Our changing world.

What a changing world we live in. So much tragedy everywhere we turn. Our only grandson is in the Marine Core and learning to fight our enemies. Our hearts are heavy for all the people in Paris. Such an awful time for them, and more to come. God is not sleeping, He is aware of all this going on in our world. He is still in control.
Oh that people would return to him and obey him. He knows our hearts and our motives. He has plans for His people, but we must be faithful and endure to the end.
Today someone came to my home sharing their problems and cares. After listening to them, I realized that they weren't ready to look to Jesus for the answers to their problems. Now I feel so grieved for them. Why didn't I just pray with them. Maybe they will remember that God is there for them, waiting. God help me to respond to people in the way you have provided. Always in love, His love.

   Spring is definitely here. Green everywhere! The garden is so pretty. Won't be long before we will be picking squash, zucchini, and tomatoes. Butch, our son-in-law, and Ellie, our youngest daughter, both work in the garden too. So everyone is interested in what is going on out there.
   This morning Billy is getting his boat in shape for when we go fishing and camping. He likes to run a trout line and we bait it. When you feel that tug on the line it is so exciting. You never know how big it is or what it is, that's part of the fun. Of course, everyone likes to eat the catfish we catch. That calls for a fish-fry if we get enough.
   Mother's 90th birthday party was a success. She enjoys the attention, gifts, and visits. Two of my first cousins from Baton Rouge came again this year. Plus other first cousins that we were raised with. There was even talk of a family reunion, wouldn't that be something! Got pictures of everyone, including the newest arrival little miss Shyann Allen. She is still little, but smiles so sweetly for everyone.
   The great grands played together in the yard until time to depart. Lots of high fives, and kisses. My sister, Fran will be taking mother back to the Guest House. After a short nap she told everyone she had a great time and thanked everyone for coming. Using her walker she still gets around well, sometimes using the wheelchair when she gets tired.
    Today I am waiting for my Maine friend, Dawna, to deliver her baby. Today is suppose to be the due date, but you know how that is. They already have two active boys, and a precious little girl. Don't know yet what this one will be but I know they will be pleased whatever God chooses to give them. May all go well for her.
   Hubby is waiting on me to go with him to town so I'll have to cut this short. The days are long, but the years are short. Can't waste time, enjoy the moment.

Canning time

Well, when you have a good garden there is always something to can and share. Since most of our family lives nearby they share in the bounty, almost daily. Our youngest daughter, Ellie and I, can together sometimes. That means two pressure cookers at once. It helps to have someone to talk with and share in the workload.
Since I've been "under the weather" lately, she has really been a blessing to me. Those of you who still can know it takes lots of preparation. Jars, lids, pots, etc. have to be clean and ready for use. The produce has to be fresh, cleaned, and prepared for blancheing. Pressure times noted, dates written on lids, and space to put the finished product. It is work, sweat, and sometimes pressure on bodies too, but the joy of seeing the jars all lined up....the reward.
We all like to think on the rewards of this life, and the rewards of eternal life. We want to hear"well done, my good and faithfull servant. Yes, servant, to serve others is the highest calling.
Have you ever thought about that what you do unto others, you do unto Jesus? He says it in His Word. Sure makes me sit up and think on how I treat others.

Well, we are still gardening. Everything has come up, and Billy is watering. There are watermelons, cantalopes, tomatoes, bell peppers, green egg plants, sweet onions, squash, cucumbers, red beans and snap beans. Wow! Good thing we aren't planting as much as we used to plant.

Later, when it is warmer, we will also plant okra. It doesn't like cool weather. Looks like we will have something to eat for a while if everything does well. The good Lord willing. Might even have enough to put some up.

Our son in law has a turtle farm and the turtles have started laying. So that means my husband will be busy too helping wherever he is needed. Turtles love warm weather. Keeps everyone busy around here.

The great grandson, Fabien, loves to ride the four wheeler with his Paw paw Billy. He makes sure to be around when Billy passes going home from working with the turtles. That way we all get a little visit from him everyday. He's learning about being around working people who love one another, and are good to him.

He always says "Maw maw, I'm hungry." Ha ha, that means what's in the cookie jar. Even moms like something from the cookie jar. Our grown grandchildren are always looking for a little something too. Everyone loves to sit on the porch to share their news of the day. That way we get to watch them grow, and share the wisdom God has given us from his Word. We laugh and sometimes tease, all in fun.

Baby Eli is growing so fast. He has such good hand eye coordination. Always smiling and grabbing things within his reach. His mom is a regular visitor. She only has to walk a short way to our house, pushing him in his stroller. We are so blessed! May seems like such an ordinary way to live, but to live in peace and to have work to do is the best way.

Everyone is smiling over this wonderful, sunny weather. Just makes you want to do something outside. My hubby worked on the tractor today getting the garden ground ready for plants or seeds. Then put the fertilizer out, making sure to get the rows where the watermelons will go.

The ground is still kind of wet, but not too much so.

I even uncovered part of my flowerbeds. Still too early to completely uncover them. We can still get a freeze up until Easter.

Love letting the sun shine in the house. Of course, it shows up the dust that I've been saving, but that is going to change. Isn't it amazing how much energy you get just from good weather. Especially after such a winter as we have had.

Also enjoyed having our great grand daughter here for a while today. Such a little prissy missy. She is adorable, and can talk the wings off a butterfly. She is so tiny and active. Seeing things through her eyes is such fun. She was thrilled to ride the tractor with Paw paw Billy. He even let her think she was steering. Of course, he had to brag on her a bit, which caused her to smile and sit up a little straighter. What joy children are.

Well, its time to cook the turnips I dug up. Better head for the house.

Well, here we are in the middle of the coldest winter that I can remember. Maybe its because I'm older that I notice the weather more, but I don't remember having to stay inside this much before. We have had some winters where we were still in shirt sleeves in December.

Sure does make you more creative about how you spend your time. Television gets old after a while, and the sitting isn't so good either. Good reading time though, especially for someone like myself that loves reading.

Also good cooking, baking weather. All those comfort foods begin to show up. Anything hot, and filling and maybe a little sweet too. Sure helps to have some "insulation" against the cold.

The sweet potatoes really warm up the kitchen and make it smell so good.

Thank the good Lord that we haven't had any serious sickness in the family this winter. Just the nasties and a few other things. We did lose my brother, Bill, in October to a battle with cancer. May the Lord hold him close. We miss him so much, but we know he was having a hard time.

Some having to leave and some new ones coming on. We got a new great-grandson in September of last year. His name is Eli, and he sure does favor his mom. That makes three, one being a girl. She was first, and her name is Lexie. Some call her "little miss." They are all so sweet and special to us. The two oldest love books, and we love to read to them. Fabien, the second one has his favorites, and goes straight for them when he comes. He also loves my cookie jar.

We also have an addition to our home that has kept Paw paw busy. His name is Ringo, and he's a young beagle. Very handsome and extremely busy looking for ways to get out of the yard. It has been a challenge to stay ahead of him. He is very affectionate, and has been fortunate not to get killed on the highway. Anyone who knows about beagles knows they love to find ways to go in the wild, blue yonder.

Well, its time to go fix something for supper. What shall it be?

Its Time

Another person that we know has left this old world to be with the Lord. Thats four this month and it isn't over yet. One was a girl I went to high school with, knew her husband well. He built houses for three of our children. Then a man that my husband worked with for many years got the news that he didn't have long. Naturally, Billy visited and called him. Next was a lady that we knew from church and other times. Her son still goes to the same church as we do. She suffered long and hard. So sad that people have to go through that sometimes. But she knew the Lord well, and we know that she trusted Him.
Then just this morning, early, we got the news that my husband ex-brother in law have left this world for the next. He had cancer, was prepared, even recorded the songs that he sang for his furneral. Last time we visited him he said he was tired of waiting....ready to go. The Lord was merciful and took him. He is one of the few people that I know who had a going away party. He wanted his friends and family to be able to tell him good bye before he left. He looked forward to visits, but near the end was just tired.
Why am I writing about this, well its life. We are no longer young, and these kinds of things are in the forecast for us too. Are you ready to meet your maker?