Share The Joy Thursday

This week has been one of those rare ones that is not packed full of doctors appointments and any number of errands to run. Meaning plain and simply {{WE}} time for J.D. and I. Having put a few things on hold for a while, we decided that we would take care of some of those things on Tuesday. I am thinking that it would be difficult for the average urban dweller to grasp the fact that when you live in the country in the Midwest and you say you are 'going to town', it is still a country experience.  

 Our trip to town included a trip to the post office to place a couple of packages in the mail. I seldom go to the post office any more since they now sell postage stamps at the grocery stores. For whatever strange reason that is a part of me, I have always enjoyed going to the post office. It rates right up the with book stores, art supply shops and and office supply stores, where I am concerned. These places are a treat to my senses. So I was looking forward to the trip to our little Post Office. 

As I took my place in line at the Post Office I was in a good mood because we had already taken care of two things that we had put off for quite a while. 

That good mood turned to plain and simple JOY! when from the far reaches of our little post office I heard the morning song of a rooster....... !!! Now I am no stranger to going to the post office in the spring and hearing the sounds of little biddies coming from the back of the post office, but this was a first for me. I have never heard a rooster's song coming from the back room. This was early afternoon so his clock was off by quite a few hours. It just reaffirmed for me that spring is right around the corner, bringing a smile to my face and lifting my soul from a good mood to pure JOY!

What brought you JOY! this week? 

Come Share The JOY!

at Meri's Musings

Have a BLESSED and JOYFUL week!

Everything's Coming Up Springtime

(Click on collage to enlarge)

There is no mistake that spring is making an appearance around here. The trees and flowers are starting to bloom and stretching their limbs out toward the sun after a long winters sleep. We seem to be doing the same after a long winter of being pretty much confined to the house on the mountain. We have been as busy as the birds building their nests, going to Britt's band concerts, Britt's high school musical, Taryn's 5th grade musical program honoring our heroes and Riley's musical program with songs about a tropical retreat to Hawaii. There was even a little guy in Riley's Program that was sporting a Mohawk like Buddy's. Oop's softball games will be starting soon and Riley will be playing tee-ball this year so the entertainment spills over into the summer months. Oop told me the other night that this year she is raising a cow and a lamb for 4-H. So we will have the judging to look forward to in July. Taryn has been taking piano lessons and she will have a recital coming up soon as well. I love watching these children perform. All of them put their whole heart into what they are doing. Of course Seth isn't into any organised activities yet, but when he is old enough to be involved G'ma and G'pa will be there to cheer him on too.

(Click collage to enlarge )

Britt and Michael have birthdays in January and that just is not a good month for trying to gather everyone together for a birthday celebration. It seems as though the weather never wants to work with us on that. So we did a group birthday dinner for Britt, Michael and Melody in March. Melody got her fried chicken, Britt got her chicken noodles and Michael got his mac and cheese. Melody's grandmother turned 91 this year and Melody's mother packed a bag for her, put her in the car and brought her to Ohio from Kentucky to share her birthday with her grandchildren. She told us she didn't know where Jo (Yes, Melody's mom is a Jo too! You can never have too many) was taking her, but it took a long time to get there. Melody has been a part of our life since 1996 and this was the first opportunity I have had to meet her grandma. When you think of the perfect grandma that is wonderful and sweet and everything good that a grandma should be, then you are thinking of Melody's grandma.



I posted not long ago that April brought my big "60" birthday....... My dinner was held at Chris and Melody's. Melody served up lasagna and a big chef's salad complete with cake. I got a big laugh out of Seth. He was so excited about my birthday. He took me straight to the dining room to see all of the pretty plates and the gifts. Everything was just perfect. Seth is all about those birthday cakes. I was talking to Melody on the phone just the other night and could hear Seth in the background singing, "Happy Birthday Mommaw, Happy Birthday Mommaw". My thanks to my children, grandchildren and husband for all they do for me. I am a very fortunate woman and thank God every day for the blessing of my family.

Springtime Wonder

It is such a beautiful day out today. We have the doors and windows all open and there is a soft breeze circulating through the house. With camera in hand I strolled around the yard this morning and took a few pictures which I thought I would share with you. I even threw in a springtime poem for good measure.

The sky has never looked so blue

Never a breeze so sweet

Flowers burst forth in brilliant array

As April comes to greet.

The trees stand tall in their glory

Tender leaves cover limbs once bare

Yards filled with laughing children

Can you match the splendor there?

There is nothing quite as pleasant

As a walk in springtime hours

The bees even harmonize with life

As they drift among the flowers.

A golden rainbow after a storm

Beauty beyond compare

A taste of heaven here on earth

With green grass everywhere.

God softly whispers to us

As gentle rains caress

The countryside with drops of life

In such pure tenderness.

And if you listen close enough

I'm sure that He'll impart

The freshness of spring upon your soul

And a flower in your heart!

Written By:Marilyn Ferguson©1987

All Things Beautiful

Today I am focusing on Spring and all the beauty that it brings. Our daffodils, day lilies, and forsythia are budding. I can look at the tips of the maple trees and see the red buds on the tips of the branches waiting patiently to spring open with just the slightest coaxing from the warmth of the sun. Not far behind will be the red bud and dogwood trees. Tufts of green grass is popping up here and there and I can see J.D. keeping an eye on it and gauging its growth, just waiting for the day when he can hop on his mower and begin another new growing season with the best manicured yard around for miles and miles. I am quite proud of the way he keeps our yard looking its best. With Spring, comes a new found spurt of energy that says, "It's time to shake off the winter doldrums and go outside to get a good helping of all that God has created for our enjoyment.

Another sure sign of spring being upon us is the High School's Spring Band Concert. We are very fortunate having such a talented and dedicated band instructor at our high school. He doesn't expect any more from the students in his charge then what he, himself gives to the program. He gives his all, so that is what he expects in return. It is evident in their performances and from the awards they win in their competitions that our high school has an outstanding music program.

In just a couple of hours we will be joining Tersie and T-Bear and enjoy a nice relaxing afternoon as our Britt and the rest of the high school band WOWS us yet again with the sounds of music to herald in Spring.

Wishing you a blessed Sunday afternoon.

~Jo