Friday, April 04, 2025

Rainy and Sunny April, Fave Fives, Take One

Happy Friday to you!  I am writing my Friday Fave Fives while staring out the windows at a very grey sky loaded with clouds filled with rain and more rain. But the daffodils and grape hyacinths are blooming and the grass is green in the back garden.  There is always beauty and gratitude in the midst of grey and rain.  That's why I write out my five choices of gratitude every week.  It helps me stay focused on the sunshine of life.  I hope it helps you, too.  Susanne, as always, is faithful to lead a group of bloggers in posting our FRIDAY FAVE FIVES.

1.  Our grandson arrived home safely after his spring break trip to Seattle to visit his other grandparents.  He had the best time!

2.  A good visit with my Primary Care Doctor.  I appreciate how she listens to me and takes the time to explain and even write down information for me.

3.  I am so thankful for some sunny days this past week.  Because we have had lots and lots of rain, the sun and warmth have been especially appreciated.  In between the rainstorms, we were able to take a long walk/hike with the grand-dogs (and the daughters) at our local arboretum.  And I was also able to begin working in the garden beds, clearing debris and pulling some weeds.






4.  One morning, Nurse Daughter and I enjoyed a visit to our locally owned garden nursery.  We wandered around and checked out all the plants and seeds, picked a few to bring home, and even found a couple of cute garden ornaments on sale.  There's not much that's more fun than wandering among plants with your daughter.

5.  It's definitely spring! Our beekeeper guy met with us and a neighbor to discuss bee hives and all the details about keeping your own hive.  Then one afternoon, he came out to our house and checked our hive.  Best news is that it is thriving and we will be able to add another hive box to provide our daughters with their own hives.  More hives!  More honey!

I do hope you are encouraged and are thankful for the many ways you are blessed this first week of April.

Monday, March 31, 2025

March 31

 March Photo a Day.  March 31.  Photographer's Choice.

I've been going through all the photos saved on my computer for the past twenty years.  Randomly, I found this picture of Hollywood Beach, Oxnard, Ventura County, California (quite near where we used to live).  The Ventura County beaches were some of our favorite places to walk.  This photo is an iconic view of Hollywood Beach.



Sunday, March 30, 2025

March 30

 March Photo a Day.  March 30.  Weather.  First come the clouds.  Then comes the rain.

Saturday, March 29, 2025

March 29

 March Photo a Day.  March 29.  Pet.

The newest grand-dog pet.  Athena.  Bernese Mountain Dog.  Yes, she is huge.

Friday, March 28, 2025

Last of March Faves

 I am still having a hard time reconciling the fact that the calendar states that the month of March is nearly over and April will begin.  But here it is, the last Friday in March.  Fridays mean Fave Fives.  Here are my five blessings from this week. (follow the link to Susanne's blog)

1.   My son, Chaplain Dan, is a military chaplain and also writes poetry in his spare time.  Last week, he published another poem on Amazon.  His poetry is written in an unusual old style-- Anglo-Saxon Alliterative Verse, like Beowulf was.  Can you imagine reading the story of Joshua and the Battle of Jericho like that?  I am always in amazement of his creativity.  

2.  I donated clothing to a resale boutique in a nearby town.  The owner is so sweet, and I have purchased clothes from her store before, and she has sold my knitted hats there.  It makes me happy to support small businesses.

3.  Speaking of small businesses, we had our coffee date with T and S this week at a town south of us.  After our fun conversation time, the guys went one way to a model train (and other stuff) place and we girls drove to Peddler's Junction Vendor Mall and wandered around looking at all the fun things for sale.  The guys met us there and found a couple of things they wanted.  Our outings with T and S always bring me joy.

4.  This fave is both happy and sad.  Younger Son, Dr. Mike, has been living with us for a few months, working remotely hours and hours every day.  This week, he moved back to California, to San Jose, where the co-owners of his company are living.  We are happy for him but really miss him.

5.  Finally the weather has moderated (at least for a few days).  I was able to take a walk in the sunshine today!  The forsythia is blooming!  It really is Spring!


What blessings have you found in your life this past week?

March 28

 March Photo a Day.  March 28.  Repetition.

Nothing shows repetition better than weaving.  Back and forth, back and forth, ad infinitum.  Eleanor Elizabeth Bunny added for interest.

Thursday, March 27, 2025

March 27

 March Photo a Day.  March 27.  Shadows.  Can you guess what and where?

Shadows of people on the swings at Disneyland.

Wednesday, March 26, 2025

March 26

 March Photo a Day.  March 26.  Pathway.

This may be my favorite path ever that The Professor and I have walked.  On the top of Hadrian's Wall near Housesteads Roman Fort.  We were literally walking on the top of the wall through the trees.


March 25

 March Photo a Day.  March 25.  Patterns.

The Nurse, my younger daughter, found this fascinating deck of cards and gave them to me for Christmas.  Fair Isle knitting patterns.