Walking is the perfect way of moving if you want to see into the life of things. It is the one way of freedom. If you go to a place on anything but your own feet you are taken there too fast, and miss a thousand delicate joys that were waiting for you by the wayside. Elizabeth von Arnim

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Monday, May 31, 2010

Happy Memorial Day


Thank you my friends for all the Birthday wishes!! :-)

Sunday, May 30, 2010

The Famous Cake

As promised here is a picture of the birthday cake that Ken made for me.We had a piece of it for breakfast before going to church.
I can't even begin to tell you how good it was!!!I was also surprised with this present from Ken.Thanks a bunch Kenny!! :-)

This evening we are meeting with Cheryl and Rob and will have dinner at LeeLynn's.
Then home here to have some cake for dessert.

Have happy day all.
Happyone :-)

Edit: Cheryl and Rob couldn't make it after all. So Ken and I went to Red Lobster and took along the gift certificate that my parents gave me and the $20 that I found and had a free dinner.
We will be having another piece of that delicious cake later on.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

A name, a grill and a cake

We had more rain last night and it was a cloudy morning for walking. I walked 6 miles along paths and some streets through neighborhoods. Lots of activity and people out so early in the morning. I saw a deer in a yard and when I stopped to talk to her, she leaned her head to look at me and listened. :-) I saw blue birds, a hawk, cardinals, lots of gray cat birds, bunnies, and the fox with another squirrel in its mouth. He's getting good at catching them!!
Three yard sales were getting set up. I just walked right by. I already have too much stuff, besides I didn't have any money. No money finds today.
I saw a women bringing her twins for a ride in a wagon and stopped to chat with her. The twins are identical and almost 2 years old. I said, ah twins, double the happiness. She smiled and said, Thanks for saying that, I needed to hear it today. They have been double the trouble this morning. I thought a walk would be good for all of us.
I also ran into the older couple and I can now put a name to them. His name is Bob and her name is Petey. Her name has a story. Petey's real name is Martha but she says no one ever calls her that. Right after she was born her dad went to the races and bet on a horse called Petey's Luck and won big time. When he got home, he picked her up and said, My lucky Petey, we won. She has been called Petey ever since. I'm not likely to forget her name now!

Ken went off to work again this morning when I left for my walk. He wasn't home for breakfast so I didn't make pancakes. I've been eating two pieces of toast with a thin layer of peanut butter on it the last couple of days and had that again this morning only I just had one piece.
I did some things around the house and Ken was back home a little after 11.
In the afternoon we went out and did a few errands. A stop at the library, Lowe's to buy a little charcoal grill for the deck, and the bookstore to buy a magazine for my Secret Sister. (Southern Living)

When we got back home Ken started baking my birthday cake. He is doing it all on his own. I got to lick the beaters!! :-) The cake is a chocolate fudge layer cake. He cuts the two layers in half for four layers. Some layers get chocolate pudding, others get raspberry jam. Then the whole thing is covered with real whipped cream. He has made it for me other years and it is always sooooo delicious!!! I can hardly wait for tomorrow to eat it. My birthday is the REAL Memorial Day, May 30!! When I was a little girl my father told me everyone put their flags out just for me. Being a little girl I actually believed him then. :-)

I put our new mini grill together all on my own this afternoon. :-) Isn't it a cute little thing? Just perfect for the two of us.
A picture of the cake will be posted tomorrow!

In just a bit we will be going out again to Weis for ice cream and food to cook on the new grill for Monday when we will have our own little BBQ on the deck. I'm sure we will stop somewhere for supper too.

I hope you are enjoying your Saturday.
Happyone :-)
I base most of my fashion sense on what doesn't itch.
~Gilda Radner

Friday, May 28, 2010

20 dollars



Thunder storms rolled through last night which left the morning cloudy and humid for my walk. I walked my 6 miles around the lake. I saw the geese family afloat on the water and couldn't resist taking another picture of them.
Even that fifth little one stayed with the family this time! Two Heron went flying by so maybe there will be a few more of them around in the future! Not too many people out. Maybe they are getting reading for the holiday weekend.
I have been finding coins lately but today was a super lucky day for me. Laying right there on the wet grass was a 20 dollar bill!!
That is the most money I've ever found walking. The coins I find, I save, and put in glass banks which I have a whole collection of, but this $20 I'm going to spend. I got a $25 gift card to Red Lobster and I think I'll just add this $20 to that.

Ken managed to come home a half hour early from work yesterday afternoon so we did go and get three more bags of stone. I dumped the stone out with the others and spread them around today so now that little project is finished. I also planted a few more red and white petunias out front and trimmed the shrubs to the left of the steps. I think I'm going to take the three of those shrubs out altogether and just plant more flowers.

Some of you know that I collect Longaberger Baskets and I am lucky that my cousin Linda sells them. She always lets me know about the specials. If any of you who read my blog are interested in the baskets, there is a special sale going on now through the holiday weekend. Check out her Website. There is a a link to her site (Linda's Longaberger Baskets) on my side bar and you can order any time you want to. It's very easy to order from her. Tell her Happyone sent you. :-)

Did some more of that never ending housework and now I have the rest of the afternoon to read, knit, or whatever. It looks like another late night for Ken at work so I'm not sure what I'll do for supper. Maybe I'll just wait and eat late with him.

I hope your Friday is a happy day for you.
Happyone :-)
Children seldom misquote.
In fact, they usually repeat word for word
what you shouldn't have said.
~Author Unknown

Thursday, May 27, 2010

A traffic mess

I walked my connect the path route this morning. It was a sunny warm morning and a bit on the humid side. Maybe that's why I didn't see many people out there along the paths. Didn't see much wildlife either, though I did hear the birds singing their morning songs. It felt nice walking under the trees where it is nice and cool. The honeysuckle is blooming around here now and I smelled it before I saw it this morning.I walked my usual 6 miles and I found a coin again. Just a penny but I'm sure it is a LUCKY penny! :-)

The road down the street from my house is in the process of getting repaved and it is causing quite a mess with the traffic. Two intersections are involved and they have turned off the traffic lights and have workers directing traffic while the work is going on.They started work just when everyone was trying to get out of the neighborhoods to go to work.
This morning I walked passed stopped cars and these people were not happy at all!! I walked about 1/2 mile without the line of cars going anywhere at all.
The lines of waiting cars grew longer and longer.You can see people here turning around.This one is from my deck.People were cutting through the shopping center parking lot hoping that would be better but it didn't help. I'm glad I didn't have to go out in the car today. It would have taken forever to get out of my own street. What a mess. Lots of horn blowing this morning and I can just imagine how frustrated all these drivers were. By noon thank goodness the intersections were back to normal.
Ken left early enough in the morning before things were too much of a problem. :-)

Thanks to Kerri and Cheryl I learned that the black bird with the brown head I saw yesterday is a Brown Headed Cowbird. I looked it up in my bird book and it said that they lay their eggs in other birds nests leaving their babies to be cared for by these foster bird parents.

Last evening when I went to the Bible study group I looked in the folders to see if I had anything there from my secret sister. There wasn't, but there was an envelope that said for the secret sister of Tracy S......... . In the envelope was a thank you note for me saying how much she has enjoyed all the little notes and things I've been leaving for her. How nice of her! and it certainly made my day. :-)

I have been eating lunch at 1:30. I like eating this late because then dinner comes around that much faster!

I've eaten lunch and I have to put the clean sheets on the bed yet, then I will read for a while. Ken is going to try to come home from work early this afternoon so we can go and get the rest of the stone to finish our project from the Saturday.

This Thursday is one fine day and I'm and thankful that I am here to enjoy it.
Happyone :-)
Children need love, especially when they do not deserve it.
~Harold Hulbert

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

A sunny morning walk

It was so nice to see the sun first thing in the morning and to be able to walk in sunshine. I had a pleasant walk around the lake. Ran into a few of my walking friends and stopped each time for a brief chat. I saw two deer with antlers, lots of bunnies and the geese family. The babies are growing bigger every day and all five seem healthy. :-)
I took a picture of someone taking a picture of the two geese out on the lake. I found TWO dimes this morning. The economy must be getting better, people are no longer picking up their change when they drop it!

Ken worked late again last night and I didn't eat or make anything for supper because I didn't know when he'd be home. So when he did get home we just hopped out to Pot Belly for a Sandwich. We usually get our sandwiches and then eat them in the car (not the vettes - no food allowed in them) and watch people. The parking lot gets pretty crowded at times and we park down the other side which we did yesterday. Cars park on the side which then makes room for only one lane to get through. Well last night woman number one comes zooming around the corner while woman number two is driving up the parking lot. Woman 1 did stop to let the woman 2 pass but 2 gets up to 1's car, stops and yells a few choice words including B and F words. This makes 1 mad and she yells back with a few choice words of her own. They hurl words back and forth at each other a few times before both of them driving off. I'm surprised they both didn't get out and start fighting. They were both so angry. I sat there and couldn't believe how fast both of these women got so angry over nothing. It is a bit scary how some people have such a hair trigger on anger!!

We are still watching Damages in the evening and we are now on the last disk of Season Two with just two more episodes to go. We will have to wait awhile for Season Three. It is really a good show with lots of turns in it. It sure keeps you guessing.

It was commissary day for me, but I didn't need all that much so I got to use the 20 items line. Not many people and no lines today.
I got some strawberries and ate a strawberry sandwich for lunch. Yummy! I ate a few extra strawberries with a bit of whipped cream on them.

It's a beautiful warm sunny day. Summer is here. A great day for drying clothes on the line and I've done a couple of loads. One already taken in and folded while another load is out there drying now.

When I downloaded a picture to my blog I noticed it said that I've used up 81% of the space. I guess when I finally use it all up I'll have to start a brand new blog.

I've been getting some different kinds of birds now at the feeder. Yesterday a male and female goldfinch were there and a red winged blackbird. Today I saw an all black bird with a brown head but don't know what it was. I'm going to go outside in just a bit and refill the feeder and water the plants now that the front of the house is in the shade.

That's about it for today so far.
I hope you are enjoying your Wednesday.
Happyone :-)
You can learn many things from children.
How much patience you have, for instance.
~Franklin P. Jones

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Rain and a memory

A cloudy, humid, walk this morning, but at least it wasn't raining and I didn't have to take my umbrella with me. I walked my connect the path route and saw very few people out along the paths. I saw LOTS of rabbits. I didn't see them, but I heard two owls talking to each other from different sides of the path.
Someone stopped at one of the crosswalks to let me cross. This seems to be happening more and more lately which is nice. I've noticed that when some one does stop it is more likely to be a man.
I walked my usual 6 miles.
Found a nickel.

Sun was forecast today after a few morning clouds so I chose to believe the weatherman and hung a load of clothes outside on the line before leaving for the Tuesday Morning knitting group. The knit group also believed the weatherman so we met outside in the courtyard of the mall. All was fine for a while and it even looked like the sun was going to come out. Then it clouded up again and rained. It was 11:30 and almost time to leave anyway so I left to come home. Some of the others stayed under the umbrellas. My nice clean car got dirty and I came home to a line of soaking wet clothes.
Things improved though because the sun eventually did make an appearance every once in awhile and my clothes are drying on the line now. :-)

I finished reading The Cat Who Wasn't There by Lilian Jackson Brown. It is book number 15 in the series and another enjoyable easy read. Quill joins a group from Pickax and goes on a tour in Scotland.
At one point in the book someone makes a toast which goes, "Lang may your lums reek." This made me smile and brought back a Scottish memory for me. We were on the base and a Scottish singing group ( can't recall their name right now) came to the club to perform and we all really enjoyed them. A lot of us bought their album there that night and stood in line to have it autographed. They wrote the usual good luck, best wishes on the albums for people, but on mine the guy wrote, "To Karen, Lang may your lums reek. I asked him what it meant and he told me, "Long may your chimneys smoke." I always thought it cool that he wrote that on my album! :-)

That's about it for the day so far. I'll probably just do my usual stuff around the house. Nothing exciting but nice!

Hope you are having a happy Tuesday.
Happyone :-)
When you finally go back to your old hometown,
you find it wasn't the old home you missed but your childhood.
~Sam Ewing

Monday, May 24, 2010

A crowded lake

There was a huge crowd around my lake yesterday. There was a triathlon going on and while I was walking the swimming part of it was happening. I like walking around the lake but I wouldn't want to get IN the lake. But there were 2400 people who did want to! They went in batches at a time.
Here's the lake when I first got there.
You can see the swimmers in the distance.
There were people in boats out among the swimmers just to be there for anyone who needed help.
This picture is down the left side of the lake. Here are some of the swimmers just finishing their swim. The crowd made it a bit hard to walk fast along the path.
I ran into a couple of my walking friends and we stayed for about 45 minutes watching the race.
Most of the wildlife were in hiding from all the people.

This morning it was nice to have the lake back to normal and to see the wildlife enjoying the lake once again. I saw the heron and I got real close to it. I walked ever so slowly and just stood still and watched. Didn't even try to get a picture, just stood there watching him. The deer, rabbits and all the ducks and geese were around too. It was a misty morning and I had to tote my umbrella with me. Sometimes I needed it and other times I didn't. The walk picture for today is of all the lily pads in the lake.I walked my usual 6 miles.

Ken spent the whole day yesterday at work. I was going to start my housework for the week yesterday afternoon, but ended up not doing anything but fun stuff. I read, knitted, watched a little television and did a couple of crossword puzzles.

Today when I got back from my walk I stayed outside for just a bit and planted some lavender on the side in the front of the townhouse. While I was there I saw a squirrel up by the bird feeder. I chased it away but I'm sure he'll be back. I'm thinking he just jumped from the railing. Don't think there is anyway for me to stop him.

Washed the front windows again. Trying to keep them clean for photo opportunities. :-)

I've been up in my loft this morning working on some weave-its. I haven't worked on that afghan for quite a while. As I made squares I listened to an audio book. Did that for over a hour.

Lunch time came around, ate that while watching Last of the Summer Wine. Now I have to go and get some work done around the house.

A Happy Monday to you.
Happyone :-)
There is no personal charm so great as the charm of a cheerful temperament.
~Henry Van Dyke

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Stone

On this cloudy morning I was enjoying my walk along my connect the path route and thinking that it was nice but uneventful. No people were out, I didn't see any deer, or other animals. Then right in front of me a fox crossed the path with breakfast in his mouth - a nice tasty squirrel. No time to whip out the camera. He was past me in a flash. On the rest of my 6 mile walk I never did see a deer but I did see a few rabbits, and people out walking dogs. The older couple were out along the path too. I'll have to ask their names the next time I see them so I don't have to keep calling them the older couple. :-)
Just before I got home a found a lucky dime!

My blogger friend Art left a comment yesterday saying that the turtle from yesterdays post was a snapper.
Thanks Art.

Out back by the garage, where the outside unit of the AC/heat is and all the electric wires and all that other stuff that lead into the house are, has grass all around it. When the grounds people edge around it they are starting to cut some of the wires with the weed whacker. On the other side of the driveway there is stone. So we decided to take up the grass and put stone around all that outside stuff. We went to the Stone Store and filled four big bags with the stone that were out back in bins. The stone is priced by the pound and our bags weighed in at almost 400 pounds. Then home we went with the stone. Ken dug out around the edge where we wanted to put the stone and we put in paver stones for an edge. Put down plastic and then the stones. We didn't quite have a enough stone as you can see from the picture. 400 pounds of stone doesn't go very far does it. We probably need another 150 pounds. The store closed at 2 so we couldn't go back and get more. We will have to go some time during the week to get more stone to finish the job.
I think it is much better the stone there.

The rest of the day isn't planned yet so I don't know what we will be doing later. Ken went out and should be back in a little while. Until then I am going to just sit and read.

Hope you are enjoying your Saturday.
Happyone :-)
Continuity gives us roots;
change gives us branches,
letting us stretch and grow
and reach new heights.
~Pauline R. Kezer

Friday, May 21, 2010

Gosling, turtle, a visit and a clean car.

A nice sunny morning for a walk around the lake. A lot of people must have thought that because there were a lot of people about. Stopped to chat to a few of them so my 6 mile walk lasted a little longer than usual. I passed by the goslings and this one looked like it had a hurt leg. It just stayed there for the longest time. Then dad came along and I'm happy to say he got him going again with no problem. That must be the same one who wouldn't get in the water last week!!
I also saw a turtle and stopped to take this picture. I'm not sure what kind it is. One person said it was a box turtle which I know it is NOT. Someone else said it was a mud slider. I looked that up when I got home and I don't think that is right because this is all black with no other colors and the slider had a bit of color. This turtle is big too, at least a foot. It looks to me like a snapping turtle, but the shell looks too smooth. Maybe because it's old? Anyone know what it is?

At home I did my usual morning routine, and then a few chores around the house. My friend Lillimor came over just after noon. She is the friend who I met at the Wednesday night knit group which I don't go to any more preferring the Tuesday day time group. I like the people of both just the time and place better on Tuesday.
I went to her house some weeks back. After talking and a tour of her house we didn't get any knitting done. The same thing happened today at my house. I gave her the tour, then we had a couple of cookies and lemonade, talked and then ran out of time for knitting. Next time we meet we should be able to knit!! Though no knitting got done it was a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours. :-)

After Lillimor left I washed my car. It was very dirty after driving in the rain this past week. I always feel good once the car is shining clean. I hate driving a dirty car!!

I still have to fold clothes but then I'm done for the day. Then maybe I can get a little knitting done! Hopefully Kenny will get to come home from work on time today. It's Friday and I'm suggesting out for pizza again tonight. Somehow I don't think I'll have to twist his arm!

A happy Friday to you!!
Happyone :-)
Change always comes bearing gifts.
~Price Pritchett

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Yes, to clothes lines!

It was a pleasant walk this morning around the lake. Happy to say that I saw some blue sky. Here's a sky picture at almost 7 in the morning. The nice weather must have put everyone in a good mood because almost everyone had a smile. I stopped to take pictures of the geese. They let me get real close. I've posted a couple more pictures on my picture blog if you're not tired of looking at geese. I couldn't resist taking another little video.
I stayed on the lower path around the lake this morning so only walked 5.2 miles because I knew I would be walking again later this afternoon.

TONS of mushrooms popped up over night in front where I planted the flowers last week so I weeded them all out this morning. I couldn't believe how many there were!

I did my cleaning for the day but didn't quite finish it all. I still have to put the clean sheets back on the bed and I'll do that when I get done here.
I hung the sheets out on the line as most of you know I do in spite of the fact that we aren't supposed to have clothes lines. Well, I no longer have to worry about that. Why you ask? Maryland has joined a few other states and passed the Right-to-Dry Law on May 4, 2010 and it goes in effect on October 1. Read more HERE. This made my day!! :-) Great news!

This afternoon I walked over to Kathy's house to have a tour of her beautiful back yard. She is into plants and it certainly shows. Her yard is a work of art and looks gorgeous. After she gave me the tour we sat out on our her brand new patio (I'm the first guest to sit on it) and had iced tea and a nice chat. I had a most delightful afternoon.
Kathy is a blogging friend (kathyspeace) who happens to live only a little over a mile away. To get to her house I just have to walk down the path that leads to the lake. Just before I get to the lake there is a little path that is almost hidden. It is just a short little path that leads to a road and right across the road is Kathy's street. Her house is just a short walk away. There and back I walked 2.8 miles, so my total walking miles today is 8 miles.

And that brings me to the end of my afternoon. Off I go to make the bed up.
A happy day to you.
Happyone :-)
We color our own hearts joyful with every blessing we give out.
~ Thomas Kinkade

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

No rain this morning on my walk. :-) It was cloudy but I did see some peeks of blue sky before it all turned cloudy again. The sun has tried to come out a few times today out but so far it is just not happening. I had a nice walk around the lake. Just walked around the path by the water and then walked down the street and down a neighborhood path which made my walk a tad farther at 6.8 miles. A picture I snapped while walking around the lake. The lake is hidden by the trees and all the greenery. Snapped yet another picture of the heron down on the rocks by the water. I saw it a few more times in different places or maybe there are a few of them. I saw one fly over my house as I was getting home too.
There are a number of pavilions like these around the lake where groups can meet and have picnics. Not sure if they are free, you might have to rent them. Ken's work will be having their annual work picnic there some time next month. The two pavilions in the picture over look the lake.

Dinner last night at Red Lobster was very good. I had a salad, baked potato, stuffed flounder, and shrimp scampi in garlic sauce. Couldn't finish it all so brought it home and ate the leftovers for lunch today.
Ken had to go back to work after dinner so he just dropped me off at the house and went to work. He didn't get home till a little after 11.
I spent the time reading and finished The Double Comfort Safari Club by Alexander McCall Smith. It is the latest in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series. The book was okay but not as good as the others. Some of the characters were hardly mentioned and I missed them. Maybe it is time to put an end to this series now.
A quote from the book:
The words I am happy to change made Mma Makutsi think. What Mma Ramotswe said about herself was probably true: when change came along, she often seemed to welcome it, or at least accept it. There were many people who did not - who harped on about the past and how things used to be, who never understood that some things have to be different as time passes.

After doing my morning routine, I went out to do a couple of errands. Stopped at the bank and Target where I bought a birthday present. I also bought a new blouse for myself. My car is very dirty after driving in the rain yesterday. I was going to wash it today but it's still not that nice out. Maybe tomorrow will be a better day for doing that.

So I guess I'm off to knit some more on a scarf I'm working on. It would be nice to get that finished. Then back to reading the next book in the cat series which I started before this last book. I have another book started upstairs and I'm listening to two different audio books too. I should wrap all these up before I start on another one!

A happy Wednesday to one and all.
Happyone :-)
Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine.
~Robert C. Gallagher

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Tuesday

I had another walk this morning like yesterday in a light gentle rain, but today I walked around the streets in the neighborhoods instead of around the lake. Very few people out but I did see a couple of deer and rabbits. Snapped a couple of pictures along the way.Since it was a rainy day, my Tuesday morning knitting group was moved from the little court yard at Kings Contrivance back inside at Savage Mill. I got in the car knowing this so where does my car go? Right to Kings Contrivance! It's not as bad as it sounds because I start out going the same way to both places. It's just that when I got to where I should turn left, I turned right. A quick turn around in the parking lot and I got back headed in the right direction!! A group of 14 of us where there today. I finished up a ripple afghan that I was knitting.
I wanted to stay and have lunch at Ram's Head but no one else wanted to so I just came home and had lunch.

I've been enjoying watching the birds at the feeder in front of my house. Even though I sit there a lot with my camera, it is still hard to get good pictures. Sometimes I just like to sit and watch and not worry about taking pictures. I can enjoy them more. So far I've had cardinals, finches, sparrows, and black-capped chicadees coming by. Even though mourning doves don't go up to the feeder, they have been walking around below picking up the dropped seeds and the robins have had a stop at the bird bath a time or two. Here is a picture of some sparrows stopping by for a bite to eat.
I have something good to look forward to this evening. We are going out to eat at Red Lobster. Those commercials on television do seem to work. We saw one last night and said lets go there tomorrow for supper. :-)

Well, that's about it for today so far.
A happy day to you!
Happyone :-)
When we are no longer able to change a situation,
we are challenged to change ourselves.
~Victor Frankl

Monday, May 17, 2010

Monday



Yesterday's 6 mile walk on the streets and some of the paths around the neighborhoods was a nice morning of sun and clouds. There is never very many people out early on Sunday morning but I did see the older walking couple again. The birds are always up early and they serenade me on my walk.
I walked passed the liquor store and found 1 nickel and 4 pennies. Most times I do find money in that parking lot.
This morning was a rainy morning for my 6 mile walk around the lake. Not a hard rain, but a nice gentle rain and no wind. It was actually quite nice and I liked listening to the gentle rain falling down on my umbrella. The nice gentle rain was also good for my flowers I planted Friday. Some of the regular walkers and runners were out - a little rain doesn't keep everyone inside! The heron as was at the edge of the water standing on the rocks again and a fisherman not far off, both hoping for a fish. I saw the geese family again too.
Sunrise 5:52
Sunset 8:16

Well Monday has rolled around again and back to the start of house cleaning for the week! Before getting started though I gave my Mom a call and we had a nice chat, got my exercise time over with, read my daily devotions, had breakfast and then started on the work for the day. I listened to an audio book while I did some of my work.
Damages came in the mail from Nextflix so we have that to watch tonight. We always mean to just watch one episode but the end leaves you with wanting to watch the next one.

Now with my work for the day done it's time for some blog reading catching up to do and then I'll do my usual reading or knitting.

Hope your Monday is a good day and a good start to a new week.
Happyone :-)
To fear is one thing.
To let fear grab you by the tail
and swing you around is another.
~Katherine Paterson

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Glimpses of Glory

By Edna Kruse
Pink ribbons stream across the sky
And flocks of birds go sailing by.
As morning breaks, my prayer I raise,
Creator God, to give you praise.

The noonday sun is warm and clear.
Sustainer God, I feel you near
And give you thanks for each bright ray
Which lights my path from day to day.

When daylight fades, I greet the night,
Thankful for stars and pale moonlight.
O Keeper God, I feel secure
Because I know your love is sure.

And when the day seems dark and drear,
I still remember you are near.
O Faithful God, awaken me
To sing and praise and worship Thee.

Give a prayer of thanks to God and have a wonderful Sunday.
Happyone :-)

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Musical intruments


Stayed away from the lake on my walk this morning and just walk on neighborhood streets and some of the paths. No special route, just walked where ever I felt like going at the time. I left a little bit earlier than usual this morning and things were really quiet but then later I saw a few people out. Came across the older couple in their late 80's who walk and stopped for a chat with them. We came to the conclusion that most all of the walkers we come in contact with are very friendly. :-) The weather was perfect. Dry, sunny and cool with a breeze. Everything is so green and pretty. I wish spring would last all through the summer! A deer stepped out onto the path almost in front of me. I think it was startled by me because he took off super quick back into the woods. A few rabbits were on the side of the path eating and the birds were singing in all their glory.
I walked a tad over 6 miles.
I found not one but two lucky nickels!
Sunrise 5:54
Sunset 8:14

We were both home for breakfast this week so I made us pancakes for breakfast. We put bananas on top and then syrup. Fruit always makes the pancakes a bit special. We both opted not to have whipped cream.

At least 10 years ago I bought a Hammered Dulcimer and wanted to learn how to play it after hearing one being played. I thought it sounded so pretty. When I first got it, on my own I learned a couple of songs, but never really learned how to play it very well. I'm not very musical inclined so it just sat around for years and years, being moved from one room to another. So I decided I'd get rid of it and today we went back to the music store where we bought it and sold it back to them. Back then the store was a little tiny shop. Not any longer. It moved down a few doors and is now a huge store. Very nice people working there and it was not a hassle to sell it back to them. And now I don't feel guilty about having it around and not playing it. Now I need to get rid of my bagpipes! They didn't want those. :-( I love bagpipes too but they are hard to play. I did take lessons from an old Scottish piper, Mr McCleod, when I lived in Scotland. I'd have a lesson and then he would tell me stories about Scotland and his wife would make us tea and scones. I liked that part more than playing the bagpipes. I was never very good at playing those either, but I sure did have fun trying. :-)

Did a few other little errands today and picked up a sandwich at Subway while we were out at. I got a turkey sub with cheddar cheese, spinach and cucumbers. Very tasty!!

Here it is Saturday afternoon and we are home for a little while before going out again later. Next we are out for pizza and then a stop to get some ice cream at Weis for later tonight.
Now that you know all what I'll be eating for the whole day, I'll sign off for today.
Hope you are enjoying your Saturday.
Happyone :-)
Don't ever save anything for a special occasion.
Being alive is the special occasion.
~Author Unknown

Friday, May 14, 2010

Planting flowers


Today I headed over to the park and walked around the lake. A cloudy and humid morning. It was one of those times when I was cold and hot at the same time. I don't know what, but some kind of event is going on tomorrow at the park. They were marking off parking spots on the grass with white paint and there were a lot of workers around sprucing things up. I have to remember not to walk there tomorrow. I like my lake when there is hardly any one there. Not many people when I first got to the lake, but by the time I was heading back home lots were there. The heron was about again, and I saw lots of geese, ducks, two egrets, numerous deer and rabbits, and all the usual birds. I walked the usual 6 miles.

Last night after supper we went to Lowe's and bought some plants to plant out in the front of our townhouse. We do not have to do a thing outside. Everything is taken care of, but I really get sick of looking at those green yews and wanted to have some color out there. We bought some red geraniums, marigolds, petunias, and a hanging basket to put on the other side by the bird feeder.
Today I was outside planting all the plants. Here is a before picture.Before planting I first cut the yews back. Then I planted the geraniums in the lower part, in front of the little wall. The part on top of the wall I planted the petunias.
Here is the after picture. The plants are very small now and the picture doesn't really show them up good, but in time I hope they will grow and look pretty there. I'll have to take another picture when they look better. Here is a picture of the other side of the stairs.I planted the marigolds there. Again I'm hoping that they grow and will look pretty.Here's a close up of the hanging basket of flowers.I worked outside until I got hungry and then came in for lunch and a very large drink of water!!!
Then I went back outside to finish up.
People who walked by stopped a moment to say hi and say how nice things were looking. Others waved as they drove by and one man on a bicycle stopped to talk awhile. It was nice to see my neighbors and to realize most people are really nice and friendly. :-)

The sun finally did come out and it was a bit on the warm side, especially since I was working outside. I also hung some wash up outside. I still have to take the clothes in and fold them up.
And that's been my day so far. I will finish up on the computer, and then either read or knit until Ken comes home from work. I wonder if he will notice I planted all those flowers! :-)

I hope you are enjoying your day.
Happyone :-)
Each day comes bearing its own gifts.
Untie the ribbons.
~Ruth Ann Schabacker

Thursday, May 13, 2010

No pictures here today

Yesterday morning and today were both cloudy mornings and I didn't see the sun at all. I walked my connect the path route yesterday and walked 6 miles. Today I walked along the road and went over by the school and walked 6.6 miles. I was looking for a certain mailbox to take a picture of but I wasn't sure which road I saw it on. I was happy when I finally found it. Later on in this post you will read why I wanted a picture of it.

Ken took a vacation day yesterday and in the morning he did some stuff on his own, but we went out for lunch and then did a few errands during the afternoon. The sun was out for a time but then we got some really heavy rain toward evening. Today it's just cloudy so far.

I went to my Bible study group last night. It was the week where we break up into small discussion groups. It was a small group of women this week, maybe because of the ran. We are to the half way point now.
I looked in the folders where the Secret Sisters leave things and I had a nice card from my SS. :-)
Every Sunday I have been leaving things for my SS. The first week I left a card. Second week I left a chocolate cake recipe. Third week a small bag of M&M's and this past week I left a Mother's Day card. I am going to try to leave something every week. I am having so much fun with this!! :-)

I have been invited to join United Bloggers, a blog where there are several people who contribute a picture each month on a theme that one of the members have chosen.
This month the theme is Mailboxes. (that's why I went looking for a particular one)
Two people who contribute to this blog, have been blogger friends of mine for quite some time and I always enjoy visiting them on their blogs. They are Dot of Strolling Through Georgia and Dick of Eye on Texel.
I feel highly complimented to be invited to this group as I think they take fabulous photos!! Check out their blogs and United Bloggers as well.
Thanks Dick for inviting me. :-)

Commissary day. Lots of people and a wait on line and I was in the 20 item line! Seemed strange for so many people to be there in the middle of the month. On the way home there was a terrible car accident. The road was closed and we had to be detoured through a parking lot.

Didn't have a lot of groceries so putting things away went quick. Next I'll have some lunch. Haven't decided what I'm going to do with the rest of the day yet.

I hope your day brings you lots of smiles.
Happyone :-)
All the windows of my heart I open to the day.
~John Greenleaf Whittier

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

The Heron

A chilly morning walk again today. I'm glad I was up and out early because the sun didn't last very long. I walked around the lake and was lucky to see the Heron. I snapped this picture and took a couple of short videos of it.






I just love watching them. I've posted another photo and video on my picture blog too.
I wasn't going to walk around the lake on Tuesday because that is the day they usually do the mowing, but they did it yesterday.
Again there were lots of people out around the lake. What surprises me though is that most people just walk or run right past all the wildlife and don't take the time to see what's around them. When I tell people what I'm looking at they just say oh nice and keep on going. A few do stop though. :-)
What is nice about this time of year is that the restrooms are once again open. Nice to be able to take a pit stop some times. They are kept nice and clean too. Each morning someone comes to clean them. Since I walk early in the morning, they are always just cleaned. :-) There are 4 of them scattered around the park. Here is one.I walked my normal 6 miles this morning.
I found a nickel.

Today the concrete for the curbs got poured this morning. I left in my car as they were pouring the front and drove out the other way. When I got back they were all done. :-)

I had to renew my drivers license before the end of the month. I've had the notice for over a month and just keep putting off going because I don't like to go. Well today I went and it was a breeze. Passed my eye test with flying colors. There was only one other person ahead of me on line, the woman working was nice and friendly and my picture even came out good!! What more could you ask for!? Now I'm set for the next 5 years.

After I left there I went to library to pick up a book that was on hold for me. The Double Comfort Safari Club. It's the latest book in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series. I got the large print edition. Though I don't need the large print, I do like it. I also picked up a recorded book. The last book in the Dark Tower series by Stephen King. I got it because George Guidall is the one reading it.

I was supposed to go to the Tuesday morning knitting group but I decided not to go today. It was outside in the courtyard of the little mall again. But on this cloudy morning with it only being 50 degrees, it was just a bit too chilly to be sitting outside knitting for me!! It is raining out now as I write this.

Sometimes I'll turn on the television while I'm eating lunch. I've been eating lunch at 1:30 and watching The Last of the Summer Wine. It's a British show on public television. Though I'm not that crazy about the first season I really like the later shows. The scenery in the show is outstanding and it always makes me want to live in a little village in England.

Well now that I've had lunch, watched the show, and wrote this post, I'll finish up my work around the house and then knit and read until Ken comes home from work.

I hope you are having a day of smiles.
Happyone :-)
You don't get to choose how you're going to die.
Or when.
You can only decide how you're going to live.
Now.
~Joan Baez

Monday, May 10, 2010

Train Tracks

Ken got the main track put down on his layout though some of it still needs to be nailed down. He will also put in a point to point track which means the train can just go back and forth. So one train can go around and around and another one will go back and forth. I took this video and just put it on YouTube instead of downloading it with blogger. It goes so much quicker!!!!

Blue skies, a deer and a plant

I hope everyone had a very Happy Mother's Day yesterday!

It was only 39 degrees this morning when I first started out but the sun was out and it didn't really feel that cold. It was a beautiful morning with the sky such a deep blue. I thought it looked so pretty against the green of the trees.Yesterday I only walked 3.7 miles but this morning I walked 7.2 miles. It was once of those days when I just wanted to keep walking. I walked around the lake and saw the family of geese again. They were all on the hillside eating grass. I just walked around the lake and didn't take the path that leads away from it today. I also walked down a road in the neighborhood and picked up the path over by the pool. I stopped to take a little swing on the swings. This deer was on the path and stayed long enough for me to take this picture. I got up pretty close.I saw a lot of people out around the lake but no one on the neighborhood path.

Sunrise 5:59
Sunset 8:09

Yesterday at church all the mothers got a plant for Mother's Day. Here is the one I picked. I am going to plant it in the front of my house.
I got a very nice card from my son David for Mother's Day but we couldn't seem to get it timed right for talking on the phone. But it was nice to get to talk to him today. :-)

I finished reading book number 13 of the cat book series by Lilian Jackson Braun. This one was The Cat Who Moved a Mountain. As I've said about these books before, they are a fun, easy read and I enjoy them.

Today the street in the front of the house is getting some of the broken curbs replaced. The broken pieces have been cut out and hauled away. It was very noisy and my front windows need cleaning now from all the concrete dust. I'll do that later in the afternoon once the sun is off them. I have to keep them clean so I can take pictures of the birds at the feeder. I've also moved the bird bath back to the front.

Just hanging around home today. Always something to do around the house.

Hope your Monday is a great start to your week.
Happyone :-)
Mothers hold their children's hands for a short while,
but their hearts forever.
~Author Unknown

Sunday, May 09, 2010

A Mother's Day Prayer

By Joy Bradford

Creator of life,
We give You thanks for a special day to honor mothers. Thank You for those who gave life. For those who carried us in their bodies and were among the first to hold us, we are grateful. Thank You for mothers who gave birth through their hearts and then raised children as their own.

Heal any pain linked to our mothers. Open new levels of understanding. Let us forgive their mistakes as well as our own. Take away any regrets that we feel. If there is any brokenness, restore us with Your tender care.

For disappointed mothers today, we ask for peace and acceptance. For adult children who neglect their mothers, we ask that You open their eyes.

For those whose mothers no longer live, help keep the good memories with thankful hearts. For those mothers are still around, remind us that it is a privilege to care for them. Time is precious.

You, Father, are a loving parent who knows and meets our needs. You set the example as You freely grant us grace. We want to be more like You when we parent children of any age.

Thank You for all the women who nurture and protect the young. They are unsung heroes and we realize they are sent by You. As females, make us aware of people need mothering and then let us honor You by opening our hearts and lives to meet their needs.

For the gift of all mothers, we give You praise. Amen

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to you all.
Have a wonderful day.
Happpyone :-)

Saturday, May 08, 2010

A box arrives in the mail

A cloudy, windy, but warm morning this Saturday as I walked 6.6 miles. I walked along a couple of paths and made my way to the school and walked around the neighborhood over there. Not many walkers or runners out but a lot of activity. Two yard sales setting up, a house getting new shingles on the roof, a woman spreading mulch, workers putting in a flagstone walkway and front patio, and a few lawn mowers going already. It seemed more like the middle of the afternoon than early in the morning.
I saw these pretty flowers to enjoy along the way.Sunrise 6:01
Sunset 8:08

The sun did come out but it is VERY WINDY.
Ken went out this morning and will be home later this afternoon. I've been at home doing some reading and knitting. I also did a crossword puzzle and finished another Bible study lesson. We will probably have a nice dinner out somewhere this evening.

I looked out of the front window a little while ago and there sitting on the step was a package. Yes, a package for me. I opened it up and there was a pretty round box with a bow.Inside the box was three different kinds of cookies and a box of green tea.
It was my Mother's Day gift from Debbi! :-) How thoughtful and nice and how happy she made me. Thank you so much Debbi!! I love you!!
I ate one of each flavor and they are all delicious.

I hope you are enjoying your Saturday.
Happyone :-)
A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie.
~Tenneva Jordan

Friday, May 07, 2010

Baby Geese

A little chilly early this morning with a temperature of 46 as I started out, but the sun was out and it warmed up pretty fast. Another beautiful morning. I walked around the lake and stopped for about 10 minutes to watch a family of Canada Geese. Mom, dad, and five babies. They were all in the grass by the waters edge enjoying breakfast when dad decided it was time for them to go for a swim. Mom and four of the babies followed and hopped right in the water. Number five just would not follow the others in the water. They waited for him to get up enough nerve to hop in but he wouldn't go. Eventually dad got out of the water again and the others all followed him out. I guess there is one in every family! :-)

I'm surprised they let me stay and watch. Usually when there is a family the dad runs at me hissing. A lot of people out around the lake on such a beautiful morning. Saw lots of walkers, runners, dog walkers, people just strolling along and quite a few people with cameras.
I walk across this bridge every time I walk around the lake. I usually stop for a moment and look out over the water. When I'm standing still on the bridge, I can feel it moving. It's a weird sensation.I walked 6.5 miles and enjoyed every mile.
Sunrise 6:02
Sunset 8:07


Ken moved the black rubber thing back in the dip of the driveway where we still had a driveway and got his car back in the garage. We then went out in the Xterra to Mimi's Cafe for dinner. I had a salad and saved the Blueberry Muffin and had that for breakfast this morning.
Ken took the Xterra to work this morning so he wouldn't have to worry about getting the car in the garage again after work today.

This morning the concrete got poured at the end of the driveway. Once again the rubber black thing is moved. Ken moved it away so it wasn't where the concrete was to be poured but I guess he didn't move it far enough because they moved it. They not only moved it but turned it upside down too. It would have been nice if they put it back when they were finished.

I didn't go to to the commissary again today. There is nothing that I absolutely need and I can just walk across the street to the Giant (food store) if I do.

I finished up this weeks work in the house cleaning the upstairs bathrooms and one last load of laundry which is on the line drying. Monday the work begins again. I've just had my lunch and the rest of the afternoon I will be spend reading and knitting. Who knows what this evening will bring. :-)

Hope you're having a happy Friday.
Happyone :-)
Thankfulness can reduce stress in your life
by making you more content with
who you are and what you have.
~ Thomas Kinkada