A Piece of History

When Ken and I bought our first home, we knew it was over 100 years old. When we built our current home on the same property, we sold the original to my niece and her husband. Tonight, they started to remodel one of the rooms, and tearing down the wall they found old newspapers and a Young Ladies Journal used as insulation. The date on the journal is July 1, 1883.

Robyn, her son Jason, and I were able to piece some of the remnants back together.  The clothing

from this period is so pretty, with this one I wish we could have found the rest of

her face, the bonnet is beautiful.

We love the bustled dresses and aprons.  Though I could never have stood the hot confining clothing,

I find the styles so feminine and attractive.

How I would love to have this fichu, it's gorgeous!

And look at this handsome gentleman, a picture from an old newspaper.

All the old thrashers and machinery from the late 1800's, Ken and Jason enjoyed looking at.

Then there was this ad, that we all found so interesting. It's advertising Edison Lights.

Looking closely, you can even see the patent date for his light. Click on the pictures to see
more closely. What an interesting, educational evening. Even the triplets, now 10, found it very intriguing!.

Too Cute!

 I can't help it.  When the opportunity arises to take a too cute picture, I grab it.

And Chip just gives me too many of those opportunities.  

So I'm asking you, my blog friends, 

to please post a photo of your dear pet children.

I'd love to see the objects or you affections! 
Here is a picture my sister just sent me of her
black cat Chessie, sitting in the middle of her fall
wreath she was getting ready to hang.
How's that for a perfect season picture!

Good-bye Andy Williams

We have lost another Andy.  Growing up, and even now, Andy Williams music and awesome tenor voice was  classic. "Moon River" was one of my favorites. His Christmas album was a staple, and for me, still is. I remember fondly his television specials, his show, and oh that voice. His music will be even more special for me during the coming holidays. Andy, thanks for so many fond memories.

Celebrations

Yesterday was a fun day for the family. We celebrated my niece Kayla's ninth birthday. It's hard

to find kids who actually enjoy reading the cards before opening their gift,

but Kayla considers this just as fun as the present!

She's such a beautiful young lady, as was her princess Barbie.

It was also a riot spending time with nieces and nephews.  Our little Isabella is almost 6 months already.  She got such a kick out of  seeing another baby in the mirror!

My nephew Preston, was a total cake and icing connoisseur!

Right down to licking the plate, he enjoyed every bite!

We had so much fun, everyone together to celebrate, laugh, and catch up on life. 

 How did your weeek-end go?

Grooming, Flowers, and Horses

While Chip and Bobby were at the groomer today, getting so beautiful, I went around the yard to look at the last of the summer colors.

The mum's are in full fall bloom, vibrant red and yellow.

Red fuchsias are dancing,

and miniature hollyhocks are loading their stems.

Blanket flowers are still in full bloom bring their yellow sunshine to the gardens.

I'm not sure what these are, but I love their happy little blooms!

The neighbors horses are enjoying the end of summer, grazing on the grasses

that will soon disappear. This little shetland is closing in on 40!

So pretty!
I hope you're enjoying the last days of summer,
and if you're like me, looking forward to fall!

Shall We Dance?

I love how fuchsia flowers look like little ballerina's!

God's Purpose

Yesterday, I discovered so much about our purpose here on earth.
It was a very emotional, with a huge spiritual awakening for me.
My mother is currently in a nursing home
to gain her strength back after'
being ill. She will be coming home next week,
but in the mean time it has been very difficult for her.
She is tired, misses being with her family, and very
depressed and emotional.
I went to visit her , and found her in tears.
Besides her extreme yearning to come home,
she was experiencing terrible pain from
a bad flare up with gout in her wrist. It was very
difficult to comfort her, but hugs and a lot of love
helped ease some of her pain.
In the bed next to Mom, is a wonderful woman
named Arlene. My heart goes out to this poor lady.
She is in pain all the time, and has limited movement
in her hands. Yet, her faith and spirituality are what
keep her going. She and Mom support each other,
pray together, and share their love of God.
When lunch came, Mom wasn't hungry, and ate
very little. When I asked Arlene how she was doing,
she said she was having her tray taken back.
I asked if she too wasn't hungry, she answered,
"I'm very hungry, but my hands won't work."
I went to her bedside and slowly fed her, and
helped her drink her juice. It was a very humbling
experience. In between bites, she stopped and said
"When I was hungry you fed me, when I was thirsty
you gave me drink." Tears came from her eyes. "Bless You".
I gave her a kiss on the forehead, "God Bless You Too, Arlene."
After knowing they were settled for a nap, I left for home.
On my way out, there was a young woman sitting on a bench outside
the doors, in total distress. I stopped to ask her if she was alright,
and through her sobbing, told me her boyfriend, only 44,
had just died, with her at his side. My heart just broke
in half for her. The pain was more than she could bear.
I sat down next to her and just held her. I talked with
this broken, devastated soul praying for the words to say.
I mean, what comfort can we be to a total stranger at
such a tragic moment in their lives? Yet, the words came,
and we shared our love and faith in Christ even in death.
I stayed til I knew she would be ok til her son arrived to
help her clean out his room.
I cried on the way home, so touched with the days events,
and so sad for Mom, a friend, and a total stranger.
Then, I opened this e-mail from Guideposts when I got home:

A Time to Think

Make no mistake about it, responsibilities toward other human beings are the greatest blessings God can send us.—Dorothy Dix

A Time to Act

Cherish your purpose in life.

A Time to Pray

Lord, keep me alert for opportunities to ease another's suffering.

I couldn't believe what I was reading. Even without seeing this before I left to see Mom,
God knew I would need this reminder that we are put on this earth
for one reason. And we all have this same purpose:
To Love our neighbors, and to be a testament to His love.
We are His tools, and through us, he will preform miracles,
provide love, be a comfort and give peace to the weary.
Thank-you God, and Bless all who are suffering, through those
who love you.

More than a Dog

Bobby.
What can I say about Bobby.
Well, I have a lot to say!
As you probably know, I rescued Bobby, or should I say he rescued us,
when I found him at the post office, where he was sleeping in the car port for several days.
The pound was coming to pick him up, and when I went to get our mail he jumped in my car. That day changed his and our lives forever.
We love this dog. He's a purebred border collie, and a border in every way.
Bobby has decided we are his job. And he does his job exceptionally well.
This is how he "runs" our household.
5:30 a.m.
I'm awoken by a nose in my face and a little grumpf.
"get up Mom,The cat wants out".
I get up, let Toby out, go back to bed.
8:00 a.m.
Same thing.
This time, I have to go to the bathroom. Don't ask me how he knows this, he just does.
I get out of bed and am led to the bathroom, where he waits outside the door.
Then it's back to bed. No, I don't stay up, I need time to drift back to sleep for a little bit.
8:30
I should just stay awake.
The chickens are at the side door, and waiting for me to feed them.
Bobby is very verbal, making sure I get up and take care of the girls. He then leads me to the food bin, I get the feed, and head out the door. He and Chip go with me.
At this time, Bobby herds the chickens to the gate, and waits inside the fence for me to finish taking care of the girls.
Chip goes to do his duty out back, and visits with his brother next door.
We come back in, and Bobby leads me to the cats dish, I need to feed the cats. Then he stops at the pantry and waits for me to get his and Chips food.
There. Everyone is taken care of. Thank-you Bobby I don't think I could do it without you.
I go sit down to watch Steve Harvey's new show. (If you haven't watched it, make sure to catch it. It's a riot.)
About 20 minutes later, I receive his paw on my arm, and he runs to the door.
Chip is sitting on the porch, ready to come in.
Now. Everyone is settled, has had their food, has been out, and now, he lays down to relax and take a well deserved nap.
During the day, he'll let me know everything that's going on, including and not limited to:
The phone is ringing, go answer it.
The chickens want a treat. He lets me know they're at the side door waiting.
The cat needs in or out.
The water dish needs filled.
It's time to gather eggs.
It's time for Ken to go to the post office. One of his favorite times of the day,
he loves to go for car rides.
Meal times.
Something is going on at Robyn's.
So what would I do without Bobby?
I don't know, and am not looking forward to that day.
He keeps us on our toes, gives us tons of love, and we reciprocate with no problem.
We love our big hairy guardian!

Morning Glories

I'm loving today! The sun is bright, the sky is so blue, the temperatures are mild, and the morning glories are really starting to bloom.

Against the sunny skies, they look so beautiful,

even against the roof, they just pop!

They're also bringing beauty to the white picket fence. I only wish they lasted for more than a few hours. The nice thing though, is every morning brings a whole different picture.
I hope all of you are enjoying beautiful weather, and are having a wonderful Monday.

Aaaarrrggghhh!

Is anyone else disgusted with the new word verification for publishing comments!? So many times I've had to go through 3 or 4 just to get the letters right. They're so run together that it's hard to tell when one letter ends and the next begins! I disabled mine and just went to approving the comments first. It's really frustrating!

Naptime

I know I've posted many pictures of Toby, but this morning he looked so content I couldn't resist one more time.

He sprawls out on top of his chair, like a bear skin rug.

Ahhhh, perfect peace.

Blue Moon

While at my brother's we were fortunate enough to have clear skies for viewing the Blue Moon. It came up over his pond, and was so beautiful. Of course I had to grab my camera for the perfect photo op!

Family Rest

Over the Labor Day week-end, my sisters and I took a trip together to see my brother Jay and sister-in-law Cheryl. I was up for 6 days, came home for one, then headed back for a family vacation and well deserved rest, we had so much fun.

Sitting together on their back deck, we listened as Jay told stories from his recent trip to a reservation in Manes-tee.

He and Cheryl have been working hard getting the sauna and cabin ready for winter.

Always class, Cheryl stains in her long skirt and jewelry! Actually, we had walked back to the cabin and she couldn't resist trying out the new deck stain. Eventually, she and Jay will finish staining the entire exterior of the cabin.

I love their dogs. Sierra is a yellow lab who loves to play fetch and swim. So combining the two seemed the natural thing to do!

She could do this all day if you let her, and if you had the stamina to keep throwing the stick! Ralph is a sheep dog mix, and is the sweetest thing. He's diabetic and almost blind, but you'd never know it. He's an awesome watch dog, and a big moosh. I love him!

Nature abounds in and around the pond. I caught this glimpse of one of the bull frogs that live here,

and also this garden snake sunning by the tree.

They own many chickens, this is Mardi-Grau, a young Polish hen.

There are so many different mushrooms on the forest floor, and these shelf mushrooms on the side of the trees. I don't know the technical name for them.

I thought the yellow ones that are in numbers were so pretty.

Jay found that something was eating his tomatoes, and set a live trap thinking it was probably a raccoon. In the morning, he found this little possum, and released it by the river and woods down the road. He was so cute!
I can't wait til I can go back, I just love it up there.