Memories

That's what Christmas ornaments are about sometimes.  These yearly reminders are little tokens love from the past.  

My mother made this for me at least 20 years ago.  Inside is a skweaky little music box that plays 5 Christmas carols. When you activate it the squeaky little carols still play, reminders of my Mother's love and joy of creating.  Hope you have a beautiful Christmas season.  🎄  Diane

 

 

Hope

Pussy Willows or Catkins have always been a sign of spring to me.  Every March Leonard and I would take a ride out into the country where we knew them to grow and begin to pop.  I'm glad this winter is coming to an end.  It has been the coldest, deepest, longest one that I can remember.  There were weeks that I didn't go outside.  Cars, including mine, had to be jumped all over town.  "and it's not over yet.  There's still April and May and we get some of our worst storms on those months" But at least there's hope for an end.  What about you?             Diane
 

Happy Belated Valentine's Day

 

This is my Valentine.  He's been gone 7 1/2 years now but he's here with me anyway.  I like this picture.  As you might know, he was an appliance repairman and this shows him checking one out.  That was time consuming.  Just out of the picture Rascal is sitting with him watching, too.  

I hope you had at least one happy surprise on Valentine's Day.  Besides hearing from my three girls and friends and family I became the queen of the neighborhood.  I received a package from my daughter Amanda with handmade pottery pet dishes for all my neighbors with dear pets.  Although it was a blizzardy day, I managed to get them to everyone. I love all the pets as well as my neighbors.  I wish I'd taken a picture of them but I was too excited to get them to everyone. Have a beautiful today and God bless you.    Diane 

Hurry, Spring

 I know I'm not alone, at least around here, in looking forward to the end of this treacherous winter.  This morning as I write this, the wind is roaring and for once it's welcome.  Maybe it will cut some of this snow and ice.  Once already I fell and I'm so grateful that I didn't break anything.  It took a while for my arm and shoulder to feel better but it does now.  Many people have fallen on the ice and many, many fender benders.  You've seen the videos on the news.  I've hardly gone outside after that one fall.  I'm so looking forward to signs of spring.  God bless you. Diane 

After 19 years I have a new cat.

 

No, it isn't Maxie.  She was brought to me just yesterday and we're still getting used to the idea.  She looks so much like my kitty, Maxie, who I had for 22 years.  It's nice to have another presence in the house.  Blessings.  Diane

A Most Happy Christmas Season to You

 Whatever is going on in your life I sincerely hope that there is Comfort and Joy.  You are a treasured friend and I want the best for you.  

(pages from one of my journals)
God bless you and Merry Christmas   Diane

Colors

Everything came together right, the first frost, the weather, etc.  and the colors have been amazing this year.  Deep reds, brilliant yellow, dark brown, and bright greens.  Even the sky, the most beautiful blue of the whole year.  And it's all ours to enjoy.  Hope you've had a beautiful autumn or whatever you have where you live.  Blessings,   Diane
 

My little sister, Patsy

 Patsy passed away Wednesday, September 28, 2022.  I love this vibrant picture of her and I think she would, too.  After suffering for so long she would love to see this.  It's the way she really was,  except maybe not that young.  Always an optimist, always full of beans and fun, she was a child at heart.  I was 8 when she was born so I've always known she was in this world with me.  Till now.  I love you, Patsy.  

Both of my sisters died in September                   Blessings, Diane

Let Freedom Ring

 I was told that this flag, Old Glory, the red, white and blue did not mean the same because evil people, people with their own agenda had changed what it means. Not to me and I believe many Americans.  I believe it flies the same as the Star Spangled Banner says, O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.  It has been carried into battle and Americans have lost their lives defending our country.  Cemeteries are full of those people who believed in this great country.  

To be willingly handed over to people who claim it as their own??  I don't think so.  May Old Glory always fly over this brave, free, bruised country.  God bless the USA.  

Hard to believe I turned 80.

Sometimes I sill feel 11.  Except my body doesn't.  Am I the only one who is totally amazed when they reach a certain important age? It seems like all those years between 11 and 80 just vanished.  But I do have these three stunning people who were here for my birthday to prove I was here sometime in that span of years. 

And something else happened, these three girls who I was once taller than, in fact I helped them learn to walk, now tower above me.  
 

Memorial Day

 Never did this month pass but my Grandma would say "I hope the peonies will be blooming by Decoration Day".  That was what it was called before they changed it to Memorial Day.  This is my Dad and Mother's grave.  Daddy was a veteran and Mother is buried with him.  It's a solemn time, isn't it.  Times have changed and the true meaning is becoming forgotten.  Except for some of us.  Blessings to you,    Diane

Pink April

 No, the iris aren't blooming yet but to me April is pink colored.  And pink is happiness.  I wish you all the happiness in the world.      Diane

It's March Already

 Looking back at my photos March can bring anything.  Huge snow storms, apple blossoms, and mud.  Whatever it brings, though, it's getting closer to the end of winter.  This has been the weirdest winter varying from warm extremes to below 0 temps.  We should be happy, we always got a reprieve.  I hope wherever you live you will find some joy looking to the end of winter.  I think even more than that we look forward to a peaceful end for this hideous war for Ukraine.   God bless you today.  Diane 

Happy Valentine's Day

 

Just because he's gone he's with me all the time.  I was told after he died that I was free now.  Somehow after almost 6 years I don't feel free nor do I want to.  Love is eternal. 

I don't want to make you sad, I'm not.  I love Valentine's Day, I love the pinks, reds, hearts, cards and surprises from my daughters and loved ones.  It's a happy day.  Happy Valentine's Day, Leonard, and to you.              Diane