Saturday, June 25, 2016

Yesterday Morning Benji took his final trip over the Rainbow Bridge.

Yesterday Morning we said goodbye to a dear little Doggie - Benji

My daughter, her husband Thomas & grand daughter Zuri said goodbye to their


beloved pet of 4 years Benji.  Benji was a rescue dog & was 17 years old.  He had many health issues - he was loved by all.  Read more about Benji in my blog about an act of compassion.  

Ive spent the last 4 weeks in Georgia

The Cherry Pit Quilt Shop downtown Sevierville TN


It's hard to believe I've been here in the  
Georgia for the past 4 weeks visiting my daughter Nancy.  Wow I packed a lot of Summer Fun in the last 4 weeks since drivin down here from my home in East Tennessee on Sat May 28th.  

On my drive down I took the slower route, enjoying the scenery.  I love to stop at quilt Shops and Thrift stores along the way.  
My 1st stop was at the "Cherry Pit" Quilt Shop in Sevierville, TN.  I had arrived mid morning on  Saturday not realizing that they closed at noon. after chatting  with the staff I only had 15 minutes to shop... No problem, I went back to their discount area and picked up some scraps - (I filled a 5"x9" ziplock baggie) for $4 - I got some cute pieces of laminated Plaid fabric that I will sew into zipper pouches & some 6"x1 2" fabric pieces I will use for my applique blocks. Quite a little haul... I was too early for Row by Row since it didn't start till the end of June.  I also checked out some upcoming classes in July that I'd like to attend.  After leaving the shop I went across the street to the "Bee's Knee's Bakery" for some coffee and a pastry.  They have a cute shop and I enjoyed talking with the owner.  I plan on stopping by again when I go down for classes in July.  

The 1st couple of days I spent relaxing and enjoying Nan's screened in back porch.. A peaceful shaded haven from the summer heat.  I enjoyed the warm summer breeze. The birds loved the shade trees back there too and they sang their little hearts out while the squirrels ran up and down the trees and fence... Nans Plants are flourishing on the porch and her Christmas Poinsettia is blooming too.  

June 1st my son Earl, his wife Rikki and my youngest granddaughter arrived from Minnesota.  Nancy and Zuri drove to the Atlanta airport to pick them up.  

Summer Fun Time Began!  

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Thoughts of Home - Memories of Moments in my Childhood

The Tappan Zee Bridge on Tarrytown NY 



Above is the Tappan Zee Bridge in Tarrytown NY a 3 mile span across the Hudson River.  Construction was started in March of 1952 and opened in December of 1955, 60 years ago.  It is a busy bridge and when 1st built it was the Longest span at that time.  I remember Opening day well - I was 13 years old at that time. What a celebration! We lived on Taxter Road in Elmsford just about 3 miles from the Bridge.  Mom, Dad, my Brothers and I all attended.  We walked to the Center of the Bridge and looked out over the Hudson.  It was exciting to look down to the water below, what a beautiful sight the shores on both sides were.  Today they are constructing a New Tappan Zee Bridge just North of the Old Bridge to be completed the end of 2018.  Of course it will be wider and Grander than the Old bridge with 4 lanes each way. Perhaps I could be present for the opening of the new bridge... Full circle... It should be a grand and glorious day... but the old bridge will still have my heart and I will remember it fondly...  

 In 2013 My youngest daughter Elizabeth and I visited my brothers in NY and we took a trip to my old homestead on Taxter Road and Traveled over the Old Tappan Zee Bridge.  Of course the landscape was very much changed and almost unrecognizable.
 Here are some pictures of the area on taxter road that I lived at... Our neighbors old mailbox is seen strapped by a metal band to the tree of the driveway that connected our house to the house on the hill above. 

 The next picture shows where our old well used to be.  Now reclaimed by the woods that surrounded the area leaving only the surrounding rocks recognizable by me.  




 The trodden down pathway was the driveway leadng to the house, overgrown with grass, sticks, underbrush and young trees were open driveway where a house and a garage stood.













This part of the property was circled by the driveway.  I remember the large rock barley seen now were I used to love to lay on to read as a young girl.  Dad had his vegetable garden here and later after I married my husband built a train track around the perimeter were my youngest child of 2 would ride it.  

Wow! Memories - it's amazing what time and nature will do to reclaim itself.   

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

The Act of Compassion!

The Act of Compassion

I am visiting my Daughter Nancy and her Husband Thomas in Georgia for the month and have been privileged to see the acts of compassion they both do daily as they care for their elderly rescue dog Benji.

They took Benji in about 4 years ago as a rescue.  His Momma had just been placed in a nursing home and he needed a home, someone to love and care for him as he aged, for he must have been in his 70’s by doggy years.  He was skinny, almost blind and his beautiful coat was matted and so dirty that the shelter had to shave it all off.  His had been with his aging mother since a puppy but now she was unable to care for him or  herself.  Nancy had been volunteering at the animal shelter when he came into the shelter and after discussing it with Thomas they decided to take him in.  the prognosis for his longevity was poor and he was not expected to live long but Nan felt that such a loyal dog deserved a loving home until he died.  It is now  years later and Benji is now totally blind and unsteady.  He has been through several falls, and has a back condition that is painful at times, he is unsteady as he walks, unable to hold his urine or his bowels.  Diapers have become his daily attire now for almost a year.  He loves to take long naps and needs to be put up on the couch or other comfortable spots so he safe from someone tripping over him.  He is treated to small amounts of chicken placed in his doggie dish under his food to encourage him to eat and is let out to the closed in porch to do his duty, (since he can no longer negotiate the stairs to the outside.  I understand he recently became totally blind.

Tonight I woke up to go to the bathroom and my daughter was coming out of her bedroom carrying Benji to put him outside to do his duty.  She was talking to him in that sweet singsong voice used when talking to a baby or small child.  It’s Ok Benji, good Benji, I take you outside Benji.  I hear no harsh scolding or yelling when he can’t make it past the kitchen by himself to poop on the porch.   He is carried outside to the porch if need be and the encouragement and compassion I hear in the voices of my Son in law and daughter as they care for this precious dog is a balm to my soul.  Wow I think, were did my daughter learn this from… In Awe I know “Me and my husband and my Father of course” I am so thankful that the lord has let me see the results of the lesson’s a parent hopes to teach their children, extending down the generations.  I am blessed to know that the examples of caring and compassion that my Father, husband and I  have shown to others, both human and animal, has reflected in the beautiful picture of compassion shown to this little dog today.  Too know she is showing her Child, by example, how to be compassionate makes my heart sing with thankfulness to the Lord for his tender mercies.




Tuesday, May 10, 2016

CreativeLady's Enthusiastic Thoughts: It's been a while!

CreativeLady's Enthusiastic Thoughts: It's been a while!: The Dogwood Tree in my neighbor's yard My Vinca Vine has a blue flower The Spring Daffodils   Yes, it certainly has been a w...

It's been a while!

The Dogwood Tree in my neighbor's yard
My Vinca Vine has a blue flower
The Spring Daffodils  
Yes, it certainly has been a while since my last post , just under 5 months. A lot has happened since Dec 11, 2015.  I spent the Christmas holiday with my daughter Nan and hubby Thomas and granddaughter Zuri and stayed through the second week in Jan to enjoy a visit from my daughter Beth when she and my grandson Johnny & his little boy James came down to visit Nan.
The Flowering Pear Tree in my yard
The winter months seemed to drag this year, especially February, with spring slowly awakening and before I knew it spring was here with the birds singing and the farm animals being born. We had one calf born at the end of Feb and another early March with the third calf born the end of March for a total of 3.  The daffodils were plentiful as the weather warmed.  The flowering pear trees bloomed, then the Dogwoods, Apple and pinks, the iris came out and the roses right behind them.  I enjoyed getting my planters in my front yard ready for new summer flowers and repotted my indoor plants to get them ready for the summer outdoors.  I bought 2 new perennials for my outdoor pots and some anualls and a rosemary plant for my herb planter.
This past week I took a break and drove down to GA to visit Nan and Beth who flew in for 5 days. They both just finished their semesters.



Daffodils and Pink Flowering tree in the neighbor's yard

enjoying a sunny Spring morning on my front porch
 Birds in my front yard