Kisses for Grammy

These photos were taken yesterday afternoon, but they are typical of what happens just about every day.  Mom and Jake have a special bond of love.

 Oh!  What does Grammy have on that plate up there?

 I think I'll jump up there and join her ~ get a closer look.

 Ooooh, Grammy, that cake looks really really good.  Are you going to share?

 You will.  I know you will.  I can wait.

 Here it comes.  She's going to give me a bite.  She always does.

 That was SO good.  Thank you Grammy.  I love you.

 I should give you kisses.  I like to give you kisses.

 Ready?

Kisses for you, Grammy.  Lots and lots of kisses!!

Palm Sunday Snow

 

It started early this morning and it snowed...and snowed...and snowed.  It is a beautiful white Spring wonderland. Yesterday, we spent the morning trimming trees, trimming bushes, and cleaning flower beds.  Perhaps we were a little too eager to see Spring flowers?

"A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul."

~ quote by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

~ Photo by Bruce Thomson via Gaia speaks, fb

Angels

Somewhere on this long and winding

road of life you will need to be rescued,

whether you realize it or not.

Every night, as you close your eyes

and prepare for another night's

peaceful bliss, be grateful;

just in case today was that day.

~Written by Carol Smith

~Photo from Soul Expansion Institute

Dachshunds

I was on someone's Blog and saw the cutest photo of a dachshund, so I clicked on it and it took me to Photobucket with pages and pages of photos of doxies.  I know little about Photobucket, but did not want to post any photos without some kind of credit.  All I could find is a username.  The above cute one is compliments of 12shami19 and the adorable little one below is compliments of brittstan95.

Here are a few facts about Dachshunds.
The dachshund is a short-legged, long bodied dog breed belonging to the hound family.  The standard size dachshund was bred to scent, chase, and flush out badgers and other burrow-dwelling animals, while the mini dachshund was developed to hunt smaller prey such as rabbits.  In the American West they have also been used to hunt prairie dogs.  Today, they are bred for conformation shows and as family pets.  According to the AKC, the dachshund continues to remain one of the top ten dog breeds in the United States.

All I know is that I am happy Jake came into my life.  I have a  love for dogs that I never experienced before.  Since learning what I have over the last year +, I now notice every dog anywhere I go, I have to go up to them and look at their face, pet them if allowed, and talk to them.  Each dog has such a unique personality and a sweet face.  I now understand why people love their dogs so deeply.  Jake is a member of my family and I love him more than I ever imagined I could.

I think I'll go hug him right now!  

St. Patrick's Day

It's St. Patrick's Day and I can't help but think about my brother.  Patrick is in my thoughts daily, but today is special ~ it's his "name day" and I always had some kind of contact with him on St. Patrick's Day.  We all sent him cards or called him. I can look at this positively by thinking he is WITH St. Patrick, while all we can do is READ about St. Patrick.  Nice thought, but I am still a little sad.  I still miss him SO much.

Happy St. Patrick's Day, Bro.  I love you.

I Won "Blue Trees"!

This morning, I received word from Kathryn of Listening to the Whispers, that I won her "Blue Trees" painting.  I am thrilled to have one of Kathryn's works of art.  I discovered a while back that Kathryn lived here in Virginia and moved to Ohio last summer.  Most of you know I lived in Ohio and moved here to Virginia.  I guess you might say I feel a kinship with her since she moved to my beloved Ohio.
You will enjoy visiting Kathryn's blog, Listening to the Whispers.  Click on the link to get there.  She makes interesting textural art, posts beautiful photographs, and sometimes writes fictional stories and/or stories about herself.
Thank you, Kathryn, for having this giveaway.  So happy I won!!

Beautiful Cardinal

This beautiful guy just stopped by minutes ago.  So happy to see the birds returning to the same area in the front yard where they eat and play year after year.  So far, I've seen Robins, Bluebirds, Chickadees, and now this Cardinal. Signs that Spring is near.  The feeders are out, but I must put the birdbaths out soon.

HABEMUS PAPAM

Habemus Papam 

(We have a New Pope)

POPE FRANCIS 

Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina, born in Buenos Aires in 1936, was elected our 266th Pope today.

VIVA IL PAPA

May the Lord bless our new Pope and give him the strength and will to lead the people to Christ through his example and teachings.

Signs of Spring

 Maple Trees in Front of Our House 

"It's Spring fever.  That is what the name of it is.  And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!"

~Mark Twain

Robin

Hope

Our country is not what it was, not what it should be.  Our founding fathers would be appalled and sad.  We are lacking strong leadership, no one seems able to agree on anything, and we, the people, are allowing God to be removed from society.  He is no longer in our schools, in the halls of our buildings, in our stadiums, on some grounds, and even in the hearts of some men and women.
It frightens me and I'm not sure what we need to do about it.  I do know this.  I believe in God and in the power of prayer.

There is HOPE.

PRAY FOR OUR AMERICA

In the Bible, the 2nd Book of Chronicles, Chapter 7, Verse 14, God promised:

If my people, upon whom my name has been pronounced, humble themselves and pray, and seek my presence and turn from their evil ways, I will hear them from Heaven and pardon their sins and revive their land.

Let's do this!  Let's pray and ask God to help us.  Help us vote in strong leadership that believes in our country, in its people, in God's help, in prayer, in turning our country back into the wondrous land it once was, in trusting and believing in our Constitution and our Declaration of Independence, in believing that government should help lead this nation, not own it, not being rulers, but guides.  Let's also ask God to help us instill His Spirit into the hearts of men. How different the world would be if we all believed.

I know that my friends will do this.  Take a few minutes every day (not just today ~ every day) to pray for God's help in this matter.  And if we ask this of our friends and they ask it of their friends, and on and on....  God will hear our plea.

Amen.

Magic

AND ABOVE ALL

WATCH WITH GLITTERING

EYES THE WHOLE WORLD

AROUND YOU

BECAUSE THE GREATEST 

SECRETS ARE ALWAYS

HIDDEN IN THE MOST

UNLIKELY PLACES.

THOSE WHO DON'T

BELIEVE IN MAGIC

WILL NEVER FIND IT.

~Roald Dahl

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Corrine !!

Sending joyful birthday wishes to my friend in Massachusetts.  You have inspired me for quite some time now with your open free spirit way of painting and your use of  brilliant color in your art.  

I've been to the New England States once, but would love to return someday.  If I do, it would be great fun to meet up somewhere, Corrine.
I hope you plan to celebrate all weekend!!
Be happy!!!
♥

A Snow Day and a Visit With the Vet

 Our morning surprise yesterday.  It is just about all gone today.  I love seeing the snow on the mountains.

First thing... off to the vet we go.

 Dr. Mitchell loves Jake and we love Dr. Mitchell.

 Jake was at the Vet's all day getting his comprehensive exam and injections.  I picked him up at 4:30 and when finally home, he didn't want to do anything but sleep.

We kept checking on him and he would give us that look that said, "will you please just leave me alone!" 

He is back to his normal energetic "let's play ball" mode this morning.

Jake weighs a whopping 6.1 pounds.  How could something so little steal my heart?  

Update on Mom

We both had a good night's rest and are feeling better this morning.  
The doctors all explained that when someone is in A-fib, the treatment is putting them on coumadin (blood thinner) to prevent a stroke.  However, Mom's age is against her.  Coumadin has to be regulated and can be very dangerous, so baby aspirin will be the treatment for her at this point.  Hopefully, two baby aspirin a day will keep her blood thin enough.  Right now, on top of this new ailment, she has a cold and is having a lot of pain from her spinal stenosis.  
I am happy to have her home and will be making an appointment with the cardiac specialist soon. 
Your thoughtful notes and prayers are appreciated.  Thank you SO much.  ♥

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Amber !!

You are looking mighty good, Amber!  All that hard work you've been doing at the gym has paid off.  You have changed your life around and I am proud of you and I know Patrick is VERY proud of you.  I feel certain he is watching out for you and helping you along the way.  It has been a difficult road, but those three dear beautiful daughters are sure filled with love and happiness to have their Mom with them.  Hold them tight, Amber ~ they are treasure.

I hope you have a beautiful day.  

Just home from the ER - took Mom to Urgent Care at 2 this afternoon - they sent us to ER.  Mom has A-fib, but she is back home now and tomorrow I will begin an even closer watch over her.  Please say a little prayer for her.  Thanks.  Going to eat a little something and hit the bed.  I am beat.

FOLK Magazine

Ben Ashby's FOLK

I recently subscribed to FOLK Magazine, received my first issue last week (WINTER 2013), and I love it.  FOLK Magazine presents real american living with content headings such as SHARE, CREATE, STORY, GATHER, and JOURNEY.

The stories are interesting and the photography is splendid.  I would have to label this magazine "fresh".  I'm hooked.  I look forward to receiving the SPRING issue which will soon be out.

If you've read about this magazine on facebook, don't hesitate to subscribe.  I know you will be pleased with the content.  You can "like" the FOLK Magazine page on facebook to receive notifications in your feed.   Perhaps this will give you a better idea of what the magazine is all about.

There are good recipes in each issue, too.  We all love a new good recipe!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Patty !!

Happy Birthday dear sister of mine

we always have fun when spending time...

I wish you a beautiful day and a wonderful year

and please know that my love will always be near.

Mom just told me that you are sick with a bad cold.  I am sorry to hear that you will spend your day inside coughing and not feeling well.  I know that you don't like celebrating your birthday, but nobody should be sick on their special day. When you are feeling better, you must celebrate your birth.  Think of all the places you have visited during your travels, the beautiful children you brought into this world, the wonders that God has given us here on earth, and your good health that allows you to find joy in many things.  There is reason to celebrate YOU!!

I know this will make you smile.  I am in my office.  Mom is in her chair in the living room with Jake on her lap.  She has been singing to him for quite a while now. She probably doesn't realize that I can hear her with my door closed.  How sweet is that?

I hope that you will feel better soon.  Happy Day, Patty!!!      ♥