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Thursday
A Rainy Day in the Gardens
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Wednesday
J's Lodge and a Tag
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The grid shows different areas of J's lodge, in the lower level of our home. Many of the furnishings were collected over a lifetime. They were stored in the attic and garage of our farm home, for several years. The table, we use for games and meals, is decorated with postcards, under glass. The cards are from family and friends and a few from our travels. The "log cabin" sits in a window, beside the fireplace. It is made from salvaged wood from the restoration of a building in old St Charles, MO. The small black milk stool, that sits beside the armoire, in the lower right photo, was used by J, when he was a child. A hickory limb table and two small foot stools were made by a friend, who lives in the Ozarks. There are two Mission style rocking chairs, near the fireplace, that belonged to J's grandparents. The coffee table has a "carved" Trout stream under glass. There are several Moose images around the room. J's nickname is Moose.
There is a bar in one corner of the room, with several old neon lights. A cabinet holds J's collection of steins, that number over 100. Another cabinet holds memorabilia from J's 40 year career as a Lineman.
When our home was presented on the Garden Club Christmas Tour, 2006. The most popular room was J's lodge. That was not a surprise, since we know it's a favorite of family and friends.
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The fern stand in this photo, was made by Granddad almost 50 years ago. The creel is new. The pack basket belonged to a friend, who actually used it for it's intended purpose, over 60 years ago. There are two prints, of watercolors, above. These depict scenes from beautiful Bennett Spring State Park (MO).
The "lodge" is filled with memories and well loved keepsakes. It's warm, comfortable and a favorite place to relax.
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I was tagged by willzmom, to pick up the book nearest me and turn to page 28. I am to write here, about paragraph 3. I decided to pick up the book on my nightstand. It's an old favorite. I've written here, about this book, before. The Foxfire Book, originally published in 1968. My decision to write about J's lodge today, is linked to my tag book choice.
The paragraph reads:
An' picked blackberries'n'strawberries. Always had somethin' t'eat. Pickeled beans'n' everthin'. Why, we've pickled beans in a twenty gallon barrel; but I ain't got any this year. Groundhogs eat m'beans up an' I never had nary one t'pick. I had two bushel baskets full'a cans, an' I took 'em out there an' poured 'em in th' groundhog's hole an' took a stick an' beat'em in. An' you know, that groundhog left an' never did come back. Couldn't bear them rattlin' things. Just couldn't stand 'em (laughing). This paragraph is from the chapter about a mountain woman called Aunt Arie, written in her words.
The book is dedicated to the people of Appalachia.
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If you would like to write about paragraph 3 of page 28, in a book nearby, please do. I'd love to read what you write!
Decoration Day
The custom of decorating graves of those who gave their lives serving our country, began just after the Civil War. Women of the south brought flowers to the graves of soldiers from the north and south. Later, Memorial Day was designated an official holiday, the date, May 30th. Now it is observed the last Monday of May.
People around the country still bring flowers to the little country cemeteries and the larger cemeteries in towns. There are also ceremonies of remembrance.
Memorial Day signals the official beginning of the summer season. While we enjoy this holiday, we pause and remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and our family members who are no longer with us.
We leave for the lake tomorrow afternoon. We'll spend the holiday with family, enjoying fishing and relaxing. We will also be remembering.
Have a safe and wonderful Memorial Day!
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Saturday
A Garage Sale and a List
Friday
Open Cabinet & Dish Answers & MRI Update
Mother bought the cabinet from a good friend. They worked together as nurses and were close friends away from work. When her friend moved to a smaller home, she sold several pieces of furniture. Mother had the cabinet in her home until she moved to an assisted living apartment. I had no idea the cabinet was to be mine. What a wonderful surprise gift!
Ellen asked about the garden by the dining room window. We have Spirea, Liriope around a white Dogwood tree, Holly, Boxwood and red Azaleas. There are pots of red Impatiens around the fountain. The berm,
by the edge of the front yard, can be seen from the dining room. Among the plants there, are Stella D'Oro Lilies, Fountain Grass and a clump River Birch.
Betty Jo asked about the green plate in the three tier stand, on the island. I bought that plate and three others at Marshalls, to use with dark red plates at Christmas. I don't think it has a stamp or other identifying mark. They are just Marshalls bargains.
J got the results of the latest MRI, this afternoon. It showed a torn Rotator Cuff. He will call his Surgeon, on Monday, for an appointment. This is the same Surgeon who did his previous Rotator Cuff surgery, three years ago. Will give an update when we hear from him. Thanks, so much, to everyone for your kind thoughts and prayers.
Tuesday
Mary Carol Garrity Collection & Dining Room Update
The quilt in one of the photos, is for grandson, Drew. It's from the Blackwater event. Other things are from Nell Hill's and the Arrow Rock garden event, last weekend.
Sunday
Mary Carol Garrity/Nell Hill's Road Trip
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We started our return home, early yesterday, May 12. We made a quick stop in Independence, Missouri, to purchase a new camera. I can't tell you how lost I felt without my camera! The new one is different than the old one. It will do very well, until my dream for an SLR comes true.
After lunch we drove to Arrow Rock. The gardening event was in full swing at an old school house. Beautiful plants and gardening accessories, were offered by several vendors. We bought colorful bottle candleholders to hang in the ornamental Pear, beside our patio, a rustic birdfeeder and some gorgeous eggs. The bottles were sold by a vendor, who has a shop in Arrow Rock and another in KC, at the same shopping center, where the new Nell Hill's is scheduled to open, Fall 2007. I'll include his shop's name when I post about our buys. The seller directed us to the new wine garden beside the school house. Wonderful place, where we enjoyed glasses of wine and beer, under huge shade trees.
We arrived home at 7pm, yesterday, with many happy memories and a plan to visit these great places, again.
Wednesday
MOTHERS' DAY
As a young girl, Mother was quite athletic. She loved to play baseball and basketball. Mother was also an accomplished roller skater.
Mother and my father married in the early 1940's. She gave birth to two daughters. I am the eldest. In time, she raised us, as a single parent. Her spunkiness was definitely a valuable asset during our formative years!
Mother was a nurse. In the early years, she worked in hospitals. Late in her career, she worked for a home health agency, as a visiting nurse. She drove the back roads of the Ozarks, caring for home bound patients.
She adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren, who called her Granny.
Mother passed away in June, 2005, at the age of 83. Her hair was still almost as dark as it was, when she was 4. The pastor of a small, rural Baptist Church, officiated at her service. This wonderful country preacher, using scripture and anecdotes, told Mother's story in the beautiful, almost forgotten, language of her beloved Ozarks.
We miss her.
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National Mothers' Shrine
Saturday, May 5, we visited the National Mothers' Shrine in Laurie, Missouri. It is located on the grounds of The Shrine of St Patrick. From Memorial Weekend through Labor Day Weekend, people of all faiths enjoy outdoor services, here.
The photo grids show scenes from around the grounds. It's a beautiful, peaceful place, in the Missouri Ozarks.
Tuesday
Bunnies, Columbine, Iris and Stella D'Oro
Monday
A Hydrangea, a Hint and a List
Above right is a photo of one of our Endless Summer Hydrangea. This is from 2006. The plants are looking good. Hopefully, we'll see new blooms soon.
We have a busy day planned. This morning, J is scheduled for an MRI on his left shoulder. Three years ago, he had Rotator Cuff surgery on his right shoulder. Lately, his left shoulder has been feeling a bit like the right shoulder did, just before surgery. We are hoping it is a pinched nerve this time.
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The collage represents a "hint" about a post, later this week. This is a beautiful place in the beautiful Ozarks.
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~Lists~
Quite awhile ago, Sue at "Rabbit Run Cottage" and Jenny at "oldbagnewtricks" tagged me for a list of 7 facts about myself.
My list of ordinary, weird and little known facts about myself:
1. J and I have been married just over 23 years, second time for both.
2. I am G'ma to Xantiana (Xanti), Gabriella (Gabi) and Andrew (Drew). Xanti is 14 years older than Gabi. Gabi (age 2) is 15 months older than Drew (1). Xanti will be 17 in a couple of weeks. I cannot believe it!
3. I was born in Missouri. I've lived in 6 states; Missouri, Illinois, Texas, California, Louisiana and Tennessee.
4. I've worked retail and in the electronic/semiconductor/microchip industry. Most of my life, I've been a stay at home wife and mother.
5. I like peanut butter and pickle sandwiches. Either bread and butter pickle or dill pickle is good with peanut butter.
6. If I enjoy a book, I will read it again and again, as if it was the first time.
7. I'm a fan of 1930's and 1940's black and white movies.
I'm tagging Carol at Raised in Cotton, Andrea at Southern Heart, Donna at The Decorated House and Kim at Daisy cottage.
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Thinking Blogger Award
Theresa, at Garden Antique News honored me, by tagging me for The Thinking Blogger Award. Thank you Theresa! I have a difficult time choosing blogs to tag, because each blog I visit is wonderful. Because of that, I choose to select all my blog friends for this award.
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Thursday
Rainy Spring Day
~Author Unknown~
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We've had several days of rain. The yard and gardens look so lush. Our Nelly Moser Clematis, bitten by frost not long ago, is blooming. This Clematis was planted 2 years ago. We haven't had much luck with these beautiful vines. We hope this one thrives.
The white fence, in the background, is along the property line. Our lot border is just to the right of the Sycamore tree. There is a concrete bench and a birdbath, with St Francis statue, next to the creek. A farm is beyond the fence.
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The table sits next to a group of Persimmon trees, on the empty lot next to ours. J keeps the area on our side of the trees mowed. We'll miss this space when the lot sells!
We're going to the lake tomorrow afternoon. We need to do some spring cleaning. Of course we'll wander around a bit, too! We'll return Sunday evening. I'm sure I'll have something to write about, Monday morning. Have a wonderful weekend!
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The way I see it, if you want a rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.
~Dolly Parton~