The Return

Wow!  It's May already.  Not sure how that happened, but the calendar says it's so.  Part of last month was a vacation and a nice one too.  The quince, as they called it for short, came off without any major glitches and the honoree was sooo pretty in her fancy dress.  It was definitely her evening to shine.  And shine she did.  A little girl, no more.  She has officially joined the ranks of young lady.  I guess in the old days this was a signal for the suitors to line up for their evaluation as possible marriage material.  Not so nowadays, but the custom remains anyway.   Had some time in the Hill Country after the party and some relaxation was just what the doctor ordered, in a manner of speaking.  There was no doctor or any order from one, but the time was nice.  Didn't know why the skies were so hazy, but discovered later that range fires were burning all over the state.  They didn't get much news coverage,...

Wow!  Another month come and gone. And now November is well under way.  Let he time slide passed me for sure. So what is new around here?  The biggest news is the seminary course I'm doing online.  Takes way more time than I ever anticipated, but that's OK since I've got more than money, as they say.  It is interesting and challenging as well.  I didn't know what to expect really.  To be honest I didn't think it would be at a true master's level educationally.  It is.  That is good.  There's so much out there that claims to be what this is and isn't.  I've tried several of them.  So that's the top of the news. Next been on the road for almost three weeks and finally am settling in for the winter.  Did a conference in Virginia that was very well done.  That is saying a lot because I'm not a big fan of that sort of thing.  In fact I avoid them if possible, but I'm glad I attended this one.  Then the next tri...

Wow! It's almost May already. Don't know where the time has gone. Rested up now after vacation. Isn't that how it goes? Guess some icky weather forced that issue for me. Rain and cooler than I like. It's the magnolia's fault, you know. Whenever they bloom it's a signal for the weather to change and try to freeze the blossoms. Or so it seems. They are nearly done so maybe, it's time to think garden seriously. We limed the soil several weeks ago. The weeds didn't seem to mind at all. They are looking very happy right now. Need to turn them under and do all that ground prep like tilling, raking, moving a few of the rocks that have surfaced now. The ground here grows them, according to the locals. I believe them and also believe that if the rocks were removed there'd be no dirt at all. But that's probably not entirely true. Just mostly so. The groundhog family has moved to a quieter neighborhood now. We mowed this past weekend and a...

Back after a short vacation. Rustic cabin as it is described with detached bath house. You know, like a detached garage is supposed to sell you on a house listing. Nice time really. Quiet, scent of pine whenever the breeze meandered through the area. Went to a place named Promised Land State Park in eastern PA. Cabins were built by CCC workers in the 1930's. That government program made sense. Young men joined, got paid for the work and if they needed to learn the 3R's they got that as well. Most of the paycheck was sent home, but they got enough to have some fun in town. Can't see today's young people doing that at all though. I guess back then times were tougher and so was the resolve of the people. Anyway, the cabin was solid and we learned that even the furniture was made back then as well. Simple but served the purpose. Walking is a major activity at the park. We walked. Found a pretty spot with a nice little water fall. So relaxing. Better than th...