On becoming a tour guide

When you live in a small town , it's hard to remember that there are things that make it unique... interesting.

Last week, I was asked, If we came for the weekend, what kid-friendly, "vacationy" things are there to do?

Well, I was stymied. The only shopping is Wal-Mart - and that can be done anywhere. There are the lakes, but if you don't own lakefront property, it's not so much fun. I just didn't have an answer! Hmmmm...

However, after hanging up the phone, ideas started to pile on.

• we have a good old-fashioned drive-in theatre! (A great place to see Night at the Museum)
• we know Abe Lincoln and he was going to speak at the Memorial Day parade
• Grampa builds a killer bonfire!

Those sounded like good possibilities for a fun weekend, so we had company!

The only pictures I got were of the bonfire... and it was a doozie!







In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. John 1:4

Being green - my way

I'm so excited. I am about to open an Etsy store. I discovered a unique product that I hold exclusive rights to - and it is perfect for this "green" obsessed world in which we live.

Want to know what it is?

I'm calling it the world's first environmentally friendly Organic Boat Anchor!

I stumbled on to this product when I made a loaf of rice bread for my granddaughter. Using the best organic rice flour, garbanzo and fava flour, xanthan gum and sunflower oil, I spared nothing to make this the best rice bread ever. What did I get?

A boat anchor!


This is my sales pitch (You have to imagine Billy Mays reading this. That's why there are so many exclamation points.)

Heading out for a day of fishing? Do yourself and the environment a favor! Buy an Organic Boat Anchor! Once you arrive at your secret fishing hole, throw in the compact Organic Boat Anchor and, rest assured, there will be no drifting for hours!

This Organic Boat Anchor has a built in timer. When it's time to go home, you'll know! The Organic Boat Anchor disintegrates, feeding the fish while it keeps the water safe from any petroleum based paints and unsightly pollutants!

Even if you can't catch fish, you'll be supplying them with the very finest in organic foods!

Order now! At this low introductory price of $2.75 (shipping $75 - Hey! it's heavy!) the Organic Boat Anchor won't last long! Supplies are limited.

Insider info: "supplies are limited" is right! There is one, 'cause I'm never baking this recipe again!

And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. Mark 1:17

Creating masterpieces

We had company on Saturday - two daughters, 5 granddaughters, and one grandson. While the females in the house went to a Mothers and Daughters Luncheon at church, Grampa and his biggest fan went out for lunch at Bob Evans - because "the food is yummy."

Once home again, most of the girls naturally migrated to the "craft room" and I showed them my latest experiment - painted fabric.


Of course, they were anxious to give it a try. Few instructions were needed... just open paint and hand out brushes. I was amazed at their ease... dip, brush, scrub, swirl. In minutes, plain cream duck became masterpieces! These three were left behind to dry.


I don't know what they're going do with their creations. I wish they had blogs so they could show pictures!

His work is honorable and glorious: and His righteousness endureth forever. He hath made His wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion. Psalm 111:3,4

Goldilocks and the three bags

I think I know things... then, thanks to Google, I discover the things I thought I knew aren't what I thought they were at all!

Take Goldilocks, for instance. Google her and you will learn that she began life as an ugly, dirty, foul-mouthed old woman. Over the years, age discrimination set in (too many stories with old women) so the story's villan became Silver Hair, Little Golden Hair, and finally, Goldilocks, the girl who did everything in threes.

You could reasonably wonder, why would anyone Google Goldilocks? Well... because of her famous lines:

• This is too (hot/big/hard)
• This is too (cold/small/soft)
• This is just right!

I feel like I am the Goldilocks of netbook bags. I have made three now...

This one was too-o-o-o big.


This one was too-o-o-o little.


Finally! This one is just right!


You see why Goldilocks came to mind? At this point - no matter how that story started, this story has me living happily ever after.

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever. Hebrews 13:8

Art - in the mail, in the garage

I've heard about an underlying rule of decorating - when seated in a room your eyes should always have an interesting place to rest. Both Pottery Barn and my mother have mastered that rule.

I'm working on it...

A week ago, I found a big yellow envelope in my mailbox. (Remember the scene in "You've Got Mail" when Meg Ryan does a walk/run to the park to meet her mystery man? That was me hurrying to the house to open my package.)


Hoping to give me some happy garden thoughts, my mother mailed this charming group of button flowers to me. Propped against my foot planter in the family room, it provides an entertaining landing place for the eyes.

Last Friday, while wandering in and out of garage sales with my daughter, I found this picture.


It was the only item of interest in the entire garage... dingy, numbered and signed by Luigi Kasimir.

Is it real? Is it valuable? Is it an intriguing place to rest my eyes?

I think so. It could be. It's growing on me.

For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone. Psalm 86:10

Family, food, flowers

A good meal always makes everything seem better. So, when I heard that my daughter would be undergoing a minor surgery, I started cooking. When the day arrived for me to assume "helper" duties, food was ready to go.

In the midst of all this, I learned that my grandkids have become fans of the Food Network. They know all about plating, flavor and points! My task became more than feeding body and spirit... I would be facing judges! So, (not wanting to be judged alone) we split into teams, cooked, ate until we were ready to burst and took our scores like the pros.


One grandson always gave me points in the millions. (sigh.... smile ) What a fun time together.

There was one other act of kindness that cannot be overlooked. The day that Heather came home, a little boy from her church arrived at the door with flowers in hand. His face and flowers showed the prayer of his heart. Surely God will grant the healing he requests.


...If two of you shall agree in earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Matthew 18: 19,20

Princess gardening

I should be a princess gardener. You know, like the girls in Jane Austen novels, who put on long dresses and go into the garden to cut armloads of long stemmed flowers. (They always worry about being poor, but all they ever do is pick flowers and entertain guests in the parlor. Hmmm.)

Here in my real world, however, gardening is very different.

I rake and get poison ivy... that won't quit!

I plant flowers that occasionally live.

I walk outside for a leisurely stroll through the freshly planted vegetable beds, and some bug comes and bites me on the head. Not just a little mosquito-type bite, but a big oozing chunk out of my scalp!!

It's not pretty, the combination of me and the outdoors. But praise God, my peas are survivors. They are beginning to poke their little leaves through the soil.


I planted beets beside the peas.... at least I thought they were beets. When I finished planting the row, and folded up the (pictureless) seed packet, I discovered that I had just planted a row of spinach! Fortunately, spinach by any other name is still spinach. I have a curvy row of future greens coming up as well.


It may be a bumpy road, or row, but I'm not a quitter. I'll keep gardening - my style - and God will bless in spite of me. He is good, isn't He?

...the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and... watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater. Isaiah 55:10

Plans A & B

The past week was entirely different from what I had planned. The plan was that I would be playing nursemaid for my daughter, who would be recovering from minor surgery. She didn't need to have me there - I needed to be there. However, the surgery was postponed. My week, all carefully planned, loomed empty before me.

Enter, beloved husband... offering a trip to Missouri.


It's a long ride to Missouri, but located between here and there, is a tiny little town - pop. 722 - that holds treasures just for the finding. And boy, did I ever!

Both parts of this wonderful library card file were stacked in a back room, just waiting for me. It was love at first sight.


I pulled open one of the drawers to make sure everything moved smoothly... it was packed full of vintage and not-so-vintage file cards! In fact, every drawer was full.


But it was the price tag that sealed the deal. A little bit of haggling and this piece of history came home with me.

Ahhh... the thrill of the hunt, the joy of the catch. It has been a fun week.

...Ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. James 4:14,15