Saturday, July 04, 2009

4th of July

Maxine says it all!!! Please have a safe and Happy 4th of July!


~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

The Columbine


Columbine
Salvation
the flower of the Savior
Wisdom and Strength

The columbine is said to have grown at Adam's feet in the
Garden of Eden. Through the Middle Ages. Monasteries and castle
gardens featured this flower. Originally blossoms were thought
to represent the eagle's claws but those with gentler natures said the
petals looked like a dove. Presenting the Columbine to a
loved one shows a great deal of respect. Salvation is implied, ranging
from the salvation of the soul to an attempt to ward off an evil
eye, which could otherwise sap a beloved's wisdom and strength.
~Loves Me, Loves Me Not~
The Hidden Language of Flowers
by Peter Loewer

~~~~~~~

Soon and very soon we will be going to the land of the Columbine. We're off tomorrow evening for MT to visit Mom and brother Phil and family for several days. Then on the way home we will visit Ron's sister in CO. I can hardly wait. John Denver had it right!!! It's a "Rocky Mountain High!"

I'm not sure how much access I will have to a computer. I will make every effort to post and visit. Know that I will be thinking of all of you! Will be gone for about 10 days all told but do hope to visit with you all soon.

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!


Monday, June 29, 2009

True Heart Award


"Those who receive this award are of the sweetest nature. They are kind, friendly, funny, loving, eager to share their love for Jesus with others, and brave in their efforts to reflect Him to this darkened world. They are the kind of folks you're blessed to know, even if it's only in the bloggy-sphere."

I am sincerely humbled by this gift given by Jennifer at My Chocolate Heart. And so I offer this award to those who have been models for me along this Blogging Journey. This is only a few of those who have touched my life.


1) Esther at Catholic Mom in Hawaii
2) Ann at Poetry, Prayer and Praise
3) SuzyQ at Sailing by Starlight
4) Lisa at Are We There Yet
5) Mrs. Pogle's World
6) Bia at La Dolce Vita: my life with three sons
7) Abbey at Abbey's Road
8) Deb at UKOK's Place
9) Sojourner at A Catholic Notebook
10) Tracy at a Catholic Mom in Minnesota

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Friendly Accolades

In the last week I have been privileged to be awarded distinguieshed awards. I will continue with the award that Abbey at Abbey's Road extended to me.

"This is how the award works: This award is bestowed on to blogs that are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

The award also asks that I tell 7 "random" things about myself. There probably isn't much I haven't already said about myself but I will do my best.

They are:

!) I dislike summer in IN. It's HOT and HUMID. Having been born and raised in CO where the altitude is high and the air is dry, this is AWFUL! (It was 59 in Denver this early a.m. It was 72 here!)

2) I like the music of CCR, the Beach Boys, Jim Croche, Benny Goodman, Frank Sinatra, and Billy Joel.

3) My favorite old movies are mysteries like Charlie Chan, Sherlock Holmes and the Thin Man. (Kellie, my grand daughter has spent enough time with me that she likes to watch them too.)

3) My favorite television show is on PBS. It's Mystery and this next few weeks they are airing newly produced Agatha Christi movies.

4) My youngest son will be married in December, 2009. And my 10th grandchild will be born in October, 2009.

5) 41 years ago in July Ron I were married and our honeymoon was overnight in Aspen. Wish we could go back again, but in 1969 none of the celebrities had found it yet and is was much less expensive to stay there.

6) Seeing the Grand Canyon was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. If you don't believe in God before you visit there, surely you will find Him while you are there.

7) This year on our numerous travels we hope to have visited everyone in the family including our brothers and sisters as well as all the kids. Thanks be to God!!!!

To those who have who touch my life nearly daily I offer this award:

1) Marcy at Blessing Each Day

2) Bernie at On My Own

3) Sue at In Him We Live and Move and Have Our Being

4) Cathy at From the Field of Blue Children

5) Sue at Made for Joy

6) Angie at Sonflower

7) Kim at Falling On His Grace

8) Laura at Catholic Teacher's Musings

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Wash Day




My friend Maggie has gifted me with this "little ditty." Please enjoy as I did!


~*~


Monday Wash Day

Lord, help me wash away all my selfishness and
Vanity, so I may serve you with perfect humility
through the week ahead.


Tuesday Ironing Day

Dear Lord, help me iron out all the wrinkles
of prejudice I have collected through the years
So that I may see the beauty in others.


Wednesday Mending Day

O God, help me mend my ways so I will not
Set a bad example for others.


Thursday Cleaning Day

Lord Jesus, help me to dust out all the many faults
I have been hiding in the secret corners of my heart.


Friday Shopping Day

O God, give me the grace to shop wisely so I may purchase
eternal happiness for myself and all others
in need of love.


Saturday Cooking Day

Help me, my Savior, to brew a big kettle of brotherly
Love and serve it with clean, sweet bread of human kindness.

Sunday The Lord's Day
O God, I have prepared my house for you. Please
come into my heart so I may spend the day and the
Rest of my life in your presence.


~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Trek to the Biltmore

We had some more fun last weekend. We took a trip to Ashville, NC to visit Biltmore House


Grandpa and Dad get the kids
settled in the car.


Then we follow the leader.

It's a really good picture of the Clan.


The boys are off to get their hands wet in the fountain


And as we drove to the winery
we passed the garden.

Will have to return just to do the garden walk.
It was a lovely experience and a grand way
to celebrate
Father's Day!

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Honest Scrap Award

My sincere thanks to Lisa at Are We There Yet and Eileen at Umma's World for this delightful award. Both of these ladies offer me a place to go and enjoy the environment and down home friendliness. I will try to do justice by them in accepting this award and sharing a bit of who I am.

Rules:

1) Say thanks and give a link to the presenter of the award.
2) Share "ten honest things" about myself.
3) Present this award to 7 others whose blogs I find brilliant in content and/or design, or those who have encouraged me.
4) Tell those 7 people that they've been awarded HONEST SCRAP and inform them of these guidelines in receiving it.


Ten Insights I may not have shared before:

1) I knit, crochet, embroider, and do counted x-stitch (not all at the same time) but cannot skillfully use a sewing machine. My poor mother really tried, but I am totally inept!

2) I played the organ at church for 5 years, but found it to be the most difficult thing I ever had to do. I felt as if I never celebrated Mass on Sunday because I was so concerned about "getting it right." I am grateful I was able to assist in this ministry, but am most grateful to have passed it on to another.

3) I take real pleasure in being a part of the RCIA process here at St. John the Baptist Church. Being "used" in the preparation of those entering the Catholic faith has been one of my great joys. Witnessing the work of the Spirit in the lives of those choosing to enter is a thrill!

4) I love to travel. Will spend a good deal of this summer on the road! YEAH!

5) I have 5 children born in four different states, Colorado, California, Oklahoma and Indiana.

6) When in nursing school I found that the worst patients in the hospital were the Dr. and nurse. I was determined that when I was in the hospital I would not be demanding and bad humored. I hope I was successful.

7) Giving birth in a military hospital is an interesting experience. One is not allowed to lie around and feel sorry for oneself. The next day the corpsman comes in with your sheets and towels and gives them to you so you can get ready for breakfast. You shower, change your sheets and then get breakfast. (That was 30 years ago so I'm not sure if it has changed.) Not much time to develop postpartum blues.

8) I enjoyed Forensic and Debate in high school. There's a lot to be said for being able to stand in front of a group, perform, and take the criticism...Like American Idol?

9) Would much rather watch a live sporting event than watch it on TV...No on can hear me yell when I'm home alone watching!

10) One of my favorite flowers is the day lily! When we were in NC this last weekend I saw BLANKETS of day lilies on the highway medians!!!! It was glorious. I just wish I could have gotten a picture to show you all!!!!!

Now for the hand-off (football term)!

Abbey at Abbey's Road

Anita at Castles, Crown and Cottages

Eileen at Eileen on Him...at least I try!

Dorothy at Musing at 85

Jennifer at My Chocolate Heart

Sarah at Ora et Labora--Journey of Truth

Esther at A Catholic Mom in Hawaii

It just occurred to me that two of the women above are in Hawaii! INTERESTING!

~~~^j^~~~

For all this fun and ecxcitment I say,
"Thanks again
and
Thanks be to God!!!"


Gold Fever II - Clint Eastwood

So, Paint Your Wagon is a family standard. Unless you have ever experienced gold fever or been around someone who has it you probably won't understand. It's a disease...

We laugh about it now, but 30 years ago it was an all consuming "hobby." Weekends were spent at the placer, concentrating and the rest of the week after work was spent panning it down.

It was fun! We got to take the kids to wonderful places. They learned what it was like to be a '49er. Totin' bucket, dirt, sluice, diggin', pannin'...all that work! When all was said and done it was a great lesson in life. One in which none of the kids wanted to pursue. All passed on the back braking work and chose to go on to other endeavors, no less demanding, but less physical.

Following are more pictures.




The owner, mine boss, and miners-in-training


The Stamp Mill where the gold was processed.


Tight quarters...


Not a glamorous job, at all, at all.

And so ends chapter two of the Gold Saga. There's still gold out there. It's still hard work and of all the jobs in the world out there, it has the most risk and the least guarantees. All for the sake of GOLD!


~~~^j^~~~

For the gift of adventure,
Thanks be to God!!!

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Gold Fever Part I

This last weekend we spent Father's Day in North Carolina with David, Kelly, The Boys and Maddie. I cannot tell you how much fun it was for us. It was a weekend full of fun and surprises. The first surprise came Saturday morning when David announced we were going to Reed's Gold mind. Ron's eyes lit up and his ears turned red.

Background: Ron is a '49er! Born too to late but a '49er non-the-less. He has dredged for gold in Colorado instead of attending classes at Colorado School of Mines. He has dredged for gold in California, from the American River to dry creek beds on the Monterey Peninsula. He and his children, all, have panned for gold in Indiana at Gold Creek. (no kidding...that's the name.)

So, you see when David told his dad of this adventure, Ron was up and ready to go. The following are videos of Dad/Grandpa panning and instructing.




"There's gold!"




Grandpa teaches them how!

*******^j^*******

It was a glorious day.

Thanks be to God!!!

Friday, June 19, 2009

Bad Haiku Friday

Haven't done this for awhile so thought that I'd use it as a preview for what is to come on our travels this weekend.


We're off to Charlotte
Fun,
Family and play

Happy Father's Day!



Wishing all a grand weekend of family and friends. ENJOY!!! Will be back Tuesday!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!!