Another year older

52 years old/young-whichever, today. Where have the years gone?

I think it's Della Jo's birthday today also(Happy Birthday, Della), and heard on the radio that it is Amy Grants birthday too.

My daughters in MN, and I will be traveling there later today, my son and son-in-law brought down cards and gifts last night. Otherwise, nothing special going on.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving, we all have very much to be thankful for.

Changing Seasons

I just couldn't wait! I know it's not even Thanksgiving yet, but I love the Christmas season and try to stretch it out as much as I can. (Last year I think I started listening to Christmas music in October!) I got the lights put up outside last week while the weather wasn't too bad, but haven't gotten anything done to the inside as yet. Probably some of you think I've jumped the gun-just smile and bear with me please. 8-).

Deer Season

Today is opening day of deer season for firearms. I got up at 5:30 this morning (am I crazy or what?) and went out in the cold(I don't know what the wind chill was but it was COLD) dark morning-as I've done for the past 15? years-it's been quite a few anyway. Daniel built me a wonderful deer stand on scaffolding, with sides and a roof, and I'm sure it's been a big part of my success. I have a picture of it somewhere, but couldn't find it. I'll put it up later if I run across it. He was such a wonderful husband, and could do so many things. He LOVED to hunt, and was good at it. I have to tell you the story of how I got my buck pictured below. If it wasn't for him, you wouldn't be seeing it. I was in my stand, it was late evening, when I heard something coming through the woods in front of me.(Usually you don't hear them, but this guy wasn't thinking or something). I was watching breathlessly, when the first thing I see is antlers coming up over the rise. He moves into sight and stops, and I shoot. He drops. I sit there trying to collect myself, and a few minutes? later, shakily start descending the ladder, when all of a sudden, he jumps up and takes off!! I left my gun in the stand(a no-no), so got it, and went over to where he had been to pick up the blood trail. There really wasn't much of one, but I started following it as best I could. It took me over the fence onto the neighbor's property, and I followed it until it was just too dark to see anymore(it was close to dark when I shot him). I dropped a kleenex at the spot where I turned around, and walked back in. Daniel and some cousins,(Valerie might have been there too, as Daniel took her hunting with him that year)were standing in the field, close to the edge of the woods when I came in, and I, not very calmly, said that I had shot a nice buck but it had got away. After I had explained the situation, nothing doing but we all had to go after it. Armed with flashlights, I took them back to my kleenex and we spent probably an hour at least, looking, but the drops of blood were far apart and in the dark we lost the trail. My husband called into work the next morning and told them he wouldn't be into work for awhile as he was going to hunt for my deer. I went with him, but it was too discouraging for me, and after awhile I left and went back to my stand. He wouldn't give up, and after I'd been in my stand awhile, I can still see him coming through the woods and giving me a thumbs up that he'd found it. He called our neighbor and got permission for us to drive in and get it. OH, HOW I MISS HIM!!!! Such precious memories I have.

This morning I jumped one on my way in to my stand, and I saw another one later, that looked to be a small buck. There's a rule this year, that they have to have four points on my side before you can take them. He/she, was gone before I could get a good look through my scope. It's getting colder, and I'm getting older, so I don't think I'm going out again today.

My first Big buck


Taken a few years ago. Daniels is on the left, mines in the middle, and our son's on the right.


This is my second big buck, taken in 2005. Arthur was holding it up for me.

This week was the local IHC in Troy, and it was a real blessing! The speakers, song evangelists were excellent, and it was wonderful to gather together with God's people and worship Him. It was great to see everyone, some we'd never met before and many that we knew. The pictures aren't the best as I zoomed in on them without a flash, and the camera didn't want to focus clearly (that's all I can figure out as it surely couldn't have been my fault they're fuzzy!) 8~).

Bro. Tom Reed


Bro. James Plank


Soloman and Joanne Schaffer

My week-end

Friday evening I picked up a couple little girls, ages 4 and 6, to provide respite care for them for the weekend. They went back yesterday evening. They were quite the girls and I really enjoyed their company. They kept me well entertained! After getting them, I met my family at a Mexican restaurant for dinner, and we had a great time together.

I just came in from outside. I've been out raking and burning leaves, it's been so enjoyable. Saw a beautiful sunset, and the moon is lovely in the night sky. The smell of burning leaves is still in the air and I wish I could have stayed out longer but it was getting pretty dark. There was a nice brisk breeze blowing and now the house seems too warm. God has given us a beautiful world-I love being outdoors and living in the country!!

Lance spent a few hours with me yesterday afternoon and we had a good time working and playing together. I didn't take many pictures but here's a few I thought you might enjoy.

Stepping right along...The way he's holding his arm or something, reminds me of Daniel.


I had one lone daylily blooming.


Here's Lance smelling it. :-)


He likes to ring Grandma's John Deere wind chimes.


He fell asleep playing.

I meant to post sooner, sorry. Lance is better, THANK THE LORD! And thanks again for all your prayers, those who left comments and those who didn't, they were much appreciated!

Yesterday was exhausting. Got up around 3:45, and was at the polls until 7:15 p.m. Went into town afterwards to help on a fundraiser(buy some food and the proceeds went to the Foster Care Association). It helped me and them, so I guess we're all happy. I can't say that I'm happy with how the day went otherwise however, but it's in God's hands.

Prayer request

My little grandson is sick, he's run a pretty high temp. at times, over the last three days. Val took him to the Dr. today and he took a strep throat culture which was negative, otherwise really didn't do anything. Said if he wasn't better by Wed. to let them know. He's in pain, crying sporadically, and we'd sure appreciate your prayers for him! Thanks in advance!

I was asked to be an election judge again this year, so I went for my training yesterday. After the training we were allowed to vote, since we'll probably be so busy Tuesday we won't have the time, so my vote is in! After I left town, I drove to the Cuivre River State Park and took some pictures. A lot of the leaves have already lost their brilliant color but I got a few good ones I thought. I really enjoyed my time spent there.