALPACAS. Other points of interest are:

Calendar Inspiration – When good things come into our lives, we think they’ll be there forever.  But not always!  Cherish what you love most. 

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TOMORROW March 12 is:

• National Baked Scallops Day
• National Girl Scout Day
• National Plant a Flower Day
• National Working Moms Day 

I think that with 3 or more inches of snow we won’t be planting a flower. I’ll be watching the local store parking lots for Girl Scouts selling cookies! Be safe tomorrow and have a happy day! God bless — (Thin Mint!!!)

What a perfect, sunny day! It was so nice to wake up to the sun shining and the temperatures warm enough for a light jacket. I got my work done this morning, then picked Kathy up at 11:15 and we headed to Laughlintown. We were there early enough to park in the paved lot, therefore avoiding the muddy field. We walked across to the Antique Mall, which was filled with tastefully displayed antiques, but mostly with old, wooden cabinets, trunks, and cupboards. I love those things! When we left, we walked across a yard that had tiny crocuses poking up through the grass. (Is it time for the crocus tea??)

After we walked around there, we went back down to the Pie Shoppe and got lunch and cookies. We both had pizza, which tasted all the better for being able to sit outside on the little bistro tables in the sunshine to eat. There was a little shop next door filled with ‘Smicksburg-type’ items, which again we thoroughly enjoyed.

By then it was time for the program so we headed to the Inn. The fire was again lit, and the common room was full to overflowing. Emily shared the transformation of language from Old English to Middle English to Modern English (which, by the way, transitioned right before Shakespeare’s time!).

Things like loosing word endings, doubling vowels or consonants, two different countries naming the same item something different (i.e., Cu/Oxa for animal (cow) and boef for the meat). She also read a passage from the poem Beowulf. It almost (??) made sense when she read it, but trying to decipher it ourselves was not happening! Can you figure out familiar words in the scripture passage from Matthew?

March 10 – What was your favorite movie as a youth? Why? “Anything with Gene Autry playing in the western. Gone with the Wind became my all time favorite when I finally went to see it sometime in the early 1940’s. I fell in love with Clark Gable.” Gone with the Wind is very high on my list, too. Do you know it took Margaret Mitchell 10 years to write the book, and it’s the only book she had published? In 2014 it was the second favorite book of American readers, second only to the Bible.

Yesterday’s vacation destination was the little town of Jim Thorpe PA – called the Little Switzerland of Pennsylvania. The photo posted was the Muggles Mug Coffee Shoppe, a Harry Potter themed coffee shop. Jim Thorpe seems to be a very popular destination spot for a long weekend getaway. Other points of interest:

Calendar Inspiration — The unexpected can surprise us. Do or say something kind every day.

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TOMORROW March 11 is:

• National 311 Day
• National Funeral Director and Mortician Recognition Day 
• National Johnny Appleseed Day
• National Oatmeal Nut Waffles Day
• National Promposal Day
• National Worship of Tools Day

I need to do some household projects (No tools will be worshiped in the carrying out of these projects), as well as grab a few groceries for the weekend and next week. The snow isn’t supposed to start until later so I expect to do my errands first! Have a safe and happy day. God bless…

This morning was my day to laze in bed for an extra half hour and read. All I had planned for today was to clean so I could spare the time. The sky convinced me that the day would hold some strange weather.

And – it was right. By the time I was eating breakfast it was snowing pretty hard. But they were big, fat floating flakes and actually were beautiful to watch. The snowfall didn’t last long, and was melted by lunch. I felt comfortable enough to run a short errand. Shhh….

Last night while I was watching TV I was going through my two books of post cards. Mom started the first book for me Christmas 1999, and it mostly contained post cards to and from her family: Her dad and mom, grandparents, aunts and uncles – even before she was born. I have been adding to the collection since, and even send myself a postcard from every place unusual I visit or each vacation destination. Feel free to send me a postcard any time you go somewhere interesting. I’d love it! But one of the things in the book was a birth announcement for me. I found it very unusual that my parents introduced me as a ‘pet’! Should I feel insulted?? These days it would probably be an insult to the animal world!

March 9 – What was your favorite radio program? “Probably Fibber Magee and Molly. Without electric we had a radio run on a big battery. We were glad when Dad got an electric radio after the electric was put in the neighborhood. Grandma & Uncle Edd helped pay to have the house wired. We could listen to more programs then.” It’s amazing to think of how life was back then – without electricity. We take it SO for granted!

Yesterday’s vacation destination was Astoria, Oregon, and the picture posted was Fort Astoria. If you recall, yesterday was National Oregon Day, so it felt fitting. Other points of interest in Astoria are:

Calendar Inspiration – Appreciate the special pleasure in old friends –those who know you better than you know yourself!

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TOMORROW March 10 is:

• National Blueberry Popover Day
• National Mario Day
• National Pack Your Lunch Day
• National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
• World Kidney Day

Tomorrow is our second installment at Compass Inn for Fireside Chats – Histories and Mysteries of Language. I’m excited to go. Have a Terrific Thursday! God bless…

It was a little slow for a work day, so I was home earlier than usual. I found that a new episode of HOME TOWN aired on Sunday so I looked it up and watched it. By then it was lunch time and I cooked the rest of the pancakes from yesterday’s batter. Half of those went in the freezer for another time.

I need to pick Chrissy up from track practice and take her home. Jen had a busy weekend with the rescue, and yesterday she picked up a bunny family: dad, mom, and six little ones. So when I drop Chrissy off, I’ll get to see the family.

BUT — on Sunday she rescued an albino King Snake (ugh), which did NOT go to her house. Nate put his foot (and every other thing!) down at snakes. I know the snake was vetted and is out with a foster and doing fine…

March 8 – When on car trips, did you play car games? “We didn’t go very often on car ‘trips.’ With 8 in the small old Pontiac we just talked. I got motion sickness so it was no fun going very far. Greensburg or New Kensington were as far as we traveled. We did count cows & when we passed a cemetery we had to ‘bury’ them and start over.”

Yesterday’s vacation destination was the AT – Appalachian Trail – and the picture posted was an overnight shelter. Now you can see why the AT would never appeal to me except for a few hour hike on some part of the trail. I actually did that in the fall of 2016 in Harper’s Ferry. It was very fun – but we hiked in the rain and only walked a few miles out and back. Harper’s Ferry is a cool place in itself! Here are other sites on the AT:

Calendar inspiration – Anticipation is the fine art of waiting for something without impatience.

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TOMORROW March 9 is:

• National Barbie Day
• National Crabmeat Day
• National Get Over it Day
• National Meatball Day
• National Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day

It’s cold today, so I vote that tomorrow should be ‘Get Warmer Day’! In the meantime, I have my blankie (several, in fact) and the little space heater! Stay warm – God bless…

It started out as a rainy day and is still raining. Thankfully it’s pretty warm.

I did make my pancakes for lunch. I made the ‘mistake’ of not buying Bisquick last time, and the recipe on the box of baking mix was complex and very heavy. It didn’t take many bites before I was full. They tasted fine but I’ll stick with Bisquick from now on.

My exciting chores for today were to do laundry and do some Easter research. I have to type out a schedule for our Sunday School Easter lessons. Since Easter is a different week every year, it’s not in the correct order in our lesson planners. I will type them out so Mary and I are on the same page with lessons and activities.

After I do the ironing and listen to Greg’s Sunday message, it will be close time to go over to Kathy’s and watch the Gilded Age episode for the week. That’s a fun thing to look forward to, as well.

Today is Roger’s birthday, so sending out a big Happy Birthday to him, and wishing him a healthy and blessed year to come – every single day!

March 7 – What was the naughtiest or meanest thing you remember doing in school? Were there consequences? “In the winter when the potbelly stove was hot some one would bring in a pack of chewing gum. We would chew the gum & then heat it on the top of the stove. Put it on a piece of ivory (from piano key) and flip it on to the ceiling. When it cooled it would fall down & make a noise. I never got caught.” Wow – what a rebel! So fun to hear about these things.

Yesterday’s vacation destination was Slippery Rock – where we actually were! – and the picture posted was Slippery Rock Creek. Other things in Slippery Rock are:

Calendar inspiration – Stay sweet and kind wherever you go.

Quote – (two today)

Scripture – (two today)

Vacation destination –

TOMORROW March 8th:

• International Women’s Day
• National Oregon Day
• National Peanut Cluster Day
• National Proofreading Day

What exciting things are there to celebrate in Oregon? Probably more than we knew. But proofreading is more in my line – I’m sure I’ll be doing that in some form! Have a great day – and hope for Sunshine! God bless…

I went to Diane’s straight after Sunday School and we headed to Jennings Environmental center for the program – Sweet Stroll Through Maple History. The Park Ranger who took us through the hike was very engaging, informative, and interesting. Even the kids enjoyed it, and probably 2/3 of the group were kids under 15.

We started by learning about Pennsylvania State Parks – There are 121 State Parks in PA, and no matter where you are in the state you are never further than half an hour from a state park. Interesting information! We learned about the Prairie across the road, and that prairie is one of the only homes to the endangered Massasauga Rattlesnake. The ranger had a rubber one but it sure looked real! Yikes!

There are a lot of big rocks, which I really like, and lots of birds and chipmunks. I took a photos of 2 chipmunk homes.

We learned about the importance of trees, layers of trees, and how to identify maple from other trees, especially when there are no leaves on the trees. As we hiked the trail, we saw how tapping for syrup has changed since the Native Americans first began the process. Then, how the settlers improved on the process, and ultimately how both the Civil War and World War II introduced new and innovative equipment and processing, as well as understanding of the process.

At the end, we saw how the maple sap is boiled off now to make syrup, and then we all had a little taste. It was very sweet, and yummy! It was a fun day, and the weather was perfect – 70*, sunny and dry!

I snapped these photos on the trip – The city of Butler – and a huge flag waving in the breezes.

March 6 – Tell about how you spent your Sundays – “We went to Sunday School & church and then we were not allowed to do anything except read, play a quiet game, or play the piano rolls and sing. Sunday was to be sacred and a day to honor God. We did go visiting.”

Yesterday’s vacation destination was Maslowski Beach in the city of Ashland. Picture was Dobson Gardens, as are most of the others posted below. Diane and her friend Kendra visited there together. Kendra lives in Chicago but this is in Wisconsin.

The rest are in the garden: (Thanks for sharing, Diane!)

Calendar Inspiration is – ironically – tapping maple syrup! Sweet things come out of long hard work.

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TOMORROW March 7 is:

• National Be Heard  Day
• National Cereal Day
• National Crown of Roast Pork Day 
• National Flapjack Day

SO – I was hungry for pancakes (because of all the syrup talk) but since tomorrow is Flapjack Day I’ll wait until tomorrow. Better than cereal! (Sorry!) God bless…

Before I go any further, I want to post the review of the Thimble Shoppe. I also took a quick photo of the three thimbles I have – One is Grama Crooks’, one is Mary Crouch’s (Letters to Mary) and the bright one is mine from a teenager. I was excited to make a close connection to the book in several ways!

The Thimble Shoppe – by Elizabeth Bromke – caught my heart just from the title.  My mom was a very good seamstress from a young age – made my wedding dress – and so was my grandmother. So I made the connection easily.  The Thimble Shoppe is really a story about forgiveness.  Mabel struggles with forgiving herself, which is the most difficult type of forgiveness to effect.  Griffin, too, spends a lot of time looking back.  But as Mabel and Griffin each – on their own – wade through the changes in front of them in the light of what is behind them, they discover things about themselves that help them discover who they are. Are decisions and actions of family members really what they seem?  Mabel’s frustration and disappointments center around her self-imposed distancing from those who love her the most.  And Griffin’s resentments color his ability to see clearly what he wanted all along.  Once again Elizabeth builds the story with small, important nuggets that – as the lives of these characters unfold – fit together in ways we hadn’t imagined.  Prairie Creek is the perfect place to find ourselves, to become family, and to forgive the most important person – ourselves.  Well-developed characters, great story line, unexpected events – a must read!  I loved it!

Nate sent me pictures of his shed – which could finally be delivered and set up. The ground was too snowy or wet for so long that it couldn’t be hauled up through the yard. He’s very excited to have so much room for storage, and I’m excited for him.

After I did my few inside chores this morning I bundled up and went outside to work in the yard. ‘Bundled up’ was a mistake! By the time I was out there half an hour I had shed my windbreaker and my heavy hoodie. I cleaned up some of the leaves, but wanted to make sure the little plants were covered so after I took photos I covered them back up. I straightened the rock border around all the flower beds because they were pushed into the ground and covered by plants. Then I rebuilt the 4 small walls in the bottom flower bed. Also swept the patio stones and fixed the little retaining walls back there. A job (or jobs) well done. It felt so good to be outside; hadn’t realized how much I missed that. I have a feeling I will be stiff and sore in the morning.

March 5 – Tell about how you spent your Saturdays during the school year. “Baking for the weekend. Jt was also cleaning the house, especially our bedroom. Once or twice a year we went to Indiana & spent the day. We even got to see a movie once in a while. Abbot & Costello were favorite movies.”

Yesterday’s vacation destination was quirky hotels, and the picture posted was a forest fire tower get-a-way. Other choices are:

Calendar inspiration from Lucy today –

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Vacation Destination – (Contributed by Diane)

TOMORROW March 6 is:

• National Dentist’s Day
• National Dress Day
• National Frozen Food Day
• National Oreo Cookie Day 
• National White Chocolate Cheesecake Day
• Finisher’s Medal Day

Tomorrow after church is the Sweet Stroll Through Maple History hike, same place as the Cherry Pie hike last week. Should be very interesting! I’ll fill you in tomorrow. God bless!!!

My mom used to say that this is the most commanding day of the year: MARCH FORTH!!! Hopefully your day was busy, in a good way!

The day started with Diane coming for breakfast, and the scones were a huge hit. She even txted a picture to her friend Kendra in Chicago, who was drooling in envy! I promised to make a batch for her to take this summer (maybe in May) when she goes out to visit.

I had some title work to do after Diane left, and while I was working I heard my facebook app ping a live post. It was my friend Rachelle, who was live-streaming the truck convoy headed to DC. Her husband is a PA State Representative, and she’s very active in community support. I got caught up in the excitement as she did a play-by-play of the vehicles heading up Route I-70 to the PA turnpike. There was an estimate of 4 to 6 miles of trucks and support vehicles. I pray that this peaceful demonstration will show our country coming together to be the America that we want it to be. I guess it was about 2 or 3 hours long! I did hear it mentioned that the convoy went through West Alexander and wonder if Kelly and the boys saw any of it. The pictures really don’t do justice to the number of vehicles and the flags and banners displayed. The overhead bridge where they were standing was full of observers, plus the hills on either side.

After finishing laundry and ironing, I did get the pillow cover sewn with the bunny material. I think it looks so fun, especially beside the bunny blanket.

I decided I needed some air, so I drove over to L&L Fleatique and walked around. I bought a little Americana coaster and 2 small ceramic bunnies. Now I am going to do some writing before it’s time for supper.

March 4 – Do you have a good story about yourself cussing? “I never even said ‘dirty’ words. Once when Uncle Jim locked me in our playhouse, which was the old chicken house, I called him an old ‘s—‘. My Grandma Crooks heard me yelling & came across the rough path, using her cane, & left me out. I was crying & she said “don’t cry. You are out now.” I said that wasn’t what I was crying about. I said I was going to hell as I had said a bad word. She just hugged me & told me to ask Jesus to forgive me & never do it again. I never did.” Oh, if we all had that spirit of repentance and conviction!

Yesterday’s vacation destination was Guatape Columbia, and the picture posted was the islands.

Calendar inspiration – Delightful things can be found in unexpected places; you never know what you’ll find so enjoy the search.

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TOMORROW March 5 is:

• National Absinthe Day
• National Cheese Doodle Day
• National Multiple Personality Day

Hoping the weekend brings more sunshine and warm temperatures.. and joy! God bless…

I’m surprised that it’s still Thursday. This was an unexpectedly full, busy day, on top of a basically sleepless night (not sure why!). After work I stopped at Mike P’s, and he had a bunch of deals and questions. Then I stopped at the bank to make a deposit, at the Post Office to mail 3 letters, and at the Citgo to get gas. As I’d heard, it was $.30 more a gallon and predicted to go up again.

I made a grilled cheese with tomato for lunch, and was just going to mix up my scones for tomorrow’s breakfast (my friend is coming for breakfast!) when Autmn txt me. She had the day off and wanted us to hang out. I have been ‘pestering’ her to come visit so I switched plans and went to West Newton to pick her up. I owed her a birthday lunch and shopping trip, so we went straight to Barnes and Noble, then Joanne Fabrics, Five Below, and then food at Chick-Fil-A.

She has loved fingernail tips since she was old enough to walk, so she bought tips and glue, and also a craft kit to make bracelets. She confessed that she does get bored a lot. She’s been knitting blankets to keep busy between work shifts. I was glad to spend some time with her, and at least get the feel of how she’s doing and feeling. I can see her being more mature but she’s still a little lost. Love that girl!

So I was in the car most of the time between 2:30pm until about 8:15pm. Makes for a long afternoon, but I was glad it was long with Autmn! I did get the scones mixed up, but everything else on the to-do list is flipped to tomorrow.

One little side note – I take Route 136 (very narrow, hilly, twisty road) to West Newton, and at the blinker light on Middletown Road a tractor-trailer pulled in front of me. I followed him for several miles, and when we went up the one hill, the top of the trailer snagged an electric line and pulled it loose. He drug it for probably half a mile until it fell and bounced across the road. I was directly behind the truck and had slowed down and fell way back. Thankfully the wire finally came to rest in the middle of the road. I was able to go between the wire and the guide rail, and pulled over at the next driveway and called 9-1-1. I’m not sure what kind of wire it was but knew I shouldn’t drive over it. They took all the information – hope they got it put back together! It was sort of scary – it could have snapped back and landed on my car! A huge blessing and thankful heart that all was well in the end.

March 3 – Did you ever pretend to be sick as an excuse to stay home from school? “I loved school & never wanted to miss. I had a sick time in the 5th or 6th grade. The teacher came to the house so I could take the tests. I guess my mother was a good teacher as I always made 100% on the tests.” So I can tell Kelly her home-school roots run close!

Yesterday’s vacation destination was strange and unusual sights in Pennsylvania, and the pictures posted was Schafer’s Auto Art in Erie PA. Other crazy things to see:

Calendar Inspiration – Look for moments to raise your spirits and inspire your imagination.

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TOMORROW March 4 is:

• Marching Music Day
• National Grammar Day
• National Hug a G.I. Day
• National Pound Cake Day
• National Sons Day
• Tartar Sauce Day
• National Day of Unplugging
• National Dress in Blue Day 
• National Speech and Debate Education Day
• National Employee Appreciation Day

Lots to celebrate tomorrow! Personally, I’d love to have a piece of Lisa Hays’ pound cake. It’s so yummy! Hope I remember to dress in blue – but it’s doubtful. Have a happy day. God bless…

It was a beautiful, sunny, warm day. Mostly I was doing inside chores, like cleaning and organizing and laundry, but I was outside a few times. Once my two neighbors were out, and we stood on the street taking for about 15 minutes. Sharon had her dog out for a walk, and Karen was putting the trash up. I was getting the mail. It was nice enough to be comfortable chatting and catching up – and discussing the shortage of some key items we have noticed. I felt like a actual neighbor, chatting and enjoying the fresh air and sunshine.

I was so happy with my St. Patrick’s Day pillow cover that I got a half a yard to bunny material. That – along with making scones – will be my chores tomorrow after work. Picture to follow!

Supper was a scrambled egg wrap. Easy and yummy. Now I will finish this and get organized for tomorrow.

March 2 – Tell about a school principal you remember. “I was the only one that had a study period so I would go to the principal’s office to study. He was “weird”. He put his wife in a mental hospital. After the school was closed they (authorities) discovered he was the one that was mentally ill. I was questioned about what I thought. I just said he was very ‘strange’.” What an unusual situation to be in!

Yesterday’s vacation destination was actually Best Rental Cabins in Pennsylvania, and the cabin pictured was in Montoursville. Other top choices:

Calendar inspiration – There’s satisfaction in sharing any journey.  A good attitude makes a difference when crossing the rain puddles of life.  – I really love this! So glad and thankful for those of you who are crossing puddles with me!

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TOMORROW March 3 is:

• National Anthem Day
• National Cold Cuts Day
• National I Want You to Be Happy Day
• National Mulled Wine Day 
• Soup It Forward Day
• National Hospitalist Day

The Star Spangled Banner was officially declared our National Anthem on March 3, 1931 – Mom was not even a year old! I’m going to look up more details. I love history! Have a great day – ‘Oh, say, can you see???’ God bless…