Fall Leaves.....

I wrote this poem for my grandson Ryan when he was around two years old. Now he is twenty one!

PLEASE HELP ME I'M FALLING......

I used to be green,

But now I am brown....

Why do I keep falling

All the way to the ground?

I was happy up in this tree.

Please try to explain...

What's happening to me?

My friends are all gone,

I see them below.

It won't be long

'Till they're covered with snow.

I wish it were Spring...

It won't be long;

'Till Ole Man Winter

Has come and gone.

Then I'll be back

With all my friends....

But somehow this falling

Just NEVER ends!

Wash Board.....

How many of you have one of these? This one belonged to my Mother. I never used it, but I can remember my Mother scrubbing clothes on this very board. If we had to do that today, I have a feeling our backs wouldn't last very long. Besides scrubbing on the board, most people had to carry their water either from a spring or a barrel that caught rain water from the house. I guess we are spoiled today....but I am so thankful for my running water and my wonderful washing machine. But if times get bad enough, I have my wash board and my rain barrel ready......and pray my back holds out!

STORY....Puppy Size.....

"Danielle keeps repeating it over and over again. We've been back to this animal shelter at least five times. It has been weeks now since we started all of this," the mother told the volunteer. "What is it she keeps asking for?" the volunteer asked. "Puppy size!" replied the mother.
"Well, we have plenty of puppies, if that's what she's looking for," "I know we have seen most of them," the mom said in frustration. Just then Danielle came walking into the office. "Well, did you find one?" asked her mom. "No, not this time," Danielle said with sadness in her voice. "Can we come back on the weekend?"

The two women looked at each other, shook their heads and laughed, "You never know when we will get more dogs." Unfortunately, there's always a supply," the volunteer said. Danielle took her mother by the hand and headed to the door. "Don't worry, I'll find one the weekend," she said. Over the next few days both Mom and Dad had long conversations with her. They both felt she was being too particular. "It's this weekend or we're not looking any more," Dad finally said in frustration.

"We don't want to hear anything more about puppy size either," Mom added. Sure enough, they were the first ones in the shelter on Saturday morning. By now Danielle knew her way around, so she ran right for the section that housed the smaller dogs. Tired of the routine, mom sat in the small waiting room at the end of the first row of cages. There was an observation window so you could see the animals during times when visitors were't permitted. Danielle walked slowly from cage to cage, kneeling periodically to take a closer look. One by one the dogs were brought out and she held each one. One by one she said, "Sorry, but you're not the one." It was the last cage on the last day in search of the perfect pup. The volunteer opened the cage for and the child carefully picked up the dog and held it closely. This time she took a little longer. "Mom, that's it! I found the right puppy! He's the one! I know it!" She screamed with joy. "It's the puppy size!"

"But it's the same size as all the other puppies you held over the last few weeks," Mom said. " No not SIZE.... The SIGHS. When I held him in my arms, he sighed," she said. "Don't you remember? When I asked you one day what love is, you told me love depends on the sighs of your heart. The more you love, the bigger the sighs!" The two women looked at each other for a moment. Mom didn't know whether to laugh or cry. As she stooped down to the child, she did a little of both. "Mom, every time you hold me, I sigh. When you and Daddy comes home from work and hug each other, you both sigh. I knew I would find the right puppy if it sighed when I held it in my arms," she said. Then, holding the puppy up close to her face, she said, "Mom, he loves me, I heard the sighs of his heart.

Close your eyes for a moment and think about the love that makes you sigh. I not only find it in the arms of my loved ones, but in the caress of a sunset, the kiss of the moonlight and the gentle brush of cool air on a hot day. They are the sighs of God. Take the time to stop and listen; you will be surprised at what you hear. Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Quilts and Cool Weather....

Cathy over at The Piece Maker and this cooler weather made me think about quilts. I pieced this top two years ago and it still isn't quilted. Maybe...that will be a good project for this winter. Maybe.....I will start a "quilting bee." Isn't that what it was called, when several ladies got together and quilted? I would love that, and my Mother's quilting frames are just standing there waiting to be used again. Oh, the joy!

This is a good song to watch today!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07evJobAelE

Walmart...and what happened

I made a trip to Walmart today. After going through the check out with all of my groceries, I stopped at McDonalds (inside Walmart) to get a milk shake for Bill. I parked my buggy just outside McDonalds' door

...the way I have done so many times before. I ordered the milk shake, paid and came back out and my buggy was gone. There was one sitting there, but it wasn't mine. I looked out through the front doors of Walmart and I could see several people walking toward their cars with their carts. I started running to catch up with a few of them and everyone said they had the right one. I knew at this point I would never see mine again. As I was going back into Walmart, a man was also going back in with my cart. He had accidentally pushed mine out instead of his. He apologized and I laughed and told him I was almost certain that someone had stolen my groceries. That could happen very easily. After being bagged....anyone could push them out and the greeters would never know the difference. That taught me two lessons. Keep your eyes on your buggy and stay in good running condition!!!!

Funeral For My Neighbor.....

My sweet little neighbor passed away . She would have been 95 on the 6th of Oct. I learned a lot from her. She was from the "old school" and never wanted for much. She was happy with what she had...plenty to eat, a warm house and a loving family. What more could we want? These picture were made at her gravesite on Sunday. Balloons were released and they were out of sight in just a few seconds. It was such a beautiful day. The bagpipe player is my son, Gary.

Who will take the challenge? 100 things!

Here's something to keep you busy! List 100 things about yourself. Below you will see my list. If you do not care to read it, just hit the back button. I'm anxious to see how many of you will take this challenge.
1..I love the Lord. He comforts and encourages me.
2..I am a cancer survivor. (5 months and 10 days) PTL
3..I have been married to the same man for 52 years.
4..I have been his caregiver for sixteen years.
5..We have two grown children...a daughter and a son... two grandsons...and two little angels in Heaven.
6..I am a crochetholic..(my husband says he is going to put a crochet hook in my hand when I die)...I say...Please do...the angels can always use more lace.
7..I love to cook.
8..Eating is wonderful!!!
9..I have gained 20 pounds since I retired 13 years ago. Read # 8 again!
10..I despise for someone to blow their nose where I am eating or cooking.
11..I mow the yard.
12..I get up on the roof and clean out my gutters.
13..I puddy in my windows when needed.
14..I can lay ceramic tile and linoleum.
15..I cannot stand for anyone to tell me how to drive.
16..I love to read.
17..Knitting is a favorite pastime.
18..I love babies. I love the smell of their head.
19..Years ago, I could sing....but now...you know the old saying...."If you don't use it...you lose it"....well, I lost it.
20..I miss singing.
21..Photography is one of my hobbies.
22..I love to grow things...inside and out.
23..I colored my hair for 30 years...now it's all natural..grey of course...I earned everyone of them.
24..I love grey hair.
25..I would hate to give up my computer.
26..I like to live simple...but still be comfortable.
27..I have lots of patience...so everybody says....There is a plaque hanging on my wall that says....Grant me patience Lord, but hurry!
28..I love Christmas.
29..I love bright sunny days...used to lay in the sun, but don't do that anymore.
30..I love snow.
31..I like to hang my clothes outside to dry.
32..I love to go to church. (altho I haven't been going much lately) because of my husbands illness.
33..I love people...(most of them)...I pray for the rest of them!
34..I love to sleep..(at one time I could sleep 10 hours without waking up...but not now...I wish I could.
35..I have a sweet tooth...It's false, but I still have it...LOL
36..I am a diabetic.
37..I hate to fish.
38..I don't like sports...(sorry)
39..The sunsets and sunrises fascinate me.
40..I hate card games.
41..I have dandruff.
42..I love Gospel Music and Country Music....(most of it) In fact I like lots of different kinds of music...depends what mood I am in. Forget Rap.
43..I can play the piano.
44..I can follow directions.
45..I can't swim or play the guitar.
46..I can hang wall paper and paint.
47..I painted the outside of my house...(when I was younger) LOL
48..I can't work as hard as I once did.
49..I love big Victorian homes. (Had one and sold it) BOO HOO!
50..I can use a chain saw.
51..I lined the brakes on my car years ago.
52..I used to sew a lot. (when my daughter was small, I made her a new dress every week until she was around five years old.)
53..I have made one quilt top in my lifetime. It still isn't quilted.
54..I wish I had pursued a nursing career.
55..I didn't go to college...My regret.
56..I graduated from high school.
57..Diet Coke is my favorite drink...(bad)
58..When I first get up in the morning, I don't like to talk. I just want silence.
59..I love a fireplace. (gas)
60..I hate to carry out ashes.
61..I love a wood stove.
62..Read #60 again.
63..I do not cut my fingernails or toenails straight across.
64..Sometimes I forget to clean my face before I go to sleep.
65..I go to bed between 9:30 and 11:00 PM.
66..I get out of bed between 6:00 and 8:00 AM (and all hours of the night) I do not sleep good.
67..I talk to my oldest grandson on the phone every day. (sometimes more) He lives two hours away.
68..I love my grandchildren.
69..I pray every day.
70..I never sleep during the day.
71..I am afraid of strong wind and sometimes I have scary dreams.
72..I take 8 pills a day. Six prescriptions and two over the counter. (My husband takes 24 a day...not counting the Nitro Tabs under the tongue.
73..I have high blood pressure...(controlled)
74..I like to sleep where it is totally dark.
75..I love my children.
76..My husband says I look like I am pregnant...(YOU SHOULD SEE HIM) LOL
77..I keep my medicine in a pill box and sometimes I forget to look at the box.
78..I have two cats...both are outside cats, but come in occasionally. I come in second when they are in the house! One of them sleeps on a heating pad outside in the winter time.
79..I love to do the garden thing.
80..I like to visit my daughter's third grade class while she is teaching. (Don't get to do this very often)
81..TV is O.K., but I don't watch it that much.I like the Health Channel and the Food Network. Every once in a while, I watch a movie on Lifetime. Oh, I like America's Got Talent and American Idol.
82..I love my blog.....You are here!
82..I have a Web Page.... www.picturetrail.com/crochetclara
83..At the moment I am "racking" my brain...or is that "Wracking" my brain? (to get to the 100 mark!)
84..I can't spell worth a hoot.
85..I wish I were better with words. Some people are so gifted that way and know just how to write them down on paper...I lost out on that!!
86..Did I mention I love my grandchildren?
87..I'm getting wrinkles around my mouth (and other places)...Lucas, my youngest grandson calls them stripes.
88..I wear glasses. I have my first pair...They are 62 years old.
89..No make-up..unless I go to church or the funeral home.
90..I just now "unstopped" a commode.
91..I love hot tea...(Constant Comment)
92..At the fair two years ago, I won "Best Of Show" for a painting I did on wood.
93..Did I mention I like to paint...on wood, material and walls?
94..I hate gossip.
95..I love to read the Bible. I need to read it more.
96..I hate stacks of old newspapers. I never know what to do with them.
97..I like comfortable clothes...especially the ones with elastic around the waist.
98..I hate high heeled shoes...especially the ones with pointed toes.
99..I love purses.
100..There are two things I can never do without....Poly Fiber Fill and Coffee. (Yarn comes in there also) LOL
101....My last one! My hands are never idle..nor my mind, for that matter...(not unless counting the senior moments I have ocassionally) LOL... My husband says I could build a house....I probably could...if I had directions and my back would hold out...
Right now my fingers are worn out from typing. Let's see how many of you take the challenge. Come on....tell us about yourself. You don't have to go all the way to 100... just whatever you want to do!.. let me know if you do it, so I won't miss your post. Have fun! I am Clara....in TN

I'VE BEEN TAGGED!

I was tagged by:
Grammyof13 who was tagged by Judy to answer 6 questions. So here goes.
1..Where was I ten years ago? Ten years ago I had been retired three years. We were in New Orleans in the airport waiting to get on a plane for Central America. We were going with my daughter and her family. My husband had a heart attack in the airport. Needless to say we didn't go to Central America. Everyone else went and left me in Lake Charles, LA. at the hospital for nine days. I will never forget . He finally was well enough to bring back to our hospital in Bristol and he then had his second triple by-pass heart surgery. That's where I was ten years ago.
2..What's on my 'to do' list for today? Well, today is about over, so I will tell you what I have done. I mowed the yard. I changed the beds, washed the sheets and hung them on the line to dry. I made two loaves of Sourdough bread. I took one loaf to my sweet neighbor. She is very ill and probably won't last through the night. She is 96 years old. It won't be the same around here when she is gone.
3..What if I was a billionaire? I would give each of my children one million, pay off all of their debts. I would set up a trust fund for my grandchildren. I would pay what I owe and have the transmission fixed in my car. (Or maybe I would buy a MINI COOPER) I would help those in need, and I would build a bridge of love between my heart and yours. I would give to my church. That's what I would do with a billion dollars.
4..Places I have lived? I have always lived in Tennessee. Several places, but always in North East Tennessee. We call it God's Country!
5..Bad Habits? Oh, do I have to put them on the internet? LOL I'm sure I have plenty...Just ask my husband! He says I have a bad habit of staying up late. He says I have enough yarn to last a life time, but I still buy more if I see a new color. I can't sit down and just sit there. I either have to be reading, crocheting or knitting. I don't know if that is a habit or not, but it's just the way I am. Now can I tell you about HIS bad habits? LOL
6..Snacks I like? Just show me anything that's bad for you, and I like it. Chocolate, chips, cokes, Little Debbie Cakes. I am a diabetic, so I don't eat many of these, but that is what I like. I try to stick with nuts, cheese and I love popcorn!
Now I am supposed to tag three others so....here's my pick!

Grammy at Blabbin'Grammy

Patsy at The Smith's Bennie and Patsy

Bobbie at Almost There

Americas Got Talent....

Are any of you watching Americas Got Talent? It is down to the top ten. I still do not have a clue who will win. I believe Queen Emily will be very close to the top, and I like Eli, the man who plays the piano and sings. Neal is very good. Donald Braswell may be the winner. Next Wednesday night is the next show....at 8:00 EST on NBC. Watch and see if you can pick a winner.

Bill's Dr. Appt. & Blood Work....Blood is thicker than water...and it boils quicker too! LOL

I don't say much about Bill's illness...I would rather post about "happy" things....but.....I've had a trying week....This past Tuesday was Bill's regular Doctor's Appt. to see his heart Dr. He missed the last one three months ago because he said he didn't feel like going. Well, he tried that again Tuesday morning and I finally told him if he was too sick to go to the Dr., he needed to be in the hospital where they could come see him there. I was going to call 911 if he was too sick to get ready! It took me forever to get him ready...he wouldn't get in the shower so I sponged him the best I could and put clean clothes and socks on him. He wasn't a happy camper!! When we were nearly there he said, "You know, I feel better than I have in a long time." What can I say?????
And this morning, we both had to have our three month blood work done. He did the same thing....it wears me down trying to get him going. I feel like I've been fighting a war. I've been thinking about starting a blog to vent...and call it "The Long And Winding Road"...that leads me to my grave.
Rachel, I just finished reading "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch. What a legacy he left. Wouldn't it be nice if everyone was like him?

WE HAD A REUNION...

Here's Lisa and her first cousin Kathy. Can't you tell they are related? A picture of the table.....so much food!
I made a cobbler and half of it was blueberry and the other half cherry.
This was my plate.

Reunion...cont'.....

Our Aunt Virgie Was "Queen For A Day" She will be 91 years young on Oct. 19th.This is Susie and Selmar Humphrey...cousins of Bill...they left their camp site in Saltville to come be with us. Love You Both for this!
I want to show you Loretta's Root Cellar. It is just off the patio at the back of their house. I love it!
Here's Helen from Ashville, she is Bill's sister.....Jean from Baltimore, MD....she is Bill's Aunt by marriage....and Virgie...our Queen.
This is my son Gary, playing the bagpipes. Everyone seemed to enjoy the entertainment. The sound was perfect on a perfect day!

My Clematis....

This is growing on my fence in the back yard. I thought it wasn't going to live because a tree fell across it during a bad wind storm. I saw one growing in a lady's yard and I stopped and ask her the name and she dug a piece for me. She told me the name, but now I have forgotten. Do any of you know?

SEE ROCK CITY AND A BUZZARD'S NEST.....

I drove to Knoxville (really drove to Blaine) last Tuesday to pick up my grandson Ryan. He came to spend the week with me before going back to work next week. I made two pictures along the way. The buzzard nest is on the road to Lisa's house. It is amazing to see, and is bigger than it looks in the picture. This is one of my favorite barns. It is located on highway 11w about 15 miles outside of Rutledge. Several years ago there were many barns with "See Rock City" painted on them. I think they are getting fewer and fewer.

Egg...ACTLY

how big are eggs supposed to be? These brown eggs are from Lisa's chickens and I put the white one there to compare. The egg carton wouldn't close.

I've been working in my yard today....this is the third day in a row, trying to get caught up on what I have let go all summer. I wish I had made pictures of the before and after. It is beginning to look as if someone lives here and I'm beginning to look like a rag muffin.

Swinging Bridge at Bluff City....

The fog was rolling in Saturday morning as I passed the swinging bridge on my way to the P.O. I'm glad I had my camera with me.
The only thing you can see here is the duck. I think it looks so peaceful.

THE MELTING POT.....

and I'm not talking about the tempature!!!! Lisa took me out to the Melting Pot fondue restaurant in celebration of the completion of my radiation! We had a wonderful time. Here you will see SOME of the food. It is so different than any restaurant I had visited. They bring your food RAW and bite size and you cook it yourself in the fondue pot. You don't get full very quickly because you have to wait on every bite to cook....which is good, because I think most of us eat to fast. I know I do.

Here we are before we left Lisas.

And here we are at the restaurant. After our meal we went downtown to Market Square in old downdown Knoxville. It was really busy. Lisa and I enjoyed our time together so much. I told her it was ALMOST worth going through radiation ...to get to go out and spend an evening with her. Thank You, Lisa..... I Love You!

More Food......

Here's Lisa stirring in the pot......

This was our main course.... It consisted of Tenderloin, shrimp, terriyaki-marinated choice sirloin, boneless breast of chicken and fresh fish filet.
Our dessert was called Bailey's Irish Cream Dream...with fresh strawberries, bananas, pineapple, cheesecake, tasty marshmallows, pound cake and brownies for you to dip into the flaming chocolate....Yummy!!!!

PRESENT TENSE....

It's been really hot here today. It made me yearn for the cooler days of fall. Then I thought of a poem.....It's called :

Present Tense
It was Spring, but it was Summer I wanted
The warm days, and the great outdoors.

It was Summer, but it was Fall I wanted
The colorful leaves, and the cool dry air.

It was Fall, but it was Winter I wanted,
The beautiful snow, and the joy of the holiday season.

It was Winter, but it was Spring I wanted
The warmth and the blossoming of nature.

I was a child, but it was adulthood I wanted...
The freedom and the respect.

I was 20. but it was 30 I wanted
To be mature and sophisticated.

I was middle-aged, but it was 20 I wanted...
The youth and the free spirit.

I was retired but it was middle-age I wanted..
The presence of mind, without limitations.

My life was over, and I never got what I wanted.

I think this is true to a certain point, but I cannot say I NEVER got what I wanted. I try to accept whatever life has to offer!