Beaded 2 Bless

I had the best Fourth ever. I was not looking forward to it. Two years ago, on July 4th,  my brother and I were on a whirlwind trip to Mississippi to see my mother who was in the hospital. Only to come home a week and half later with no mother at all. This memory being so fresh, I really didn't want to think about it. We were going to go and do the very thing I was supposed to have done instead of going on that trip. My niece was supposed to come for the first time since her Dad's funeral (locally) and my mom's too. I wasn't sure what to expect as she has had a real tough go. Her mother passed away in March 2007, then an aunt (my sister's closest friend) three months later, then her Dad in Feb. 2008, then of all things my Mom (who has always provided for her and was now her legal guardian) in July of 2008.  I wasn't sure what to expect. I have always wanted to be close to this young lady and my sister wouldn't really come around unless she had her act togeth...

This is such a beautiful place, I love to look for it every time. I think the owner too had treasured it for the memories it shares with all who pass this way. I also look for it to disappear one day when someone decides that the space could be used differently. I just know that it will happen- someday. I am thankful that I remembered to photograph it before they did so the memory will live on a little longer. There are a lot of memories that  are still standing . I cannot post photos of it because most are protected by copyright laws, but it brings me back to 9-11. It brings me back to the moment that my mother called me a week later and said, "I am okay." A flood of emotion came over me in that brief moment. I knew my mother often worked across the street from the Pentagon and  stayed in a hotel in Fairfax, but I had NO idea she was there when this occurred. So the remembrance of watching these events unfold at the dealership while my care was getting a tune up floode...

There are times in your life when "other things" keep you from doing what you think you want to do. I have been so blessed with the harvest this year. My family members have sent many bags containing squash, okra, zucchini, and tomatoes to us. That is not all, we  have had so much rain this spring that there are bumper crops of  blackberries, plums, peaches, grapes and pears. I have never canned or frozen so much food before. Yesterday alone I canned 19 quarts and 2 pints of peaches (just from 2 trees and there are many more). There will be plenty to freeze and make preserves out of too. Many people have even given me their jars. More than providing food, it has provided and opportunity to save money, and  learning opportunities for  my kids.  Growing, picking, canning,  and/ or freezing isn't something most folks learn, there is an art to it all. My oldest helped skin the peaches yesterday (after they were scalded) and felt real proud of himself, and so he...