SURVIVAL - and not just OF THE FITTEST

          There are a bi-jillion types of thing, that when completed, over, or finished, you say to yourself - well I survived that.  What next?  There are good survivals and bad survivals.  So far most of mine have been good.

          Saturday was a picture-perfect day for a wedding.  It was a combination of Christian and Jewish ceremony, was beautifully done, the reception had great food, a large enough dance floor for people to actually dance, a great DJ, just a very good, but long long day.  My great niece is Presbyterian, the groom Jewish.  The wedding was held in the Martins Ferry First Presbyterian Church.  This happens to be the Church my sister and I were raised in.  I guess I flew the coop. 

          Upon marrying and moving to West Alexander I became a Methodist, which I have been for well over 50 years now.  But, all in all, both faiths are pretty much the same, just with different names.  I guess names really don't matter, after all.

          I know these two had a very long day, beginning early morning for hair-do's, etc., my sister had a buffet lunch for all but the groom, his family and attendants, then off to the Church, the ceremony, the drive to Shannon's Place, where the reception was held, and the reception, which finished at 10:00 p.m.

When the last of us got out of the building it was going on 11:00 p.m., the bride and groom had to leave at 1:30 a.m. for the airport and their early flight to Florida and Disneyworld.  I survived that day just fine.

Sunday morning went to Church, then the afternoon and evening was spent with Jerry completing the removal of large furniture as my handy-man is supposed to be here around 9:00 a.m. to start on my walls.  So far I have survived the upheaval in my home, but don't think the poor dogs are coping so well.  they DO NOT like change, and it has been changing here for the last two weeks.  I, so far, have survived the mess.

          If all goes according to schedule, the walls should be prepped and painted by the end of the week.  If I survive that, then it will be time to start putting it all together again.  I think my survival skills are beginning to wear a little thin.

          In the end, though, I think it will all be worthwhile, as I believe our living room, computer room and hallway will look great.  The next big job will be the kitchen and dining room, but that won't be for a while, as the spring, summer and fall outside work is just getting ready to take over.  Another case of survival.  Then the festivals, every festival weekend is a case of surviving - the weather, the heat, the loading, unloading, setting up, socializing, tearing down, loading, drive home, unloading until the next weekend rolls around.  Sometimes all of the above really test my survival skills.  But I love everything I do, so I don't complain  -- well not too much.

          Going to have to sign off now, as my worker will be coming shortly and I need to make sure everything is as it should be for him to begin work. 

          IF I survive today, will let you know what is going on.  IF you don't hear from me for a couple of days, you had better call 911.  I may need rescuing.

Have a great week and God Bless.

WHAT's NEXT - I WISH I KNEW.........

          Every day is a surprise.  When you get up you think you know exactly what you will be doing.  Some days it works out that way.  Other days, by the end of the day, even tho you were busy all day, you accomplished absolutely nothing that had been planned.  I heard it said that "when you plan God laughs", and I truly believe that.  Just who do we think we are, anyway?

           Therefore, when I write my blog for the day, I try not to go into too much detail, because, guaranteed some, if not all, of it will change.  Here is my game plan for today.  I wonder how hard God is laughing right now.

           This morning I want to finish working on my business inventory, so that I know exactly what I have printed, what I have framed, and what I need to do.  This afternoon have to start moving the smaller items out of the living room and computer room.  Yessss, my handy-man cometh, beginning Monday morning through all of next week.

          The "plan" is that between Jerry and me we will have these two rooms ready for wall preparation prior to painting.  You think - you've got 3 days, what is the big deal?  You haven't seen our house.  And actually we don't have 3 days, only this evening and Sunday afternoon and evening.  What happened to the rest of the time?

          Well, it is like this, Jerry is working today, therefore I am elected to do the small stuff.  Then tomorrow (Saturday) we have a wedding to attend and as Jerry is one of the ushers, and we are expected at my sister's house around 11 a.m. (she lives in Martins Ferry), for lunch, then the wedding early afternoon, then the reception, which probably won't begin until very late afternoon, Saturday is gone.

          Sunday nothing major will begin until I am home from Church.  So, as of right now, that is what is happening to the time. 

          I am assuming I won't be blogging until possibly Monday.  I just bet I give God a lot of reasons to laugh.

          The Saturday wedding is my sister's grand-daughter, Katie.  I guess that makes her my great niece.  This was her "official" high school graduation picture.  For some unknown reason she wanted me to do her graduation pictures, and this was everyone's favorite.

          Katie participated in the high school ROTC program all four years, enlisted in the army upon her graduation, is currently attending college and upon graduation will be an officer in the U. S. Army.  She loves her career.

          The reason for the March wedding is that is her break from school.  She wanted me to be her official wedding photographer but I declined.  I am to the place I don't feel comfortable taking on anything that is a long way down the road, and the wedding plans started almost 2 years ago.  I will be the back-up photographer, If my plans aren't changed for me.

          Tomorrow will be a special day, for both my sister and me.  As ALL brides are, she will be beautiful.  I can hardly wait to see the pictures.

          And so, tomorrow, think of me, and Katie, and my sister and wish us all your best.  Thank you and God Bless.

HAPPY ST PATRICK's DAY..........

          Just wanted to say Happy St Pat's day, and I WAS going to talk about spring, etc. etc. etc.  But.....I read my daughter's blog first.......I was blown out of the water.  She has already said almost, not all but almost, all the things I was going to say.  So if you want to know what I WAS going to say you need to read her blog.   I wonder where she gets her writing ability?????

          Rebecca's blog:  http://theslushpileblog.squarespace.com

          So guess I will go a different direction.  I can honestly celebrate St Pat's day, as my Grandfather on my mother side was Irish.  Pure Irish.  His parents came directly from Ireland, and his name - honest-to-goodness - was Ira Shannon Loy. I don't think you can get any more (Irish, Irisher) than that.

          I love all the legends, the little people, the shamrocks, the green food and drink, the parades, the music, the elves, and, especially the rainbow and the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. 

          Of all the things listed above, the only ones I have actually seen, besides my grandfather, are the shamrocks and 4-leaf clovers, the food and drink, and the rainbow.  I am still looking for the elves and the pot of gold. I think I have about as much chance of seeing one as seeing the other.  I love the Irish music, and a good Irish tenor.

As you can see, there is no pot of gold at the end of this rainbow.  Someone else must have found it.

I do want to let you all know, that unless otherwise stated, all pictures in my blog are from my collection of pictures I have taken over the years.

This was on our farm one fall, the corn was ripe, hadn't been harvested yet for feed for the cows, the grass was still green the rainbow was vivid.  A promise of good things to come.

I would like to sign off today with an old Irish Blessing, my wish for all of you for today and always:

May the road rise up to meet you

May the wind be always at your back,

May the sun shine warm upon your face

And the rain fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again......

May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.

PROJECTS - How they are moving along...

          I believe I mentioned a while back about our projects.  Well, the house project is moving along.  All pictures off of the walls, bookcases emptied, computer room cleaned out.  Just have to move furniture from the living room and computer room.   

          At this time we are only doing the LR, CR, and hallway.  The kitchen is the next BIG job on the list, but that is down the road aways.  The bedrooms will be last.  I think we have our color scheme finalized (subject to change as always), and have someone coming this evening to see about the perfa-taping and "muddng" the walls, sanding, getting them ready to paint.

          If our handy helper is agreeable to the painting, I won't mind a bit.  At this stage of my life I AM NOT looking for more work.  I have more than enough to do to keep me out of trouble (or get me into trouble, depending on circumstance).

          So tonight we should have a decision on whether we will have help.  We have (by that I mean Jerry with me getting in the way) taken all the corner strips off and put up all the outside corner strips, to make nice square corners.  That is, they will be square if Jerry and I don't have to do it.  Otherwise, ut oh!

          Please please keep your fingers crossed that our handy helper is agreeable to being our handy helper. 

          Regarding my other project - getting ready for upcoming art festivals, I am currently working on my inventory, seeing what needs to be printed, whether re-prints or new, what is coming out, what I am going to discontinue.  On the discontinued I will put a ridiculously low price on them, hoping I can dispose of them to someone who would really like to have them.

          Of the 5 juried shows I have applied for, I have been rejected by one, accepted by two, the two remaining waiting for results.  So far a pretty good average of acceptance to new festivals.

This is a picture I took in December.  It is not a business picture, but just something I liked.  I thought maybe you would enjoy seeing it.

I do have a Carousel Horse category in my business pictures.  Several years ago everyone was decorating with carousel horses, I could not print up, or get enough new pictures, to keep up with the demand.  That, like so many fads, faded away into the sunset to be replaced by other fads. 

I have gone through so many phases in the last thirty plus years, a lot of which I no longer print as they are out of style.  There are still many more categories that are either constant, or a relatively new series of pictures I have been doing.  It is trying to figure out what will be the in thing this year.

          If you have any ideas, don't hesitate to let me know.  Looking forward to the warmer, sunnier days projected for the next few days.  I am ready for sunshine.

          Have a safe day and God Bless.

DISASTER MOVIES - CHILD'S PLAY

          We've all watched disaster movies - tornadoes, floods, earth-quakes, fires, strange weather conditions, monsters, you name it we have seen it.   But there is absolutely NOTHING that even comes close to what Japan has been experiencing since last Friday.

          To sit in your warm, secure home and see the magnitude of what has happened over there, even though you are seeing, you are not comprehending.  It is too much, way too much.

          The new videos keep coming, each one more devastating than the last one.  To believe we can sit on the other side of the world and watch these things unfolding right before our eyes is way over the top.  How warm and secure are OUR homes?  To believe that it is possible that without warning we could all experience this type, or some other type, of natural disaster is way out there - it won't happen to me.

          How do we know it "won't happen to me"?  How do we know we are "exempt"?  We really don't know, but I think that by believing we are is what help us keep our sanity, otherwise we would live in constant fear, and that is not living it is just existing.

          I think that is why we, as an individual, a community, a country, are so willing to help others in the time of disaster.  We realize that we COULD be next, and would there be anyone out there willing to help us?

          I watched last night as a new video was aired.  I saw where the earth-quake had been up-graded to a 9, making it one of the worst quakes ever recorded.  I watched the rescue of an old lady and a child.  And I thanked God that it wasn't me. 

          Every morning when you get up to start your day, remember to do all you can do that day, be thankful for everything that happens, good and bad, for we have no guarantees that there will be a tomorrow.  And never hesitate to lend a helping hand, give a compliment or smile, hug someone, laugh with someone else, cry with another, and just be there for them.  Who knows, tomorrow it may be us wondering if anyone is out there to help.

IT IS NOW OFFICIAL - I AM A LEAF PEEPER

          If you don't know what a leaf peeper is - it is the name bestowed upon all us folks who go to New England in the fall to view the fall colors.  So, upon taking the bus tour last October to Vermont I became a "Leaf Peeper".  I guess I could be called worse names.

          I am going to touch on the highlights of Vermont today, it was a great week.

          The Inn of the Six Mountains was more or less our headquarters while in Vermont.  This Inn is located in Killington, very beautiful place.  From there we branched out different days to see what we could see.

          We visited the Morse Farm  apple orchard in Montpelier and had fresh cider and some of the most delicious apple turnovers hot out of the oven that I have ever tasted.  The bus smelled of hot apples the remainder of the day - we all bought some turnovers to take with us.

          We didn't let a little? rain bother us at all.  We visited Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream factory, what an experience that was.  Had ice cream to die for.  Good thing I don't live close to there.

          We spent some time  at the Gorham Covered Bridge in Pittsford

and visited the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory in Shelburne.  What an experience that was.  We got the complete tour of how their teddy bears are made, and until we had the tour, we had no inkling of what went into making teddy bears.  No wonder they are so special.  I think a lot of us brought some sort of teddy bear home with them, me included.

          But one of the most fun things we did/saw was in and around Killington.  They were having their annual HAY FESTIVAL, and businesses throughout the area had huge hay sculptures of things and stuff.  It was awesome to drive along and see some of these sculptures. 

          I hope your have enjoyed your tour of Vermont, I know I did.  And down the road, the Good Lord willing, I would like to return and see all the things we did not have time to see on this trip.

          Thank you for reading my blog, hopefully you will share my address with your friends.  Have a good week and God Bless.

JESSICA's STORY..................................

          Hi!  I'm Jessica.  I am just your ordinary run-of-the-mill cow, the beef kind, not the milking kind.  I am brown and white, curly haired, and not bad looking if I do say so myself.  I am very old now, I have had a long life, but my days with My Moose are still vivid and strong in my memory. 

          I live on a farm in Vermont - that is a state if you don't recognize the name - and I have a very peaceful and enjoyable life-style.  I graze (eating to you) and drink my water, and just kind of wander around, looking important.  There are several cows in my pasture with me, we are more or less friends, or maybe I should say we tolerate each other.  But we get along.

          It was late fall, most of the leaves had fallen, winter was fast approaching.  This particular morning when I awakened I began grazing.  That is what I do best.  Suddenly I noticed movement out of the corner of my eye, so I looked up.  Standing just at the edge of the woods was a Moose.  Moose are big!  Moose are really big!  They also have the huge long rack of horns on their heads.  I imagine those buggers could do some real damage if he got mad at you. 

          Any how, there stood that Moose, looking over the herd.  Then slowly he began walking towards us, and he stopped not too far from me.  We just kind of looked at each other, I went back to grazing, keeping an eye on him as I didn't know what he was going to do. 

          Just about that time the people in the house came outside, as they had seen the Moose from their window.  They approached the fence very slowly and carefully, as they were not sure what the Moose would do.  Moose don't like people.  Moose live in the deep woods and the mountains.  Moose DO NOT live in pastures with cows.  But here he was.

          He just kind of hung around.  As the days passed, he became friendlier, staying by my side during the day, then when I would sleep at night he would wander off and eat his kind of food.  He didn't really like hay, but would nibble on the grass.  Pretty soon our farm started getting visitors.  Word of the Moose, I guess actually he was MY Moose was getting around and folks came to see and take pictures.

          If there were too many people wandering around outside the pasture, My Moose would stand beside me, sometimes laying his head on my shoulders, letting everyone know they were not to mess with me.  Soon the cars became buses full of people. Then one day we were filmed by TV reporters, and became national news. 

          For some reason My Moose didn't pay any attention to the other cows in the pasture, he became my friend, my guardian, my companion, and I really felt special that this very large Moose liked me.  I know I liked having him around.  It gave me status, I was better than the other cows.  So we hung out together.

          Fall turned into winter.  Then the air began changing, I could feel that, even tho there was still some snow on the ground, that spring was coming.  One day a few days later, I noticed My Moose just standing and looking at the Mountains in the distance.  For the longest time he just stood there, as I grazed, looking and looking.   After a while he came over to me, I lifted my head, looking at him.  He just stood there looking at me for the longest time, then began his daily routine of nibbling grass as I grazed.

          Usually when I lay down at night to sleep, My Moose would wander off to eat his kind of food, or stay near-by.  But that night was different.  After I lay down and started dozing, My Moose lay down also, putting his big head on my shoulders.  That is how I went to sleep.

          The next morning My Moose was gone.  Somehow I knew.  The people of the house kept coming out, looking for the Moose, wondering where he was.  Later that day I heard them talking that a neighbor had called saying she had seen My Moose trotting across her pasture, head held high, heading for the mountains in the distance.  He was, after all, a wild creature where I was a domesticated creature.  I never saw him again.  For weeks my people would watch for him, hoping he would return.  He never did.  But I have never forgotten him, how he stayed with me, protected me, and was just there.

It has been a long time since my time with the Moose.  I have heard people talking about "Jessica's Moose" from time to time, I don't know why he came from the mountains to spend that winter with me, I don't know what he was thinking, but it was a special time in my life.  Never before, nor since, has that happened that anyone is aware of. 

          I understand that a book has been written - "A Moose for Jessica".  I wish I could read.

          Perhaps in the next life we will see each other again.  At least I hope so.

                                              ******************

NOTE:  If you liked this story as told from Jessica's viewpoint, perhaps you would like to read my 3 volume series of IF ONLY I COULD TALK books, each book contains 20 short stories told from the subjects viewpoint, complete with pictures.  They are available on http://www.amazon.com/ or through http://www.doubleedgepress.com/

VERMONT continued - A TRUE STORY...

          The days we were in Vermont we had a local gal on the bus with us as our tour guide.  She was great.  And this is the story she told us.  It is a true story. It appeared all over the U.S. in newspapers and on TV shows such as Good Morning America.  This story is about a cow named Jessica, and the moose that fell in love.

          This love story lasted 76 days, fall in to winter.  This was in the 1980's

          There was this farm in Vermont, they raised cows, both beef and milkers.  One of the cows had a name - Jessica.  She was brown and white, fuzzy instead of smooth haired, kind of curly, and very full of herself.

           One morning while the owners were eating breakfast, this moose appeared in the pasture.  Now, there are a lot moose (meese, mooses, whatever) in Vermont, but they do not like being close to civilization, or near  people. It is very rare that you get to see a moose.  But not this morning.  Today was different.

           This moose saw Jessica and decided to stay.  He was aways near her, regardless of which pasture she was in, close to the barn or way off somewhere, wherever Jessica was so was the moose.  This went on and on.  Local folks came and took pictures, it was written up in the local papers, soon word spread, and Jessica and her moose became headline news.  Even TV reporters showed up to photograph the odd looking couple.

            Sometimes he would wander off for a while - he did not like a diet of hay - so would go have his dinner, but he always returned.  This went on for 76 days.  On day 77 when the owners went out to check on Jessica and the moose, he was nowhere to be seen.  Later that day a neighbor called to tell them that they has seen the moose in their far pasture, heading toward the mountains.

          They watch and waited, but the moose never returned.  Jessica continued being her curly-haired self, oblivious of all the hoop-a-la.

          It was just a couple of years ago that a small article appeared in our local paper that the famous Jessica of Vermont had passed away.  No one ever knew what became of the moose.

          If it hadn't been for all the pictures and articles and TV news about this odd couple no one would have believed it.  But it is true.

          If any of you would like a more comprehensive look into this odd couple's life, you can go to AMAZON.COM their books  section.  There is a wonderful book entitled A MOOSE FOR JESSICA, with lots of pictures to go with the story.  Tomorrow I will tell the story from Jessica's viewpoint.  Be sure to tune in.

          Have a good day, look forward to tomorrow and God Bless.

A CONTINUATION OF whatever..........

One of our first stops on the way to Vermont was Cooperstown New York.  This was the home of James Fennemore Cooper, author, and the baseball hall of fame.

          I am not a baseball person, it is o.k., but that is all.  I am a FOOTBALL fan, especially PITTSBURGH STEELERS.  But I follow the stats of Pittsburgh's baseball team, the Pirates, and hockey team, the Penguins.

          We had half a day in Cooperstown, with the baseball hall of fame to be our priority.  Half an hour was it, I could say I had been there.  But there was one aspect of the hall of fame that I did enjoy.  Take a look:

          My friend Kay and I spent the remainder of our time wandering the streets of Cooperstown.  The best part was the statue of James Fennemore Cooper, and the Church and Graveyard where he and his family were buried.  This was a typical New England type of place, and we spent quite a bit of time looking at the various tombstones.  Most were really really old.  It was amazing to see the different styles, read the message engraved on the stones, and, of course, take pictures.

          The only downside to this day was not enough time.  There were so many other neat and interesting places to visit, but then you never have enough time when you travel. 

          Then it was on to Vermont.  What neat things will we see on the rest of our trip?  Perhaps tomorrow I will tell you about a moose for Jessica. 

          Have a safe weekend and God Bless.

JUST STUFF - or whatever......................

          Haven't had anything exciting happening, no WOW! experiences, not even a BLAH experience.  So I guess you have to settle for just stuff.

          A friend and I did get to take a bus trip to Vermont last October.  Was a great trip.  There were so many good things about the trip, but I am sharing with you today the Waybury Inn in  Middlebury Vermont.  For you old-timers, you probably remember the Bob Newhart show, where he owned/operated this neat inn in New England.  Well, the Waybury Inn was it. 

          We visited the inn, saw Bob's picture in the lobby, and had lunch, which was great.  This was just one of the many stops we made. 

          The great thing about tours is the history you learn.  Things you never knew.  When I think back of all my travels, both with my husband, then with other family and friends, the things I have seen, and what I have learned, and I have never done a trip, whether one day, a weekend, a week, or longer, that I have regretted doing.  

          Now, back to today - wish I were somewhere else, but I am not.  So here I am.  Weather forecast is for 4- 6 inches of snow, the wet heavy kind, tomorrow through Saturday.  Jerry is in St Louis on business, hope he can get home tomorrow as planned.  If not, his dogs will be very upset.

          We have had 1.25 inches of rain since late Tuesday night, water running high in a lot of areas, some flooding being reported --- again --- glad I live on top of a hill.  It has its drawbacks, but at least I don't have to worry about flooding.

          Only have to worry about snow (can't get back up the hill) lightning (we have amazing lightning displays up here) and wind (How many times we have had to hunt down outdoor stuff?), but no flooding. 

          So guess I will grocery shop this afternoon, just in case.  I would rather be safe than sorry.  If I don't get washed away when I leave my hill-top, I will figure I have had a good day.  Hope you all have a good day also and God Bless.

A NEW ASSIGNMENT..............

          I have a new assignment, sort of.  I guess you could call it a "self-assignment". 

          My friend, Pastor Linda, living in Pittsburgh is in her final semester of seminary studies, the on-line sort, and she has been, literally, buried with school work.  If all goes well, she will finish in May, and will be free to go on with her life.

          My assignment is to take her shopping for a decent digital camera.  She is still in the film age, and therefore doesn't have pictures on her computer to upload, which is almost a necessity today.

          Then my assignment is to work with her to take good pictures.  Not that her pictures are not good -- they really are -- but digital is a whole new ball-game.

          She has four cats, Buddy, Buster, Napoleon, and Norman.  Napoleon is one of the stories in my third volume of my IF ONLY I COULD TALK books, and his story is told from both HIS viewpoint, and LINDA's viewpoint.  If you want to read a neat story, be sure to pick up Volume 3 of this series of books.  They can be purchased form me, through Amazon, or through the publisher DOUBLE EDGE PRESS.

          Napoleon is actually a long-haired (very long haired) cat, but this is his summer do-over. 

          I guess you could say my assignment is really my excuse to get to spend a day with Linda and her boys.  They love company.  And they do get into a lot of interesting situations.  But not enough time today to go into any detail, just that life is never boring with 4 cats, each one thinking he is the best.

          Now time to leave for Wednesday morning Bible Study - we have a lot of fun with our Bible study, laugh a lot, and learn a lot.  It is interesting to get everyone's input on a subject.  You learn things you had never thought of before, very eye-opening sometimes.  So, off I go.  Have a good day and God Bless.

TWO OF THE THINGS WORTH WAITING FOR........

          Here is some background information to help understand this blog.  Almost 30 years ago I met Russ Shaffer at a very small art and craft show in Wheeling WV.  We just happened to be put next to each other.  We became friends, and as time passed by our families also became friends.  Also as time passed by we found he and I were applying for more and more of the same art shows.

          When applying we started requesting being beside each other.  It was amazing how many of the promoters were courteous and complied with our requests.  Russ' Mother-in-Law always tried to be with him, my husband would be with me, and we just had fun.  After my husband passed away, it was just me, and it became much more important that Russ and I be beside each other, as his M-i-L Kay could cover for me when I needed a break.

          So much for background.

          Yesterday afternoon I received an e-mail from the promoter (who has become a friend) of the Country Club art show in April indicating she was working on the floor plan for exhibitors and that, along this wall, there would be me, Russ, Vicki (another exhibitor friend of ours) then Missy and Christina (other friends).  Missy and Christina had requested to be beside us instead of across the room.    My promoter friend also stated that "It sounds like a party to me!"

          Yesterday evening I received an e-mail from the promoter of the Boston Mills Art Festival held in Peninsula Ohio at the Boston Mills Ski Resort each year the last weekend of June and first weekend of July.  This is one of the largest, and most prestigious, art shows in the state of Ohio.  It is a 2 weekend festival, however exhibitors can only be there for one weekend, therefore they have different vendors each weekend.  Russ and I had both applied, along with our space requests, if accepted.

          The jury results were in.  I was accepted!  I have applied different times throughout the last few years, usually rejected.  Immediately I called Russ to see if he had gotten his reply.  He was accepted also.  Not only were we both accepted they sent us our booth assignments and lo and behold we were next to each other.  We will be there the weekend of June 24-25-26.

          I find it quite amazing that those in charge of a festival of this magnitude would take the time to give consideration to our request and make sure we were side by side.  We were also sent a list of all vendors participating that weekend, and found a few names on the list that were also friends of ours. 

          I guess the digital pictures of our work were what they were looking for.  I have a lot of work ahead of me to make sure I have enough inventory for this show.  It is always exciting getting accepted into a new festival, and a little scary.  Will we live up to their expectations?  Will we sell enough to cover our expenses (festival application fee, lodging, food, gasoline, etc), or will we come home disappointed?

          The best part is, that all spring, summer and early fall festivals are outside, and the majority of them require that you set up your own tent.  Boston Mills has very large tents set up, you just move in and arrange your display. 

          Yesterday was the day that reminded me that some things were worth waiting for.  Have a wonderful day and God Bless.

IS IT SPRING YET? .........................

          Is it spring yet?  It must be getting closer, even though we have snow on the ground and temp in high teens.  Have to remember to turn clocks AHEAD, spring forth into spring, on Saturday night, or will get to Church on Sunday just as everyone is leaving.  Better put post-it notes all over the house as we only have 12 (yes 12) clocks to change.  And half the time I still don't know what time it is.  Sometimes don't know what day it is until I look at the newspaper.

          Am keeping busy now with getting my inventory ready for the first art show of the season - I can hardly wait - which will be at the South Hills Country Club near Pittsburgh.  This is a one-day show, invitation only, very high quality art and jewelry, a getting-my-feet-wet show kicking off the new year of art shows.

          Will get to see some old friends I haven't seen since last November, catch up on all our comings and goings, and just enjoy being together.  We enjoy our days immensely, it is like old home week, and that is the part that makes it so special and why I look forward to each art show throughout the year.

          I am attaching one of my new pictures that will be framed and hanging that day.  I hope you enjoy it.

          Decided to add two.  Hope you don't mind.

          This is also pretty much the do or die month.  I have applied for 4 new festivals, three in Ohio and one in Pennsylvania.  They are strictly juried festivals, you submit digital images of your work and they have a panel of judges who decide who is accepted and who is rejected.  The decision of these judges will be made in March.

          The fourth show that is juried, and the decision will not be made until June, Is Oglebayfest at Oglebay Park in Wheeling West Virginia.  I have done that festival for almost 30 years, and until 2005, when the festival was run by the park, I was automatically in - work was judged on site each year for the next year.

          In 2006 the park turned the management of this festival over to the Oglebay Institute - Stifel Center - in Wheeling and it became a strictly juried digital image scenario.  So far I have been accepted.  Some friends that have done that festival with me for years have not.  So again, the waiting game.

          Somehow it seems you spend the vast majority of your life waiting ... waiting to grow up, waiting to get married, waiting to start a family, waiting to buy your first home, waiting for your kids to graduate from high school, waiting for them to either finish college, or get a job, or both, waiting for them to get married, waiting for the grandkids, then great grandkids, waiting for your life to end so you can begin again with a new adventure.

          As you are doing this waiting it seems to take forever.  When  you are looking back it has been no time at all. 

          Everyone have a good week, enjoy the waiting, because before you know it, it will be the past.  God Bless.

ABOVE and BEYOND.........................

          Thursday night could have been a disaster - but it wasn't.  The reason it wasn't a disaster, but a miracle is because of local folks, and their dedication to what they do.  And to our community firefighters, and their dedication to what they do.  They never receive enough recognition or praise, but do their work to the best of their abilities, regardless of the risk involved.  Our firefighters are all VOLUNTEERS.

          Another reason it was not a disaster is because of the every-day normal local folks who answered the call above and beyond their duties.  There were just the few night-shift employees of a local personal care home.  But what they did helped to turn this disaster into a miracle.

          Around midnight the local fire department received a call of a fire in a nearby personal care home.  This pc home was in what once had been a Presbyterian Church, now home to some 17 residents, most of them elderly veterans.  Some had lived there as long as 20 years.  The pc home was just one block from the fire station.

          It only took minutes for the fire department to arrive, when they did the building was fully engulfed in flames.  BUT -- all 17 residents and employees were safely outside, thanks to the dedication of said employees.  A bus was dispatched to take the residents to the fire hall for shelter.  Within THREE MINUTES of the firefighters arrival the building was gone.

          Claysville firefighters were just a block away, West Alexander and Taylorstown firefighters just minutes away, and were assisted by the Washington area various fire departments. 

          One thing you must remember - Claysville, West Alexander and Taylorstown are all volunteers.  They receive nothing for their service, they gladly give of themselves to help others, whether it be a fire, accident, medical emergency, whatever, they are always there.

          I am on a fixed income and cannot donate to every organization that asks for money, but I do try to donate to my CHURCH and to my FIRE DEPARTMENT.  Where would we be without these?

          Remember to count your blessings and keep all firefighters, whether volunteers or paid, in your prayers.  They need all the help they can get.

Is It Spring Yet????????????????????????

          Yes, it must be spring.  It is just the beginning of March, but all the signs are appearing.

          We have 2 bluebird boxes on our fence posts that we can see from the house. Bluebirds are back and checking out the boxes.  The Tree Swallows haven't made an appearance yet, but they will be coming.  Then there are usually fights over the bird houses - both Bluebirds and Swallows want the same one.  The boxes are just alike, but they don't seem to think so.  Sooner or later they get it straightened out, Bluebirds in one and Tree Swallows in the other.

          The Turkey Buzzards are also back.  They are ugly as can be, but are our clean-up crew, so-to-speak.  I have also seen Robins running around in the yard.

          We are seeing the deer less and less - it is also their mating time, in a while we will hardly see any at all except for the bucks, then next thing you know you will see the does and with them will be their spotted young.  We can see the baby deer anytime from late April through the early part of June.  All those little Bambi's running around.

          Turkeys are different.  We are seeing more and more of them at this time, the gobblers romancing the hens, trying to make them think he is absolutely beautiful. 

          Wild turkeys are not beautiful.  They lumber around on the ground, looking as if they are going to fall over any time.  They can be strung out in a line of 15 - 20 at a time, nipping here, grabbing something there, just eating their way across the farm.  They really are goofy looking.

          But for a short period of time the gobblers look good.  This is when they fan out their tails, showing the girls how handsome they really are.  Of course the girls all play hard to get.  It is really funny to watch them.  And we have a lot of turkeys on the farm.

          This picture was taken in the evening from our dining room window.  You can see how ungainly they look, but boy, Mr. Gobbler looks good.  How can you pass him up.  But the hens are doing an excellent job of ignoring him.  He will spend much time strutting, like the cave man thumping his chest, trying to make the hens believe he is completely irresistible.  Good luck Mr. G.

          A few weeks from now we will begin to see baby rabbits, baby groundhogs, sometimes  baby squirrels and raccoons.  We have even seen a mother skunk walking along with her little black and white striped babies following behind.

          So, I guess the answer is "Yes, it is spring".  We will still have some bad weather, but spring isn't too far down the road.  Until then, enjoy the nice days when they appear, sleep through the bad days, and waken up to spring.  God Bless.

How Time Flies.......................................

          I just put my Christmas tree away!!!  Now it is March.  The first quarter of the new year is flying by, and I know that as each day passes the time will go faster.  How can that be?  The days still have 24 hours, the hours still have 60 minutes, the minutes still have 60 seconds, so how can time go faster?  If you can figure that out, please let me know.

          It was about 18 months ago that my sister's granddaughter started planning her wedding.  Piece of cake, all kinds of time, what's the rush?

          Now it is 2 weeks.  What happened to that "piece of cake, all kinds of time?"  The rush is upon us.

          Sons Jerry and Michael, son-in-law Neal and grandson Austin are going to be ushers. 

          My sister only has the one daughter and son-in-law, so usher duty is falling on my side of the family, mostly. 

          Seems strange.  There were just 3 of us girls in our family, but our youngest sister passed away while just a young woman, leaving Ruth and me.  She had one daughter.  I ended up with five kids.  I wouldn't trade any one of them to anyone, even if offered money.  Well, how much money are you offering?  Just kidding.

          But it does kind of make for a lop-sided scenario, thank goodness for sons, son-in-law and grandsons.  I know we will have a fun day.  New beginnings for some, the end of an era for others.  Getting married and having children of your own - one era.  Your children getting married, having children of their own - another era.  Your grand-children getting married - still another era.  And then your grandchildren are having children - and if you are lucky you get to be involved in all these eras.

          So much for rambling.  The wedding is fast approaching, it will be a busy but fun day.  Brides are always so beautiful - it is a magical time in their lives.  There will NEVER be another day to rival this - their wedding day.  And the days will pass, and the years, and the decades, and all at once you are older, slower, more forgetful, less energetic, just sort of putting in time. 

          But no regrets, your life has been full, you have done well, for them and for yourself, and looking back you remember so many little things, things that have led up to this very moment.

          For every ending there is a new beginning, so don't look back but look ahead, who knows what magical moments still await you.  Remember the good times, forget the bad times, they really don't count.  You are here now, the past is the past, look forward to every tomorrow.

          Enjoy today and God Bless.

The 90 Minute Second.......................................

          I live 10 minutes, or less, from the small town of Claysville Pa.  That is where my family doctor's practice is located, along with a branch blood lab of Washington (Pa) hospital.  I was scheduled for blood work today.  Piece of cake.

          Prior to my leaving the house (8 a.m.) we had quite a large thunderstorm move through, thunder, lightning, power blinking on and off, wind howling, just a plain nasty day.  Then it had passed on, leaving dark clouds and still some wind, but the rain had stopped, for a while.  We're supposed to have wind and rain all day.

          I left at 8, got 4/10 of a mile and, guess what, there was a large tree across the road.  This was the paved state road, and who knows when the state will get around to it.  So its turn around, go the other way, the longer way, but still state road. 

          I got 2 miles.  Another larger tree across the road.  This certainly was not my lucky day.  But actually it was.

          Our good friend and neighbor is our neighborhood (if you can call miles of scattered homes with acres of farm land and woods a neighborhood) guardian.  He is always there for you.  I had just reached this second tree when I saw headlights coming from the other direction.  It was Tim,  with his trusty chain-saw.

          In the winter he makes the rounds, plowing snow from driveways, helping where help is needed.  After storms he makes the rounds, with his chain-saw, ready to open roads and driveways.  In addition he keeps many acres of our neighborhood cleaned up, as he sows crops and bales hay for his beef herd.  Tim is a fourth generation farmer, he and his wife own the farm that adjoins ours, and Tim and Jerry have been friends since kindergarten. Tim's wife and I are friends, have taken cruises and bus tours together.  Just part of our family.

          He got enough of this tree cleared out that I could go by, and finally I reached the lab.  I know for a fact I was in there less than 60 seconds as there was no one else ahead of me. 

          I figured, since I had mentioned the other tree down, that I could go home the regular way, and I was right.  My road was open all the way.  There is a lot of trash (all the small branches, bark, that sort of thing) covering all the roads.  I am really surprised there were no more large trees down, but glad.

          Tim is our neighborhood guardian.  He doesn't expect, or ask for, anything in return, he is just a good neighbor, doing the right thing, thinking nothing of it.

          He doesn't have stories written about him, he is not on the evening news, or even in the local newspaper, he is just a good friend to our entire neighborhood, regardless of whether they are long-time residents, or newcomers.  It really doesn't matter, if they need help he is there.

          My 60 second blood sample took 90 minutes to get it done, 89 minutes of trying to get there and back.  Then as I was in the middle of this blog, the electric went out.  I thought "why not, everything else is going wrong today".

          The power is on now, I don't know for how long, as the wind is still blowing.  So thought I had better finish this and get it posted before the next black-out.

          February is definitely going out like a lion.  I wonder how March is going to come in?

          Have a safe day and God Bless.

               OH MY ..........................................

          I just have to share another funny story with you.  Remember my friend who had the crazy check-out experience at WalMart?  Well, I received another e-mail from her last night titled OH MY!  I just had to share it.................

          This friend, guess you could call her one of my adopted kids,  is a pastor and currently lives in the Pittsburgh area.  She has 4 cats, Buster, Norman, Napoleon and Buddy.  They are quite a crew.  Enjoy her story.

          ONE PERSON, ONE HOUSE, ONE BIRD, FOUR CATS.  WHICH DOES NOT BELONG?

          To make a long story short, as I was taking the garbage out at dinner time, a small sparrow flew into the house through the kitchen door.  I have spent the evening with flying cats and a terrified sparrow.

          We all shared in an adventure that spread into every nook and cranny of the house.  The cats have learned that if they jump up in the air from one of the couches or chairs, they can bump their heads against the ceiling.

          Buster can hit the ceiling from the floor; he appears to have the best jumping skills in the house.  Norman,not so much.  (Norman is the over-weight cat).  At the end of the adventure, though, Norman required a b-a-t-h, because he was definitely the best at staying UNDER the bird.........

          I am pleased to report that in a mere three hours the bird was saved in a blanket and returned to the great outdoors.  It is nice to note that none of the boys tried to catch the bird in their mouths.  They just swatted at it with their paws.

Life is fun.....................

          I hope your enjoy this adventure as much as I did.  I mentioned to my friend that she really should write a book about the adventures she and the four boys have.  She already knows a publisher.

          Have a great day and stay out from under the birds. 

HUMAN BEASTS and HOWLING DOGS.........

          Firstly I am going to address human beasts.         

          Have you ever attended high school plays, concerts, etc?  If you have you will know what I am talking about.  If not, you have missed a great experience.

          Last night was one of those great experiences.  Daughter Rebecca's No 3 kid, a son, has participated in the school plays for several years, (he is now a Junior), and last night was no exception.  The play was BEAUTY and the BEAST.  Coleman has a dual role, and of course being a proud Grandma he was the best!!!!!!

          By the way, he is the one in black, just in case you were wondering.

          Son Jerry and I arrived at their home near Bentleyville Pa in time for supper. We timed it just right.  Then we arrived at the High School around 6:30 as the play began at 7 p.m.  This is the Bentworth School District in Washington County Pa.  They put on 4 performances on consecutive evenings, this was the second.

          It was, of course, a sold-out performance.  It is amazing to see the sets, the acting, hearing the singing and dialogue - and to think it is ALL done by the students, with adult supervision.  What a fun way to spend the evening.  I am already looking forward to next year, as Coleman will be a senior and it will be his last hurrah! so to speak.

          Every single one of the kids was great, and you could just tell they were having the time of their lives.  I don't think there is never enough said about them, their school, their teachers, and their parents.

          Now it is time for the howling dogs.

          Got home late, got to bed later.  Glad today was Saturday and I could sleep in, not that I have that option a lot.  Son Jerry would say otherwise.  I also knew he would be up fairly early as a couple of his buddies were coming to finish working on, what they call, a mobile hunting shelter, then they were going rabbit hunting.  Today is the last day of the spring season, Steve has a beagle named Molly, and we have 2 beagles, named as you know Sam (short for Samantha) and Coco, our hot chocolate with whipped cream type of coloring.

          Steve arrived, putting Molly in our outside dog pen until they were ready to go hunting.  Sam and Coco saw Molly, and all (you can guess what) broke loose.

          Molly is outside, Sam and Coco are running from room to room, barking, howling, more barking, more howling, looking out the windows, trying to paw their way outside.  They will be exhausted before they even start.  And, so much for sleeping!!!!!

          Coco is the largest, Sam, of course, a smaller little lady. 

          When the guys were finished with their hunting shelter, it was time to go hunting.  Steve came to the house to get Molly.  Dogs went crazy, I needed ear-plugs.  Jerry came up through the basement, opening the door.  Sam and Coco tried knocking each other down to be first - basically running, and falling, down the steps.  How those dogs love running the rabbits. 

          In a couple of hours the hunters will return, with 3 VERY VERY tired dogs, as they would have run the entire time.  It usually takes about 3 days for Sam and Coco to get completely rested up, and then they can hardly wait to go again.

          And so, the last 24 hours has been a combination of watching a beast being tamed by a beautiful girl, and listening to howling dogs.

          If I am lucky the rest of the weekend will be more normal.  But then again, if it were normal all the time, where would the fun be????

          Have a good weekend and God Bless.

                 GETTING READY..................

          February fast running out, with March's out like a lion.  Had rain, sleet and hail Monday night, got up Tuesday morning with 5 plus inches of snow on the ground on top of ice.  A fun day for everyone.  All of our roads, interstate ramps, and interstate highways became parking lots for the night.  Then folks complained because the snow wasn't being plowed Tuesday morning.  How do you plow a road that is clogged with parked and abandoned cars?

          Today we are supposed to get heavy rains, flood watches and warnings are all over the place.  I'm sure that now people will complain about all the water everywhere and wonder why someone doesn't do something about it.   Go figure.

          Anyhoo this is my "getting ready" period of time, when I start trying to get organized for the coming festival months.  I have to decide what pictures to print, mat, and/or frame for the coming year.  Old standbys and pics I have never shown for.  A little of each.  Am sharing one new pic with you.

          This lighthouse was photographed when the family and I were in Michigan a couple of years ago.  Just loved all the colors.

          No one really realizes how much time is spent in editing, choosing what to be printed, printing, cutting mats, and framing.  If I had to charge for my labor no one could possibly afford me.  So all labor is free.

          Getting ready No 2.

          Son Jerry has decided this is the time to start fixing up the inside of the house - the living room and computer room to be exact.  So I spent a couple of hours in Home Depot buying perfa tape, joint compound, and corner strips.  Also had to bring paint chips home to decide on what color we would paint these two rooms.  We've never done any major inside work since buying this place in 2005, mostly landscaping and outside work, such as adding a deck to the front, expanding the work shop, things like that.  Now it seems to be inside time.  So watch out living room and computer room.

          I told Jerry I was willing to do the painting, but he HAD to do the taping of all surfaces he did not want paint on.  That I WOULD NOT do - but painting I WOULD do.  He seemed satisfied with that arrangement.  We'll see what happens.

          So now I'm back to GETTING READY No 1, choosing and printing this year's new pictures.  Think of me slaving away on this as you all relax with your coffee, and morning paper, not a care in the world...........

Have a good day and God Bless.