A BLUE/GOLD MACAW......

Story at bottom of second post.

A Blue/Gold Macaw......Cont'

Ryan with Maui

Lisa's friend Elsie, gave her this Macaw! It's name is Maui. Do you know how expensive these things are? Lisa has always wanted one. That's all she would talk about every time she made a trip to Central America. You know they are plentiful there and fly around in the wild and in the not so wild. And the cage that came with it is over five foot tall and georgous.. She can say two words...hello and bye. Gary said he was going to teach her to say, "She's A Goner. Bye." Everytime someone passes on she can sit on her perch and say, "She's a goner, Bye." Gary thought that was funny...I didn't!

MY LAST CANCER TREATMENT TODAY!!!!!!!

Today I celebrated! My last Herceptin treatment was given to me today! This was number 18. My sister-in-law Loretta came for me and stayed with me for every treatment except two. One time she was sick and the other time there was an ice storm. I love her for being there with me. Well, I loved her before that but this made her that much more special! Thanks again, Loretta. All of my tests are coming back good. My heart is still doing what it is supposed to do, and I am cancer free! Thanks to everyone who has said a prayer for me. Without Him, I could do nothing!

There are two ways you spend your life. You are either "dying to live" or "living to die." The ones "dying to live" are the ones that look for the good in every day and live each day as fully and completely as possible. These people make each day count and seem to have a sense of self control over their lives. The ones "living to die" are the opposite. They always look at the glass half empty and see the bad things that have been bestowed upon them. They complain from the time they are awake until they go back to sleep. Nothing ever satisfies them and they want other people to be as miserable as they are. I praise the Lord today that I am "dying to live." As long as I have a breath in my body, I want to be a blessing to someone. That is my prayer!

I joined "Silver Sneakers."

Silver Sneakers is a fitness program offered through the YMCA. It is the nation's leading fitness program (so they say) designed for "older" adults. I go three times a week for 1 hour each session. Safe, fun and effective movements with hand held weights, elastic tubing with handles, and a Silver Sneakers ball. I keep wanting to say Silver "Streakers," but that definitely isn't the right word... :) ! Bill is able to "cope" while I am gone. I make sure he is comfortable and has everything he needs at finger tip until I return. I feel better already!

WELCOME TO MY PORCH.....

Except it is my daughter Lisa's porch.....but you are welcome there too! I thought this was a pretty picture. The flower is a hybird impatient. Things are greening up nicely here in TN. The yard is growing faster than I would like and you have to catch a time when it isn't raining to mow the grass. I'm not complaining. After this is over I have a feeling it's going to be a dry summer.

MOTHERS......a STORY!

Just a Mother???? excuse me! A few months ago, when I was picking up the children at school, another mother I knew well rushed up to me. Emily was fuming with indignation. "Do you know what you and I are?" she demanded. Before I could answer and I really didn't have an answer ready...she blurted out the reason for her question. It seemed she had just returned from renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk's office. Asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation. Emily had hesitated....uncertain how to classify herself. "What I mean is," explained the recorder, "do you have a job or are you just a housewife?" "Of course I have a job," snapped Emily, "I'm a Mother. "We don't list 'Mother" as an occupation......housewife covers it." said the recorder emphatically. I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall. The clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high-sounding title like "Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar. "What is your occupation?" she probed. What made me say it, I don't know. The words simply popped out, "I am a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations." The clerk paused, ball point pen frozen in mid air, and looked up as though she had not heard right. I repeated the title slowly, emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written in bold, black ink on the official questionaire. "Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest, "just what you do in your field?" Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply: "I have a continuing program of research (what Mother doesn't) in the laboratory and in the field (normally I would have said indoors and out). I'm working for my Masters (the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters)!" "Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities (any mother care to disagree)? And I often work 14 hours a day (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money. There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door. As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous career, I was greeted by my lab assistants-----ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model (6 months) in the child-development program, testing out a new vocal pattern. I felt triumphant! I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and dispensable to mankind than 'just another mother.' MOTHERHOOD...what a glorious career. Especially when there is a title on the door. Send this to another Mother you know. Whether a stay at home Mom or a career Mom, we should all carry this title. Does that make grandmothers, "Senior Research Associates in the field of Child Development, and Human Relations" and Great Grandmothers, "Executive Senior Research Associates?" I THINK SO! HAPPY MOTHER"S DAY!

Another Birthday Gift.....

Bill bought me this hanging basket of wave petunias. I adore them. Does anyone know why you cannot buy wave petunia seed? I have looked everywhere. Maybe I need to go to a seed catalog. Any ideas?

My Birthday Fish!!!!!

We went to the Aquarium in Knoxville yesterday to buy fish. I was planning on buying them myself but Lisa bought three for my birthday . They are Koi. These are not the ones she bought.... I couldn't get a good picture after they were in my pond. This is what they look like, but not this big. Those little buggers were ten dollars a piece. The ones you see here are imported and are NOT for sale. The lady said they would be ten thousand dollars if sold. MAN!!!!!! No wonder they are not for sale. Who would give that much for a fish. Two pound of food cost fifteen dollars. I hope they don't have a very big appetite. I had a coi once before and it lived for years in my pond, but finally died. He was solid white and I got another white one yesterday. It won't be long until I have them eating out of my hand....well maybe not that, but you get the picture

As I left Lisa's yesterday, she had to show me her baby.

And my birthday cake......the big 72 tomorrow!

A CLEAN FISH POND.......

Here's what I have been working on today. Now all I need .....FISH!!!!! The pond had a little water in the bottom from last summer. I removed that and scrubbed with a brush and rinsed and scrubbed again. Finally I filled it with water and put new mulch around the edges. I'm going to Lisa's tomorrow and she is going to take me to a place that sells all kind of fish for a pond. Now the next thing I will do is put my hammock up and I will be good for a place to read and listen to the rippling of the water. Right now what I need is the bed!

OOPS!!!!! Want to hear something funny????

I headed out the door to go to my Cancer Support Group Meeting. When I arrived at the church, the parking lot was empty. I immediately called Peggy and asked her, "Where is everyone?" She laughed and told me the meeting was last Tuesday night. I knew they were on the third Tuesday night, but for some reason, I thought THIS was the third Tuesday. I told Peggy not to tell anyone that I don't know what day it is....and here I am putting it on the internet! Oh well, I guess I stayed out in the sun too long today. I'll be O.K.!!!!!

Bird Nest....BEFORE and AFTER!

I found this bird nest in a hanging basket on my front porch. Betsy over
here told me it is a Carolina Wren. I noticed the other day the Mother bird was sitting on the nest and I guess it was her mate bringing food to her. Now that's what I call being considerate ...a lot of men could take a lesson from these birds...LOL.

THESE BELONGED TO MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER!

A bowl hued from a log that she used to make bread. It has a chip out of one corner, but I consider myself lucky to have it. I don't remember my great grandmother, but my grandmother on my Mother's side gave me these before she died about 45 years ago.

And a wooden churn made from cherry with brass bands. I had to have a lid made for it, but the dasher is orginal. I can remember churning in a crock churn when I was growing up, and we couldn't wait until the butter came through the little hole in the top of the lid. We always had to have a taste. The bonnet belonged to my Mother.

Crocheted Granny Square.....

This is the square I made for my April exchange. It goes to Carol in Newbury, VT. The pattern (Springtime, designed by Melanie Stiles) is so simple and the results are rewarding.

THE VIEW FROM HERE......

Well, it's really from the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. The cherry blossoms surrounding the basin just makes my heart sing.

HE IS RISEN! And living in my heart...REJOICE!

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

HAPPY EASTER EVEYONE!

New Addition!!!!

Lisa has a new addition to her animal family. Someone gave her this little baby Neubian goat. She looks a lot happier than the baby. It probably isn't used to being held. But give her time and it will following her around like a dog! Oh the life on a farm....I love it!

GARY AND BAGPIPES.....

Gary at Carter Elementary School, 04/04/09

One of the music groups.

Bagpipes...cont'...

Let me tell you about our day. Gary played his bagpipes for the music classes at Carter Elementary in Knoxville where Lisa teaches. I went with him. We left home at 6:00AM. He had to be there at 9:oo to start playing. He did six sessions which took the whole school day. He was exhausted when it was over, but enjoyed every minute, and I loved being there watching. He also answered questions from the children about where the bagpipes originated from and all about his kilt and the rest of his wares. Always one in every group that want to know why he had on a "skirt." A little girl did an Irish Dance to one of the songs. It was so sweet. Here are a few pictures:

Bagpipe Day.....cont'

Ryan and Lucas in Lisa's classroom.

Lisa with her class.

One of the music groups in the gym.

IN MY YARD TODAY.....

Tulips.....these are looking skimpy. I will add more bulbs come fall.

Grecian Wind Flower. I love these. It comes from a bulb and they stay close to the ground like a ground cover.

Daffodils of course.

Close up of Daffodil

And my white tulips. Don't you just love this time of year?