I'm Sorry...
1 day ago
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Update
Yesterday Jonathan was moved out of intensive care to a regular hospital room. Today he went home with a 24-hour round the clock nurse. He is on medication to contol any possible seizures. Now we pray not only for continued healing but that the miracle is not lost in the wonder of modern medicine.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Rain
After several weeks of dry weather we have finally received some much needed rain. The breeze is fresh and cool and, as much as I prefer the sunshine, I can't complain. The gardens are looking great, loving both the sun and the rain.
We continue today to pray for Jonathan, healing, strength, and a special touch from the Lord. At times like this the distance between family members can be quite difficult as we wish we could be there to hug and encourage the family, to sit with them and to pray... We do the only thing we can do here, we pray together, continually lifting them up before the Lord and asking for His mercy.
Prayer Request
Please pray for our seventeen year old nephew, Jonathan, who was severely beaten and is in intensive care at the hospital.
Monday, June 04, 2007
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Zebra to Apple
The Buffalo Zoo still has zebras. They also have giraffes but we didn't see any tigers or lions. 
Guess we'll have to hit Seneca Park in Rochester to find those. I know The zoo in Syracuse has some cool animals too but it seems there is a lot of walking required and the animals are often hiding. (I should have bought that zoo membership!)
Guess we'll have to hit Seneca Park in Rochester to find those. I know The zoo in Syracuse has some cool animals too but it seems there is a lot of walking required and the animals are often hiding. (I should have bought that zoo membership!)Saturday, June 02, 2007
Friday, June 01, 2007
It Was Zooey
The zoo was... well, a zoo! Ben, Hannah, and I rode to Buffalo with Shelly and Jessi for an afternoon of picture taking. I woke up with a stabbing pain in my left shoulder blade this morning but I made it through the day with a little help from the makers of Advil. (What would we do without painkillers?)
We had an interesting time trying to find the zoo entrance. Let's just say we rather unnecessarily took the long way. The zoo was rather crowded with small children on field trips but they didn't stay too long after our arrival. I would have rather taken photos of them but we set out to capture the animals instead. Some of them posed quite nicely and others were just plain difficult. I do like these two shots.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Bird Watching
Tonight 
I went down to the drainage ditch to check on the red winged blackbird nest. Last time I checked it was occupied by at least an egg or two. 
This time it was holding not just eggs but naked little birds. I couldn't see them very well so I went "ahhhh!" and up popped a tiny head and a rather large mouth.. Very cool!
I went down to the drainage ditch to check on the red winged blackbird nest. Last time I checked it was occupied by at least an egg or two. 
This time it was holding not just eggs but naked little birds. I couldn't see them very well so I went "ahhhh!" and up popped a tiny head and a rather large mouth.. Very cool!
Oh, Happy Day!
I baked a pie today! It's just plain rhubarb and I think we need some vanilla ice cream to go with it. Rhubarb pie just isn't the same without vanilla ice cream.
Tomorrow we are going to the Buffalo Zoo with Shelly... if it doesn't rain.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Wash Day
It was a great day to hang laundry out on the line. I hung out jeans, t-shirts, and tablecloths but decided to throw the towels, socks and underwear in the dryer so as they wouldn't be quite so "crunchy".
Maybe tomorrow I'll make a rhubarb pie...
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Gardens and Stuff
Summer is closing in fast. My son Dave stopped over late Saturday afternoon and tilled up the garden area for me. Yesterday James had Nathan build me some boxes to plant my vegetables in, and this morning we took some time to set out the plants. I still need to plant my pickling cucumbers and I did end up adding four butternut squash and a bed full of flowers (celosia and zinias). Hannah helped me put weed block on four of the six beds so hopefully that will cut down on the weeding that will need to be done later on. Now I'm ready to sit on the back porch and relax for a while. Anybody for some iced tea or lemonade?
Nathan found some more summer fun, a silly little toad. He's looking very serious in the photo. Maybe he was afraid he might turn into lunch. No need to worry. We put him back in the flower garden where its safe.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Memorial Day
This is a day set aside to remember those men and women who have given their lives for the freedoms we enjoy in this country. Most often we think of our American soldiers and their families, but they are not the only ones who have risked their lives for this country. There were also those from other countries who often joined the United States military to defend the way of life we have known for so long. My father in law was just one young Canadian who joined the United States Air Force. There must have been many others. To them, their wives, and families, I say thank you.
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD
(1872-1918) Canadian Army
IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
More Things You Don't Really Need to Know
1. I was born on Palm Sunday 1964
2. I am named after my mother's paternal grandmother and her eldest sister.
3. I have lived in NY state for all but six months of my life.
4. I love NY.
5. I don't have any immediate family who live out of state.
6. I have a GED.
7. I never went to college.
8. I suppose that makes me uneducated in the eyes of some people.
9. I don't believe that.
10. I have gone to church my entire life.
11. I was baptized as an infant.
12. I was baptized as a teenager.
13. I'm not sure when I gave my life to Jesus but I know I belong to Him.
14. I have a large print Bible that used to be my Grandpa's.
15. I still need glasses to read it.
16. I am thankful for glasses.
17. I'm also thankful for eyes.
18. I have both an ambylopia and a strabismus.
19. I don't know how to spell those words, I just guessed.
20. I had surgery to correct my lazy eye when I was a preschooler.
21. When I'm tired, my eyes are still wacky.
22. In high school my nick name was Bert.
23. The boys used to call me Bertha instead of Martha and my friends shortened it.
24. I liked being called Bert.
25. No one calls me that now.
26. I don't get invited to high school reunions.
27. Probably because I didn't graduate.
28. Most likely I wouldn't go anyway.
29. I don't drink alcohol.
30. But I do like wine coolers.
31. I haven't had one of those in a very long time.
32. I drink iced tea instead.
33. I used to have a long distance relationship.
34. It started in 3rd grade.
35. It ended after I got married.
36. Letters were far and few.
37. He moved to Maryland.
38. I have terrible springtime allergies.
39. I sneeze incessantly.
40 My nose itches like crazy.
41. I take an antihistimine.
42. I used to get hives from the cold.
43. Now frozen things cause terrible pain in my hands.
44. I try to keep my hands warm.
45. My first kiss was the boy who later became my husband.
46. I never kissed more than three boys.
47. One didn't count.
48. He sold lemonade at the county fair.
49. James and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary last June.
50. Our kids threw a surprise party.
51. We were surprised.
52. I used to write poetry.
53. Once in a great while I still do.
54. I have never had anything published.
55. Maybe some day I will.
56. I doubt it.
57. I probably not as nice as some people think I am.
58. Maybe I'm nicer...
59. I hate having my photo taken.
60. My face is too fat.
61. My eyes like to be shut in photos.
62. I can't keep them open with a flash.
63. I am going to be a grandma in October.
64. I am excited!
65. I almost bought a baby outfit today but I refrained.
66. Some day I will buy one.
67. My vegetable garden is still not planted.
68. Sometimes I'm afraid it isn't going to happen.
69. I'm craving a nice tomato sandwhich.
70. My mom has fed me tomato sandwiches since I was a little girl.
71. I drink coffee more often than tea.
72. I used to drink tea more often.
73. When I was a teenager I loved baking cookies.
74. I don't bake much now.
75. Baked goods are hard to resist.
76. In the fall I bake apple and pumpkin pies.
77. Next week I will bake rhubarb pie.
78. Deep inside I am a country girl.
79. I have always wanted to live on a farm.
80. We used to visit my great uncle's dairy farm.
81. Once I saw a cow giving birth.
82. I don't mind the smell of cows.
83. Pigs and chickens are a different story.
84. My favorite activities used to be bike riding and rollerskating.
85. Now it's walking.
86. I never cared for competition sports.
87. I don't have to win to be happy.
88. I enjoy James' camera.
89. I take too many pictures.
90. Mostly I put them on the blog.
91. I develop far fewer photos now that I'm blogging.
92. I have way too many photographs.
93. I don't think I'll ever get them sorted and into albums.
94. If they were, I'd have way too many albums.
95. My 3rd grade boyfriend and I used to catch garter snakes.
96. I wasn't afraid to touch them.
97. I don't want to touch tham anymore.
98. I still not afraid, I just don't want to touch them.
99. I used to have a pet mouse.
100. Now I have a dog, three cats, and some fish.
101. I need to get up and fold the laundry.
102. The dishes also need to be washed.
103. My bed is made.
104. I make my bed almost every day.
105. I get up after James.
106. He thinks I sleep too much.
107. He used to stay in bed longer than me.
108 I'm just making up for years past.
109. I don't usually sleep past eight.
2. I am named after my mother's paternal grandmother and her eldest sister.
3. I have lived in NY state for all but six months of my life.
4. I love NY.
5. I don't have any immediate family who live out of state.
6. I have a GED.
7. I never went to college.
8. I suppose that makes me uneducated in the eyes of some people.
9. I don't believe that.
10. I have gone to church my entire life.
11. I was baptized as an infant.
12. I was baptized as a teenager.
13. I'm not sure when I gave my life to Jesus but I know I belong to Him.
14. I have a large print Bible that used to be my Grandpa's.
15. I still need glasses to read it.
16. I am thankful for glasses.
17. I'm also thankful for eyes.
18. I have both an ambylopia and a strabismus.
19. I don't know how to spell those words, I just guessed.
20. I had surgery to correct my lazy eye when I was a preschooler.
21. When I'm tired, my eyes are still wacky.
22. In high school my nick name was Bert.
23. The boys used to call me Bertha instead of Martha and my friends shortened it.
24. I liked being called Bert.
25. No one calls me that now.
26. I don't get invited to high school reunions.
27. Probably because I didn't graduate.
28. Most likely I wouldn't go anyway.
29. I don't drink alcohol.
30. But I do like wine coolers.
31. I haven't had one of those in a very long time.
32. I drink iced tea instead.
33. I used to have a long distance relationship.
34. It started in 3rd grade.
35. It ended after I got married.
36. Letters were far and few.
37. He moved to Maryland.
38. I have terrible springtime allergies.
39. I sneeze incessantly.
40 My nose itches like crazy.
41. I take an antihistimine.
42. I used to get hives from the cold.
43. Now frozen things cause terrible pain in my hands.
44. I try to keep my hands warm.
45. My first kiss was the boy who later became my husband.
46. I never kissed more than three boys.
47. One didn't count.
48. He sold lemonade at the county fair.
49. James and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary last June.
50. Our kids threw a surprise party.
51. We were surprised.
52. I used to write poetry.
53. Once in a great while I still do.
54. I have never had anything published.
55. Maybe some day I will.
56. I doubt it.
57. I probably not as nice as some people think I am.
58. Maybe I'm nicer...
59. I hate having my photo taken.
60. My face is too fat.
61. My eyes like to be shut in photos.
62. I can't keep them open with a flash.
63. I am going to be a grandma in October.
64. I am excited!
65. I almost bought a baby outfit today but I refrained.
66. Some day I will buy one.
67. My vegetable garden is still not planted.
68. Sometimes I'm afraid it isn't going to happen.
69. I'm craving a nice tomato sandwhich.
70. My mom has fed me tomato sandwiches since I was a little girl.
71. I drink coffee more often than tea.
72. I used to drink tea more often.
73. When I was a teenager I loved baking cookies.
74. I don't bake much now.
75. Baked goods are hard to resist.
76. In the fall I bake apple and pumpkin pies.
77. Next week I will bake rhubarb pie.
78. Deep inside I am a country girl.
79. I have always wanted to live on a farm.
80. We used to visit my great uncle's dairy farm.
81. Once I saw a cow giving birth.
82. I don't mind the smell of cows.
83. Pigs and chickens are a different story.
84. My favorite activities used to be bike riding and rollerskating.
85. Now it's walking.
86. I never cared for competition sports.
87. I don't have to win to be happy.
88. I enjoy James' camera.
89. I take too many pictures.
90. Mostly I put them on the blog.
91. I develop far fewer photos now that I'm blogging.
92. I have way too many photographs.
93. I don't think I'll ever get them sorted and into albums.
94. If they were, I'd have way too many albums.
95. My 3rd grade boyfriend and I used to catch garter snakes.
96. I wasn't afraid to touch them.
97. I don't want to touch tham anymore.
98. I still not afraid, I just don't want to touch them.
99. I used to have a pet mouse.
100. Now I have a dog, three cats, and some fish.
101. I need to get up and fold the laundry.
102. The dishes also need to be washed.
103. My bed is made.
104. I make my bed almost every day.
105. I get up after James.
106. He thinks I sleep too much.
107. He used to stay in bed longer than me.
108 I'm just making up for years past.
109. I don't usually sleep past eight.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Motivation
It has been another beautiful day of sunshine and warm breezes. Bethany stopped by late this morning and stayed to help me dust and straighten up the house. I have been feeling rather discouraged and unsure of what to do first so it was nice to have a "take charge" kind of person here to point me in a better direction. She says I need to make a "to do" list and set some goals to accomplish this summer. Of course she is right but once a body is out of sorts it is hard to know where to start. What would I do without this wonderful daughter?
This afternoon we took a little time out to sit on the back porch and enjoy some conversation and a glass of iced tea. Now she is reading a book on pregnancy that was recommended by a friend. Tonight we are planning to go shopping together while the kids are at church and James is helping Joe change the oil in his truck. Thursday, May 24, 2007
Thirteen (or more) Favorite Summer Foods
We eat different food in the summer than in the winter and always look forward to that time when the switch is made. Here are at least thirteen of our favorites...
1. Watermelon
2. fresh garden salads
3. tomato sandwiches
3. tomato sandwiches
4. BBQ chicken
5. summer squash (Well, I like it anyway.)
6. fried bell peppers. (They make great sandwiches too!)
7. strawberry shortcake (We have this for nathan's birthday every year.)
8. iced tea
9. smores (and plain toasted marshmallows)
10. fresh blueberries, of course
11. pasta and potato salads
12. peaches
13. ice cream
14. corn on the cob
15. 3-bean salad
16. fresh veggies
17. baked beans
18. popsicles
19. hot dogs and burgers
Have we reached 13 yet?
Summer's Return
On Sunday I couldn't get warm and today we are looking for a high of 86 degrees. How I love the warm weather (minus the allergies!). Today I am going to hang my clothes on the line, make some macaroni salad, and sit out on my back porch for a little bit and enjoy the weather.
My yard is full of flowers and life. The bees are quite busy as well as the birds and other creatures. Yesterday Ben found a tree frog. I have been noticing bird calls more this year. Maybe some day I'll learn to recognize them by their songs. I'm so glad God put all these wonderful things here for us to enjoy. The credit really belongs to Him and if we are able to capture a tiny portion of it on a photograph, we are truly blessed!Time to make my salad and finish the laundry. Maybe I'll be back later for a Thursday Thirteen...
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Pusteblume # 2
I'm not exactly sure what "pusteblume" means but I'm with Gudl, dandelions do make wonderful photos. I've taken way more than enough dandelion pictures this year, but I don't think I'm finished either. I also have a strange inclination to take photos of puffy old cattails.
The vegetable garden is coming along at a very slow pace. The weeds took over with a vengance this spring and they are totally out of control. My son, Dave, is supposed to stop over on Friday and help me get it tilled up again. I am fighting with myself on how many veggies to put in. I already have two regualr tomato plants and one cherry, two bell peppers and six chiles, and six celery plants. I am hoping to get some pickling cucumbers (and maybe some for slicing) on Friday morning. I think that will be it... if I keep control... With all the other summer activities maybe that will be enough.Tuesday, May 22, 2007
More of Springtime
The warmer weather is making a comeback. It's time to get my gardens in before its too late. Bethany brought me a Clematis for Mother's day. I need to get it planted too but first I need a trellis of some kind to grow it on.
Our white lilacs are blooming now too. It looks just like a popcorn bush to me. All I need is to pick a big bowl and melt some butter...This morning James fixed our lawn tractor, which had been out of order for the past week. Ben spent the better part of the day cutting the grass. The yard is looking much more civilized tonight. Maybe we'll go visit Rachel tomorrow.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Ahh, ahhh, aahhhh... chooo!
Allergy season has settled in. As soon as the lilacs start to bloom, I start sneezing. I'm not really sure its the lilacs I'm allergic too, I hope not because I love to get my nose up close to them every once in a while, but something in the air is making me sneezy and itchy. The weather didn't help yesterday as it hovered right at "cold" all day long. I just couldn't stay warm and that made me sneeze too. Today is just a little bit warmer and the sun is shining to boot!
Saturday afternoon was the Apple Blossom parade in town with fireworks at dusk. Since we moved out of town five years ago the parade and fireworks are the extent of our participation in this town event. We prefer to be at home, work in the yard and enjoy the actual apple blossoms instead. I was still tired out Sunday from my running around Saturday and decided that the overcast skies made for good afternoon sleeping weather. I took a nice long nap!
Today is an off day. Its still a tad cold outside and I'm still a wee bit sleepy. My allergies will keep me tired so I just have to fight them off and keep moving. Maybe I'll go make some coffee and check out my garden.
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