Morning Chuckle

There is an apple tree in our backyard. It's not very old and it's not very big. We generally get about six apples a year, and frankly, they aren't very good. But it is a great temptation to little ones, especially since the apples are so low to the ground. There has been a constant litany this spring - don't pick the apples until Grandma or Grandpa says it's okay. Well, they didn't pick the apples. As I was sitting on the patio drinking coffee this mornig, something in the apple tree looked a little odd. I went over to look, and sure enough, someone had been eating apples. But they didn't take them off the tree! See, that's progress!!

Stop and Smell the Roses (or Hydrangeas, as the Case May Be)

One of the original intents in my blogging was to have a place for clearing my head once in a while. I guess you can guess that my head hasn't been too clear lately. It is very tempting to blame one of my forebears for the nasty, self-pitying side of my temperament, but I think I have to own it all myself. All too often I let myself dwell on the difficulties in my life, but if I've learned anything in the last few months, it's that many people have it much more difficult than I.

This last weekend was great, weather-wise, and it was the perfect opportunity to drag the kids outdoors and get some major work done in the yard. We cleaned the hill, we planted roses and strawberries, and one of us stopped to enjoy the flowers! Life wasn't perfect, but we found plenty of opportunity to laugh, play, and appreciate the time we had together. So my goal is to pull myself out of the pity party a little more often, just in case I miss something really fun.

Thank You Ed

I've never found the perfect words to tell Ed thanks for being our "second dad." He'll never admit to being that, but in my eyes, he is. He would never think of replacing "Dad" in our hearts and lives; that was never his intention. After all, we were pretty much adults when he became a permanent fixture. But he's always shown concern for us, love for us, and respect for us. He has offered and given us advice and help, sometimes with the stern words a dad has to use with his kids. He has stood by and watched us make mistakes but never made us feel like we weren't welcome or were too much trouble. He's been a loving companion to our mother, making a home with her and enjoying life together when they could.

We love you, Ed, and I for one can't imagine what life would be like without you. I hope your birthday was wonderful.