Four Decades Ago

I became a parent which began the journey of a lifetime of thrills, spills, the good, bad and ugly, elation, sorrow, heartache, joy, pride, accomplishment, surprise, achievement. My children have given me five grandchildren. I don't know where I'd be without them. Happy Birthday my darling!

I had a towhead and now she's got two

1. tow·head

   [ˈtōˌhed]
   

   
   

   NOUN

   tow-head (noun) · tow-heads (plural noun) · towheads (plural noun)

   
   

   1. a head of tow-colored or very blond hair.

      • a person with very blond hair.

      
      

One month until my favorite place to shop closes

I started working a new job 17 years ago and discovered a GW one block away. I've been shopping there ever since. I now walk three blocks there and it's the perfect distance for exercise and a little shopping. I constantly find bargains for myself, children and grandchildren. One of my best recent finds is a $12 juicer. It's missing the trap so I juice on my front porch and spread the fiber around the rose bushes. The building was sold and had it not been for the environmental review it would already be closed. Where oh where will I shop now? It's very sad indeed. I've shopped there almost daily these 17 years. One of my favorite memories will always be finding the missing little girl who was hiding from her mother and infant brother. The mother was beside herself. That same year I found a lost little boy at the Clayton concert too. Farewell soon.

New Jesus, by Akiane

“Prince of Peace, the Resurrection Painting” is the first in a series of inspirational paintings of Jesus by American artist Akiane Kramarik, who created this masterful portrait of Jesus at age 8."

Jesus, shared on her birthday this month. She was born in 1994.

How to celebrate Independence Day solo

I have had a spectacular Independence Day celebration. It starts by hanging Old Glory in my front yard. For the past few years the 5K has been on my street and the neighbors decorate to the hilt, have Rocky theme and patriotic music blasting and we all cheer on the runners. It's great fun for 45 minutes. I then ate a waffle, berry jam and banana on my front porch and walked to town with the neighbors for the two-hour parade complete with bands, horses and dancing demos. I walked home and wore my red suit for my 30-minute lap swim including butterfly which I'm able to do again the length of the pool. I talked to Paul twice and Eve too before heading over with two desserts and Scrabble to enjoy a fantastic six hours with our former bishop's family. I counted 18 of us and all seven youth played in the pool the entire time except for the feast we ate that filled me to the brim. I asked a friend if she'd like to play Scrabble and we played a game enjoying the lovely afternoon as I spotted the moon on powder blue in the distance. I left before 9 p.m. with some tasty guacamole, salsa and salad and headed home to watch fireworks from the yard of my next-door neighbors and one other family. It was great fun and then we were given sparklers to top off the night together. I watched an hour of A Capitol Fourth grateful for the independence of this nation where the gospel was restored. I am blessed. It's been another wonderful 4th of July.

A dinner party and two games of Scrabble

Happy are we! Happy are we!