Things Learned

What I have learned:

• There is a 4 1/2 month rule that should be in effect much longer than 4 1/2 months.
• Foxes eat apples, squirrels eat apples, foxes eat squirrels.
• Don't sign up to participate in a Senior Walking Program.
• Colds, sniffles, aches and pains seem to recur and last all winter.
• Pay Pal and eBay are off limits.
• Seeing 3 movies in one week makes for a great week.
• Cherish the days gone by.

Stay healthy, safe, and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

Moving on

Back from Mass, volunteered at the rectory and ready to start the day. Overcast and cool here. Hopefully, the painting can resume if it stays dry here for several days.

Plan to look at vines to plant over the arbor---just spoke with the owner of Dutch's Nursery, he has the vines I want but recommended planting the vines outside/back of box in the ground as the roots will freeze in the winter and die. Love Dutch's Nursery! Have lots of top soil/mulch/compost mix to build up the soil behind the planters and it will work very nice. Yea--have a plan. (Plumbago from Dutch's Nursery courtesy of Vicki on 2007 Mother's Day, it winters at friend's grennhouse every year).

Thinking so much this time of the year when Pop started getting sick. When he got sick we were put into motion and did what needed to be done. Just did the doing part---now am doing the processing/thinking part. I do not dwell on it, do not question it--just think often about the journey. What a courageous and gracious battle he fought and all of you were all there for him (and me). Will tell you kids over and over--YOU DID IT RIGHT!!! What pride I have in being a part of your journey---thanks!

Have some "For Sonny Days" plans in the works. Will have more to share as time moves forward. Let's think about Thanksgiving. Would love to have it here this year. What do you think? For now--stay healthy, be safe, keep in touch, value every moment of the time you're given and treasure the family and friends that surround you. Thanks to all of you for being a part of my life!

Love, Mom

Flowers, Friends...

Gerbera Daisy with accompanying Marigolds. The garden is really colorful this year. Seems like every year it changes. Some flowers/plants really shine and others sit back to do their thing next year. No rhyme nor reason to this plan---just enjoy the transformation and transition---really do think I have garden fairies who touch their magic to the plants. Would like to meet with them and provide them with BB guns to get the rabbits.

Had a great visit with Faye. She lives on a farm in Augusta. She came with arms full of fresh produce: red/white/green onions, squash, cucumbers, and white/red potatoes. She always carries her camera so I was treated to a slide show of her garden, grandchildren, dogs, etc. I shared some of my city food with her. Took her to Braums for a double dip ice cream cone. Great visit!

Allison and I are going together to take the food handlers course at the Health Department on Saturday morning. Then we will be able to volunteer at the Lord's Diner. She is in the AVID program at North High and they require the students to perform 8 hours of community service in the summer. Figure we can get that done before school starts.

Thinking about taking an 8 day pilgrimage to Rome with our Bishop toward the end of the year. Have a couple of gals in mind who would be great travelers and roommates. We'll see.

Stay healthy, safe, and keep in touch. (Guess who trimmed trees yesterday, got poison ivy while hauling limbs to back field and found a tick on the ear? Guess who was in NJ and spent some time w/Lauren, Lindsay, Phia, and Ori yesterday? Guess who came to change the oil in the lawnmower, fix some hose connectors, and shide me for cutting/hauling limbs? Guess who took a ride on a boat during work hours yesterday? Guess who misses everyone of you---Keep in touch and ye shall know!)

Love, Mom