WINDY, COOL FRIDAY

A ringing phone work me this morning, but it wasn't #1 son or d-in-love about bringing g-son, it was daughter, bringing grand-dog Tipper by to spend the day.
I went back to the warm bed and tried to snooze a little longer but Bernie and Dolly had other ideas so I got an early start to my Friday even without g-son going to school.
D-in-love's grandmother's funeral is today and they are all three are going to Lincolnton,NC to attend.

I spent the morning baking 6 caramel, 2 chocolate and 3 pound cakes.
After lunch I tried to walk outside but the sunny sky was misleading after I tried to walk facing the strong wind I decided to do  an inside walking video.
After a short break after the video I vacuumed and mopped all my floors.  I have discovered a downside to my cleaning mixture that I have been using on my laminate floors. The combination of vinegar,alcohol, water and dish detergent is really drying out the flooring.  So today I used Endust which contains lemon oil. It really brought out a nice shine but the floors were very slick. We had to be careful walking this evening.
As I did the evening chores and checked on the little chicks they are still doing very well with the light in there to help keep them warm.
I have plastic covering over the opening in the condo nesting boxes where the other two are setting and as I thought about removing it today I decided against it when I put my hand in there and felt how warm it was.
The high today was in the mid 50's but the wind kept it feeling like the low 40's all day.  Clouds moved in this evening in front of another winter storm that is bringing hopefully just rain to us Sunday and Monday.

With less than a week to go before "spring" officially arrives it still looks a lot like winter around here and most days feels like it also.
I iced my cakes tonight and got things ready for market tomorrow.
I am tired tonight and ready for a good night's sleep. My sinus are still bothering me when I lay down and I wake up with a sore throat each morning from breathing with my mouth open all night.
I am thankful for the blessings of today and saying a prayer for d-in-love and her family as they grieve the loss of Mary Lou.
Good Night and God Bless.

WINDY NIGHT AND A 1964 WEDDING

Instead of #1 son's usual phone call saying he is on his way up the drive with g-son I heard my text ping this morning at 7am. It was d-in-love saying the roads were bad in Asheville and she was going in late so she would take g-son to school.
I got up to see what it looked like here and saw nothing on the ground.
I snoozed a little longer, then the curiosity of what damage the high winds did around the farm got me out of bed and on the move.
I found nothing major thank goodness. Only the rearranged outside furniture and bunches of limbs and sticks all over the yard. I'm glad I moved my van because there were two large limbs about windshield location.
All the baby chicks made it through the night thanks to the light bulb and mama's warm body.
The thermometer in there said 57 this morning while it was 27 outside.
After chores and breakfast I re-filled all the bird feeders then caught up some paperwork before lunch.
On the news at noon they said over 70,000 folks were without power in NC and SC this morning.
If you worked for a power company today, bless your heart for being out in this wind and cold.
This is why d-in-love waited until daylight to head to work as this is what the roads looked like around Asheville at sunrise.

 I went to Aldi and Walmart after lunch to get a few groceries and baking supplies for Saturday. I have several orders so maybe it will be a good day.
After I picked up g-son we came home and I surprised him with a chicken nugget happy meal.
I worked on my 9th volume blog book while he ate and worked on his lego projects until his dad picked him up.
I did the evening chores, wondering why this 38 degree day feels so much colder than it did a month ago ???
I spent the evening working on getting my photo prints in an album and watching some ACC tournament games.
This is another decade memory from March 1964 as my first cousin Don got married on the 27th.

As I sit here tonight typing this, listening to the wind outside still blowing although much less than last night, looking at the thermometer already in the 20's I bet a lot of the creatures braving these cold temps are asking this question.

Thankful for the love of a mighty Heavenly Father tonight as I strive each day to glorify His name.
Good Night and God Bless.

FIRST CHICKS OF THE SEASON

As I was just ready to drop g-son off in the car rider line he started complaining of a bad stomach ache. I told him he might walk it off as he went into his class and if he didn't to have the teacher call me and I would come right back and pick him up. This seemed to calm him and his stomach down and as he started the walk to class I saw him stop and wait on one of his classmates to talk on the way in, which was a good sign.
I had Bernie and Dolly in the van also and took them straight into town to their grooming appointments.  I always feel so guilty for leaving them when I look into their big scared sad eyes and Dolly actually paws after me when the groomer takes her out of my arms.
Back home I did chores and had breakfast before doing some housework.
I also wanted to get the weekly paperwork done before I went back to pick the dogs up because the bank and PO are just up the street from the groomers.
After a quick lunch I had just finished juggling to get all this weeks bills payed when the groomer called and said they were finished.
I did the banking before I picked them up then I dropped the bills into the drive thru drop box at the PO on the way out of town.
They look really pretty after their pampering sessions.

The sun was shining and the temperature was in the low 60's but as I started out on a walk the wind was not very comfortable at all out there. The clouds were quickly taking over the deep blue sky.

I did notice on my shortened windswept walk that the crown vetch blooms are finally covering our driveway bank. And as you can see in the clouds photo there is beginning to be some green patches in the lawn grass.

I had to make a stop at Dollar General on the way to pick up g-son for some cleaning supplies. It cost me a lot less if I go before I pick him up !!!!???
He was in a great mood this afternoon and I discovered the reason for the sudden stomach ache this morning as he told me he had to be in a talent show today and sing a song. (that would make my stomach hurt too)
He was back to his old playful self this evening.
At chore time I turned the light on in the brooder box to help mama hen keep her 10 little chicks warm tonight when the temperature drops to around 20 degrees.

I had to bury one little one that didn't make it through the night last night but these 10 look pretty frisky.
I sat the other 2 setters in the condo boxes on all large eggs that hopefully were fertilized before I sold the rooster Monday.

The wind is scary out there tonight as the gust are up to 50 MPH which has already blew over several trees around the area.
Hubbie and I watched Survivor on TV tonight as we listened to gusty wind blow things around outside and heard limbs blow across our metal roofing.
Praying that there is no one hurt in this wind storm tonight.
Good Night and God Bless.

MARCH FUNERALS BEGIN

I can't get used to the darkness again when g-son gets here in the early morning at 7:00.
After a routine morning of school drop-off, chores, walking and devotions I did laundry and house cleaning until lunchtime.
Hubbie took 1/2 day off today to go get g-son from school while I went with daughter to her friend's grandmother's funeral. I wanted to go in support of his mother who has been a long time friend of mine.
Hubbie worked in his shop while he waited for 3:00.
I met daughter at 2:15 and went to the funeral. It was held in a small church called Gethsemane Baptist Church. It was a nice service and daughter's friend spoke about his grandmother and did a very good job. After the service I left while daughter went with the family to a meal prepared for the family.

Rebekah and Evy were here when I got home wanting to see the baby chicks that are hatching. Evy didn't know what to think about the babies but g-son loved them and loves to hold the little soft cuties.
The hen has about 7 chicks now and some are still hatching.  I fixed up a light in the box so I can help her keep her brood warm tomorrow night and the next night as the temps plummet into the low 20's.  Tonight I didn't turn it on because it is supposed to stay in the 50's and rain.
After chores were finished and we had supper hubbie worked on some gourds for Purple Martin houses.
I worked on getting my photo prints into an album tonight.
D-in-love text me at about 10:00 and said her grandmother died about an hour ago.  She has been expected to pass any time for the last week.
I can't figure out what it is about March and death ?   Back when I was a young girl I always dreaded to see the month of March come around because some one I loved always died in that month. I had numerous aunts and uncles pass in March along with my mother, hubbie's mother and grandmother.
As I looked back through decade pics I found two uncles and one cousin who died in the ---4's in March.
My dad's brother Jay Pryor died on March 17,1964. I remember this uncle very well as I spent a lot of time at his house while he and my dad worked together to farm.
This is a picture of Uncle Jay and Aunt Bertha made as they served to witness my dad and mom's marriage in January 1952.

 He was my dad's older brother and they were both tall and lanky with icy blue eyes.

Another of my uncles and my dad's brother's also died on March 30,1924. He was also an older brother of dad's but just a couple years older and dad talked about traveling around with Homer alot.
This is Homer sitting on his car and with a couple girl friends in Sapulta,Ok. according to a note on the back of the pic.

He was probably the handsomest brother and was definitely a ladies man.

This is his grave with the stones laid by his brother in law.  The notation on the head stone said "A Genius,  all who knew him loved him"  I would have loved to have met him but he met an early demise.

A cousin also died in March 22, 1944 when he was killed in the war.

This is a pictured of Jack when he graduated Westpoint.

This year seems to be no different with all the deaths close to my family. So far not even 2 weeks in this is 2 deaths, albeit these were 2 elderly ladies who were battling loosing battles with cancer but still this disease picked March to rear it's ugly head.   Thankfully these ladies are now walking pain free in their eternal homes.
Today in the service I attended the pastor talked about how God is preparing each of us a wonder home with him if we will only dedicate our lives to Him.  I felt a wave of comfort as he talked about the home coming we each will face, knowing that I will finally get to look into the wondrous eyes of my Loving Lord.
Good Night and God Bless.

SPRING LIKE DAY

G-son was here at what seemed to be an extra early hour this morning. The first Monday morning of day light saving time is a day I do not look forward to !!!
Hubbie took him to school and I dragged myself from under the warm covers and did chores.
When hubbie got back we had breakfast and then he went outside to finish cleaning up a downed tree in the bottom pasture.
I did some paperwork this morning that I have been putting off and then went outside to clean a couple brooder boxes out to get ready for another two setting Silkie hens.
I sold my Orpington rooster to a man who is picking him up along with a couple of my older hens this afternoon so I am going to let these two little hens set on all the large eggs I gather in the next couple days because it may be a while before I find another rooster for my ladies.
After lunch I took a nice long walk in the 68 degree sunshine, then did some yard work. It feels so good to be outside in a T-shirt !!
And I finally spotted some color in the lawn.

 Unfortunately our seesaw weather is still in place as Thursday may even bring some snow with it's 41 degree high temperature.

After the man picked up his rooster and hens, hubbie went after g-son.
When he was fed and settled in I took a hot cup of tea out to the outside patio and watched the bridge workers for a while. Rebekah and little Evy came out to visit. They are both still under the weather a bit but the warm sunshine did them good to get out in.
#1 son came after g-son and #2 son came by to drop off checks for the payments on his taxes.
As I gathered eggs this evening I heard some small peeps from the brooder box where the hen I sat 3 weeks ago was. I checked  and she had one little Partridge chick and another couple eggs had good sized holes in them ready to hatch. At least their first day will be a warm one.  Guess I'll be rigging up a light to help her keep them warm by Wednesday night.
After supper hubbie and I had a cup of coffee out on the front porch in our rocking chairs.
As I sat out there in the peaceful quietness of the evening I thought how lucky I am to be able to take in all of God's handiwork as I watched the day come to an end.
Grateful for the wonderful world God created for our viewing pleasure. What an awesome God we serve !!
Good Night and God Bless.

FUN SUNDAY

Church was good today although the associate Pastor who was giving the message while our regular pastor is on a mission trip was struggling with loosing his voice.
At lunch we had #1 son's family and daughter with a special guest today of d-in-love's brother and his precious little girl, Stella. #2 son was playing golf and Rebekah was feeling under the weather today so they rested all day.
Little Stella who is 15 months old  warmed up to g-son quickly and joined in with his playtime.

 Aunt T helped g-son with his lego construction projects.

And so did Stella !!!

Tim is a very attentive dad and there is just something about this back door and all the bird activity out there that little girls love.

After everyone went their separate ways hubbie and I took a relaxing vitamin D break out in the warm 63 degree sunshiny day. The warm sunshine felt so good on my face I took a short nap out there. I was wishing I had my lounge chairs out of winter storage already.
When daughter left we made plans to meet at the school later this afternoon to do some bike riding.
G-son wasn't about to miss an opportunity like that so he went along.

He had to push his bike up some of the hills but he said it was worth it to get to ride really fast down them !!
After we tired of bike riding we played basketball and "monkey in the middle" for another hour before he wore himself and hubbie and I completely out.

Then of course he was ravenously hungry so we headed to Mcdonalds for those favorite chicken nuggets.
We dropped him off at home at 7:00 after a couple hours of enjoyment and exercise.
I have a feeling I will have some majorly sore legs in the morning but I need to get started with some exercise as the weather  warms up.
Hubbie , g-son and I ride off into the sunset to end a beautiful Sunday.

As the first day of daylight savings time comes to an end I'll leave you with this thought !

God is good.
Good Night and God Bless.

DAY LIGHT SAVINGS TIME

Wow !! What a difference a day makes !!!  The sun is shining and the temperature is already well into the 40's at chore time this morning. I didn't even need a jacket on the way to market.
Market was slow but I am thankful for what I did sell.  I watched my neighbor's table while he went to a meeting at his church so I stayed busy with both our tables.
Rebekah came in to check out her spot at market and see what kind of shelves and display racks she needed.
I made a stop at Ingles after market to look for some fresh green beans but they didn't have any today.
I also picked up my prints at Walgreens.
When I got home hubbie helped unload the van then I walked up to watch g-son wash his dad's boat.

They were cleaning it up to sell it since they have only found time to go to the lake once since they have had the boat.
While they worked on their boat hubbie and I did some pruning and cleaned up around the green house.  It was too nice to stay inside on this 66 degree afternoon.
After chore time and supper I vacuumed the floors and mopped.
Talked to daughter who has been in Columbia, S.C. since last night coaching a club volleyball tournament. Her team came in second so was pleased.
Her friend's grandmother died early this morning so she hurried back tonight to be with him.
Hubbie and I watched the UNC/Duke b-ball game tonight which Duke won.
Both these coaches have been having dizzy spells on the court and watching them tonight it is no wonder as they both had veins popping as they got on the players and referees.
UHHH !!!! I'm sitting here looking at the clock that says 11:30 and I just realized I need to set it forward to 12:30, yuck !!!

Looking forward to worshiping my faithful Lord and Savior tomorrow in church.
Good Night and God Bless.