GOOOOOOD MORNING...OCTOBER 31 2011........
And a good morning it is. The last five days have been a whirlwind of activity, all of it good. Can't ask for any more than that. Am just going to hit on the high points today, will go into more depth tomorrow and the following days. Be ready. History 101 is alive and well!
The bus trip was one of the best I have ever taken (and I have taken quite a few), from the driver, tour guide and other passengers you couldn't have asked for a better group. Came home exhausted, happy, and with approximately 500 pictures I have yet to down-load and edit. I will be sharing down the road.
Back to the fairgrounds on Saturday (I never got home until 1 a.m. Friday night, up at 6:30 a.m. to finish up odds and ends picture-wise, then back to the fairgrounds to get ready for the weekend. Had a vendor friend, every time she walked by my booth she handed me a cup of coffee. Said I looked as if I needed it. I must have look pretty bad. But at least it didn't scare off the customers. I did drink more coffee that day than I normally drink in a month.
And there was the Steeler game. Vendor next to me had a radio, so was able to keep up with the high-lights. Caught the last 5 minutes of the game on my way home, which takes 25 minutes, so that is how long it took them to play the last 5 minutes. What a crazy ending!
Today have to run multiple errands. Then can start on my pictures. Really need to clean house, but it isn't going anywhere, can wait a couple more days.
Saw Jerry Monday night before going to bed. He had left for the airport Tuesday morning early for Missouri. I left early Wednesday morning for Washington (4:30 a.m.) for bus pick-up. Jerry got home Wednesday night. Jerry in bed when I got home Friday night. He had already left for hunting when I got up Saturday morning to head to the fairgrounds. I went to bed so early Friday night, I never saw him until Sunday morning. And we live in the same house. So be it.
So am off to run errands now. Will begin the saga of my bus trip tomorrow. My telling it won't be near as exciting as the actual experience, but I think you will get the drift.
In the meantime don't let the ghosts and goblins scare you tonight and God Bless.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
TALK ABOUT JUGGLING ...... OCTOBER 25 2011......
That's right - juggling. That is what Jerry and I will be doing the remainder of the week. And just why is that you ask. Well guess I'll just have to tell you.
Jerry left early this morning for Missouri (a business trip). I'm in charge of the dogs. I leave early (4:30 a.m.) tomorrow (Wednesday) to be in Washington by 5:15 a.m. to go on a three day bus trip with Nancy to Sleepy Hollow New York. If you never hear from me again, it will be because the headless horseman carried me off on his
horse.
Tim is coming up mid-afternoon on Wednesday to let the dogs out for a spell. Jerry gets back home Wednesday evening. I don't get back until late Friday night, have to be up to be at the fairgrounds by 9 a.m. on Saturday.
Yesterday I printed pictures to replace some of the ones I sold this past weekend. They dried over night. (Yes, my prints have to dry before then can be matted.)Today I will mat and/or frame said pictures so I have them on Saturday.
This is the porch of the haunted mansion that I photographed in Woodsfield, Ohio. Yes, it is actually on the Monroe County register of haunted buildings.
I was lucky enough to see the desert in bloom when visiting the kids in Arizona in April.
This is the tree at Canyon de Chelly in Arizona. These are three of the pictures that are currently selling very well. Wonder what next year will bring?
If you think this is juggling, it is just a practice run. Wait until November! When it gets a little closer, and if I remember to blog about it, you will get to see real juggling. That "if I remember" is a really big IF. I can walk into the kitchen and forget what I am looking for. Or I know what I am looking for, walk in, walk out, walk back in, look again, where did that darned book go, and the next time I walk in, it is sitting right int he middle of the kitchen island, laughing at me. It wasn't there five minutes ago. I keep telling Jerry that our house is haunted. He just laughs. But one of these days the last laugh will be on me, the next time he can't find something.....
.I bet you have already figured out from this blog that I will be off-line for the remainder of the week. Just not enough hours in the day, or enough days in the week. I will return Monday morning (Halloween yet) and tell of our adventures in Sleepy Hollow.
Here is our Itinerary:
Learn about Washington Irving, how the tale of the headless horseman began while touring a cemetery after dark! We are to visit Lyhndhurst Castle, the Union Church, the Kykuit Estate, and then on to Hudson Valley's biggest Halloween event, over 4,000 Jack o' Lanterns. We are to cruise Bannerman Island and visit Sugar Loaf before returning home.
If all goes well, and I am not retained by the headless horseman, I will have, hopefully pictures, and stories to tell. So tune in next week and read all about it!
In the meantime, stay warm and God Bless.
That's right - juggling. That is what Jerry and I will be doing the remainder of the week. And just why is that you ask. Well guess I'll just have to tell you.
Jerry left early this morning for Missouri (a business trip). I'm in charge of the dogs. I leave early (4:30 a.m.) tomorrow (Wednesday) to be in Washington by 5:15 a.m. to go on a three day bus trip with Nancy to Sleepy Hollow New York. If you never hear from me again, it will be because the headless horseman carried me off on his
horse.
Tim is coming up mid-afternoon on Wednesday to let the dogs out for a spell. Jerry gets back home Wednesday evening. I don't get back until late Friday night, have to be up to be at the fairgrounds by 9 a.m. on Saturday.
Yesterday I printed pictures to replace some of the ones I sold this past weekend. They dried over night. (Yes, my prints have to dry before then can be matted.)Today I will mat and/or frame said pictures so I have them on Saturday.
This is the porch of the haunted mansion that I photographed in Woodsfield, Ohio. Yes, it is actually on the Monroe County register of haunted buildings.
I was lucky enough to see the desert in bloom when visiting the kids in Arizona in April.
This is the tree at Canyon de Chelly in Arizona. These are three of the pictures that are currently selling very well. Wonder what next year will bring?
If you think this is juggling, it is just a practice run. Wait until November! When it gets a little closer, and if I remember to blog about it, you will get to see real juggling. That "if I remember" is a really big IF. I can walk into the kitchen and forget what I am looking for. Or I know what I am looking for, walk in, walk out, walk back in, look again, where did that darned book go, and the next time I walk in, it is sitting right int he middle of the kitchen island, laughing at me. It wasn't there five minutes ago. I keep telling Jerry that our house is haunted. He just laughs. But one of these days the last laugh will be on me, the next time he can't find something.....
.I bet you have already figured out from this blog that I will be off-line for the remainder of the week. Just not enough hours in the day, or enough days in the week. I will return Monday morning (Halloween yet) and tell of our adventures in Sleepy Hollow.
Here is our Itinerary:
Learn about Washington Irving, how the tale of the headless horseman began while touring a cemetery after dark! We are to visit Lyhndhurst Castle, the Union Church, the Kykuit Estate, and then on to Hudson Valley's biggest Halloween event, over 4,000 Jack o' Lanterns. We are to cruise Bannerman Island and visit Sugar Loaf before returning home.
If all goes well, and I am not retained by the headless horseman, I will have, hopefully pictures, and stories to tell. So tune in next week and read all about it!
In the meantime, stay warm and God Bless.
Monday, October 24, 2011
HAVE YOU EVER HAD?....OCTOBER 24 2011................
What kind of a dumb question is that. In a few minutes I will clue you in. As you all know by now I am involved in the art festival circuit. Some of the questions I have been asked are ..... I don't know how to explain them. They just are. So here we go.
What kind of a dumb question is that. In a few minutes I will clue you in. As you all know by now I am involved in the art festival circuit. Some of the questions I have been asked are ..... I don't know how to explain them. They just are. So here we go.
HAVE YOU EVER HAD
Someone looks at your pictures. I carry four sizes, MiNI/s (5 x 7) Small ( 8 x 10) Medium (11 x 14) and Large (16 x 20). The difference in sizes is very very noticeable. I was asked - this weekend - "why is the price for this picture (holding an 11 x 14 matted) so much less than that one hanging (16 x 20 framed) than that one?", pointing to the framed larger print. How do you keep a straight face when answering?
Someone coming in and spending an hour looking at every single picture. Then said someone informs me that they have pictures just as good and they are going to start selling them. Would I be interested in buying some to sell?
Someone, after looking at my work, including the 16 x 20's, asks me "What magazine do you cut your pictures out of?" Have you ever seen a magazine 16 inches x 20 inches. It would be bigger than my coffee table.
Someone, after going through my inventory asks if I have any pictures of real unicorns. I'll just run home to the farm and round up the herd of unicorns grazing on the hillside and photograph them. Or maybe I'll just fashion one out of packing paper and duct tape and tape it to my dog's head and call him a unicorn.
Someone telling me about their $1000.00 state of art camera, and asking me why their pictures don't turn out like mine. (I have never even spent $1000.00 on any camera I have ever had).
Someone with a group of someones coming into my booth, looking at me and saying at the top of her voice - "LOOK, LOOK, HERE IS THE OUTHOUSE LADY", for everyone in the building to hear. (I do photograph outhouses, a lot of folks decorate their bathrooms with the outhouse theme, but to announce it to all the world..........)
Someone saying "I recognize you - you are the lady I bought pictures from at the blank blank festival in blank blank city a couple of weeks ago". I had never even heard of that festival, let along ever being in that city. What did they have to drink, either when buying their pictures, or thinking they bought them from me?
I could go on and on and on. This is why I never get bored. But the one that really really floored me was -- I have a sign in my both saying PHOTOGRAPHY, as with a camera. This very well dress person looked and looked, then finally asked me "Do you have any pictures of real angels?" How do you answer a question like that? Darned if I know.
Now back to the real world. It was a very good weekend. Sales were good, crowds were .. crowded.. you could hardly push your way through to go to the little girls room. As I mentioned I sell framed 16 x 20 pictures. At the present time I am selling photographs of some of the Chihuly Glass displays I have seen in several cities. These displays are all of hand-blown glass, some very very awesome beautiful colorful glass.
I am going to share these with you. These two of part of a solid wall of hand-blown glass, fused together. You would have to see it to believe it. Anyhoo I had these two prints framed and hanging side by side on my display panels 16 x 20.
I could go on and on and on. This is why I never get bored. But the one that really really floored me was -- I have a sign in my both saying PHOTOGRAPHY, as with a camera. This very well dress person looked and looked, then finally asked me "Do you have any pictures of real angels?" How do you answer a question like that? Darned if I know.
Now back to the real world. It was a very good weekend. Sales were good, crowds were .. crowded.. you could hardly push your way through to go to the little girls room. As I mentioned I sell framed 16 x 20 pictures. At the present time I am selling photographs of some of the Chihuly Glass displays I have seen in several cities. These displays are all of hand-blown glass, some very very awesome beautiful colorful glass.
I am going to share these with you. These two of part of a solid wall of hand-blown glass, fused together. You would have to see it to believe it. Anyhoo I had these two prints framed and hanging side by side on my display panels 16 x 20.
A very nice lady was there on Saturday, looked at all my Chihuly prints, both framed and just matted. There were two she really liked, decided on the above picture 16 x 20 framed to hang over her sofa. She was so tickled. So was I.
First thing on Sunday morning, right after opening this same woman came into my booth telling me "I want that other one also". She paid the admission to the festival the second time so that she could buy one of my pictures. This is what makes doing what I do so rewarding and exciting. To know that folks really love what you do.
So this is me. I have about a dozen different categories that I sell, mills, barns, covered bridges, outhouses, flowers, trees, landscapes, I could go on and on, but you get the drift.
This is a very happy part of my life, doing what I love to - the traveling, the meeting of great folks, the goofy questions, the vendor family that you only see occasionally, getting together, telling of their adventures, laughing until we cry.
If everyone of you out there had the vendor family, real family, friends, acquaintances, that I have, the enjoyment I get out of every single day, no matter what, you have been truly blessed. Knowing that someone, like the lady this weekend, is getting so much enjoyment out of what you do, what on earth more could you ask for?
So never look back, just look ahead and be thankful for just being alive. God Bless.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
ABOUT THE SAME AS YESTERDAY....OCTOBER 19 2011.....
Still running late. Got bunches of stuff to do today. And the forecast is for more rain, some heavy, and wind, lots of sustained wind, not gusts. What else is new?
The 2 page flyer for the Wash. Co. Fairgrounds festival was in Sunday's paper. The list of vendors and their locations are always in this flyer, and Russ and I both have our same spots as in prior years. Also our neighbors are the same friends as in prior years. Party time!
Rebecca's book has reached No. 5 on the UK's best seller list. You folks over there keep on buying - would be awesome if it hit No 1, even if for only a day.
She is also spending today getting her material for the two seminars she will be holding in Florida this weekend tweaked. And packing. And grocery shopping so the kids have plenty to eat while they are gone. Then it is off to the airport way before daylight for Rebeca and Neal for their early morning flight. While they are flying south I will be setting up at the fairgrounds for the festival. Wish I could be two places at once, but haven't figured that angle out yet.
It has been announced that us on Social Security are scheduled for a pay increase in January. First time in two years. Won't know what to do with the extra $2.00 I will see after they take out for medicare. Will have to go on a spending spree! Lets see, what will I splurge on this year?
This was at the Florida Writer's conference a couple of years ago when Rebecca was conducting one of her seminars. At last count she had just over 100 in the audience. She had expected around 25.
This next picture was taken outside of our hotel at Lake Mary, where the conference is actually held.
It doesn't matter where you go, there is always something to take a picture of. Now back to, where was I? Oh yes, splurging and spending sprees.
And speaking of spending, I checked my Christmas gift list - yes it is that time of year, again, and looks as if I have all my major shopping done except for the gift cards. I start my shopping in January, as I see things I think someone would like I pick it up. Biggest problem is when it is actually time to start gift wrapping, I start searching - where in the heck did I put this and that? Talk about a scavenger hunt.
Also starting to scope out the turkeys. We usually have turkey twice a year, Thanksgiving and Christmas, and they are deep fried. No other way to serve turkey. Jerry does the honors, the meat just melts in your mouth, we get the largest turkey that our fryer will hold, there is never anything left over.
Am I rushing the seasons? Nope. They are rushing me. I just celebrated the new year (going to bed at 10 p.m.) and it is looming on the horizon again.
But enough of my rambling. This is Wednesday. Bible study at 10 a.m. Have a good day and God Bless.
Still running late. Got bunches of stuff to do today. And the forecast is for more rain, some heavy, and wind, lots of sustained wind, not gusts. What else is new?
The 2 page flyer for the Wash. Co. Fairgrounds festival was in Sunday's paper. The list of vendors and their locations are always in this flyer, and Russ and I both have our same spots as in prior years. Also our neighbors are the same friends as in prior years. Party time!
Rebecca's book has reached No. 5 on the UK's best seller list. You folks over there keep on buying - would be awesome if it hit No 1, even if for only a day.
She is also spending today getting her material for the two seminars she will be holding in Florida this weekend tweaked. And packing. And grocery shopping so the kids have plenty to eat while they are gone. Then it is off to the airport way before daylight for Rebeca and Neal for their early morning flight. While they are flying south I will be setting up at the fairgrounds for the festival. Wish I could be two places at once, but haven't figured that angle out yet.
It has been announced that us on Social Security are scheduled for a pay increase in January. First time in two years. Won't know what to do with the extra $2.00 I will see after they take out for medicare. Will have to go on a spending spree! Lets see, what will I splurge on this year?
This was at the Florida Writer's conference a couple of years ago when Rebecca was conducting one of her seminars. At last count she had just over 100 in the audience. She had expected around 25.
This next picture was taken outside of our hotel at Lake Mary, where the conference is actually held.
And speaking of spending, I checked my Christmas gift list - yes it is that time of year, again, and looks as if I have all my major shopping done except for the gift cards. I start my shopping in January, as I see things I think someone would like I pick it up. Biggest problem is when it is actually time to start gift wrapping, I start searching - where in the heck did I put this and that? Talk about a scavenger hunt.
Also starting to scope out the turkeys. We usually have turkey twice a year, Thanksgiving and Christmas, and they are deep fried. No other way to serve turkey. Jerry does the honors, the meat just melts in your mouth, we get the largest turkey that our fryer will hold, there is never anything left over.
Am I rushing the seasons? Nope. They are rushing me. I just celebrated the new year (going to bed at 10 p.m.) and it is looming on the horizon again.
But enough of my rambling. This is Wednesday. Bible study at 10 a.m. Have a good day and God Bless.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
RUNNIN' LATE - AGAIN - OCTOBER 18 2011..............
Nothin' new about that. But am really late posting today. Can't even blame it on anyone else. Just me.
Got the flower beds cleaned off yesterday afternoon, now, finally, they are really ready for winter. The grass needs mowed again. It is late October for pete's sake. Mowing should be done.
Was watching Monday night football and Hawaii 5 0, bouncing back and forth. Finally about 10 p.m. could hardly stay awake. All that out in the fresh air stuff in the afternoon. Threw in the towel, went to bed and crashed.
Midnight. Wide awake. Tossed and turned. Finally got some hot milk, that usually puts the lights out for me. Nope. 2:30 a.m. still awake. Decided to read a while. Did I get sleepy. Nada. 3:00 a.m. decided to play hearts and solitaire on the computer. 4:00 a.m. back to bed.
Still awake at 4:40 a.m. and heard Jerry get up. That is his normal get-up time, and I never, but never, hear him. Did last night. Then, finally the next thing I knew it was after 9:30 a.m. So am running late. Again.
Got my OJ and tea. Fed the cats. Started my daily computer routine. Got a phone call, let the dogs out, let the dogs in, washed Sam's feet as she is still looking for her pot of gold (in her case something to eat). Or whatever. Got another phone call. So here I am, almost Price is Right time and I am still trying to catch up with myself. Actually it is P is R time.
I very rarely have a night I can't sleep. Hit the bed, out like a light, as the saying goes. But then there is that one night, nothing works, I play, and lose, a lot of hearts.
Rained again last night. Nothing new there. Sun shining today, the dew is sparkling on the grass, that needs mowed again, it is actually calm, no wind blasting our hill top. I hope this isn't the calm before another storm. I wonder what winter will bring? Will it be another stormagedden like a couple of years ago?
This was Jerry measuring during the storm. You can see how hard it was snowing, and it just kept on and kept on.
After the storm. Talk about a winter wonderland.
One of my outdoor kittys coming from the barn to be fed breakfast. She was jumping from spot to spot. Had to laugh. Of course she didn't think it was funny.
Well better get this posted or it will be time for tomorrow's blog. Enjoy the sun and calm and God Bless.
Nothin' new about that. But am really late posting today. Can't even blame it on anyone else. Just me.
Got the flower beds cleaned off yesterday afternoon, now, finally, they are really ready for winter. The grass needs mowed again. It is late October for pete's sake. Mowing should be done.
Was watching Monday night football and Hawaii 5 0, bouncing back and forth. Finally about 10 p.m. could hardly stay awake. All that out in the fresh air stuff in the afternoon. Threw in the towel, went to bed and crashed.
Midnight. Wide awake. Tossed and turned. Finally got some hot milk, that usually puts the lights out for me. Nope. 2:30 a.m. still awake. Decided to read a while. Did I get sleepy. Nada. 3:00 a.m. decided to play hearts and solitaire on the computer. 4:00 a.m. back to bed.
Still awake at 4:40 a.m. and heard Jerry get up. That is his normal get-up time, and I never, but never, hear him. Did last night. Then, finally the next thing I knew it was after 9:30 a.m. So am running late. Again.
Got my OJ and tea. Fed the cats. Started my daily computer routine. Got a phone call, let the dogs out, let the dogs in, washed Sam's feet as she is still looking for her pot of gold (in her case something to eat). Or whatever. Got another phone call. So here I am, almost Price is Right time and I am still trying to catch up with myself. Actually it is P is R time.
I very rarely have a night I can't sleep. Hit the bed, out like a light, as the saying goes. But then there is that one night, nothing works, I play, and lose, a lot of hearts.
Rained again last night. Nothing new there. Sun shining today, the dew is sparkling on the grass, that needs mowed again, it is actually calm, no wind blasting our hill top. I hope this isn't the calm before another storm. I wonder what winter will bring? Will it be another stormagedden like a couple of years ago?
This was Jerry measuring during the storm. You can see how hard it was snowing, and it just kept on and kept on.
Well better get this posted or it will be time for tomorrow's blog. Enjoy the sun and calm and God Bless.
Monday, October 17, 2011
MONDAYS and BLAH ..... OCTOBER 17 2011
Why is this so true? I guess because the weekend is over for another week, and it is back to work, back to school, back to what-ever.
I have no earth-shattering news. I have 4 new pictures to frame for this coming weekend's festival, otherwise my inventory is as good as it will be.
I do have a major job this afternoon, providing the weather holds. It rained again last night. What is new about that? The major job is removing all my impatiens from my flower beds. No, we haven't had frost yet. That in itself is very unusual because we usually have a heavy frost in September sometime, which kills all the annual flowers. Then it warms up and gets beautiful again.
Past the middle of October. No frost. why remove the flowers? Because of the wind. Sounds a little crazy, doesn't it. What does wind have to do with removing flowers.
I guess I will tell you, whether you want to know or not. The wind blew Friday and Saturday. Blew hard. Blew really hard. It blew SO hard that it stripped most of the leaves and flowers from my impatiens. Today I have only green stems with an occasional flower in the flower beds. Very few leaves. Very few flowers.
This is how it looked a few days ago. The next picture is a close-up of my impatiens in bloom.
You can see how nice they looked. Now, this is today..............
Pretty pitiful-looking aren't they? So this is clean out the flower bed day, just leaving the perennial shrubs and stuff that winter well.
All in all this has been a very unusual, strange year. Nothing weather-wise has been normal. Makes me almost afraid to think of what winter will bring.
Sun is shining right now, so enjoy that strange bright light all around you and God Bless.
Why is this so true? I guess because the weekend is over for another week, and it is back to work, back to school, back to what-ever.
I have no earth-shattering news. I have 4 new pictures to frame for this coming weekend's festival, otherwise my inventory is as good as it will be.
I do have a major job this afternoon, providing the weather holds. It rained again last night. What is new about that? The major job is removing all my impatiens from my flower beds. No, we haven't had frost yet. That in itself is very unusual because we usually have a heavy frost in September sometime, which kills all the annual flowers. Then it warms up and gets beautiful again.
Past the middle of October. No frost. why remove the flowers? Because of the wind. Sounds a little crazy, doesn't it. What does wind have to do with removing flowers.
I guess I will tell you, whether you want to know or not. The wind blew Friday and Saturday. Blew hard. Blew really hard. It blew SO hard that it stripped most of the leaves and flowers from my impatiens. Today I have only green stems with an occasional flower in the flower beds. Very few leaves. Very few flowers.
All in all this has been a very unusual, strange year. Nothing weather-wise has been normal. Makes me almost afraid to think of what winter will bring.
Sun is shining right now, so enjoy that strange bright light all around you and God Bless.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
A WASHINGTON COUNTY PA. SUCCESS STORY.....OCTOBER 16 2011........
This is a true story. One you will never see in the newspaper, or hear on the radio, or see on TV. There are many success stories like this one out there, un-sung "hero's" so to speak. I just thought it would be nice to share this one with you. Rebecca - please don't disown me as your Mom!
I guess I am proud. Or extremely lucky. Or both.
Rebecca and Neal have been married a little over 25 years. They have four children. Nothing exceptional about that. Lots of folks have lots more.
Now to get to the core of the story.
Their four children were born in a six year span. There were years when she had two, once three, in diapers at the same time. By the time the oldest started school, they had all learned to help Mom. Mom needed lots of help. Dad was an over-the-road truck driver, away more than he was home, so it was Mom, Mom, and more Mom.
They developed a system. Made up a chart of chores for the kids to be responsible for, and in return they received payment, based on how many of their chores they accomplished.
They also each had alarm clocks. Four kids. One bathroom. Getting up in the morning had to be staggered, they were responsible for determining the pecking order, and adhering to it. They were never late for school.
As they all like something different for breakfast, they were, again, responsible. As they grew older Rebecca held part-time jobs to help make ends meet.
Now we are fast forwarding. The two oldest (both boys) have graduated from high school, and are both working part-time and attending college.
The two younger ones (boy Coleman, girl Shelby) are still in high school. Coleman will graduate in the spring of 2012. Shelby in the spring of 2013.
This week Coleman received a check from the school for perfect attendance. For which he was solely responsible for.
This week Shelby received a job offer, from one of her teachers, to tutor students struggling. Shelby has been on the high-honors honor roll from the get-go. She is being paid to tutor. The other three were also on the honor rolls, sometimes not consistently, but they were there.
Four children. Six years. Two in college, two planning on attending college. Yes, I am proud. They never asked for help unless it was an emergency. Now Neal is still a truck driver, but no longer over the road, so he is home more. The kids are self sufficient.
Neither boy, ( Garrett and Austin) when applying for college, opted to live in a dormitory. They both wanted to stay home, and drive back and forth to school, and to their jobs. In this day and age when all kids want to do is get away from their parents, Becky's nest remains full. Through choice, not necessity.
Her four are very well behaved and polite, always have been. I know of the times, when for a special treat Becky and Neal would take all four kids out to eat. She would tell about the expressions on the faces of the other patrons when they saw this couple with four young kids entering. Oh horror. There goes our nice evening out.
Were they ever surprised. There were many instances when these patrons, upon leaving, would stop by their table and congratulate the parents on how well-behaved their children were. What a breath of fresh air that was. But that is how it is and always has been.
And now Rebecca owns her own publishing house, of which Neal is a part, and they both will be leaving for Florida next week for the annual Florida Writers Guild conference.
It has been a struggle. They worked hard, both the parents and the kids. They have succeeded. This is definitely a Washington County Success Story. I am not embellishing. I am just tell it the way it was. None of us know the end of the story, but the beginning has been fantastic.
Thanksgiving 4 years ago in my living room. Rebecca, son #2 Austin, son #3 Coleman with dog, daughter #4 Shelby, Garrett, Son #1 and last but not least husband Neal.
So you will never see this story in the newspaper, nor on TV nor hear it on the radio. You only hear and see the bad in those mediums.
I count my blessings every day. Tom and I raised 5 children. They all have their own success stories. None have ever been arrested. None have ever done drugs. Only one smokes. They all have raised their families, and also have success stories. None have ever been un-employed. They always worked, even if it was washing dishes in a restaurant. Every one of our five children own their own homes, raised children who have their own homes, are raising their families.
I hope you haven't been bored today. But I thought this was important. And so when I leave for Church today, it will be with a happy heart, knowing all is right with my world. God Bless.
This is a true story. One you will never see in the newspaper, or hear on the radio, or see on TV. There are many success stories like this one out there, un-sung "hero's" so to speak. I just thought it would be nice to share this one with you. Rebecca - please don't disown me as your Mom!
I guess I am proud. Or extremely lucky. Or both.
Rebecca and Neal have been married a little over 25 years. They have four children. Nothing exceptional about that. Lots of folks have lots more.
Now to get to the core of the story.
Their four children were born in a six year span. There were years when she had two, once three, in diapers at the same time. By the time the oldest started school, they had all learned to help Mom. Mom needed lots of help. Dad was an over-the-road truck driver, away more than he was home, so it was Mom, Mom, and more Mom.
They developed a system. Made up a chart of chores for the kids to be responsible for, and in return they received payment, based on how many of their chores they accomplished.
They also each had alarm clocks. Four kids. One bathroom. Getting up in the morning had to be staggered, they were responsible for determining the pecking order, and adhering to it. They were never late for school.
As they all like something different for breakfast, they were, again, responsible. As they grew older Rebecca held part-time jobs to help make ends meet.
Now we are fast forwarding. The two oldest (both boys) have graduated from high school, and are both working part-time and attending college.
The two younger ones (boy Coleman, girl Shelby) are still in high school. Coleman will graduate in the spring of 2012. Shelby in the spring of 2013.
This week Coleman received a check from the school for perfect attendance. For which he was solely responsible for.
This week Shelby received a job offer, from one of her teachers, to tutor students struggling. Shelby has been on the high-honors honor roll from the get-go. She is being paid to tutor. The other three were also on the honor rolls, sometimes not consistently, but they were there.
Four children. Six years. Two in college, two planning on attending college. Yes, I am proud. They never asked for help unless it was an emergency. Now Neal is still a truck driver, but no longer over the road, so he is home more. The kids are self sufficient.
Neither boy, ( Garrett and Austin) when applying for college, opted to live in a dormitory. They both wanted to stay home, and drive back and forth to school, and to their jobs. In this day and age when all kids want to do is get away from their parents, Becky's nest remains full. Through choice, not necessity.
Her four are very well behaved and polite, always have been. I know of the times, when for a special treat Becky and Neal would take all four kids out to eat. She would tell about the expressions on the faces of the other patrons when they saw this couple with four young kids entering. Oh horror. There goes our nice evening out.
Were they ever surprised. There were many instances when these patrons, upon leaving, would stop by their table and congratulate the parents on how well-behaved their children were. What a breath of fresh air that was. But that is how it is and always has been.
And now Rebecca owns her own publishing house, of which Neal is a part, and they both will be leaving for Florida next week for the annual Florida Writers Guild conference.
It has been a struggle. They worked hard, both the parents and the kids. They have succeeded. This is definitely a Washington County Success Story. I am not embellishing. I am just tell it the way it was. None of us know the end of the story, but the beginning has been fantastic.
Thanksgiving 4 years ago in my living room. Rebecca, son #2 Austin, son #3 Coleman with dog, daughter #4 Shelby, Garrett, Son #1 and last but not least husband Neal.
So you will never see this story in the newspaper, nor on TV nor hear it on the radio. You only hear and see the bad in those mediums.
I count my blessings every day. Tom and I raised 5 children. They all have their own success stories. None have ever been arrested. None have ever done drugs. Only one smokes. They all have raised their families, and also have success stories. None have ever been un-employed. They always worked, even if it was washing dishes in a restaurant. Every one of our five children own their own homes, raised children who have their own homes, are raising their families.
I hope you haven't been bored today. But I thought this was important. And so when I leave for Church today, it will be with a happy heart, knowing all is right with my world. God Bless.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
WHEN I GOT UP THIS MORNING.....OCTOBER 15 2011......
I had no idea what I would blog about. So went about my usual morning routine, orange juice and hot tea, then the computer stuff. My computer routine is first e-mails, second checking checkbook balance, third facebook, and fourth my blog. Today I hit the jackpot!!! Not the checkbook, but stuff to blog about.
One of my blog followers - Sandy (who happens to be a dog and has his own blog SANDYSAYS) left a comment on yesterday's blog, which I also received as an e-mail telling me how much his human enjoyed yesterday's blog. They live in Florida and don't have fall, just a change of greenery. I feel bad for them, never getting to see the fall colors.
Receiving comments and e-mails is like finding the pot of gold.
This picture is of the Delta Queen on one of her last trips up-river to Pittsburgh before she was retired.
The second thing is about daughter Rebecca's book IN THE BRIEF ETERNAL SILENCE. For the last few months it has consistently been in the top 20 sales of romantic mystery in the United Kingdom. As of today it is number 10.
The path of life is very un-predictable. Way back when, she had written her book, even had an agent, but was never able to get published. She was also editing for other want-to-be authors, who were having the same problem of getting published. One of them suggested she start her own publishing house. She did. He was the first book her brand-new publishing house released. Her book was the second. Today she has well over a dozen authors whose books her publishing house has released, with several more on the pending list for the remainder of this year, into next year.
She is also an invited speaker for the third year at the Florida Writers Guild annual seminar, and will be conducting classes on different aspects of writing. Also this year there is a scheduled live radio inter-view pertaining to her as an author and owner of a publishing house. For the first 2 years I accompanied her, met and made friends with many up-coming, and established, authors. I cannot go this year because of a schedule conflict, but Rebecca and husband Neal will be there. And I know that once again she will return with new manuscripts to read, for possible publication.
I know that now she is getting ready to out-source the editing part, as that is the most time-consuming part of the publishing business, which will free her up for the more important things. Way to go!
So as you can see, I got up this morning with nothing to say, and look what I have written. Never say never.
Life is a journey. You never know where the path will lead. If you did know, you probably would not have nerve enough to follow through.
So, enjoy your journey, do your best, and God Bless.
I had no idea what I would blog about. So went about my usual morning routine, orange juice and hot tea, then the computer stuff. My computer routine is first e-mails, second checking checkbook balance, third facebook, and fourth my blog. Today I hit the jackpot!!! Not the checkbook, but stuff to blog about.
One of my blog followers - Sandy (who happens to be a dog and has his own blog SANDYSAYS) left a comment on yesterday's blog, which I also received as an e-mail telling me how much his human enjoyed yesterday's blog. They live in Florida and don't have fall, just a change of greenery. I feel bad for them, never getting to see the fall colors.
Receiving comments and e-mails is like finding the pot of gold.
The second thing is about daughter Rebecca's book IN THE BRIEF ETERNAL SILENCE. For the last few months it has consistently been in the top 20 sales of romantic mystery in the United Kingdom. As of today it is number 10.
The path of life is very un-predictable. Way back when, she had written her book, even had an agent, but was never able to get published. She was also editing for other want-to-be authors, who were having the same problem of getting published. One of them suggested she start her own publishing house. She did. He was the first book her brand-new publishing house released. Her book was the second. Today she has well over a dozen authors whose books her publishing house has released, with several more on the pending list for the remainder of this year, into next year.
She is also an invited speaker for the third year at the Florida Writers Guild annual seminar, and will be conducting classes on different aspects of writing. Also this year there is a scheduled live radio inter-view pertaining to her as an author and owner of a publishing house. For the first 2 years I accompanied her, met and made friends with many up-coming, and established, authors. I cannot go this year because of a schedule conflict, but Rebecca and husband Neal will be there. And I know that once again she will return with new manuscripts to read, for possible publication.
I know that now she is getting ready to out-source the editing part, as that is the most time-consuming part of the publishing business, which will free her up for the more important things. Way to go!
So as you can see, I got up this morning with nothing to say, and look what I have written. Never say never.
Life is a journey. You never know where the path will lead. If you did know, you probably would not have nerve enough to follow through.
So, enjoy your journey, do your best, and God Bless.
Friday, October 14, 2011
GUESS WHAT -- IT IS RAINING....OCTOBER 14 2011...........
Again! Still! Yet!
It was pretty nice yesterday morning and early afternoon. After Bible Study (BS - not the bad BS but the good BS, this for Kathy's benefit) I was able to complete cleaning off my flower beds getting them ready for winter. The only thing remaining are my impatiens and a few other annuals that I plant every spring. It is the middle of October and we have not had frost yet. That never happens.
There are times as early as mid-September that we have frost, kills all the pretty flowers, then turns warm and beautiful for several more weeks. This year nada. This entire year has been nada. Nothing this year has been normal.
Guess I had better revise that statement. Nothing this year weather-wise has been normal. Since I am never normal, being not normal is normal for me every year. Don't you just love it?
But is is great to look out the window, or walk outside and see all the pretty colors. The leaves are beautiful, but the sky is gray. Since 3:30 p.m. yesterday afternoon - when the rain started again - we have had 2 inches of rain and still counting.
I have said for years that fall is my favorite time of year. I love the way the world prepares itself for it's winter nap. Winter is the time of renewal, of gathering the strength, the snow blanketing everything, like a big woolly blanket giving all of nature a rest. Then when spring arrives, wow! Watch out! Every one and every thing comes alive, and spring has sprung.
But for now, fall prep will soon be winter napping.
Enjoy the colors, even if it is raining, for soon they will be gone for another year. In the meantime just look and God Bless.
Again! Still! Yet!
It was pretty nice yesterday morning and early afternoon. After Bible Study (BS - not the bad BS but the good BS, this for Kathy's benefit) I was able to complete cleaning off my flower beds getting them ready for winter. The only thing remaining are my impatiens and a few other annuals that I plant every spring. It is the middle of October and we have not had frost yet. That never happens.
There are times as early as mid-September that we have frost, kills all the pretty flowers, then turns warm and beautiful for several more weeks. This year nada. This entire year has been nada. Nothing this year has been normal.
Guess I had better revise that statement. Nothing this year weather-wise has been normal. Since I am never normal, being not normal is normal for me every year. Don't you just love it?
But is is great to look out the window, or walk outside and see all the pretty colors. The leaves are beautiful, but the sky is gray. Since 3:30 p.m. yesterday afternoon - when the rain started again - we have had 2 inches of rain and still counting.
But for now, fall prep will soon be winter napping.
Enjoy the colors, even if it is raining, for soon they will be gone for another year. In the meantime just look and God Bless.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
WHERE HAS THE YEAR GONE? ... OCTOBER 13 2011.......
Good question. Seems as if I had just finished my last IF ONLY I COULD TALK BOOK, and began teaching myself how to blog. When I look back at the first couple of months, I really really don't know why anyone wanted to read them. I guess I still really really don't know why.
Unless I am trying share some "real" information with you, it is pretty much rambling on, here and there, up and down, sidewise and un-sidewise. Perhaps I am really brilliant, or you are really bored. Whatever.
Can't believe it is the middle of October. Thanksgiving. Christmas shopping. Christmas. New Years Eve. Then ANOTHER year, I just don't feel that I am ageing as fast as the years are moving.
Fall colors are in full swing. It is raining again. That will bring the leaves down even faster. Then the bareness of winter, unless there is snow to brighten it up.
Early fall, before the corn harvest. It was a typical fall morning with the fog hanging over everything. In just a few more days the corn would be harvested, the ground bare, waiting for the lime, then the plow, getting it ready for next spring's crop, whatever that may be - corn, alfalfa, hay, I guess I just have to wait and see.
This is late fall here on the farm. Look at how the red virginia creeper is compared to the greens and golds of the trees. It seems as if the world consists of a never-ending beauty contest, which season is the more beautiful.
And, finally winter. The snow was deep, clean and white, sparkling in the sun. All of the seasons have their beauty, and just like life, some days when the beauty seems hidden. But it is always there, just under the surface, and when you think it couldn't get any worse, you waken up one morning and see something like the above three scenes. And you realize, this is God's world.
So even on the drab dreary days, there is beauty somewhere, if you look for it. It may take a few days to find the beauty but when you do, oh my!
Count your blessing and God Bless.
Good question. Seems as if I had just finished my last IF ONLY I COULD TALK BOOK, and began teaching myself how to blog. When I look back at the first couple of months, I really really don't know why anyone wanted to read them. I guess I still really really don't know why.
Unless I am trying share some "real" information with you, it is pretty much rambling on, here and there, up and down, sidewise and un-sidewise. Perhaps I am really brilliant, or you are really bored. Whatever.
Can't believe it is the middle of October. Thanksgiving. Christmas shopping. Christmas. New Years Eve. Then ANOTHER year, I just don't feel that I am ageing as fast as the years are moving.
Fall colors are in full swing. It is raining again. That will bring the leaves down even faster. Then the bareness of winter, unless there is snow to brighten it up.
So even on the drab dreary days, there is beauty somewhere, if you look for it. It may take a few days to find the beauty but when you do, oh my!
Count your blessing and God Bless.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
LOOKING AHEAD....OCTOBER 12 2011...........................
The year is winding down, but I am still looking ahead.
First, the lime truck arrived yesterday, ready to spread lime on our fields where the corn had been this summer. As soon as the truck had finished Tim was here, chisel-plowing the ground, getting it ready for spring planting. Looking ahead.
Second, getting pictures ready for the two week fairgrounds festival the end of October. Looking ahead.
Third, will have to be packing for the bus trip, also in October, to Sleepy Hollow New York and the legend of the Headless Horseman. Looking ahead.
Fourth, the final festival of the year in Morgantown WV the second weekend of November. Looking ahead.
Now to switch gears. I am attaching a picture of one of my vendor friends, Nancy Habel. She is of German descent, loves the ethnic dress, and usually at the festivals she manages to wear one of her outfits, which she mostly makes herself. But that is not what she sells. She is a high end jeweler, her jewelry is expensive, but you get more way than you pay for in quality and beauty.
This picture was taken at Oglebay this past weekend in front of the big tent we were in, before we had taken the sides down. She and her companion Bill have been great friends for quite a while.
Then my other friend and traveling companion, Vicki, is also a jeweler, but her work is the complete opposite of Nancy's, beautiful costume jewelry the every-day sort us normal people can afford. She scouts out flea markets and auctions, buys discarded jewelry, takes it home, dis-assembles it into individual pieces, them creates her own designs. I am attaching a picture here of some of her work.
I have the picture of Nancy, but not of her work, and a picture of Vicki's work, but not of her. I seem to do everything backwards, but I guess that goes with the territory.
Have to close now. It is raining again. Bible Study in half an hour, don't want to be late.
Enjoy your day, and remember, look ahead. Yesterday is gone. You can't change anything. So enjoy what you have and God Bless.
The year is winding down, but I am still looking ahead.
First, the lime truck arrived yesterday, ready to spread lime on our fields where the corn had been this summer. As soon as the truck had finished Tim was here, chisel-plowing the ground, getting it ready for spring planting. Looking ahead.
Second, getting pictures ready for the two week fairgrounds festival the end of October. Looking ahead.
Third, will have to be packing for the bus trip, also in October, to Sleepy Hollow New York and the legend of the Headless Horseman. Looking ahead.
Fourth, the final festival of the year in Morgantown WV the second weekend of November. Looking ahead.
Now to switch gears. I am attaching a picture of one of my vendor friends, Nancy Habel. She is of German descent, loves the ethnic dress, and usually at the festivals she manages to wear one of her outfits, which she mostly makes herself. But that is not what she sells. She is a high end jeweler, her jewelry is expensive, but you get more way than you pay for in quality and beauty.
Then my other friend and traveling companion, Vicki, is also a jeweler, but her work is the complete opposite of Nancy's, beautiful costume jewelry the every-day sort us normal people can afford. She scouts out flea markets and auctions, buys discarded jewelry, takes it home, dis-assembles it into individual pieces, them creates her own designs. I am attaching a picture here of some of her work.
Have to close now. It is raining again. Bible Study in half an hour, don't want to be late.
Enjoy your day, and remember, look ahead. Yesterday is gone. You can't change anything. So enjoy what you have and God Bless.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
TODAY IS A ?....OCTOBER 11 2011............................
That's right. Today is a question mark? I'm not real sure what to write about. Guess I'll fake it.
Have gotten my voice back, mostly. At least I can answer the phone and whoever is on the other end can hear me.
I have a pretty good idea of what pictures to print, mat and frame for the up-coming two weekend Christmas Festival at the Washington Co fairgrounds. Now it is just a case of getting to work.
Want to take my van to Washington to have the winter tires put on the front (front wheel drive). After all, October is already almost half over and the weather could change anytime, and I have some driving to do.
We had asked Vicki while at Oglebay to be sure and check with her Mom, near Morgantown WV, to make sure it was still o.k. for Russ, Kay and me to stay with her for 3 nights during the Morgantown Festival, which is the last festival of the year for any of us.
Got an e-mail yesterday saying her Mom could hardly wait and that she was telling all her neighbors we would be there. Makes us sound like celebrities.
This picture was taken in Alaska. It is fireweed, the first plant to sprout and bloom after a major forest fire. We were in an area where there had been major fires and we saw acres and acres of this fireweed, the rebirth of the land. It was quite spectacular.
And finally just finished my latest Luanne Rice Novel "Dream Country". As always her novels are awesome, you don't want to put them down, you don't want the story to end, but you can hardly wait to finish it.
So, I guess it is time to get busy doing what I have to do today. And there is still outside flower bed work to be done.
Have a great day and God Bless.
That's right. Today is a question mark? I'm not real sure what to write about. Guess I'll fake it.
Have gotten my voice back, mostly. At least I can answer the phone and whoever is on the other end can hear me.
I have a pretty good idea of what pictures to print, mat and frame for the up-coming two weekend Christmas Festival at the Washington Co fairgrounds. Now it is just a case of getting to work.
Want to take my van to Washington to have the winter tires put on the front (front wheel drive). After all, October is already almost half over and the weather could change anytime, and I have some driving to do.
We had asked Vicki while at Oglebay to be sure and check with her Mom, near Morgantown WV, to make sure it was still o.k. for Russ, Kay and me to stay with her for 3 nights during the Morgantown Festival, which is the last festival of the year for any of us.
Got an e-mail yesterday saying her Mom could hardly wait and that she was telling all her neighbors we would be there. Makes us sound like celebrities.
And finally just finished my latest Luanne Rice Novel "Dream Country". As always her novels are awesome, you don't want to put them down, you don't want the story to end, but you can hardly wait to finish it.
So, I guess it is time to get busy doing what I have to do today. And there is still outside flower bed work to be done.
Have a great day and God Bless.
Monday, October 10, 2011
NOW THE REAL WORK BEGINS ..... OCTOBER 10 2011 .......
What a fantastic weekend. Sunday began with our breakfast at the Lodge, pumpkin waffles, pecan waffles, plain waffles, omelets with everything but the kitchen sink, all made by the 6 chefs cooking for each individual order as you watched and all the other traditional food. We talked. We laughed. We ate. Everyone seemed to think that this is the perfect way to start the final day of the festival.
Again the crowds were huge. I believe that because we have had such miserable weather the entire year, and this week-end was picture-perfect, everyone was out celebrating, and what better way to celebrate than to buy from us poor, hard-working vendors.
I couldn't talk, above a whisper, but no one seemed to mind.
I also couldn't believe how many folks I touched base with that I hadn't seen since last years Oglebayfest, and probably will not see again until next year.
That is the high point of any festival, the touching base. Renewing old friendships, making new friends, hearing all about the last year, who could ask for anything more.
Now today the "real" work begins - the "paper work". Everything has to be documented, the proper forms complete to pay the State of West Virginia the sales tax collected, the proper documentation for the IRS at the end of the year, which is coming like a freight train out of control.
I have to submit my credit card sales so I get paid for those purchases. I have to hit my inventory records, taking off what I had sold. Then I have to decide what new pictures I have to do for the fairgrounds festival in two weeks. Then comes the printing, matting, framing those that need to be framed, getting ready.
Don't ever let anyone tell you that your fun job is easy. Just because you love what you do does not make it easy. In fact I work harder at my fun job than I ever did at my "real job". But when you love what you do you don't mind the work. Each year you get a little slower, but you still get it done.
So guess I had better get done here, and get to my "real" work. That will take most of the day, just getting the immediate necessities finished.
Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to get a picture or two ready for adding to the blog. I know I have been remiss this weekend, but I haven't been loafing. So until then, have a good day and God Bless.
What a fantastic weekend. Sunday began with our breakfast at the Lodge, pumpkin waffles, pecan waffles, plain waffles, omelets with everything but the kitchen sink, all made by the 6 chefs cooking for each individual order as you watched and all the other traditional food. We talked. We laughed. We ate. Everyone seemed to think that this is the perfect way to start the final day of the festival.
Again the crowds were huge. I believe that because we have had such miserable weather the entire year, and this week-end was picture-perfect, everyone was out celebrating, and what better way to celebrate than to buy from us poor, hard-working vendors.
I couldn't talk, above a whisper, but no one seemed to mind.
I also couldn't believe how many folks I touched base with that I hadn't seen since last years Oglebayfest, and probably will not see again until next year.
That is the high point of any festival, the touching base. Renewing old friendships, making new friends, hearing all about the last year, who could ask for anything more.
Now today the "real" work begins - the "paper work". Everything has to be documented, the proper forms complete to pay the State of West Virginia the sales tax collected, the proper documentation for the IRS at the end of the year, which is coming like a freight train out of control.
I have to submit my credit card sales so I get paid for those purchases. I have to hit my inventory records, taking off what I had sold. Then I have to decide what new pictures I have to do for the fairgrounds festival in two weeks. Then comes the printing, matting, framing those that need to be framed, getting ready.
Don't ever let anyone tell you that your fun job is easy. Just because you love what you do does not make it easy. In fact I work harder at my fun job than I ever did at my "real job". But when you love what you do you don't mind the work. Each year you get a little slower, but you still get it done.
So guess I had better get done here, and get to my "real" work. That will take most of the day, just getting the immediate necessities finished.
Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to get a picture or two ready for adding to the blog. I know I have been remiss this weekend, but I haven't been loafing. So until then, have a good day and God Bless.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
ONE WAY TO KEEP ME FROM TALKING...OCTOBER 09 2011........
As I have probably mentioned, I seem to be an expert at opening my mouth. Not going to happen today. Not my choice. But here it is.
Yesterday was a very busy day at Oglebayfest. Big crowds, lots of sales, lots of talking, lots of answering questions. I also had 15 on my list for breakfast at the Lodge this morning.
Had a double recipe of chili with me yesterday in my crock pot, brought home about 1 cup or so. Everyone seemed to enjoy it. I know I did. Vicki brought dinner rolls, we had a ball. Kay is bringing home made chicken noodle soup today. All is right with the world.
Except for me and my mouth. About 1:30 - 2:00 yesterday afternoon I began to lose my voice. By the time we closed at 7 p.m., I had no voice at all. I haven't had laryngitis for years and years. Can't remember the last time. But I sure couldn't talk at all last night. When I got home Jerry thought it was grrrrrreeeeeeaaaaaattttttt! Hooray! She can't talk. I don't have to listen. I told him ( in my just barely voice) that he had to go with me today and do the talking. You should have seen the look I got...and the reply "You out of your cotton pickin' mind". I guess that means NO.
I have had this cold trying to get a grip for about 10 days, and when it got nowhere I guess it decided to silence me. Sure did a good job. I am definitely silent. Today should be quite interesting. I better have lots of pens and paper with me - may have to do my talking the old fashioned way - writing. I can talk, just barely above a whisper. Hope it improves during the day. No sore throat. No cold. Just no voice.
Well, have to get moving. Need to be at the Lodge before 8 a.m., so we have time to eat, then go to the artist's market and get opened up for the day. Hope we have as good a day today as yesterday. Will know come 5 p.m. tonight, then the fun part of tearing down the display, loading the van, driving home, unloading the van, and crashing.
Have a great Sunday and God Bless.
As I have probably mentioned, I seem to be an expert at opening my mouth. Not going to happen today. Not my choice. But here it is.
Yesterday was a very busy day at Oglebayfest. Big crowds, lots of sales, lots of talking, lots of answering questions. I also had 15 on my list for breakfast at the Lodge this morning.
Had a double recipe of chili with me yesterday in my crock pot, brought home about 1 cup or so. Everyone seemed to enjoy it. I know I did. Vicki brought dinner rolls, we had a ball. Kay is bringing home made chicken noodle soup today. All is right with the world.
Except for me and my mouth. About 1:30 - 2:00 yesterday afternoon I began to lose my voice. By the time we closed at 7 p.m., I had no voice at all. I haven't had laryngitis for years and years. Can't remember the last time. But I sure couldn't talk at all last night. When I got home Jerry thought it was grrrrrreeeeeeaaaaaattttttt! Hooray! She can't talk. I don't have to listen. I told him ( in my just barely voice) that he had to go with me today and do the talking. You should have seen the look I got...and the reply "You out of your cotton pickin' mind". I guess that means NO.
I have had this cold trying to get a grip for about 10 days, and when it got nowhere I guess it decided to silence me. Sure did a good job. I am definitely silent. Today should be quite interesting. I better have lots of pens and paper with me - may have to do my talking the old fashioned way - writing. I can talk, just barely above a whisper. Hope it improves during the day. No sore throat. No cold. Just no voice.
Well, have to get moving. Need to be at the Lodge before 8 a.m., so we have time to eat, then go to the artist's market and get opened up for the day. Hope we have as good a day today as yesterday. Will know come 5 p.m. tonight, then the fun part of tearing down the display, loading the van, driving home, unloading the van, and crashing.
Have a great Sunday and God Bless.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
CONNECTIONS ..... OCTOBER 08 2011 .......................
Yesterday was a day of connections. I connected with friends I have only seen a couple of times this year. I connected with friends for the first time this year. I connected with other vendors -all part of my vendor family.
For Oglebayfest weekend, one of the highlights of the entire weekend is a group of us getting together and going to Wilson Lodge at Oglebay for their fall festival breakfast buffet. It is a celebration of friendship, having a good weekend, and being together. We laugh. We talk. And we eat. Boy how we eat!
For some reason, darned if I know why, I seem to be the one that makes the list of who wants to come for breakfast. Then I seem to be the one that makes the phone call to the lodge, making reservations for the breakfast. I usually scope out our friends on Saturday morning, then make the phone call.
When I left last night to come home, I already had 7 on my list that I hadn't even started yet. No one wants to be left out.
At this rate I estimate between 15 and 20 for breakfast Sunday.
As for the day yesterday, there were lot of folks scoping out what was what, planing on returning Saturday and/or Sunday to do their real shopping. Sales started out pretty slow, but by the end of the day, sales were better than expected. And yess, I will see many of the same people all three days.
When I got home last night made a big pot of home-made chili to take with me today, to feed all my neighbors lunch. That is another thing that Kay and I like to do, sometimes it is Kay, other times it is me. So today we will have chili for lunch.
Vicki always brings donuts. The festival staff has coffee and donuts and water also for all vendors, no charge. Also after the festival last night we were treated to a great "thank you for being here" supper in the Mansion House. I was quite full and quite tired by the time I crashed last night, but it was a good day. What more could you ask for?
Just getting everything organized to take with me today - chili, crackers, shredded cheese, bowls and spoons (the throw-away kind), and, of course, me. Me is the most important thing of all. Otherwise, no chili, no one to mind my booth, no one to help put the sides of the tent up and let them down tonight. Makes me sound important anyway. Dream on!
on! Maybe I'll even see some of you there today. Don't forget the parade is at 10 a.m.
Have a good weekend and God Bless.
Yesterday was a day of connections. I connected with friends I have only seen a couple of times this year. I connected with friends for the first time this year. I connected with other vendors -all part of my vendor family.
For Oglebayfest weekend, one of the highlights of the entire weekend is a group of us getting together and going to Wilson Lodge at Oglebay for their fall festival breakfast buffet. It is a celebration of friendship, having a good weekend, and being together. We laugh. We talk. And we eat. Boy how we eat!
For some reason, darned if I know why, I seem to be the one that makes the list of who wants to come for breakfast. Then I seem to be the one that makes the phone call to the lodge, making reservations for the breakfast. I usually scope out our friends on Saturday morning, then make the phone call.
When I left last night to come home, I already had 7 on my list that I hadn't even started yet. No one wants to be left out.
At this rate I estimate between 15 and 20 for breakfast Sunday.
As for the day yesterday, there were lot of folks scoping out what was what, planing on returning Saturday and/or Sunday to do their real shopping. Sales started out pretty slow, but by the end of the day, sales were better than expected. And yess, I will see many of the same people all three days.
When I got home last night made a big pot of home-made chili to take with me today, to feed all my neighbors lunch. That is another thing that Kay and I like to do, sometimes it is Kay, other times it is me. So today we will have chili for lunch.
Vicki always brings donuts. The festival staff has coffee and donuts and water also for all vendors, no charge. Also after the festival last night we were treated to a great "thank you for being here" supper in the Mansion House. I was quite full and quite tired by the time I crashed last night, but it was a good day. What more could you ask for?
Just getting everything organized to take with me today - chili, crackers, shredded cheese, bowls and spoons (the throw-away kind), and, of course, me. Me is the most important thing of all. Otherwise, no chili, no one to mind my booth, no one to help put the sides of the tent up and let them down tonight. Makes me sound important anyway. Dream on!
on! Maybe I'll even see some of you there today. Don't forget the parade is at 10 a.m.
Have a good weekend and God Bless.
Friday, October 7, 2011
GETTING READY ...... OCTOBER 07 2011 .......................
Oglebayfest opens today. I spent all afternoon yesterday at the park, getting my display set up and ready for business today. Just have a few last minute clean-ups to do, and, hopefully, I will be ready.
Weather forecast is for picture-perfect weekend. If that holds true, the park will be so crowded you will have to fight your way through the crowds just to get to the rest-room. Forget food. The lines will be long, long, longer. We usually take our own.
Touched base with several friends I haven's seen since last year's Oglebayfest. Had a lot to talk about.
When I got home last night, Jerry had mowed the front yard. He wanted to show me something. And it had to be Sam's fault. A section of the yard was all dug up, a big section. It was caused by the deer. They picked a section of the yard and did their number, pawing, pulling up the grass, just making a real mess. Holes everywhere.
Why do I say it is Sam's fault? Obviously the deer have seen her digging for buried treasure, and decided it looked like fun, let's see what we can find.
The soap opera never ends. Am cutting this short today, as I need to be rollin'. Can't help but wonder what I will find when I come home tonight.
Have a great Friday and God Bless.
Oglebayfest opens today. I spent all afternoon yesterday at the park, getting my display set up and ready for business today. Just have a few last minute clean-ups to do, and, hopefully, I will be ready.
Weather forecast is for picture-perfect weekend. If that holds true, the park will be so crowded you will have to fight your way through the crowds just to get to the rest-room. Forget food. The lines will be long, long, longer. We usually take our own.
Touched base with several friends I haven's seen since last year's Oglebayfest. Had a lot to talk about.
When I got home last night, Jerry had mowed the front yard. He wanted to show me something. And it had to be Sam's fault. A section of the yard was all dug up, a big section. It was caused by the deer. They picked a section of the yard and did their number, pawing, pulling up the grass, just making a real mess. Holes everywhere.
Why do I say it is Sam's fault? Obviously the deer have seen her digging for buried treasure, and decided it looked like fun, let's see what we can find.
The soap opera never ends. Am cutting this short today, as I need to be rollin'. Can't help but wonder what I will find when I come home tonight.
Have a great Friday and God Bless.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
BURIED TREASURE -- GOLD OR GRUNGE? ........ OCTOBER 06 2011.............
This is about Sam - again!!! - the dog, not a man.
I think this dog has to be mentally retarded - or a genius. You tell me which.
First there was the colored ink cartridge caper. Second where she fell head-first into a snowdrift. We are now on number three. I wonder how many more there will be?
I have mentioned we have a portion of our yard fenced in (6 foot high), with a, what is now a dog shelter, used to be a horse shelter, wooden floor ( the horses had dirt) and two dog houses (the horses just had the shelter.
This was Jerry and my project, taking the horse shelter down piece by piece, moving it from the pasture to the fenced in yard, and re-assembling said shelter. I think the worst damage I did to Jerry on that project was dropping a board (it was was heavy, I am old, sort of) on Jerry's hand. He did a couple of real fancy dance steps.
The shelter is assembled. He even had me paint the outside of it. Doesn't look too bad. All around this shelter is (or maybe I should say "was") grass. Good grass. Green grass. Even got mowed every so often by Jerry. What more could a couple of dogs want? Stupid question.
This entire spring, summer, and fall we have had lots and lots of rain. The ground is soaked. Really really soaked. Under the grass is nothing but mud, lots of mud.
So, Sam, being Sam, decided to start digging. And digging. And digging.
Our dogs are house dogs - unless hunting rabbits - but they go out 2 - 3 times a day when the just have to go, then back into the house. For the last couple of weeks Sam is digging. Holes everywhere. Shallow holes. Deep holes. Muddy holes. Muddy dog. You should see her feet. And her legs. When she is ready to come in she is mud almost to her belly, which isn't saying too much. Sam likes to each. Her belly seems to get closer to the ground every year. We have even put her on a diet, Coco also, although he is not over-weight. We used to give the dogs each 1/2 a can of dog food in the morning and the other half in the evening. Now they only get 1/4 of a can morning and 1/4 in the evening. Poor Coco is getting penalized because of Sam.
When Jerry would let the dogs out, before Sam could come in the door he would grab her and wipe her down. Got rid of most of the mud, but left muddy footprints in the laundry room, hallway, and kitchen. Guess who got to mop the floor. It definitely was not Sam, or Jerry.
I decided this was ridiculous. Beyond ridiculous. So far she hasn't found the gold she is searching for, just the grunge.
So, being the smart cookie that I am - even if no one else believes it, I do - I got a small bucket. Actually is is a plastic tub that ice cream comes in. I have several of them handy for various projects, and I decided that Sam was definitely a project.
Into this small bucket I put water, about half full. Not warm water, cold water. She does not deserve warm water.
When she is ready to come in, I take the bucket out onto the patio. She doesn't like this at all. I grab her by taking one foot and leg at a time putting it in the water, swishing her foot and leg back and forth, then dry her off with a towel. Eureka, mud is gone! We do this one foot at a time until all four feet are clean. Then and only then does she get to come into the house.
What about Coco? He doesn't dig. He doesn't even walk where Sam has turned the yard into mud. He comes in clean. He doesn't need to have a foot bath. Thank goodness.
Right now you don't dare walk into the yard unless it is full daylight. You never know when you will fall into a hole. It might even be the hole that goes all the way to China.
Jerry is moaning about having to bring in dirt later this fall when the ground dries out a little bit and filling in the holes. Sam will just empty them out again.
In the meantime Sam tries to hide when she sees the bucket. You would think she would get the message, but not Sam. At least when she comes in after I give her the foot bath, I don't have to mop the floor.
The picture I am attaching here is of Sam, just before she ran off the edge of the patio and went head first into the snow drift. She was not a happy camper that day either.
Be glad you don't have to give your dog a foot bath, and God Bless.
This is about Sam - again!!! - the dog, not a man.
I think this dog has to be mentally retarded - or a genius. You tell me which.
First there was the colored ink cartridge caper. Second where she fell head-first into a snowdrift. We are now on number three. I wonder how many more there will be?
I have mentioned we have a portion of our yard fenced in (6 foot high), with a, what is now a dog shelter, used to be a horse shelter, wooden floor ( the horses had dirt) and two dog houses (the horses just had the shelter.
This was Jerry and my project, taking the horse shelter down piece by piece, moving it from the pasture to the fenced in yard, and re-assembling said shelter. I think the worst damage I did to Jerry on that project was dropping a board (it was was heavy, I am old, sort of) on Jerry's hand. He did a couple of real fancy dance steps.
The shelter is assembled. He even had me paint the outside of it. Doesn't look too bad. All around this shelter is (or maybe I should say "was") grass. Good grass. Green grass. Even got mowed every so often by Jerry. What more could a couple of dogs want? Stupid question.
This entire spring, summer, and fall we have had lots and lots of rain. The ground is soaked. Really really soaked. Under the grass is nothing but mud, lots of mud.
So, Sam, being Sam, decided to start digging. And digging. And digging.
Our dogs are house dogs - unless hunting rabbits - but they go out 2 - 3 times a day when the just have to go, then back into the house. For the last couple of weeks Sam is digging. Holes everywhere. Shallow holes. Deep holes. Muddy holes. Muddy dog. You should see her feet. And her legs. When she is ready to come in she is mud almost to her belly, which isn't saying too much. Sam likes to each. Her belly seems to get closer to the ground every year. We have even put her on a diet, Coco also, although he is not over-weight. We used to give the dogs each 1/2 a can of dog food in the morning and the other half in the evening. Now they only get 1/4 of a can morning and 1/4 in the evening. Poor Coco is getting penalized because of Sam.
When Jerry would let the dogs out, before Sam could come in the door he would grab her and wipe her down. Got rid of most of the mud, but left muddy footprints in the laundry room, hallway, and kitchen. Guess who got to mop the floor. It definitely was not Sam, or Jerry.
I decided this was ridiculous. Beyond ridiculous. So far she hasn't found the gold she is searching for, just the grunge.
So, being the smart cookie that I am - even if no one else believes it, I do - I got a small bucket. Actually is is a plastic tub that ice cream comes in. I have several of them handy for various projects, and I decided that Sam was definitely a project.
Into this small bucket I put water, about half full. Not warm water, cold water. She does not deserve warm water.
When she is ready to come in, I take the bucket out onto the patio. She doesn't like this at all. I grab her by taking one foot and leg at a time putting it in the water, swishing her foot and leg back and forth, then dry her off with a towel. Eureka, mud is gone! We do this one foot at a time until all four feet are clean. Then and only then does she get to come into the house.
What about Coco? He doesn't dig. He doesn't even walk where Sam has turned the yard into mud. He comes in clean. He doesn't need to have a foot bath. Thank goodness.
Right now you don't dare walk into the yard unless it is full daylight. You never know when you will fall into a hole. It might even be the hole that goes all the way to China.
Jerry is moaning about having to bring in dirt later this fall when the ground dries out a little bit and filling in the holes. Sam will just empty them out again.
In the meantime Sam tries to hide when she sees the bucket. You would think she would get the message, but not Sam. At least when she comes in after I give her the foot bath, I don't have to mop the floor.
The picture I am attaching here is of Sam, just before she ran off the edge of the patio and went head first into the snow drift. She was not a happy camper that day either.
Be glad you don't have to give your dog a foot bath, and God Bless.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
TELEPHONE-ITIS....OCTOBER 05 2011............
Do you ever have a day that you feel as though the telephone has been permanently glued to your head?
The 25 years I worked at my real job (doing payroll for the county) the phone was glued to my ear. Questions about paychecks. "Why didn't I get paid for all my sick days" You had already used most of your sick days. Ditto for vacation pay. Just because the balance on your last check stub said you have 4 vacation days remaining and you used 5, you wondered why you got docked for a day...
Oh, I could go on and on and on. But for this reason I still do not like using the telephone. Some days my phone never rings. I don't miss it at all. I can handle making appointments, handling business, etc., but just to chit-chat - a little bit is fine. But then there was yesterday.
I think it was a "let's see how many times I can ring, watching her trying to get to the phone" kind of day.
Don't get me wrong. I dearly love my family and friends. But I much prefer that they don't ALL call the same day. I think there was a conspiracy yesterday, as they all called the same day.
First of all my First Data rep called me. They had re-programed my credit card machine on their end, now it was my turn. It took 45 minutes of me having my phone on speaker as she walked me through all the steps so that my CC machine would work properly.
I AM back in business.
Next a family member phone call - which lasted almost an hour. Now it was lunch time.
Of course while I was eating, I got two phone calls, one to remind son Jerry of an appointment, then one to remind me of an appointment. So much for a hot lunch.
Mid-afternoon, another phone call from a family member, another 30-35 minutes. Please don't mis-understand, I love hearing from all the friends and family, it just seems so funny they all call the same day, and for the next week my phone probably won't even ring.
I did get through supper with no interruptions. I did phone a friend that I had been wanting to get in touch with for a couple of weeks, finally remembered that to get in touch with her I had to pick up the phone. Silly me.
Got her voice mail. Left a message. Had just hung up when phone rang. Thought it was her calling back. Wrong. It was another friend, I hadn't talked to for a couple of weeks, we had a lot of ground to cover. By now my ear is getting over-heated.
While I am talking to her, my phone beeps, letting me know there is another call coming in. After I finish my conversation, I access my voice mail. The friend I had called earlier was returning my call.
How much do you want to bet that my phone will not ring at all today, or Thursday. It if rings on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday I will not be here to contend with it. Good luck Jerry.
Now for happier things. I received notification yesterday of a 3 day bus trip to Sleepy Hollow New York the end of the month that still had seats available. Called Nancy. If she can change her doctor's apt. we want to sign up. Sounds like a really nice trip. Will keep you posted.
In the meantime enjoy the sunshine we are supposed to have for the next several days, and God Bless.
Do you ever have a day that you feel as though the telephone has been permanently glued to your head?
The 25 years I worked at my real job (doing payroll for the county) the phone was glued to my ear. Questions about paychecks. "Why didn't I get paid for all my sick days" You had already used most of your sick days. Ditto for vacation pay. Just because the balance on your last check stub said you have 4 vacation days remaining and you used 5, you wondered why you got docked for a day...
Oh, I could go on and on and on. But for this reason I still do not like using the telephone. Some days my phone never rings. I don't miss it at all. I can handle making appointments, handling business, etc., but just to chit-chat - a little bit is fine. But then there was yesterday.
I think it was a "let's see how many times I can ring, watching her trying to get to the phone" kind of day.
Don't get me wrong. I dearly love my family and friends. But I much prefer that they don't ALL call the same day. I think there was a conspiracy yesterday, as they all called the same day.
First of all my First Data rep called me. They had re-programed my credit card machine on their end, now it was my turn. It took 45 minutes of me having my phone on speaker as she walked me through all the steps so that my CC machine would work properly.
I AM back in business.
Next a family member phone call - which lasted almost an hour. Now it was lunch time.
Of course while I was eating, I got two phone calls, one to remind son Jerry of an appointment, then one to remind me of an appointment. So much for a hot lunch.
Mid-afternoon, another phone call from a family member, another 30-35 minutes. Please don't mis-understand, I love hearing from all the friends and family, it just seems so funny they all call the same day, and for the next week my phone probably won't even ring.
I did get through supper with no interruptions. I did phone a friend that I had been wanting to get in touch with for a couple of weeks, finally remembered that to get in touch with her I had to pick up the phone. Silly me.
Got her voice mail. Left a message. Had just hung up when phone rang. Thought it was her calling back. Wrong. It was another friend, I hadn't talked to for a couple of weeks, we had a lot of ground to cover. By now my ear is getting over-heated.
While I am talking to her, my phone beeps, letting me know there is another call coming in. After I finish my conversation, I access my voice mail. The friend I had called earlier was returning my call.
How much do you want to bet that my phone will not ring at all today, or Thursday. It if rings on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday I will not be here to contend with it. Good luck Jerry.
Now for happier things. I received notification yesterday of a 3 day bus trip to Sleepy Hollow New York the end of the month that still had seats available. Called Nancy. If she can change her doctor's apt. we want to sign up. Sounds like a really nice trip. Will keep you posted.
In the meantime enjoy the sunshine we are supposed to have for the next several days, and God Bless.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
RAIN RAIN GO AWAY.......OCTOBER 04 2011.....................
I think I have forgotten what the sun looks like. I really really hope the weather "forecasters" know what they are talking about for this coming weekend. It is Oglebayfest weekend, one of my biggest shows of the year. It is outside. We need sunshine.
Seems like every time I turn around I hit a problem head-on. I have a credit card machine. I take credit cards for sales I have made at festivals. I take down the info at the festival, then when I get home I in-put the info into the CC machine so that I get paid. Works great. Especially since the majority of my sales are paid by CC. I have had a total of 2 checks this year, otherwise all sales are cash or credit.
My CC machine works by being connected to my phone line. However we have had so many problems with our outdated, falling apart phone line, that we really had to go wireless. Works great for telephone service. Not at all with the CC machine.
One step forward, 13 steps backwards.
Talked to my First Data rep, Jodi. She has been great. Working with her and folks on that end I now have my CC machine working through the Internet. It took some doing. They had to reprogram everything from their end for my account, then just this morning Jodi called and walked me through reprogramming on my end. Then we ran a test credit card sale .. eureka, I am now back in business.
After Covered Bridge Festival I went to a neighbor's house to submit my CC sales using their phone line. However they are now wireless also. Scratch that neighbor.
My brain is definitely over-flowing, I just cannot keep absorbing new technology. What ever happened to simple and easy?
So much for that. Right now things on an even keel, so thought I would share a few pictures with you taken on my trip to Smicksburg.
This picture, and the next one were taken at the Country Store area. The sign on the fence reads WHAT HAPPENS IN THE OUTHOUSE STAYS IN THE OUTHOUSE. So yes, this is a picture of an outhouse.
I actually have sold, and still sell, pictures of outhouses to folks decorating with the outhouse theme. Obviously they never had to use one.
This is an old wagon wheel, and the pretty scenery around this country store. The next picture is of a perfect fall scene taken at the Winery.
You can see how wet it was, the pumpkins were so clean. This last picture is of the grape-vines in their vineyard. It is from these vines that they make their different wines. I loved the Chocolate Covered Cherries wine. I believe I did mention I brought a bottle home with me. I am not real big on wine, but occasionally find one I really like. This was one.
Water was standing everywhere, you had to watch where you walked or you were ankle-deep in water. It always amazes me how straight their rows are. I can't make a straight row in my garden, even with I put up stakes, and string cord. Jerry just looks at my rows and shakes his head. He keeps telling me to keep them straight, it is a real challenge to run the roto-tiller through my garden. But somehow he manages.
Well, enough rambling for today. Keep your fingers crossed that the weekend will be nice weather-wise and God Bless.
I think I have forgotten what the sun looks like. I really really hope the weather "forecasters" know what they are talking about for this coming weekend. It is Oglebayfest weekend, one of my biggest shows of the year. It is outside. We need sunshine.
Seems like every time I turn around I hit a problem head-on. I have a credit card machine. I take credit cards for sales I have made at festivals. I take down the info at the festival, then when I get home I in-put the info into the CC machine so that I get paid. Works great. Especially since the majority of my sales are paid by CC. I have had a total of 2 checks this year, otherwise all sales are cash or credit.
My CC machine works by being connected to my phone line. However we have had so many problems with our outdated, falling apart phone line, that we really had to go wireless. Works great for telephone service. Not at all with the CC machine.
One step forward, 13 steps backwards.
Talked to my First Data rep, Jodi. She has been great. Working with her and folks on that end I now have my CC machine working through the Internet. It took some doing. They had to reprogram everything from their end for my account, then just this morning Jodi called and walked me through reprogramming on my end. Then we ran a test credit card sale .. eureka, I am now back in business.
After Covered Bridge Festival I went to a neighbor's house to submit my CC sales using their phone line. However they are now wireless also. Scratch that neighbor.
My brain is definitely over-flowing, I just cannot keep absorbing new technology. What ever happened to simple and easy?
So much for that. Right now things on an even keel, so thought I would share a few pictures with you taken on my trip to Smicksburg.
I actually have sold, and still sell, pictures of outhouses to folks decorating with the outhouse theme. Obviously they never had to use one.
Well, enough rambling for today. Keep your fingers crossed that the weekend will be nice weather-wise and God Bless.
Monday, October 3, 2011
YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN HIS FACE!!...OCTOBER 03 2011.......
It was priceless. You had to be there to believe it. What on earth am I talking about. Well, it is about when I "passed on", my obituary in the paper, and life as I know it. Sounds complicated. Sort of. Sad - not at all, mostly funny.
To tell this story I have to back up a bit. I have mentioned many times my vendor friends, how much we look forward to seeing each other at the different festivals. These folks are no exception.
I have known John and Nancy for many years, seeing each other 3 - 4 times a year. We have had our tents next to each other at Covered Bridge Festival for quite a long time, we know exactly what to expect from each other. No surprises in store. We talk and laugh all weekend, help each other when necessary, it is good.
I think it was two years ago (2009) in July when I was at Washington Hospital visiting a friend. I was sitting there talking to her when one of the volunteers came rambling by with the cart of goodies - snacks, newspapers, combs, tooth brushes, you know the drill.
Today it happened to be John. He volunteers when free. I waved and said HI! He just stared at me, and the expression on his face was priceless. I couldn't describe "the look" if my life depended on it. Little did I know.
He continued on, I continued with my visit, went home, life went on. Fast forward now to September, and Covered Bridge Festival.
I arrive on Friday as I normally do about noon to get my tent set up and my display ready for Saturday and Sunday. John and Nancy are there, they had just arrived.
The minute I got out of the van they rushed over saying "You're alive You're alive!!!" and big grins on their faces. What on earth???? I didn't know I was dead!!! Maybe I had better pinch myself.
Then they went on to explain.
In late spring of that year they had seen an obituary in our local paper about the death of a woman named - you guessed it - Martha - I'm not sure of her last name - but John and Nancy were convinced it was me.
They were sorry about my passing on, but really sorry and worried about what their "new neighbor" at the C.B. festival would be like. They didn't know what to expect.
The day John saw me in the hospital visiting my friend almost caused him to have a heart attack. Nancy told me he came rushing into the house upon arriving home, shouting "she's alive - she's alive!. What on earth was he talking about. Then he told her about seeing me at the hospital.
So now even though it is two years later it is still a running joke between us. Do we have fun or what?
Where else are you going to find the eclectic group of friends as my vendor friends. I wouldn't trade them for the world.
So, don't always believe what you read, never make assumptions, keep an open mind, and God Bless.
It was priceless. You had to be there to believe it. What on earth am I talking about. Well, it is about when I "passed on", my obituary in the paper, and life as I know it. Sounds complicated. Sort of. Sad - not at all, mostly funny.
To tell this story I have to back up a bit. I have mentioned many times my vendor friends, how much we look forward to seeing each other at the different festivals. These folks are no exception.
I have known John and Nancy for many years, seeing each other 3 - 4 times a year. We have had our tents next to each other at Covered Bridge Festival for quite a long time, we know exactly what to expect from each other. No surprises in store. We talk and laugh all weekend, help each other when necessary, it is good.
I think it was two years ago (2009) in July when I was at Washington Hospital visiting a friend. I was sitting there talking to her when one of the volunteers came rambling by with the cart of goodies - snacks, newspapers, combs, tooth brushes, you know the drill.
Today it happened to be John. He volunteers when free. I waved and said HI! He just stared at me, and the expression on his face was priceless. I couldn't describe "the look" if my life depended on it. Little did I know.
He continued on, I continued with my visit, went home, life went on. Fast forward now to September, and Covered Bridge Festival.
I arrive on Friday as I normally do about noon to get my tent set up and my display ready for Saturday and Sunday. John and Nancy are there, they had just arrived.
The minute I got out of the van they rushed over saying "You're alive You're alive!!!" and big grins on their faces. What on earth???? I didn't know I was dead!!! Maybe I had better pinch myself.
Then they went on to explain.
In late spring of that year they had seen an obituary in our local paper about the death of a woman named - you guessed it - Martha - I'm not sure of her last name - but John and Nancy were convinced it was me.
They were sorry about my passing on, but really sorry and worried about what their "new neighbor" at the C.B. festival would be like. They didn't know what to expect.
The day John saw me in the hospital visiting my friend almost caused him to have a heart attack. Nancy told me he came rushing into the house upon arriving home, shouting "she's alive - she's alive!. What on earth was he talking about. Then he told her about seeing me at the hospital.
So now even though it is two years later it is still a running joke between us. Do we have fun or what?
Where else are you going to find the eclectic group of friends as my vendor friends. I wouldn't trade them for the world.
So, don't always believe what you read, never make assumptions, keep an open mind, and God Bless.
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