Once Again I Send my Thoughts

Once again in more ways than one. I just wrote my first long blog and failed to save it before checking something else....You guessed it, it was gone. I am not sure I will remember just what I wrote, so I will just start fresh.

This has been a very wonderful summer. God has given Max and me good health and many blessings. It seems we are so very busy that we would never have a moment of boredom. We both wonder how in the world we ever had time to work. Retirement is really great. I could start at the very beginning, but will spare you that. I will, however, mention that we will have been married 14 years November 12th. That simply does not seem possible. The Lord is good and He has afforded us many blessings, including a comfortable home, wonderful family and friends. He brings surprises to us at the most unexpected times. We are thankful.

In June, I had an answer to my prayers of several years. The entire family, except for our darling Angela, and Jim, Nancy and Chris, came 'home' for a family reunion. Michael, by firstborn, flew in from Washington State. Jonathan, Yvonne, Kenny, Riley and Jesse drove in from South Carolina. Lorel, Andrew, Christopher, Conner, Carter and Kyleigh drove from Parker City, IN and grandson and granddaughter/god-daughter, who live about four miles from here, came.

Lorel thought that we were having a birthday party for her but had no idea that her brothers and their families would be here. It would not be an exaggerated to say that her squeals when they arrived, separately, could be heard for a few miles . We did so many fun things along with reviewing many funny things and having great belly laughs. I had wanted 'all my children' to come home for a family reunion for a long time. It was all good, it was all wonderful. My heart began to cry even before they left because I was missing them. I am confident it will happen again.

Some months ago, I began oil painting. I had never tried oils and wasn't sure that I would be able to do it. I have done much porcelain painting and I know it is entirely a different ball game. With porcelain, you can wipe off mistakes and start again. Well, I have fallen in love with oil painting. I have completed 6 paintings and working on another one. I will display them one day on the blog. A few years ago I started hand quilting and made a quilt for most of my family.....this year it just might be oil paintings. Well, of course, my children will want one of the new 'grandma moses' paintings. They just might become very famous one day.

I had a really wonderful incentive to learn, as well as some email lessons from my very dear friend, Paula Swornay. She is a natural artist, has done many wonderful works of art. When I grow up, I want to be just like her. I will share more about Paula in my next blog, including my visit with her in California. For now, I should give you a rest. I promise I shall be back.

Next time I want to tell you about Jim, Nancy and Chris and their move to Texas, all their animals and Jim's new job for the same company he has worked for. Max and Jim talk, by phone, every week. It is wonderful how they keep one another up to date.