Meet Klop!

 

I just had to share "Klop" with you! The other night we had our monthly potluck, we usually have a dear friend who opens the building up that we meet in. However, he had a massive heart attack a while back and is still healing. So another gentleman opens up for us. And this is his dog!!  

 

After everyone leaves, we call him and he comes back over to lock up. I heard the door open, and looked up and this is what I saw! smile.. A gentle giant "Klop!" and Gene! I asked 'why Klop??' He laughed and said...cause when he walks across the floor he goes klop-klop-klop! ha...ha... He recused him, he is a great dane and had been in a very bad home. I know he is a really happy dog now and is cared for and loved by Gene and his family.

 

We saw this scene the other day....the sign says Private Property...and yet the lot was full of turkeys. Not sure if they put up the sign and it's their property or they are trespassing...lol

 

Look at these sparrows, so loving..I think they were feeding each other. I'd see the one standing fly over to the feeder then bring something back to the other one....smile..

 

No moon out here tonight...we're having overcast skies and rain..sad...I hope some of you are able to enjoy that Super Moon tonight..

Surgery and Spring???

 

Yesterday SIL had her surgery and all went well. Thanks for all your prayers.. Isn't our God good??

When we came home, we stopped at the gas station for gas, I thought..I really need something to take a picture of and look what was right in front of us...smile.. Isn't he cute??

 

See him?? He was such a good boy...he stayed right in the jeep. I'm always amazed when dogs stay in the back of a pickup or any open vehicles.  They are smart aren't they??

 

Yesterday, when Tom brought the mail in, look what we got! My friend Betty, from Australia, sent me a late birthday gift! We (actually we) were so excited when we opened it!! I just smiled when I saw the tea towel with the doggies...Rusty...is always a part of our lives.. smile..  Everything is so pretty...a beautiful tray and a sachet of lavender. Ahhh, it smells so good!

 

 

Remember, I was telling you about where the pigeons roost? This was the sign I originally spotted them at. And yesterday, I saw them jump down, so I zoomed in and can see where they go. (See all that poop...lol)

 

Hope you are enjoying your spring... hummm... It wasn't too bad today, I even opened a couple windows. (course I love 'fresh air') BUT tomorrow our high will only be in the 30's, and will stay that way for a few days...We must remember even though it's spring on the calendar, it also says it's March!!! 

Birthday Girl Today!!

 

 

Today is our Granddaughter Amanda's 20th birthday! Amazing...where do the years go? One minute you're in a birthing room watching a beautiful baby girl entering this world! And then "she" is no longer a teen, but a young woman turning 20!!! How awesome is that? God is so good to us! 

 

 

 

Here is another picture from the other day when we were down by the Pavilion, which is by the river..what a beautiful setting..smile...

 

And another view. Can't you just see a big wedding going on up there under the pavilion? smile...

 

 

And last but not least...we saw something going on across the river..so I told Tom I'll zoom my camera in and see what it was. Well, guess what? It was a dog show... and we never heard a thing about it! Darn, we could have entered "Rusty" in the competition and he probably would have won! smile.. What do you think??

 

Hope you're having a wonderful week...

 

more as it happens here in the city..........

 

 

 

 

Baby Hawks and Turkey Buzzards...

 

 

First I just have to share this picture of the twins with you...are they not just the cutest things you've ever seen??? Her mommy called the "baby hawks".  Looked like they were already for the game yesterday...to bad the team lost and by so little..sad... However, the year has just begun!!! smile...

 

 

 

My daughter in Georgia sent me these photos, of what she saw in her yard last week. Doesn't this bunny look healthy?? Looks like he has lots to eat....everything is so green!

 

Looks like she caught a picture of this fawn out her window..."Cuteness" in it's true form.....

 

Now here is her 'tired' adorable little dog Camy. The first time Rusty went down there to visit...those two had a ball...running around (and around) the house. Brenda had a little 'water fountain' in front of  her fireplace, and they'd STOP...get a drink and off they'd go again..smile... So guess what we had to buy when we got home...ha..ha..

 

She noticed this neighborhood cat sleeping on her deck.. Pretty isn't it??

 

And can you believe? A turkey buzzard??? Wow...I don't think I've ever seen one before.. How about you? Have you seen they before??

 

 

And this pretty one of the bee enjoying some sweet nectar!

 

Tonight (just like many other ones) when Tom opened the door, I could hear the cicada's-boy are they noisy little burgers...smile... But to me they are the sound of fall. And since September is here, that tells me the season is soon upon us. I hope you're having a wonderful weekend!

 

more as it happens here in the city..................

Last Farmers Market

This was the first thing I spotted when we headed down to our friends booth at the Farmers Market today! Isn't he just adorable?? His master said he is an Airedale! (I want one...smile...)

He was so friendly...and such a mannerly dog..smile...

Considering it was the last day for several of the vendors, it being late and the temperatures being so cold, there were quite a few people there.

I was surprised that they still have watermelons this late in the season, and wondered about these unique gourds...kinda funky looking...ha...ha...

Aren't these pumpkins cute?? Lots of  people were looking and buying them. Tom thought these grey?? looking pumpkins were really 'weird'...smile... I think so too...

It was getting near the end of the day, and we stopped by this table. I saw the pies, and they were $8, I thought we'd get one. The lady said, buy all you want, it's getting late, I said would you reduce the price? She said 'ya depending on how many you buy'...so I said would you charge $5, if I get 4? She said "yes"...smile... after we were choosing them, we ended up with 5 of them. 'big smile'...

Here are our friends, Audrey and Steve, where we got the jelly today. This was their last day this year. It was sad...The summer was so 'hot' we weren't able to get down there only a few times, then today, being the last day...was COLD..Audrey said when they came this morning, it was still dark and very...very cold as they were trying to set up. (so, I bet they were glad it was the last time this year...lol)

Here are some of the items we bought. We saw our old neighbors, it was so nice to catch up on the old neighborhood news! smile... She told us how good these little squash were! So, we are anxious to see how good they are. We got a jar of the Bumbleberry Jam (can't wait to try it!)...we also ordered some for our granddaughter for Christmas!  Of course we could 'not' forget our baby, we had to get him some homemade bones (treats)!! smile...

Well, it was such a fun day....I'm just sorry it has come to an end for the year! However, there is always next year!!! What did you do today?

Farmers Market

I figured I'd wake up bright and early this morning since I knew we were going to the Farmer's Market! Yeah!!! But..........we slept in...hummm....however, my first thought was something a friend told me last night...'so what?' smile..  We were at an MS Seminar last night and I was telling an elderly friend how different it is since I'm no longer working (retired...smile), like I don't get the things done like I did when I worked. The first words out of her mouth were "so what?" ha...ha... 

We finally got going about 10 a.m. and it was busy...busy...busy! Love it!!!

There were all sorts of tables...selling everything...from food to flowers...

Speaking of flowers...this lady was so...so busy..she had the prettiest flowers you'd ever want to see... I even bought something from her. smile...

We stopped by our friends booth...she said she had missed us and was worried that something had happened. She was relieved to see us...just makes me  smile... Look at all these tomatoes...can you imagine what their farm looks like?? Her son..looking at me in the bright green shirt raises all of them! 

 I just loved these cute little "tu..tu's"...aren't they just the sweetest??

This shows the busy-ness of everything going on. Old and young people, dogs, babies and food!

We worked our way back to our friends stand (and look at the line up of people buying..buying and buying!) smile... Of course my Tom (in his hat) was waiting to buy some yumm...yumm tomatoes!

I love these...first dad pushing his twins (cute...), mom walking with their dog (I think it's a Labadoodle)...then the dad with his 2 week old baby girl...(yes he had her covered up...I just asked to see her..smile...) then the little gray dog..(not a good shot..sorry...) it was so cute... and finally the pointer (brown and white)...which belongs to my dentist! He stopped me and said "Hi Gert"! I said "Hi!"...then he said 'you don't know who I am do you??' I had to admit, I didn't...smile... When he told me, I felt so bad..but he just laughed...however, those shorts and baseball cap...sure didn't look anything like his uniform he usually wears...smile.. We didn't stay too long as it was very hot...I looked and saw the back of Tom's shirt was wet...so I knew he was sweating and getting too "hot". As soon as I got in the van, my face felt really hot..I looked in the mirror and it was really 'red'...whoops...you can sure tell I'm not use to being out in the sun!  The rest of the morning we ran a few errands and ate out...smile... We had a high of 89, so this air-conditioning feels very good! How about you?? How was your day??

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"The Many Thoughts of Grace"

April 20, 1940: Paul and Mama came down. They had been to Missouri, and took Dad. Mama stayed. We chopped wood. Had ice cream for supper.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

more as it happens here in the city.............

Heat Index of 114!!!

We had some issues with our TV, we weren't getting the Hallmark channels! And if you know me...I "Love"  those channels. Now who doesn't just love Matlock and Murder She Wrote? smile... The Cable repairman came out yesterday and found the problem...a squirrel had chewed into the line, so he had to replace it. He was a really nice guy, and so helpful. But as cute as those little squirrels are...they can really wreck havoc on wires!

Last night some friends stopped over, she is going to make some beet pickles for Tom. Apparently, they are having a good crop of them this year...smile... All she said she needed were some 1 quart jars..which we had on hand, so they came by and picked them up. Tom is really excited, as he loves them!

Yesterday, after a big hassle of trying to get Tom's meds, we finally were able to find them! Long story...which I may share one day! smile...  At any rate..I saw this dog tied up at the ice machine while it's owner went in the store. (It probably wished it could open that door and get a little ice out of there...smile...)  

Today is terribly HOT here in Iowa...last time I checked it was 100 degrees. Wouldn't it be nice to be floating down the river??? ha... No...not really...smile....I have stayed in the house all day...Tom thought it was too hot this morning to walk around the Farmers Market. sad... Once again, we missed the Market...I'm so depressed....but there is always Saturday...smile... Gives us something to look forward to!

Be sure and check my left column to see the sweet give away over at the Prairie Flower Farm's blog site. She has the most fun parties!!

I hope you are all safe with this heat, fires and floods due to rains in Florida... My friend in Australia said she could use a little of this heat...since they are having their winter down there right now. Wish  we could share a few of our temps with each other via the internet...lol...

I found this prayer on Face Book and thought it was truly appropriate right now. Please take a minute and say this prayer.

♥ Prayers Needed for Colorado ♥
Father God, we pray for Colorado as fires continue to rage in that state. Comfort those who have lost their homes and be with the 32,000 evacuees who fled theirs. We ask that you protect the men and women fighting the fires. Please send rain and stay the winds in this area, as only you can. We pray, Lord, that you bring these fires under control, in Jesus' name, amen.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"The Many Thoughts of Grace"

April 19, 1940: I planted some garden. Took Francis out with me. It rained some. Made some ice cream.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

more as it happens here in the city............

Dogs..Dogs and more Dogs...

Yesterday our day lilies started to bloom... they are so pretty..amazing how they return year after year!! smile... Just another one of God's wonders...

Our granddaughter was telling us about a sunfish they caught and put in their fish tank along with their other fish. Here is their dog...Riley watching them...smile... isn't this just the funniest photo?? smile... Papa Tom told them they need to be careful that Riley doesn't tip the tank over! They had already thought about this and keep the door shut when their not in the room. I guess he puts his nose up to the glass, he's so mesmerized by them...

I just had to slip this photo of Rusty in... He was outside with me the other day...smile... I think he was wanting to go in...

Look at what we spotted today...isn't this just a riot?? The best part is the dog of course...isn't he cute?? Look at the goggles on him...aren't they just the funniest??? (Long story on how we got this shot...we were on our way to the Red Lobster for lunch with our church family when I spotted these people...but I missed the opportunity to take a picture of them. So...we let them pass us on the interstate...then Tom pulled up beside them so I could take this picture...lol)

Then we spotted this on our way home... "Overcoming Evil with Good"...(Romans 12:21) Perfect shot on SONday!

I thought I should end this blog posting by showing you how we used our fresh rosemary! Tom fried pork chops yesterday and threw a sprig or two of rosemary in the pan. We enjoyed the flavor very much! smile.... How do you use fresh rosemary??

Did you have a nice SONday?? How did you enjoy it??

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"The Many Thoughts of Grace"

June 1, 1939: I'm sure this will always be remembered as the happiest day of our wedded life. Francis Eugene was born at 12:00. He was born backward. Dr. Comney didn't get here in time.

*This was the last diary entry for the year 1939. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
more as it happens here in the city..............

Ever have a friend you've never met???

To have a true friend you've never met is unique I think! Even though, I know we meet people via Facebook & Twitter etc. in this day and age...it's not the same....as to form a 'special' bond and to become very close friends like my beautiful Jane and I have done. I received a card this week from her son...thanking us for remembering him and his new wife on their wedding day and this brought to mind what a special, special friend her and her family have come to be over the years.

Back in 1997, I was diagnosed with MS and got my first home computer, so I could work part of the day from home. (I had great employers) I went online looking for others who were on the same drug I was. This is how I met Jane! I remember how exciting it was to have an e-mail from her! Soon, we were sending e-mails to each other everyday!! We would open up to each other just like very close friends who have known each other forever would do!! smile...  We watched our kids and grandkids grow and change!! Lately...we saw her youngest son get married and she has seen us become 'great grandparents'...smile... 

They had a dog, a black lab, we got a Lhasa Apso which we named "Bandit", with her help. smile... She was there for us seven years later when Bandit passed away. Her dog also passed away...but......

this is her new puppy "Bella"! Isn't she adoreable?? And I know she will be great company for Jane. Her son and his new wife helped pick Bella out! smile...

Well, life is funny....Jane and I have known each other for 14 years now and I think we both know as much about each other as if we've known each other all our lives...smile... We bless each other, we pray for each other and we know we are always there for each other...even though we've never met! To me that is what a friend is all about even though we're 900 miles apart!!

Things here are about the same, I went back to the Dr. yesterday, he changed my medicine a little. The swelling went down some today. So that is promising...smile... I go back tomorrow and see if the change in my meds has improved anything.

Blessings...and good night everyone... and good night Jane.........smile........

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------