Chile family doing well

In spite of too many after shocks keeping them awake, the family in Chile seems to be doing well. Charles and Luz Maria moved back into their home last Friday after a structual engineer gave them the approval.Most of the things they lost were in the China cabinet which fell across the dining room table. Lots of other things were damaged as well, but those things can be replaced.
Luz ended up getting five stitches in her foot from rushing out of the house with the baby.
This photo was taken when they were here for Christmas.

Our two weeks in Texas was not exactly a winter vacation as we were there for the 12.5 inches of snow. We've had no new snow for nearly 2 months, except a small amount, which has all melted. We still have snow from the winter, but the new stuff just melts.

I've planted my daylily seeds and have great hopes of seeing them bloom in two years. I should have new ones blooming this year from last year's seedlings. You will be hearing more about that.

Pictures to liven up winter

It's been a while since I have gotten to my blog what with watching earthquake news and taking physical therapy for the back. However pictures that arrived this morning in my e-mail box prompted me to brag a little bit.
Aden is the one drooling and Autumn is holding baby brother Gabrielle. These are Heather's children which makes them our greats, and great they are.
News from Chile is that Charles and family are back in their home, but the aftershocks continue. We have a shaky world.
Winter was long and cold, but we are emerging.

Jewel Orchid

My Jewel Orchid has really put on a show with 7 spikes. The tiny white flowers are so perfect that it boggles the mind. Our creator did a wonderful job designing everything, but orchids are so fantastic. The tiny ones especially bring awe to me every time I gaze at them and their intricate design.

The Jewel Orchid is the only orchid which can be entered in a show without bloom because of the unique foliage. It reminds me of the coleus plant with the lovely foliage.

Another wonderful creation is grandchildren and we had a chance over Christmas to see our latest. We call him our Chilean grandchild because he lives in Chile with his parents, our son Charles and wife Luz Maria. We had a wonderful time with the family during the holidays. Grandson Peter, little Charlie's big brother came as well as Luz's son Ignacio. Ignacio, who never gets a chance to play in snow managed to create a very nice igloo in the back yard.

It was so much fun to have family around. Beth pops in often and Molly was home from college for the holidays.

I enjoy my orchids in the winter because they bring beauty into a house surrounded by mounds of snow. I enjoy visits from daughter Beth and son Charles as they bring sunshine into an otherwise cold world.

I can't seem to get my other pictures to load, so I just may have to write another blog about the baby.

Entering last quarter

Well, I have made it through three quarters of a century and today I start on the last quarter. It has been a wonderful ride so far. My two wonderful children have given me seven (yes, that's 7) great grandkids and above all I have three great grandchildren. What more could one ask except to have a loving husband? I certainly have that and have had him for over 54 years.

And as I thought about entering that last quarter, memories took me back in time to the fun we had with our tent camper forty years ago. We have years of wonderful memories with family and friends. Why not take a few more spins out in nature?

So, Tom and I found this used Coleman 2003 camper for $1500. We could't resist. There are National parks out there that have yet to be explored.There is so much Maine that holds new sights for us. We haven't lost our sense of adventure and I think when we lose that, we will have lost much of what makes us who we are.

Tom and I are like two young people, as we check out the heater, three way refrigerator, fans over the king size beds, crank up top and unique features that make this camper so much more user friendly than the wheel camper of the 19 65 era. Now all we have to do is wait until spring comes.

Elderberry Farm

Today we took drive up a long dirt road in Sumner
to a beautiful farm. It is a working farm with goats, a donkey,angora rabbits and three beautiful collie dogs plus another one I didn't recognize.

There were flowers and vegetables growing everywhere, but the highlight of the trip was a walk into an acre of elderberries. Some were blooming, some almost ripe an some still green.

The view from the farm was breathtaking with mountains all around. A retired orthopedic surgeon and her contractor partner do all the work around the farm and John has built the house himself.

It has sunporches, rap around verandas and windows everywhere.

It was a warm and happy place. You never know what you may find in the Maine backwoods.

Labor Day parade

Every year I get to attend the Labor Day parade in Buckfield and write a story for the Sun Journal. I enjoy meeting people and watching the children react to the parade.

The weather was perfect with a clear blue sky and temperature in the 70s. Hundreds of people lined the street as bands, floats, fire engines,horses, antique cars and such rolled along.

After the parade we ate pulled pork sandwiches and pie,but we could have had Polish sausage lobster rolls, or hot dogs. It was a festive time.

My own favorite fireman rode the Sumner Engine and threw out mardi gras beads to the crowd.

Paving Field's Hill

Today was a special day for us folks on Fields Hill Road. We all watched as a new layer of asphalt was put on our potholed road. The last time this was done was shortly after we moved here nine years ago.

Our road is not heavily traveled, so to have big trucks, pavers, etc. was a big event. I walked out to get the paper and felt intense heat coming from the new surface. This coating may last longer than we do, but we might live to see another coat go down.

September and fall are really here. Fall follows summer as you recall, but summer was only about 10 days long. I finally felt brave enough to put on my summer night gown, but before the week was out, I was back into the light flannels.

The garden produces more than I can use and I think next year we will just plant something to make the soil healthy. I don't think it is worth all the work. The pole beans are heavy on the vines, but the squash had too much rain. The tomatoes don't have the dreaded virus, but are just barely producing. The carrots however, are still growing and are delicious.