Boiling Springs, PA

Every day I pass the Children's Lake and every day I'm going to stop and enjoy

the scenery.  Finally I pull over and grab a shot before the sun goes down 

completely.  The luminaries were lit this evening and caught my eye.  

Thanks to those dedicated to light these luminaries the entire circumfrance 

of the lake.  Breathtaking! 

Take Off

On Christmas Eve my Brother-in-laws friend flew in for a visit.  He had quite

an audience when he was getting ready to leave.  Maybe he needed to leave to 

help Santa out for the evening?

Take off was a success! 

...and to all a good night!

New Orleans Drain Cover

New Orleans drain cover.

You can purchase jewelry that replicates drain covers but I haven't found where 

this one is available.  Of course one with New Orleans  on it and not

just Louisiana would be a little more popular.  

The pelican though catches my eye.

Look up look down look all around wherever you may go.  

You never know where a little piece of art is hidden.

I was taking a stroll along Lake Pontchartrain and came up over the levee 

and noticed this hidden gem among the dead grass.  I'm glad

I was looking down at that moment to notice this little piece of art.

Office Christmas Lunch

Office Christmas Party

Ms Patti was the one poser for the day.  Everyone else

wasn't fond of having their picture taken.  

She knew she looked good so why not make the most!!

Who gets to take the gift home?

 Ed or Ed?

These ladies aren't really related but became a Myers

through marriage.  

It's such an easy name but why does it need spelled to 

others so often?

New Orleans sites along the way

When I'm lucky enough to get down to the Big Easy it's always a rush to get that plane

 on the ground and get to the ball field.  Our last visit was no exception.

  We fly over Lake Ponchatrain and can see the ball field lights.  (see the black arrow) 

 Of course we move on to the airport and anxiously await a safe landing and then 

look for our ride sitting in the parking garage.  That's usually our first challenge. 

 Our son parks his truck and heads to the ball field and we are left searching

 for the truck among all the other sleek vehicles.  We're then out of the airport

 and across Route 10 to find a seat in the bleachers. 

 Ahhhh! 

 It sounds oh so boring to most but to parents it's a short lived gift very cherished.

My son attends college and plays baseball in New Orleans and we excitedtly  

look forward to every trip to this history laden city filled with more stories

then I'll ever be able to know.

Just riding down the streets of New Orleans your eyes are filled with architecture that 

constantly amazes you.  This cozy home was just restored by Sotheby's and sold for a pretty penny.  

My pennies aren't pretty enough to own this beauty!

The Cornstalk Fence Hotel

Quaint.  

--and that's all I have to say about that

The Cornstalk fence out in front of the hotel is it's own tourist attraction.

Jazz it up in New Orleans any way you can!

Cleversburg U.M. 2011 Ladies Church Dinner

The Church ladies!

Annually we get together for an evening to celebrate the Christmas season.

Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire

The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire - 2011.

Hmmm. I'm sorry to say I wasn't exactly a fan.  I understand it just wasn't my 'thing' but 

others enjoy it.  I suppose there's something for everyone and I'll just have to pass on 

this.  I did enjoy seeing the mansion and tasting the wine but on this particular day 

that's not what the main focus was to be.  I can say I'm glad I didn't live during the 

Renaissance in England.    

Charlie Brown would like The Great Pumpkin!

I did enjoy this young lady and her music.

Bipitty Bopitty Boo.

The Queen graced us with her viewing of the Human Chess Match.

A sword fight to determine the next move in the Human Chess Match.

Sandy Cove weekend

Sandy Cove, Maryland

I was blessed to spend a weekend at Sandy Cove for a ladies Christian event weekend.  It was relaxing and renewing in my spiritual life.  We enjoyed Jan Silvious speaking and Babbie Mason singing.  The weekend couldn't have been better with the weather cooperating.  We were located at the beginning of the Chesapeake Bay and the sunsets were just awe inspiring.  I was able to spend time with my Mother and her best friend and her daughter along with other local ladies from a nearby church.  Everyone walked away feeling refreshed and ready to face the world with renewed hope and a new perspective.

Does life throw us curve balls right into the side of our heads?

Yep.

How do we handle those situations?  Bitterness, Depression, Sadness, Anger to name a few.  Some can pick up and move on and others get stuck.  We were given four points to ponder then it was time to pick ourselves up move forward and continue to just love in some way  -  in any way can.

Points to ponder (Jan Silvious)

1.  It's one event in a life time of events.  It's time to move on.

2.  What might been does not exist so don't go there.

3.  The last chapter has not been written yet.

4.  There is a God and you're not him.

Love is the Most Excellent Way  (Babbie Mason)

I could speak with the tongue of men and angels

Love is the more excellent way

But if I don't have love, I'm just a clanging cymbal

Love is the more excellent way

I could have the faith to remove the mountains

Love is the more excellent way

But if I don't have love then I have nothing

Love is the more excellent way

Love is patient

Love is kind

Love is Humble, all of the time

Not easily angered, enduring the test

So never forget

Love is the more excellent way

One inspiring lady I met was in a car accident four years ago.  She was in a wheel chair but could walk with great effort for very short spurts.   She also was diagnosed with cancer and had undergone  the dreaded chemotherapy so her hair was just starting to grow back.  She is  the Executive Director of our local food bank Project Share.  She had the widest smile the greatest outlook.  She was determined to walk the length of this dock.  She succeeded.  

What am I facing?  Nothing compared to her. 

Am I complaining how the world is treating me?  More than likely.

It's time to take stock and count my blessings and know Love IS the most excellent way.

We all are given blessings.  Even my new acquaintance was counting her blessings.  

One step at a time.  One day at a time.  

Step by step God is with us all.  Use him as your crutch.

My Mother (right) and her best friend (left).

Ginny and Gladys.

Friends for 43 years and counting.

They met while being placed in the same hospital room while giving birth to their daughters.  There has been laughter, tears, ups, and downs ever since.  

Summer

Summer 

Has it really come and gone?

I love Fall but knowing Winter will be following makes me long to go back to Summer.

But wait!  What about Spring?  Winter is but a short season to get through and the 

whole process begins again.  I'm thinking that maybe we're lucky to live 

in a zone where if you just wait a few weeks the next season will be just around the corner.

Off to India!

Off to India?

Oooo Eeeee Oooo Eee Eee

bambam

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

If you're confused on what this all means, by all means watch Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!

Obstacles

Obstacles.

We all have them.

We all will get more of them.

Some we love.

Some we hate.

How do you handle yours?

Intercourse, Pennsylvania

Isn't she lovely

-always a fun filled adventure when we go out for the day!

-Only a t-shirt!   

I love when I get this handsome dude to smile.  

Watch out for the grasshopper!

Amish makings

We found the llamas but they weren't wearing their pajamas!

********

We had a fun time shopping in Intercourse, Pennsylvania in the heart of Amish country in Lancaster county.  We like to find all the oddities we can!

Gettysburg, PA - Horsin Around

A donkey.  

Always a donkey story to be told!

Do they look a little sheepish?

Nope.

Just a baaaaad!

Willy's Jeep

It's a Jeep Thing----You wouldn't understand

Hope and Remembrance - World Trade Center 9/11

Rebuilding at Ground Zero in New York City - 2011

Spending a weekend in NYC we were fortunate to stay at the Millennium Hotel across the street from Ground Zero and beside St. Paul's Cathedral.  Before we left our room it was raining and seemed fitting when looking out our window at the construction for the new memorial.  How sad it is remembering the events of that day.  As with all things good and bad time marches on and out of the devastation there is Hope in the rebuilding and the making of a fitting memorial.  

Round Barn - Gettysburg, PA

The Round Barn farm market located near Gettysburg, PA has some good ole country offerings.  

The address is really Biglerville, PA but some may even point out it's really Cashtown, PA.

Of course Gettysburg has the most notarity but regardless it's worth a little side trip to stop

and see what they have to offer throughout the year.  Peaches, Plums, Apples, Tomatoes,

Green Peppers.  You name it and it's on their shelves.  That's just the beginning.

You can hold your wedding reception here pet some amazing donkeys or goats and purchase

some beautiful flowers or honey.  

A great song comes to mind...

--Green acres is the place for me. 

Farm livin' is the life for me. 

Check it out:  http://www.roundbarngettysburg.com/

Shippensburg University, Old Main

It's back to school time for elementary, middle schools, high schools and colleges.  

The local college in Shippensburg, PA is welcoming all the students with their great older buildings along with their new buildings that seem to pop up over night.  I attended the Wine and Brew Fest recently and took a walk among the old buildings and enjoyed fitting in a few snapshots.  

Before it was called Shippensburg University it was called Shippensburg State College (SSC) and prior to that it was called Cumberland Valley State Normal School.  It's first students were primarily teachers.  My Grandmother graduated from here and probably walked the paths we took on our little adventure among the old buildings.  

Canal Street New York City

If you're in a hurry to get on or off the subway in NYC you can miss lots of vintage artwork.

Slow down for heaven's sake and see beauty in the midst of chaos!

What would you like?

A purse seems to be the most popular item.

You'll get asked endlessly walking up and down the street to go to a back room for your special purse.

Year of the Dragon

This is where us sexy folks hung out!

We stood and gave a Holla but couldn't find one damn thing we wanted to purchase.