A Memorable Trip to Pine Tree Barn

Back on October 31, I posted a crazy layout of ORU, using this photo. I promised myself I would redo it. It has been a while, but I finally finished the rework of this layout. It has been a long time, and I am happy with the new layout. However, it is still not up to what we have been used to doing with ORU pics. They generally end up on a calendar for the next year. but this layout is much too busy and the photo too small for a calendar month. (That's right, you can call us calendar girls.)

We have been having lots of trouble getting us all together. We thought that when we were older, without so much time taken up with our children, who were still home and sans other obligations we had going, that it would be much easier to spend time together; but, alas, we were wrong, very wrong. For one thing three of us moved to Texas and the ones who still live here in OH have even more obligations now, even as some of us have gotten to the age that slows down activity. One has a home in Florida that consumes some of her time, and she also volunteers at the local Cuyahoga National Park.  Because of this, we were lucky to get 5 of us together out of the 6 still living locally.

We would love to find a way for all nine of us to gather for at least a weekend.

Since the picture is so small...in the back are Sali, Jane and Phyllis and in the front are Paullette and myself, Lou Ann.

Renaissance Faire in Pennsylvania

I am so thankful for FaceBook. It is where I gather pictures of my grandchildren, especially the older ones who post their pictures themselves. 

This picture is of Lauren and her boyfriend, Pat when they went to the Renaissance Faire, an event in Mannheim, Pennsylvania.

Sounds like something very interesting. This is the second year in a row, I believe, that Lauren and Pat have enjoyed this fair.

Following is info I found online about the fair. Sounds very interesting.

The Key

We really need to see this little girl again soon.   Perhaps God will provide that opportunity for this grandmother who lives way too far from all her grandchildren. 

I think all of them have a key to my heart, at least every so often I feel a tug on it, and must believe it is from one or another of them. When I talk to them on the phone or see pictures of them, I feel the pull. It is by far the best thing a lady of my age can experience ...that tug now and then. 

I know many of my friends are being tugged each time they go shopping and see things their grandkids might like. I can't afford to even window shop, for I would end up spending everything I have and be left without a home for them to visit. I certainly understand the temptation to overspend and spoil these little ones.

Thank you, Father for answering prayer. We beg you to bring back freedom to our land and help those who have not learned to live the good life of the freedom, adapt and experience the peace and love it brings.

Bless our President elect. Help us make a smooth transition from the old. Help us all to make our best efforts.

Sun Rays and the Deer

This is not the best, or most attractive layout I've done, but it does tell a story.

You can tell I took this picture into the sun, and  it came into my car in rays of beauty. The deer is to your upper  left of the circle, where I've placed an enlarged picture of him and  gave him more contrast, so that you can see him better.

On a Thursday, when I returned home after Ladies' class, having lunch with some girlfriends and running some errands, it was a beautiful day for November 10. So I grabbed my dog's lease, because she had been left at home most of the day, and took her for a ride in the state park that is near our home. It is the Portage Lakes State Park and is quite lovely any time.

As I drove into the woods, there appeared in front of me a deer. He started to run away, but stopped and just stared at me as I stared at him. Thankfully Maggie didn't bark; but he saw what he wanted to see, then ran back into the woods.

Tea for Bonnie

Jean gave many of us ladies at church a tea in remembrance of our friend Bonnie Snyder, who loved teas. She was a classy lady. We should have all worn hats, for Bonnie loved them as well. 

Paulette and Sali did the planning, gathering, decorating and serving. It was quite beautiful. 

This was just one of the small tables. These ladies with me are Bobbie, Juanita and Sherry. 

We all gathered, after enjoying our tea, to remember Bonnie. Everyone spoke of some of our favorite memories of her. It was comforting to hear what others had experienced. Many knew more about her history than I did. It was fun to hear some of the stories. 

I liked it much better than a regular funeral service. 

Rest in the Lord, Bonnie. You had your share of troubles; but you are now in the arms or Jesus and we are thankful to have known you.

Best November

This is indeed the prettiest autumn day I've seen as late as this November 11. It is gorgeous. It has been a long fall and I've enjoyed it all.  Now there may well have been another fall as nice, but I don't remember any other; but then of course my memory isn't as good as it once was.

It was wonderful today to wake up a little earlier than usual and come out of my room before I had my alone time with God... and see this out of our window. I didn't waste any time getting a few pictures before I went back to my bed to read.

Many of my prayers have been answered just this week. Thank you, Father.

I'd like to share with you the encouraging words of a lesson published in UpWords by Max Lucado today.

When the Devil Draws Near

When the Devil draws near, stand against him. Give him no quarter. Don’t stand for his accusations. When he dredges up your past mistakes, tell him whose you are. He has no recourse to this truth. He knows who you are. He just hopes that you don’t—or that you’ll forget. So prove to him that you know. Tell him: “I have been bought with a price. I belong to God” (1 Corinthians 6:20). “I cannot be separated from the love of God” (Romans 8:35).  “I can find grace and mercy at the time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). God’s people think like this. They walk with a reverent swagger. They live out of their inheritance. They show the Devil the new name on their spiritual passport. The secret of survival when the Devil draws near? Remember what God has done. And remember whose you are! Please continue praying for our country to come together and for guidance for our president and  our president elect Trump.

A Bug's Life

I remember at the time not making a layout with this picture of Oliver at the park because one couldn't really tell who it was in the picture. But every time I came across it, it became more and more delightful for me. I decided it doesn't matter, Oliver will want to remember this day...he was sooooo cute! And besides it makes such an appealing page.

I'm slowly coming down from my high over the election.  It has been sad to think that so many of our younger people are so distraught about it. They can hardly keep from crying and many do. It is so foreign for me to see those who cannot accept the results, thinking  that you win some and you lose some. That is what a free society is all about. No government is telling you what you must do at all times. They somehow believe that everyone must be a robot and think alike.

What is worse is that they have been taught  that in school. It has actually been called group think in some of the older books that I was encouraged to read even before I was of voting age. It was called communism at that time, but communism was not what it was. It was actually socialism, which is not a good thing in any way. Yet they have been taught in our schools that it was ideal by teachers who were indoctrinated by 'communist' professors in the colleges. That was happening when I was in college. But it became the norm in later years. Now, it may be difficult to find a non-socialist in any college of education or journalism.  So, children of all ages are being subjected to these untruths taught by their socialist teachers. Their history books, which they really don't have  time for anyway have been diluted, with 'facts' changed to support their socialist agenda.

I just pray that they can grow up before they hurt themselves.

If they had any idea what it is like to have a vibrant economy and borders, they would be exuberant about the election. Hopefully, they will soon come around and be able to enjoy their new freedom , instead of moping about sitting at home with a computer collecting unemployment. Then they will be able  to feel good about their country and themselves.