January 16, 2025

 In November, The Professor and I drove about an hour to visit a new to us state park.  Salt Fork State Park.   It was a perfect day for hiking.  Sunny, dry, not too cold.  The area of the park was originally owned by a family named Kennedy who built a lovely stone house and farmed the land which included a creek running through the property.  In the 1960s, they sold the land to the state because of plans to dam the creek and create a lake.  Today, Salt Fork State Park is the largest park in Ohio.

Not a great photo of Kennedy Stone House.  We didn't want to interrupt a family photo shoot...  Kennedy Stone House is on the National Register of Historical Places. 

The day we visited it  was closed, so we plan to return and tour the house when we know it will be open to visitors.

Random February Photos

 It is late winter.  February's weather is all over the place.  There's snow.  It comes and goes.

But we can still get out and walk the paved trails.

Then the snow starts melting.

Sometimes there is even blue sky!

The birds know spring is on its way.

And the early spring flowers are popping up.

Our first crocus!

These daffodils were trapped under a bag of mulch all winter.  They are so tenacious!  I moved the bag and found them already searching for the spring sunshine.

And of course, there are always barns.

More Barns of Ohio

 I just can't stop snapping those photos of barns.  More barns from our trip to Bellville.

Some barns aren't in exactly great shape.  But they are so picturesque.

Nothing's better than a sheep barn.

A patriotic barn

Sometimes a farm needs more than one barn.

Lastly, a blue roofed barn in a soy bean field.

Which barn do you like best?

July Has Arrived

 I am late but at least I am here posting my Friday Fave Fives before midnight. We had a busy day! And a busy week.  Here are the five blessings I chose out of many from this past week.

1.  My brother's birthday. We talked on the phone.  And at least we saw each other last month. 

2. July 3rd. We joined the rest of the family to walk to the university campus and enjoy the local symphony play lots of patriotic songs, and then we enjoyed lots of fireworks.

3.  July 4th.  A Day of Remembrance of independence.  July 5th.  More fireworks.  This time at the home of friends--out in the country.

4. This morning we drove to Amish Country with family and friends. On the way, the back bumper on younger daughter's car broke half off.  After we pulled off the highway and stopped to examine the damage, two different people stopped to check on us. One gentleman ran back to his car and grabbed some rope, crawled under the car and tied the bumper back on.  We were so thankful for his help so we did not have to turn around and abort our trip.  That is something we love about living in Ohio-- the kindness of strangers.

5.  The most fun part of that was that the man had a small python snake around his neck when he stopped.  As he stepped from the car, he handed the snake to The Professor.  Then others had to take their turn holding it.  Instead of 'hold my beer', it's 'hold my snake'.  Only in Ohio!

6. BONUS! There is a new dog in the family!   Our girls have an eight week old Bernese Mountain Dog named Athena.

Fourth Faves in May

It's Friday again, so soon.  I was gone for a couple of days and am catching up here at Willow's Cottage.  Here are my Friday Fave Fives for this Fourth Friday in May. (follow the link to join!)  

1.  Thank you for all the love for my granddaughter's track meet high jump.  Although she didn't make it to regionals, we are so proud of her efforts and tenacity.

2.  We took a quick two day trip north to Cleveland.  Since we had never been there, we enjoyed visiting a park on Lake Erie.  It was a fun spot to walk and see the outline of downtown Cleveland.

The metal artwork on the fence was fun and whimsical.

3.  The reason we were in Cleveland was to pick up my brother and his co-worker and drive them to where they were picking up two buses for the bus company they work for.  I haven't seen my brother in person for three years!  Oh, it was so so so good to spend even a few hours with him!

He drives big buses.

4.  The drive to and from Cleveland sent us through so much farmland.  You know what that means.  Old barns!

5.  Talking about doctor appointments isn't always the best topic, but I am thankful for two appointments, one with the dentist and one with the dermatologist, that went well.

This is Memorial Day weekend in the United States.  Let us stop, focus, and be thankful for those who have given all for our country.  Fly our flags proudly.

Final February Fave Fives

Hello, Friday!  TGIF.  And TGIFFF.  It's Friday Fave Fives.  Welcome to this end of February edition of Willow's Week in Five things that make me happy and thankful.  Even though my heart is very heavy and I have been praying and praying for peace in the world, I purposely focus on finding Five things to give me hope.  Follow that link above to join us in finding joy.

1.  Hikes and walks are always a fave with me.  Monday our weather was temperate and it was warm enough to walk.  Yay!  We drove out to the end of one path we have been wanting to walk or bike and walked 2 miles out and 2 miles back.  It was a school holiday and there were many others on the trail. Warm + free time = busy.  There was even a kitty monitoring the passing population of humans.

2.  Exploring new places in the area is also always a fave.  The county south of us is mostly rural but also has some sweet towns.  We found a coffee shop and have been twice this week, once with New Boy and then with our SoCal coffee time buddies.

3.  I finished this Many Buttoned Vest.  I particularly like the wide cabled section in the back.  Yes, I know there are no buttons on it.  The idea is to find and add your own favorite buttons.

4.  A long long zoom call with a long time friend.  We've known each other for thirty-six years, and through much of that time our friendship has been sustained over long distances.  I value her friendship so much!

5.  Family dinners.  That's what we call them.  Sometimes, they're planned.  Sometimes, they're spontaneous.  How I love living near my girls so we can just enjoy a meal and each other's company.  I am so blessed.

Cool

 That's how I would describe our weather.  COOL.  Or rather, cold. Or frigid.  We are having a 'winter storm' here.  That means there is lots of snow and ice.

So that also means The Professor and I are COOLing our heels here at home. The farthest we have ventured from the house today is the compost bin.  We may not go that far tomorrow as the forecast is for four to six inches of snow tonight on top of the snow and ice already on the ground and in the streets.

My Friday Fave Fives are certainly going to be different this week.

1.  I am thankful for power.  So far, we have not lost our electricity.  Knowing we could lose it means that we appreciate every hour we have it.

2.  I am thankful for other options.  We have our lanterns, flashlights and candles ready.  We have snuggly blankets.  We have boots, gloves, and jackets.  We have food and water.

3.  I am thankful for things to do to keep my mind occupied.  Books.  Obviously.  Projects to focus on.  This afternoon, I finished a project I had procrastinated--hemming a tablecloth.

4.  I am thankful for yarn.  After finishing a pair of socks for granddaughter PAL,

I rummaged around in my stash and finally decided to do something with this nubby handspun yarn.  I didn't spin it.  All I know is that it is combined wool and silk noil (raw silk) and hand dyed probably with indigo but maybe woad (no way to be sure).  Anyway, I have started a very basic shawl since the yarn is certainly texture rich and striking enough to stand on its own.

5.  Before all this weather excitement happened, we did get some fun walks in.  This is along a trail near Older Daughter's home.  I love the river!  Even in COOL weather.

So this has been Willow's COOL Week.  I hope you are all staying safe, warm, and well and able to cool your heels and relax a bit.