RUNNING LATE, AGAIN.....APRIL 03 2012......

So, what's new about that.  Not a whole lot.

Judging the photography at the Woodsfield art show was fun, as usual.  Some really nice stuff, some so-so stuff, and, believe it or not, the picture I judged as first place was the smallest picture in the exhibit.  Just goes to show, bigger is not always better.

Another interesting thing - they had a second judge for all the other art-work on display.  Since I hadn't arrived yet, he went ahead and judged the photo exhibit, just for fun.

By the time I had finished this other judge had left.  So the art guilt representative and I thought it would be fun to see what he had to say.  She singled out all his jury sheets for the photographers, and we compared notes.

Believe it or not, he had also picked the same one that I did for first place.  All the others were within a just a few points of each other.  Either we both knew what we were doing, or neither one of us had a clue.   I like to think that I am really good!!!!!

The above picture is the one chosen for first place in photography.  Then I have added two other pics of some of the artwork.  I don't know how they rated judging-wise, because the awards ceremony will not be until this coming Saturday, when the ribbons and cash awards will be awarded.

Usually Georgia and Dan are there when I do my judging, and we spend the rest of the day together, go out for dinner, etc.  However this year they were in Cincinnati Ohio visiting their son, d-in-law and grand-daughter Zoe.  They will be back sometime this week, and will be here Easter Sunday for dinner with the rest of the family and friends.

 The remainder of the week is pretty full, and initial food-prep will begin on Friday.  Also hope to have my potatoes planted on or before Friday.  You are supposed to have them in the ground by Good Friday. 

Also bought my 2 tomato plants today.  Keeping them in the house with the flowers I bought until the weather  stabilizes.  I only plant 2 plants because bossman does not like fresh tomatoes.  Cook o.k.  Fresh, not o.k.  So I plant just for me.

Well, time's-a-wastin, need to get productive here, so enjoy the weather and God Bless.

WINTER? or SPRING?....APRIL 02 2012.....

Yesterday it was spring - sunshine, warm temps, got some flowers transplanted.  Bossman did the digging, I did the supervising.  Got a nice rain last night.  I didn't have to go out and water the transplanted plants. 

Today cloudy, gloomy, damp, and cold. I never quite know how to dress. 

Later today have to go to Woodsfield, Ohio - will be judging the photography portion of their annual Art show, which runs the entire month of April. 

There is nothing easy in being a judge.  There can only be 3 or 4 winners, out of maybe 15 or 10 entries.  Wish I could give a ribbon to everyone.

I always love to see what other photographers take pictures of, how they present the finished product, and how very talented so many of them are.  That is one of the perks of being a judge.

This is definitely NOT a day to work out, so I won't feel guilty about not working out.

My new camera arrived over the weekend so today will be a good day to try it out as I travel back and forth.  Any excuse works to take pictures.

Can give the camera a real work-out in three weeks when I go to Arizona to visit the kids.  We are planning a photo-shoot to Antelope Canyon.

There will be more (probably much more) about this later, unless something unforeseen happens.

Other than that this is a typical Monday. Mondays seem to always be a blah day after the weekend, even when you don't have a regular job.  So guess I will get done what needs to be done here, then head off to Ohio.  Have a good day and God Bless.

A LITTLE COUNTRY TOWN...APRIL 01 2012....

Population, possibly 1000, a little country Church, congregation possibly 100, and a little country choir,  possibly 20, including the choir director, who is also the organist, piano player and keyboard player.

We have three little country churches in our little country town. 

There are so many pluses in belonging to a small country church.  Everyone knows everyone else (maybe that is not always a plus), we are all friends, and all family.  Anything that affects one of us affects all of us.  I can't help but believe this is the way it should be.

My Church (West Alexander United Methodist Church) presents a cantata twice a year, usually the Sunday before Christmas, and the Sunday before Easter.  Today was our Easter Cantata.

How can you explain it.  The beautiful voices, the lovely music, the story in the words, and the narration.   During the performance I saw more than one wiping a tear off their cheek.  There are several in our choir that have exceptional voices, when they do a solo you could hear a pin drop.

This is the day our pastor gets to rest from giving a sermon, but he also sings in the choir for the cantata, so really doesn't get a day off.

His wife is also a part of the choir.  The members of the choir are anywhere from late teens to - elderly - to be polite.  But all have enthusiasim, love doing what they do. 

My son Michael is the narrator whenever he is available.  He has a deep rich voice, no one has any trouble hearing him.  Had one woman stop me after Church this morning and told me she wished my son would speak more often, she just loves to hear his voice.  Wow!

A little country town with a little country church.  And a congregation full of love.  What more could you ask.  Have a good day and God Bless.

PARDON ME!....MARCH 31 2012....

When I was in Yellowstone in 2007

To all my Facebook friends, blogger friends, and acquaintances.

I  am not, do not, ignore your posts and comments.  I am just not very good at replying to, clicking on like, or share, or whatever. 

Bossman always tells me I have "tunnel vision", especially when it comes to important stuff.  Maybe that is my problem. 

I thoroughly enjoy all the facebook gems that come my way, and the blogs that I read.  Too many times the blogs (mine included) make it very difficult to post a comment.  But then again, my blog won't always post whatever picture I have included, or even let me share a blog without trying 16 upmteen times. 

Now I see where blogspot is having a "face-lift" in April.  Just when I thought  I had it figured out.  No wonder my brain is fried.

Second guessing myself, which I do regularly, maybe it is Facebook that is having a face-lift.  I do know something is having said face-lift.

Now that that is out of the way, we got lucky, again, pertaining to the storms predicted for last night. I guess in Ohio it was pretty iffy re tornados.  I haven't heard as of yet of any really disasterous happenings around us.  We had lots of strange lightning, thunder, and rain, and it is a lot cooler this morning, but we are still on our hill-top, all in one piece, as far as I know, and functioning reasnably well..  

I guess the functioning part is questionable, but....

Can't believe tomorrow is April Fool's Day.  What happened to January, February and March? 

I managed to get half of my largest flower bed cleaned off yesterday afternoon and bossman got the back yard mowed in the evening.  Don't think anything is going to get done outside today.

And, so, wherever you may be, and whatever you may be doing, count your blessings and God Bless.

FUN AND GAMES...MARCH 30 2012.....

Some days I don't know what to blog about.  Today is one of those days.

When that happens I will open one of my picture files, maybe I'll get an idea.  Again, today is one of those days.

I am attaching 2 pictures taken three years ago when the daughter, son-in-law, and grandson and his family were home from Arizona.

We spent the day having fun, doing things I don't normally do.  Whoops!  That can open a whole new can of worms.  When am I ever normal?

But first things first.  This one day was just for the kids. 

It was within driving distance of West Alexander.  I am not going to say where.  Just that we had a good day.  Weather-wise and people-wise.  If you know where this is let me know.

This was grandson Dustin, his wife Tiffany and their two children, Ashlyne and McKenzie.  This is also the family that is home-schooling (Tiffany) their children.  Tiffany was home- schooled and knows all the ins and outs.

But the children are not "isolated", as they are involved, and have been involved, with swimming, dancing, I'm not sure what all, but they are always on the go and busy. 

Feel kind-a sorry for Dave and Linda though.  Three grand-daughters.  Their oldest son David and his wife also have a daughter, just turning 1 year old.  They are in for a wild ride down the road.

From a personal point of view, I found that raising sons was so much easier than raising a daughter.  A whole different scenario.  Somehow girls seem to find a way to make your hair turn at an early age.  I look back and wonder how my Mother did it with three girls.  I guess that is why her hair turned white at a very early age.  Back then you didn't color your hair, like women do today to hide their gray.

So today was about kids, grand-kids and great grand-kids.  And having fun. 

Enjoy your kids and grand-kids, all too soon they are adults, and you are old.  Have a good day and God Bless.

WHEN THE PHONE RINGS.....MARCH 29 2012....

You answer automatically.  Sometimes the calls are mistakes, sometimes family, sometimes friends, sometimes business, sometimes pleasure.  Sometimes happy, sometimes sad.  Sometimes - surprises!

About 9 p.m.last night I got such a phone call.  It was from Ben.  Ben is the Amish gentleman that Nancy and I stayed with while in Amish country.  He and his wife were great, we really enjoyed ourselves.

When Nancy and I travel and stay with someone other than your standard hotels/motels, she especially, and I, try to have some small gift as a thank-you.  Since this was my first time staying with the Amish, I had no clue as to what would be appropriate.

The light-bulb came on while in their home.  I noticed they had magazines on an end table in their living room, typical magazines such as we would have.

So upon returning home I sent them Volume I of my IF ONLY I COULD TALK books.  Keeping my fingers crossed that it would be appropriate.

Ben just wanted to thank me for the book, he said he was really loving the stories, especially the ones told from the animals point of view.  He mentioned that animals were really a lot smarter than we give them credit for, and as soon as he finished the book he wants his wife Emma to read it.

He also said he would like to come to this part of the country and see our farm, and he had seen where I had 5 children (I have no clue where this came from) and that one as Andy and one Rebecca, and that they also had a son Andy and a daughter Rebecca.  All I can figure he must have had someone research me to see if I was legitimate or not.

While we were visiting, Nancy had invited them to come to Washington County and "we" could show them around and that they could "stay at Martha's house as she had a real nice place".  I haven't told bossman this little tidbit yet. 

So who knows?  Perhaps down the road I will be entertaining an Amish couple. 

As I said, when the phone rings you never know.

Have a good day and God Bless.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT....MARCH 28 2012.....

Today's blog is a little different.  For a change it is not about me.  Enough is enough.

I just thought I would share something with you that I have run across several times throughout the years. 

CHEROKEE LEGEND

This is the legend of the Cherokee youth's rite of passage.

His father takes him into the forest, blindfolds him, and leaves him alone.  He is required to sit on a stump the entire night and cannot remove the blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shine through it.  He cannot cry out for help to anyone.

Once he survives the night, he is a MAN.

He cannot tell the other boys of this experience because each lad must come into manhood on his own.

The boy is naturally terrified.  He can hear all kinds of noises  Wild beasts must surely be all around him.  Maybe even some human might do him harm.

The wind blew, his stump shook, but he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold.  It would be the only way he could become a man.

Finally, after a horrific night the sun appeared and he removed his blindfold.

It was only then that he discovered his father sitting on the stump next to him.

He had been watching the entire night, protecting his son from harm.

We, too, are never alone.  Even when we don't know it, God is watching over us, sitting on the stump beside us.

Just because you can't see God, it doesn't mean He isnot there.

When you feel over-whelmed, over-burdened, over-worked, and think there is no one to care, just remember.  Your FATHER is sitting on the stump next to you.

Have a good day and God Bless. 

ROUND 'N ROUND WE GO.....MARCH 27 2012.....

Just like on a merry-go-round.  That is my life.  And I wouldn't have it any other way.  Let's see, where do I start.  Probably with the best.

Talked to daughter Rebecca a couple of nights ago and heard some really exciting news.  Granddaughter Shelby has been invited to become a member of the NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY.  She is a junior in H.S. this year.  Is that cool, or what.

She has been on the honor roll in her school all through middle and high school, high honors yet.  She also tutors other students.  The induction ceremony is in May.  WOW!!!

Also saw the cover Rebecca has designed for her first book release this year.  It is awesome.  Anxious to get a copy of the book to read when it is released.

Next - have a meeting with Candice, (friend and travel agent) today re the trip to Ireland in June.  It will be here before we know it.  Nancy and I already tossing ideas back and forth regarding  how much we should take with us for a 15 day round trip (12 days touring, 3 days travel time). 

In addition to flying, we will be taking a 12 day bus tour of Ireland, beginning and ending in Dublin.  Can only have one large suitcase and smaller carry on for the bus.  Going to take some juggling.  Decisions, decisions.

Also am to judge the photography portion of the annual art show held in the Library at Woodsfield Ohio on Monday April 2nd.  Which is good as I'll get to spend the day with friend Georgia.  Also, if I can squeeze it in, they prefer that I attend the awards ceremony (which will be on Saturday April 7th) to present the photography ribbons.  That is  iffy, as it is the day before Easter.  Will have to play it by ear.

As of right now the weeks of April 8th and 15th are free.....hope to get my flower beds finished.

The packing to leave for Arizona.  When I return it will be May and I will wonder where April disappeared to.

I don't think we got the hard freeze here on the hill-top that was predicted for last night.  I do know that down in the valley it is always much colder than up here.  You would think it would be the other way around, but no, they are always colder.

I didn't see any frost this morning, and the temp as  in the mid 30's.  Maybe our orchard lucked out.

Also thought I would share pictures taken a while back in the winter. 

I stood in my dining room looking out the glass wall and took the pictures.  Enjoy and be glad that spring is springing, hopefully.  Take care and God Bless.

WHAT HAPPENED???...MARCH 26 2012......

I'll tell you what happened.  It's cold.  39 degrees here.  Going to be colder tonight and tomorrow morning.  All the flower buds and budding trees are going to get frosted.  I have moved the flowers I bought from the nursery into the house for the duration.  

Even the dogs, wanting out, stick their noses out the door, and start backing up.  They don't like it either, and they have fur coats.  Wimpy dogs.

There is a lot of sickness around right now, especially pneumonia.  It is no wonder with the temperature changes.  No way to get adjusted.

Now for a brighter note.  I can't believe Easter is only 2 weeks away.  It was just New Years.  And in 4 weeks will be on my way to sunny Arizona.  Hopefully it will be warmer than 39 degrees.

Still have 6 flower beds to clean up.  Will try to  be finished before Arizona, as upon return want to order in my mulch.  That is the fun part, the flower beds always look so nice and clean and fresh once the mulch is down.

Also upon return will start seriously getting organized for the first art festival of the year, which will be in Morgantown West Virginia in Mid-May.  I wonder how much I will forget to take with me?  It will have been 6 months since last festival in November.  Can forget a lot of stuff in six months.

I have been getting some of my new pictures ready for their first showing.  I'll be interested in seeing who likes what.  Every year it is something different.

Have to get cracking now, several errands to run, and this will be the day to do them as I don't like to work out when it is this cool/cold.  Guess I am right up there with the wimpy dogs. 

So if you have to be out, dress warmly, and God Bless.

TRYING TO BE GOOD.....MARCH 25 2012....


Which is not easy for me.  I can get into trouble without even trying.  It just follows me around like - well, like, it just follows me around.

I have mentioned we are trying to downsize.  We have way too much "stuff" and really need to clean house.  I am trying to do my part.  I only bought a few things in Amish country, all edible.

Bought three jars of jam and jelly, ground tapioca (for pies and pudding) mini chocolate chips (for black bottom cupcakes and cc cookies) and a package of soup mix.  All stuff we can eat. 

The only non-edible item I brought back was a new touch lamp for my bedroom.  My old one finally gave up, and have been using a regular bedside lamp for several years now.  One of the gift shops we visited had touch lamps.  Now, when I get around to it (I can be slower than molasses) I will replace the regular lamp with the touch lamp.

I also bought several annual flower plants from the Amish nursery for my three tier flower bed (top tier).  I always plant annuals there for color.  Now I have to find the annuals for the middle tier. 

Nothing new to clutter up the house.  I"m sure bossman breathed a sigh of relief.

Guess I had better close out and start thinking about getting ready for Church.  So enjoy your "day of rest" and God Bless. 

HOMEWARD BOUND...MARCH 24 2012.....

Wednesday, day three, breakfast was on the table at 8 a.m.  After saying goodbye to Emma (Ben was at work), Nancy and I hit the road for home, planning on a photo-shoot on the way.

We had a beautiful day for traveling.  It was also a great photo-shoot.   All in all we found 2 covered bridges, 4 mills, 2 neat barns and 2 mail pouch tobacco barns.  Had a little over 200 pictures upon arriving home, after editing and sorting, that kind of stuff, I have 147 in my digital album of our trip to Amish country.  Of that 147 I think there will be approximately 10 that will be added to the business. 

The first picture is of the Weaver Mill Covered Bridge, north of Goodville Pa.  The next two pictures are of the manicured lawn adjoining the bridge, and the neat old barn across the road.

Next will be Herr Mill built in 1760, located in Lampeter Pa.  Then we stopped at Historic Pool Forge, one of the buildings is below, along with the parking sign, there was also the Herr Mill Covered Bridge that I photographed.

Pool Forge was established in the 1700's, the building I am showing was the forge-masters home. 

While still in Amish country we stopped at the bulk store again - there were still a few items left in the store that Nancy needed.  We had lunch at an Amish diner.

Even with all our stopping and stuff, we were home just about 8 p.m. Wednesday evening, then came the fun of sorting, unloading, Nancy loading (she had left her car at our house) and heading for home.

Needless to say I had absolutely no get-up-and-go on Thursday.  Yesterday managed to get the second of my flower beds cleaned off.  Rain today, so I've been told, so am not planning on any outdoor work.

Seems as if I can sit here and actually see the leaves growing on the trees.  March has not been March-like at all.  I wonder what April will bring - will it be April showers, or April storms?  Only time will tell.  In the meantime, enjoy the weather and God Bless. 

TOMORROW ARRIVED....MARCH 23 2012....

Since I jumped the gun last evening, am going ahead and writing my blog today, so there will be two with the March 23 date.  Love to keep you all confused

Day 2 - Tuesday - and breakfast was on the table at 8 a.m.  We were both up, and ready to eat.  She had made, I don't remember what she called it, but very much like bread pudding, with juice, coffee or tea, or water. 

Ben had been called to work driving one of the Amish buggies, so after breakfast the 4 of us got in the car and we dropped him off for work.

This was the day Emma rode with us, we shopped, took her to Shady Maple for lunch, shopped, shopped, shopped.  Her daughter Maddy was having us for supper so we arrived at her house around 3 p.m. 

Her home was also beautiful but...have you ever seen a house built on top of a barn?  You read this right, the foundation of the house was a barn, cement floor, horse stalls, etc etc.  The house was the second story of the barn.  She and her husband also have a nursery and I found some flowers for my 3 tiered flower bed that I bought and brought home with me.

Supper, again, was delicious.  Nancy took one of her famous naps while we were waiting for dinner to be served.  I took pictures. 

Horses in the pasture

The view from the deck

Below, a scissors holder hanging over the sewing machine (treadle machine)

After supper Emma asked if we would have room in the van for a platform rocker Maddy was giving her for her living room.  Nancy and I just looked at each other.  Van was full.  Didn't want to say "NO", so we said we would see what we could do.

Unloaded all of our shopping.  Our's was in the back, Emma's was in the front.  We got the rocker in, packed the shopping around and on top of the chair.  We were supposed to pick Ben up around 6 p.m.  So off we went.  He had just finished up when we arrived, so from there went back to the house, unloaded the rocker, and some other stuff that Ben had wanted from Maddy, and sat and talked a while. 

Ben told us stories about some of the tourists riding in the buggy he drove, and said he had some inquiries about staying with them.  He also got a phone call (his phone is in a phone booth at the bottom of his drive, they leave messages, I don't know what the arrangement is, didn't ask) from a couple from Utah who had been with him before, and wanted to come Wednesday to visit.  Worked out perfectly as we were leaving Wednesday morning. 

8 p.m.  Off to bed.  Ben had to be up at 4 a.m. as it would be his day to work at Shady Maple on Wednesday.  Emma had to prepare for new guests.

That night Nancy and I both read, for quite some time.  We knew breakfast would be ready at 8 a.m. for us.

The days flew by.  So many new things to see and do.  What an awesome experience to do something like this.  They were two very nice, and very interesting, folks to talk to, as was their daughter and her family.  Good memories.

What more can anyone ask?  So here I am, again.  Tomorrow will detail our final day (Wednesday) in Amish country and journey home.  Until then, enjoy the sun, don't work too hard and God Bless.

WHAT AN EXPERIENCE!!MARCH 23 2012....

Returned from Lancaster Pa. late Wednesday night.  It was a non-stop 3 days, yesterday didn't get anything done but unpack, start laundry, down-load pictures, edit pictures, and cook supper for boss-man.

Nancy arrived Sunday night.  We left at 5 a.m. Monday morning, in the rain, of course.  Rained for the first 2-1/2 hours we were on the road, then became nice, sun, but not overly bright, and dry roads.   We were meeting a couple of friends for lunch at the Shady Maple Smorgasbord around 11 a.m.  Hence the early departure.

We arrived in time to stop at one of the bulk stores.  I did a little shopping, 3 plastic shopping bags worth, Nancy did a cart and a half.  The prices are definitely right, I bought necessities for home.  Nancy bought necessities for home, for all her friends, for the homeless shelter she helps at on occasion, for the group home, and I don't know what all else.  I just watched, and decided I sure was glad I had a van.

 Lunch was wonderful, then headed off to Ben and Emma's, the folks we were staying with.  True Amish.  They run a sort-of Bed and Breakfast (theirs also includes supper), and I learned are very selective as to whom they welcome to stay with them.  Their house was lovely, they built it 20 some years ago when they had 6 young children.

Children now grown and on their own, hence the B&B.  Ben works when needed at the Shady Maple Smorgasbord, in the kitchen as a meat cutter.  He also works, as needed, at the Good & Plenty Amish center where he is a buggy driver for tourists wanting to take a "real" buggy ride with a "real" Amish driver.

It is while doing this that he makes contacts with folks looking for a little more than just a buggy ride, and by being with them he knows whether to mention his B&B, or just keep his mouth shut.

Ben was free on Monday, so after our arrival he said he would ride with us in the car, taking me to see a few things I might want to take pictures of (he didn't mind as long as I did not photograph him or Emma).  We found a covered bridge, an absolutely beautiful mill, that is now a museum,

and a couple of different Amish owned and run gift shops where we could browse, and of course, buy, which we did.  I bought my "travel only" jam and jelly, (3 jars in fact) to bring home with me.

Looked at the beautiful quilts and quilted runners, drooled a little bit, but passed, this time.  Maybe next time?

We arrived back at the house about 5:45 as Emma had told us supper would be ready at 6.  And what a good meal it was.  It seemed so strange to see her mashing potatoes by hand, no lights, just daylight to work by, a refrigerator that runs on propane, same with the cook stove.

By the time dinner was over, she actually let me dry dishes for her, it was going on 8 p.m. and getting dark.  They usually retire early.  So Nancy and I did also.  They gave us each a lantern so we could find our way upstairs to our bedrooms and bathroom.  Yes they had bathrooms, did not have to go out side.  Whew!!

They told us we could use the lanterns as long as we liked - we had mentioned we usually carried reading material with us), and just turn them off when read for bed.  We had both taken little travel flashlights with us, more for going to the bathroom in the middle of the night than anything else.  Us old folks go a lot at night.  Just wait, your time is coming.  As we started up to go to bed Emma told us she would see us at 8 a.m. for breakfast.  Guess that was a hint to be up and ready for the day.

Neither Nancy or I ended up reading, it had been a long day, and believe it or not neither one of us had trouble falling asleep.  Tomorrow would be another day.

 I have nothing to compare them with, as far as living with them, but their grace before a meal is a silent affair.  You fold your hands, bow your head, say a silent prayer, and kind of waited until you heard Ben move before you knew it was o.k. to look up and eat.

And so day No. 1 came to an end.  Beds were comfortable, had both windows in the bedroom open, nice breeze coming through.  Would be hot in the summer (no A.C. of course) and we were glad we were there in the spring.

We had no clue as to what tomorrow would bring, but we knew it would be an experience.

I hope your week has been good, that you haven't worked too hard, and God Bless.

GETTING READY...MARCH 18 2012......

For a lot of things.  Yesterday started cleaning off flower beds, got the 3 tier bed finished in the front, and started on one of the 7 remaining beds.  An absolutely picture-perfect day to be working out.  If I have 7 more good days, should be ready to order in my mulch.

Don't want to do that, though, until my return from Arizona, which will be May 2nd. 

Looks as if rain moving in today, and Nancy and I will be leaving early tomorrow for Lancaster Pa and our stay with an Amish family.  So will be off-line for a few days.

Got one rejection letter yesterday via e-mail.  Almost all applications, notifications, etc., are being done on-line now.  Makes it more convenient and easier.  I was not surprised by the rejection, it is a festival that you get accepted one year, then rejected the next.  As Russ and I both were accepted last year, we both were rejected this year.  As I told Russ, their entry fee is pretty steep, it would give us that little bit of extra money to use for something else.  Like my trip to Arizona the end of April. 

Nancy will be here this evening to spend the night, as we want to get an early start tomorrow.  I will be driving.  She will be co-pilot.  If you am not back on-line by the end of next week you will know we are lost somewhere.  Should be returning Wednesday night.  I hope you noticed the "should be".

Well, better sign off for now and get ready for Church.  This afternoon will be packing, getting ready for our road-trip.  Enjoy your day of rest, if you have to work, be careful, and God Bless.

'TIS ST. PATRICKS DAY...MARCH 17 2012....

'tis the day of singin' and dancin' and eatin' and stuff.  But what do we know about St Patricks Day?  Just that there is a parade, everything is green, and we eat a lot.  (There's that reference to food again).  But why.

1.  ST PATRICK - St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is one of Christianity's most widely known figures. But for all his celebrity, his life remains somewhat of a mystery. At the age of 16, Patrick was taken prisoner by a  group of  Irish raiders who were  attacking his family's estate. They transported him to Ireland where he spent time in captivity. After more than six years as a prisoner, Patrick escaped walking nearly 200 miles from County Mayo, where it is believed he was held, to the Irish coast. After escaping.

After escaping to Britain, Patrick reported that he experienced a second revelation—an angel in a dream tells him to return to Ireland as a missionary. Soon after, Patrick began religious training, a course of study that lasted more than 15 years. After his ordination as a priest, he was sent to Ireland with a dual mission: to minister to Christians already living in Ireland and to begin to convert the Irish.  St Patrick died on March 17, 461.  

2.  THE SHAMROCK - The shamrock, which was also called the "seamroy" by the Celts, was a sacred plant in ancient Ireland because it symbolized the rebirth of spring. By the seventeenth century, the shamrock had become a symbol of emerging Irish nationalism.

3. IRISH MUSIC - From ancient days of the Celts, music has always been an important part of Irish life. The Celts had an oral culture, where religion, legend and history were passed from one generation to the next by way of stories and songs. After being conquered by the English, and forbidden to speak their own language, the Irish, like other oppressed peoples, turned to music to help them remember important events and hold on to their heritage and history.

.4. THE SNAKE - It has long been recounted that, during his mission in Ireland, St. Patrick once stood on a hilltop (which is now called Croagh Patrick), and with only a wooden staff by his side, banished all the snakes from Ireland. In fact, the island nation was never home to any snakes. 


5. LEPRECHAUNS -The original Irish name for these figures of folklore is "lobaircin," meaning "small-bodied fellow." Belief in leprechauns probably stems from Celtic belief in fairies, tiny men and women who could use their magical powers to serve good or evil. In Celtic folktales, leprechauns were cranky souls, responsible for mending the shoes of the other fairies. Though only minor figures in Celtic folklore, leprechauns were known for their trickery, which they often used to protect their much-fabled treasure. 

6. CORNED BEEF -Each year, thousands of Irish Americans gather with their loved ones on St. Patrick's Day to share a "traditional" meal of corned beef and cabbage. Though cabbage has long been an Irish food, corned beef only began to be associated with St. Patrick's Day at the turn of the century.  

So this is what St Patrick's day is all about, and maybe, just maybe, there is that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. 

So wear your green clothes, watch the parade, drink your green drinks, look for the shamrock, enjoy your day and God Bless.

DAYS 3 and 4 and THE PURPLE COW....MARCH 16 2012....

NO - THIS IS NOT A COW, PURPLE OR OTHERWISE!!!

Sunday we met at Andy and Lauri's house and the 8 of us went for breakfast at the Purple Cow.

We have eaten there before, the food is wonderful.  Had a fun, leisurely breakfast.  Afterwards Lauri, Tammie and I went food shopping (have you noticed how often I have mentioned food?) while the guys and Margo went back to the house.  To do guy stuff.  Guess Margo was going to supervise.

Lauri was planning on spaghetti for Sunday night supper, as granddaughter Jennifer, Eric and baby Kaedon were also going to be at the house.

So we shopped - Lauri does everything from scratch, and I do mean scratch.  We bought 4 kinds (I think) of sausage, pepperoni,  chunk cheese (to be grated) green, red and yellow peppers, garlic cloves, tomato sauces and puree,
onion, mushrooms.  Had a full cart.  I want you to know this is how Tammie shopped with us.

Arriving home, the production line started.  Tammie and I wanted to help, but Lauri and Andy have it down pat, they really work well together in the kitchen.  It was an all afternoon job of chopping, grinding, grating, cooking and stirring.  But, boy did it smell good!!!!!!!!!

We did make a side trip on the way home from shopping, Colby College.  A beautiful campus, the pics attached are of the chapel and administration building, I think.

Supper was awesome, spaghetti, home-made buns (Lauri's aunt made them and gave them to her), toss salad, and left-over birthday cake.  None of us had room for the cake.  It was the VERY BEST spaghetti any of us had eaten.  I told her when they came home next time, her job would be to make a big pot of this spaghetti sauce so I could put it in the freezer for Jerry and me to have spaghetti.  It was awesome.

We returned to the motel late.  Next morning (Monday) we made arrangements to keep the rental car and turn it in at the Boston airport.  None of us were ever ever ever going to fly in one of those toy planes again!  As our flight out was not until 4:30 p.m. we had ample time.  It was a nice drive, about 2-1/2 hours, had a good meal at the airport, and arrived home safely.

And so, another adventure has come and gone.  The next one is just around the corner.  Will get into that later in the week.  (Not much of this week left, is there?)  Don't work too hard, as it is time to start thinking outside stuff, and God Bless.

DAY 2 and HISTORY 101...MARCH 15 2012.......

Saturday in Maine.  Had a leisurely breakfast, then decided to check out Augusta as none of us had been there before.  Ended up at their historical riverfront area and visited Old Fort Western.

Fort Western was built in 1754 on the Kennebec River in Augusta.  It is the oldest surviving wooden fort in Maine and all of New England.  Benedict Arnold used the fort site as a staging point for the assault on Quebec during the American Revolution.  A lot of history here.

From there we drove to Lewiston and stopped at Lewiston's Great Falls. The falls is part of the Androscoggin River.  (Hope you can pronounce it, I just mess it up in the translation). 

Located near the falls was also the Knight House, built in 1790 at Goffs Corners, Lewiston Falls Maine. 

Then it was time to head back to the motel to get ready for party time. 

The party was great.  Andy was totally surprised.  Fantastic food, lots of funny over the hill type cards and gifts, Michael's toast/roast was hilarious, we laughed until we cried.  It was definitely an evening to remember.

Tomorrow will complete the saga of the Maine trip.  In the meantime enjoy the daffodils and crocuses that are blooming and God Bless.