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!  

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.