A couple of busy days

Looking at the cows through the fence

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It's been a busy couple of days.  My walk yesterday (Wed) was a sunny morning and 38 degrees.  I walked around the Farm Loop and a loop around town.  Walked 5.4 miles.

Today It was warm at 50 degrees but looked like it was about to rain though it did hold off until after I got back home.  I walked down towards Happy Trails and then back to town and walked around town.

Thought this yard filled with daffodil was pretty in one of the yards in town.

Today I walked 5.2 miles.

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Yesterday morning I made some scrambled eggs with the fresh eggs that Kathy gave us on Sunday.   I don't really care for eggs all that much but these were delicious.   I couldn't believe how very golden the yokes were. 

Breakfast

We worked in the yard yesterday morning.  Went to Sticks and Stones and got a trailer load (4 yards) of mulch, came home and spread it around the front gardens.  Wasn't quite enough so we went back and got another load.  That was all before lunch.  After lunch we used up a half of the load. The rest we will use in the back. 

Then it was time to make the ziti for the missionaries and gather the rest of the meal up, then off to church we went.  Heated up the baked ziti in the oven at church.  The meal went well and we got lots of compliments and the missionaries were well feed.  : )

Cleaned things up and we just stayed at church for the evening service.  Afterwards  there was a fellowship for everyone with more food served.  Didn't get home till 9:45 so no time for blogging yesterday.

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Today was another busy day.  Right after breakfast this morning we were back at church for the Fingerprint Ministry where we put together the book of Romans in Spanish.  Ken and I both worked on the staple machines again.   We all worked on the books until 2:15 with a break for lunch at 12:00.  We assembled over 2,000 books.

Once we were back home I baked another batch of chocolate chip cookies.  May have some visitors tomorrow to see Ken's trains and every time there are visitors cookies are always served. : )

Had some supper and once again we went back to church.  It is missions week so there is an evening church service on Wed, Thurs, and Fri.
We didn't stay for the fellowship afterwards this evening but came straight home.  Watched a little television and relaxed and here I am getting this post written.
No time for visiting my favorite blogs but I'll be around tomorrow.  It's time for bed now and I am tired.

Pleasant dreams my friends.
happyone  : )

A busy day

Texture - What is it?  

Find out at the end of this post.

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This morning was cloudy and the temperature was 39 degrees.  Walked around town about a mile and came home to take off a couple of layers because I got too warm.  There was no wind at all so it felt warmer. 

Walked around town some more and then I went over by the industrial park and walked around there.  The building on the right just up ahead has been empty for as long as I've been here.  But today there were a few trucks in front of it and some work was being done inside.  Wonder what it will be.

Walked back towards the main street in town and then walked around the ball park loop and then home.  By the time I got home the sun was starting to shine through the clouds and later the sun came out and stayed out all day long.  A beautiful sunny day in the low 60's.

I walked 5.2 miles.

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Right after breakfast we went outside and made up the soil for the raised garden boxes.  We mixed together soil, sand, peat moss, and vermiculite and used our cement mixer to do the job.  Sure made it a lot easier.  Here comes a load out of the mixer now.

We only had enough material to fill 4 boxes and still have 2 to go, but we'll do that another day. The soil looks so nice and I can't wait until we have some vegetables growing in it.  I love how it all looks so neat and tidy. : )

We finished weeding the two gardens out front by the street and they are all ready for some fresh mulch.

I also made 4 long loaves of bread (2 at a time) in the morning and after supper I made a batch of chocolate chip cookies.  The next 5 days there will be 3 missionary families visiting our church and tomorrow (Wed) is my day for providing supper for them plus for the pastor and a few other people - 20 people altogether.  Ken is helping too.  Also on the menu is baked ziti and a toss salad. 

Just got a call from my Dad.  My Mom is out of the hospital today and is back at rehab. Hoping she will be able to get back home soon.

It's been a busy day inside and outside and it is nice to have a relaxing evening at home.

Hope your day has been a happy one.

happyone : )

When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing

a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it.

If it comes out of the ground easily,

it is a valuable plant.

~ Unknown

Comment replies:
John - I like doing my food shopping in a store that is a food store, where the aisles are wide, bright and are stocked well with lots of choices.  Walmart just doesn't do that.

Kim - Yes, I'm pretty sure there are eggs in the nest box.  When I walked near it they started flying at me. : )

The textured picture at the beginning of this post is a close up of the top part of this old barn.

Swallow

I couldn't decided which picture of the swallow to post so here's both of them.

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34 degrees this morning with a mixture of sun and clouds and no wind when I headed out on my walk.  The clouds finally took over though and my walked ended cloudy and later on in the afternoon it rained. 

I walked around town today including the two cemeteries and the ball park loop. 

It is not at all strange to see a tractor driving down the main street in town like you see in the picture. : )

Kathy was out walking this morning and I saw Lisa out running.  A man was out by the town pond fishing too.

The horses were out down by the Drane House but they were busy eating some fresh hay and this time didn't even look up at me.

I walked 5.2 miles.

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Yesterday our pastor called and asked if we would be able to pick up a woman who needed a ride to church.  We said sure and left a little earlier than usual to get her.    She is an older woman and lives on a small farm.  It was her first time visiting our church. : )  We picked her up again for the evening service.  She is so very thankful and as a thank you, she gave us a dozen fresh eggs that her hens laid that morning.  I love the colors.  They look like dyed Easter eggs. : )

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This morning we drove down to LaVale to the MVA.  It was time for me to renew my license.  What a pleasant visit to the MVA.  No crowds, everyone was friendly and I came out with a new license good for 5 years. : )

We stopped in Ollie's and picked up a few things.  I got a box of 40 Susan Branch assorted cards for just $6. 

 We also did our food shopping at Martins.  I am really getting tired of shopping at Walmart and really liked Martin's.  It is a nice bright store with nice wide aisles.  Lots of good sales too.  Turkey Hill ice cream was on sale and we picked up a new supply. This is our new store for food shopping. : )

I still have to do Body Electric and will do that in just a little bit.  I have a couple loaves of bread baking in the oven and will do my exercise once I take the bread out of the oven.

The usual evening at home doing some reading, knitting, watching a bit of television and having my ice cream.

Hope your day has been a happy one.
happyone : )

To find the universal elements enough;

to find the air and the water exhilarating;

to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter...

to be thrilled by the stars at night;

to be elated over a bird's nest or a wildflower in spring - 

These are some of the rewards of the simple life.

~ John Burroughs

Saturday

Every time I pass this driveway it looks so inviting I just want to walk up it.

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This morning on my walk it was 39 degrees outside, cloudy but thankfully the wind had stopped.  So I had a nice walk around the Farm Loop.

I was surprised of how many cars passed me along this road.  Very unusual, especially early on a Saturday morning.  Everyone who passed by waved at me. : )

Walking past one of the farms a kitty came running up to me and started rubbing on my legs and purring.  When I knelt down to give her a pet she jumped right up on my leg.  I wanted to get a picture of her looking up at me but this is the best picture I could get.  She was never still.  When I continued walking she followed me a little ways down the road.
She is one of the friendliest cats I've ever come across.
There is another orange cat down by the day care where Lone Chicken used to live and she is pretty friendly too though much bigger than this one.

Once back to town I walked a loop around town too and then home.
I walked 5.2 miles.

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Just been around home today.  It's been cool and cloudy all day and started raining suppertime. ( at least isn't snow)  On the news last night they said the latest it has ever snowed here was 3 inches on May 25, 1966.

I spent the day inside doing a bit of cleaning.  Got everything put in place from yesterday.  I still have to straighten up and go through all the junk that is on my desk around the computer.  I try to keep it neat and tidy but it gets out of hand so fast.

Some reading and knitting is on the agenda for me tonight.
Hope your day has been a happy one.
happyone : )

It is far more impressive when others discover 

your good qualities without your help.

~ Unknown

A surprise in the mail

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A chilly morning out there today, only 30 degrees.  There was a bit of a breeze too but nothing like it has been the last couple of days and the sun was out and shining and it felt so good warming up my face. : )

I was out and walking at 6:40 and I walked the Farm Loop.

 Then walked around town.  This road runs parallel the to main road and the library is down the street on the right.

Once I got back to town, I stopped in at the post office and dropped off some mail.  I usually drop the mail off first but walked the other way this time and just put the mail in my pocket.

Didn't see anyone else out walking.  Nice, quiet and very peaceful around the FL.  All the cows at the dairy farm were inside the barn this morning.

I walked 5.2 miles.

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Today I had a surprise package arrive for me in the mail.  It was from Kim, a blogger friend of mine from Happy @Home. : )  You can imagine the surprise I had when I opened up the package and found this beautiful porcelain bird for my bird collection and a lovely card which I am going to put in a frame.  It came at just the right time when I needed a bit of cheering up.  Thank you so much Kim.  : )

Here is sits right at home on the shelf.

Painting the room is on my list of things to do.  I want to paint it a light blue.  The pink is a bit much.

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More yard work today.  Ken pulled out even more bushes from the front garden with the tractor and I mowed the lawn.  The wind kicked up again and though the sun was out it was quite chilly.  I mowed the lawn wearing three sweatshirts.  

I've started moving a few things around in the house again and haven't finished so the house is kind of a mess, especially my craft/office.  I've dumped everything in there that I don't know what to do with.  This is fun for me though and it will all come together.

Well, that's it for today.

Hope your day as been a happy one.

happyone : )

Treat everyone with politeness,

even those who are rude to you;

not because they are nice,

but because you are.

~ Unknown

Thanks again for your kind words, prayers and concern for my mom. 

My Poor Mom : (

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I was just about to walk out of the door for my morning walk when my phone rang.  It was my Dad.  After talking with him yesterday morning, my mom was doing very well.  She was walking down the hall with her walker, improving each day and was looking to going back home in a week or so.  Then yesterday afternoon she tried to get out of her wheel chair on her own without help, fell and broke her left leg.  So she is back in the hospital to have her leg fixed.  With her Alzheimer's she forgot she couldn't walk by herself and didn't ask for help. 

I want to thank you all again for all the cards and kind words that you have sent my mother.  And for all the prayers too.  It means so much.

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Left for my morning walk ay 7:00 and it was only 32 degrees, very windy but a least the sun was out and shining.  

I walked all over town once again.  The picture was taken as I was just leaving one of the cemeteries.  Down the hill is the main street in town.

It was so windy that sometimes the wind pushed me along and made me run a few steps.  : )

I didn't see any one else out walking but I did see a couple of rabbits and of course the birds.  Saw a couple of swallows.  Tried to take a picture of them sitting on a wire but they were too blurry to post. 

I walked 5.3 miles.

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Here's a picture of the baby blanket I made with the weave-it squares that I finished sewing yesterday.

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Ken went outside right after breakfast to start on putting in a wooden edge around the garden fence for the mulch.  I went out to join him mid morning after I got my morning chores done inside the house and he had already finished putting up the boards for the mulch.  So we went and got a trailer full of mulch. (4 yards)

Then we put the mulch all around the garden and when we were finished it looked like this.

Now we just have to get the soil to fill the boxes with and plant the plants.  Can't plant here until the end of May.  The pumpkin patch will be where the tractor is parked and there are two more planter boxes over that way too where Ken will plant his tomatoes.  They are off the ground so he doesn't have to bend down. : )
I'm planing on planting cucumbers, peppers, carrots, lettuce, zucchini, and cauliflower.  Around the outside of the fence in the mulch I am going to plant marigolds.

As I've mentioned before after a hard days work we like to go out for supper and that's just what we did.  We went to Brenda's and I got a cheese calzone and Ken got a meatball sub.  A stop at the Shop and Save for some ice cream on sale and then home.

Plan on doing a little reading later and knitting on a scarf I've been working on.  I was thinking it was for next year but with this weather I may be wearing it this year after all. : )

Hope your day was a happy one.
happyone : )

No God,

no peace.

Know God,

know peace.

~ Unknown

Let God's promises shine on your problems.

~ Corrie Ten Boom

Snow ?

Poor Daffodils

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52 degrees this morning when I left on my walk today.  It was wet out but not raining at first but then there were on and off showers so I was a bit damp by the time I got home.
I had my usual walk around town again and around the cemeteries and ball loop as well.

I saw one other person out and they were walking their dog.  Two fishermen were at the pond again fishing.

The rain stopped for a short while and the sun even came out for a few minutes but then it was back to raining again.

By the time I had gotten back home the temperature had fallen to 40 degrees and the wind had kicked up.
I walked 5.2 miles.

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The temperature went down in the 30's and as we ate breakfast we saw that it had started snowing.

Planned on working on the garden some more but it was not to be.  We drove up to Grantsville and went to the Rite-Aid, Candyland and the library.  Ken picked out candy and I came home with some nice big fresh strawberries.

By late afternoon the snow stopped, the temperature went up in the 40's and we even saw a little blue sky and all trace of the snow was gone. : )

I did a little reading and finished sewing the weave-it squares and now have a finished blanket for a baby girl.  Didn't make it for anyone in particular, just like to have a couple in reserve.

We just finished supper and are about to leave for church.
Hope your day was sunny and bright.
A happy day to you.
happyone : )

I've seen and met angels wearing the disguise

of ordinary people living ordinary lives.

~ Tracy Chapman

To the dentist

The horses down by the Drane House enjoying some fresh hay.

If you look close you can see a colt in the barn with its mom. : )

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43 degrees this morning and sunny while I walked - great walking weather.   I walked around town including the cemeteries and ball park loop. The skunk cabbage down by the stream at the ball park as started to spring up.

Kathy was out walking this morning and I saw two fishermen at the town pond.  

This garden shed caught my eye as I walked by. 

I am so grateful for all the places I get to walk around town and when I miss even one day it feels so good to get back to it again. : )

I walked 5.4 miles.

Found a penny. : )

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This morning was back to the dentist time again.  Boy those 6 months sure do go by fast.  My appointment was at 10 and I walked on over with a plate of chocolate chip cookies for all of them at the office.  

I am happy to say I got a very good report.  No cavities and everything is fine. : )  Once a year X-rays are taken and this time it was done with a new machine I had never seen before.  I just had to stand there and the machine went around my head taking the X-rays.  No more having those pieces of cardboard in your mouth.  Cleaning went faster than usual with a new power instrument that uses water so no more pick pick picking your teeth with those sharp little instruments.  My trip to the dentist wasn't bad at all. : )

Ken followed me at 11:00 and he had a good report too.  Only thing though, a piece of one of this teeth broke off so he has another appointment to see about getting that fixed.

After lunch we went outside to get some more work done on the garden.  We still had the trailer sitting in the driveway filled with stone from last week and we finished putting the stone down on pathways around the garden boxes.  It looks nice now that that part is done.  Next up is putting mulch around both sides of the fence.

I got some more weave-it squares sewn together today.  Just four more strips to sew together now and I'll be done.  Will work on it some more later.

It was sunny today but on the cool side (50's) and very windy.

Hope your day was sunny and bright.
happyone : )

Many people have sighed for the 'good old days' and

regretted the 'passing of the horse,' but today,

when only those who like horses own them,

it is a far better time for horses.

~ C W Anderson

Up early

No walk this morning or any other time today either.  Got up at 5:00 this morning and we were driving in the car at 5:30.  Ken had a doctors appointment (just a check up) at 8:45 and we still go the our doctor down where we used to live which is 3 hours from here. 

I waited for some of the time in the waiting room and then I went back to the car and waited there.  I had brought a book to read and some knitting to do too.

When Ken was done we met my friend Mary Jo at Bob Evans and had a breakfast/lunch.  It was so nice to see her again and we had a really nice visit. : ) I had blueberry French toast - yummy. We were very hungry because Ken had to fast for the blood work and I didn't eat either. 

Drove around the old neighborhood where we used to live in Savage and my walking friend Lin was out in her yard so we stopped by and had a little visit with her too.

So many people and cars down that way.  Though we really liked living there at the time, it just seems so crowded now and we were glad to head back home to our little town.  : )

Yesterday when I was walking around the industrial park I came across this wild turkey pecking at his reflection in the window.  Once he saw me he took off.  Picture isn't that good and it is the only picture I have for today.

Spent a lot of time sitting around today.  Looking forward to my walk in the morning.
Hope your day was sunny and bright.
happyone : )

Lighthouses don't go running all over the island 

looking for boats to save;

they just stand there shining.

~ Anne Lamott

Morning Sun Rays

And He shall be as the light of the morning,

when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds;

as the tender grass springing out of the earth

by clear shining after rain.

2 Samuel 23:4

My Mom is delighted with the cards that are now arriving from you. : )  Thanks for brightening up her days.

God Bless You.

happyone : )

Foggy morning

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A foggy morning today when I started out on my walk.  It was 47 degrees and very still.

I walked around town and again it was very quiet and peaceful around town.  Too early for most people to be up and about on a Saturday morning.  Just me and the birds.  : )

Walked around the two cemeteries again too and the loop at the ball park.

I thought this two colored daffodil was pretty.

By the time I got back home, the sun had burned all the fog away and the sun was shining brightly in a pretty blue sky.
I walked 5.4 miles.
Found a penny.  : )

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It was a beautiful summer like day with temperatures in the 70's and I spent a good part of the day outside.  Ken was gone for the day so we didn't get to finish the stone around the garden.  He made me promise I wouldn't do it alone.  So I did other garden work around the yard.

I ate lunch out on the front porch and later in the afternoon I sat out there and read for a while.  A couple from church happened to drive by and saw me sitting out there and stopped by to say hi and stayed for a little while.

It's been a pleasant day here in western Maryland.
Hope your day was sunny and bright.
happyone : )

Some changes look negative on the surface

but you will soon realize that space is being

created in your life for something new to emerge.

~ Eckhart Tolle

Bowling

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50 degrees this morning when I left on my walk.  It looked wet out but no rain coming down.  That didn't last long however.  I had periods of drizzle as I walked along.  Got a bit damp because didn't have my rain gear on.  But still nice to be out walking.

I walked all around town up and down all the streets and the cemeteries. 

No one else out walking and didn't see any animals out either.  Just the usual birds.    Not much activity around on this early Friday morning.

I walked 5.2 miles.

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We met up with the seniors from church at 10:00 this morning at the Rainbow Bowling Lanes in Keyser, West Virginia which is an hours drive from our home.  There were 10 of us.  Had a fun time though I didn't bowl very well.  I was hoping to at least break 100 but didn't even do that.  First game 99, second game 99, third game 88.  We all said we'd like to go again sometime.  : )  Planned on taking a few pictures but didn't take a one.  

After bowling we went down the road and had lunch at an Italian restaurant.  We had the lunch size portions and they were still huge and we all took leftovers home.  I had the baked manicotti stuffed with cheese and spinach.  It was around 2:30 when we got back home.  Planned on doing a little more work on the garden but it was raining when we got back home.  We left in the rain but in Keyser it was a beautiful sunny day and half way home the rain started again.

I read some more of my book this afternoon,  Outlander, and I'm liking it.  : )
Saw a little sunshine around home here too, but it was late in the day around 5:00. 

My mom seems to be doing as well as can be expected.  Still at rehab and improving very slowly.  We plan on making a trip up to see her again in May.  : )

Hope all is well in your part of the world. 
happyone : )

It doesn't matter if a million 

people tell you what you can't do,

or if a million people tell you no.

If you get one yes from God that's all you need.

~ Tyler Perry

Thursday

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There was a mix of sun and clouds, 47 degrees and very windy during my morning walk.  Dropped off a Netflix at the post office and then continued walking around town.

Didn't walk the FL because it was so windy but I did go down Sale Barn Road to see if the cows were in the field over there and sure enough they were.  The one in the above picture was the first one to come over by the fence to see me and then some others came trotting over to the fence to see me too.  I talked to them for a bit and they all stayed there listening to me.  : )

Finally I had to tell them good-bye and I continued on my way.

Back in town I saw Kathy walking and also a lady I met last year who walks to get her cup of coffee at the gas station in town from her home and back.  She lives over by the school.  I know her husband George who I see in town once in a while.
A couple more pictures along my walk.

By the time I got home from walking the sun was covered by the clouds.
I walked 5.2 miles.

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Ken went up to Happy Trails this morning to retrieve our bowling balls which were in the storage room above the tractor barn.  We haven't used them in years and years but they were kept in their cases along with our bowling shoes so all was still good.  Each month the seniors group from church get together and tomorrow we are going bowling.  Should be interesting. : )

Late morning we made another trip to the stone place for another trailer load of stone for the garden.  After lunch Ken trimmed and tidied up the logs at the entrance of the garden.  While he did that I got to mow the lawn with the riding mower - first time this year.   As you may remember I really enjoy riding that thing. : )

I finished just in time to get cleaned up and changed and walked over to Sherry's for my hair appointment.  I was the only one there the whole time and we had a nice visit.  : )

When I walked home it was just starting to drizzle.  Didn't get a change to take the stone out of the trailer because of the weather.  Maybe tomorrow afternoon.

I sewed some more weave-it squares together but I'm still not done.   I always think I'm going to get finished a lot sooner that I do. : )

I'm passing on the ice cream for my snack tonight.  My mouth is watering for some chocolate chip cookies. 

Hope your day as been a happy one.
happpyone : )

All of your life you think 60 is ancient,

and all of a sudden you find you're 60 and you don't

really feel that different.

I feel stronger and more engaged.

This is the best time of my life.

~ Glenn Close

Wednesday

This farm road along the Farm Loop beckons me to follow it.

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The temperature was 41 degrees and cloudy this morning on my walk around the Farm Loop.  A sad sight passing by the dairy farm.  Just to the right of the cow looking over the fence in the picture is another cow standing.  She is looking over her baby that was born dead.  She was standing guard over it and whenever another cow would get near she would chase it away.  I stood watching for a little while with a little girl who was there.

After I walked passed the school I turned in this farm road by one of Farmer Marvin's barns (I asked and he said I could cut through).

 Went to the left around the barn and came out here.  That is the Drane house straight ahead and I turn left on the road which leads to one of the cemeteries.

And then back to the main street in town.  Walked through down and back home.
I walked 5.4 miles.

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Ken went out to Lowe's this morning, but I stayed home this time.  Things around the house I just had to get done.

After lunch we went up to Happy Trails.  Ken worked on making the sides of the trailer bigger for our next load of stone.

I didn't do any work up at HT.  Just walked around enjoying being outside.  I sat for a time too.  : )

 We got back home just in time for a quick supper and headed out to church.

Home now to relax.  I'm going to have some chocolate marshmallow ice cream, watch a little television and do little knitting. 

Hope your day has been a happy one.
happyone : )

Cows are amongst the gentlest of breathing creatures;

none show more passionate tenderness to their young 

when deprived of them; and in short, I am not ashamed

to profess a deep love for these quiet creatures.

~ Thomas de Quincey