elkmont

I have been working for the Knox Co election commission for several weeks. We huddle around our computers, deep down in the basement of the Old Knox Co courthouse, and try to read poorly signed petitions. I needed to get out into the sun so Paul took me to Elkmont this weekend. We hiked on the road out of Elkmont campground. It was beautiful.

so nice

Dr. ZACH Whalen

Members of Zach's fan club were honored to witness the hooding ceremony at the UF campus. The good Dr was seen skipping about his hotel room when he first tried on his robes. Hugs, handshakes, and tears were shared by all. Zach has worked so hard and has been greatly supported by his beautiful bride, Stacy. We are so proud of you both!

Out of Their Window !

Pictures of the Move!

Zach, Stacy and Teddy are on the move again.

Zach, Stacy, Teddy and "Baby Girl" have moved to Fredericksburg, VA. All their things have been moved into the third story apartment we call "The tree house." They have more windows than their last place much to Teddy's delight. He has not yet discovered the cat in the apartment across from his balcony. The cat's owener has created cat television by scattering bird seed all over her balcony. Squirrels and birds keep the cat entertained.
Stacy's father helped with the move by driving the 28ft truck up from Spartanburg, SC. Paul, Zach, and Keith carried boxes and Stacy and I unloaded them. We all had to keep an eye on Teddy after he learned how to open the front door.
After working all day, we all found a place on the floor to sleep. Keith had a few blankets, Zach had a sleeping bag, Stacy stayed in the recliner while Paul and I shared an air mattress. The second day we worked hard to make sure that Stacy and "baby girl" could sleep in the master bedroom bed. We were all happy to see the piano moving crew arrive. Stacy was afraid to watch them move the piano so I took alot of pictures. We met several neighbors when they came out to watch the piano moving show.
The third night, Stacy's Mom, sister, and nephews arrived and took Stacy to a wedding shower in Baltimore! Before they left, we all enjoyed homemade pumpkin lasagna for supper. YUMMMMY!
Today we purchased and built an entertainment center. During the day we also took a trolly tour of "Old Town", Fredericksburg. George Washington and his family lived here and across the river. His mother, Mary Washington, is the favorite daughter of the city. There are museums, concerts, galleries, stores, restaurants, tours, and historic sites. So far there has not been a sighting of an alligator or shark. We are all going to like this place.

Happy 4th of July

um,,,,watermelon feast!

Sassy in the Clouds....

One day recently the best show in town was in the sky.......one cloud gradually turned into the image of Sassy, our furry friend, dog-person.

Raising the Roof!

Oh my what a sight! Work for the night is coming.....

Father's Day

Dad,
The older I get, the more I realize how much I love you. Thank you for being so strong, so independent, and so protective. Thank you for being there for me and only wanting the best for me and my family. Your advice is priceless. When I am 80 and you are 106, I will continue to learn from you. I will help you , only when you ask, your " I can do it" attitude keeps you young.

I want to say that I love you.
Happy Father's Day
from your favorite Daughter

Oh Yes, the truth is out

baby brother

Isn't he cute

Workers!

The rent is due so our renters have decided to work off their debts. This is a wonderful plan as I have all the money I could ever want and too much yardwork. Paul has been working on a landscape design that will conceal our new neighborhood subdivision. These shrubs will grow to the height of fifty feet at a rate of five feet a year. We shall have our own forest. The fence has changed to look of the backyard so much. I sometimes feel like we have moved. The birds, having lost forty acres of trees, use the fence for conversations and perching. That has been the only good part of losing the backyard. More pics later......

A Beautiful day in the Neighborhood

Andrew

Andrew has graduated and we are so proud. He studied stuff that only he and his Dad understand. Go ahead, ask him a computer question, I dare you !

Dogwood days

Meet our newest addition to the front yard. The Pink Dogwood! We are so happy this tree survived last years drought. I spent many days hauling dishwashing water out to many plants. I could not stand the idea of tossing out the water and the plants were thirsty. I have a dripping kitchen faucet and I keep a large watering can in place to catch the drips. The water conservation has now become a part of my daily routine. The plants enjoy the attention

Grandma Rose

Teddy needed reasurrance that Grandma Rose will always love him.

Spring Beauty

Oh, I got to take a rare picture of a Spring Beauty in my front yard!

Snowball

Snowball has gone home to her family. She had been missing from home over a month. She lives over 10 miles away and we can not figure out how she arrived at my door. There are three major roads and an interstate between our houses. After having her live on my front porch for a week, I discovered that she had a tatoo on her belly. Todd helped hold her and we were able to write down the numbers.....02-.... The next day I called the Knox County Animal shelter. They encouraged me to bring in the cat and they would scan her to determine if the cat had a "chip." The cat did not enjoy the car trip across town nor did she enjoy the wait in the shelter office. It was very small and busy. A lady was there turning in her two labadors, saying she did not want them anymore. She was told by the shelter lady that because this was an owner surrender that the dogs could be killed that day if there was no room. She was also informed that between 40 to 50 animals A DAY were brought into the shelter. She let them go anyway.
The cat was scanned and we heard a BEEP! What great news. A phone call was made and it was discovered that the cat's registration was in a box somewhere and not in the computer. I was told I could leave the cat and they would take care of contacting the owner. The registration was from 2002 and there was a chance the cat's owners might not be found. I said, I will take her home, you call me later. Several hours later I received a phone call and was given two numbers. The shelter lady said a strange thing happened. She opened the box for the 2002 cards and this cat's card was the first one in the box! On the second phone call I made, Lisa answered and was amazed to hear the story. She at first could not believe me because she had almost given up hope. Lisa then told how she was moved by the Easter service at her church and had prayed that her cat would come home. She then told me that cat's name was Snowball.
A wonderful reunion happened a few hours later. Her son said that Snowball had lost a tremendous amount of weight. He also said that maybe Snowball had left home because he had paid more attention to the other cat in the family.
I hope they send a picture someday, I miss Snowball. Cherry does not.

Oh, ahhhhh

Sometimes you just have to stop working on something. Have you ever noticed the how many times " It is finished" is said in the Bible? Moses said it, Jesus said it, God said it. There is something very satisfying about that word. Looking toward completion with eager anticipation... not of having nothing to do but of being able to start something new. Completion...new concept for me.
I discoved that I could remove and rearrange the granny squares and I did so to correct some obvious only to me, errors in the color pattern of this afgan. It calmed down quite a bit, isn,t perfect, but it is finished.