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 I love to travel to see new places and revisit beautiful sites. Every visit with my children is special and I enjoy the grandchildren immensely. As much as I enjoy going, I'm lucky enough to enjoy returning. There's no place like home. When I pass the Newton County sign, life feels different.  It doesn't matter if I take Hwy 65 or Arkansas 7 those roads that branch off could tell stories if they could talk. Every mile a memory of some sort. Then when I walk in the door, I'm covered in slobbery dog kisses. With all the tail wagging, it's amazing no one has become air born.  The horses acknowledge my return and hope for an extra feeding. Not to be outdone, the roosters will let out a crow or two. Sometimes I sink into my recliner and other times I make my way to the front porch to look out at the sky and smell the air. Regardless where I sit, I thank God for allowing me to return.

And he sleeps

 My grandson David is spending the weekend with me. Last night he refused to go to bed so he fell asleep by the aquarium and I slept in my recliner. It was peaceful and he woke up at five am an hour ahead of my alarm. No biggie. I fed all the animals in the dark and we headed to town. David kept commenting on how dark it was. No street lights in the country and not a lot of people out at six am on a Sunday morning.  We hit the donut shop and went to where the balloons were supposed to land. I think we waited 5 minutes until we saw the first of around 20 hot air balloons.  He was so excited and loved it. I told him that I would ride one in a couple of weeks and he wants to ride one too. We rode the buggy. Played outside.  Ate carmel apples. Watched a show in the middle of the day, but David was not having a nap today. He finally went to sleep around 7:30 and I've watched him sleep for the longest time. He looks like an angel and his heart is full of so much love.  I pray that he'll remember good things about me. More than chocolate gravy or donuts or kolaches. I wish he could stay little forever but the world needs good men and I know he's one.

Taking it Easy

 The best part of retirement? No damn schedule.  I work as hard as I can most days. Every once in a while, I'll get a call. Are you busy? Yes always. Want to go to the beach? Yes always. So I'm off for another adventure and I make no apologies.  I need to talk to my friend the sea.

Happy Birthday JD

 I can't believe JD is a year old already. He's a sweet boy that gives bear hugs and open mouth kisses. He has 8 teeth. I've heard him say mama, Dada, Dat for David and no no. He watches hummingbirds and has a beautiful laugh. He holds a special place in my heart and always will. Granny loves you JD.

Newton County Fair 2025

 I thought I did good last year and there was no way I could top 3  purple ribbons. I got five this year.

The gourd got grand champion and the pumpkin got reserve grand champion.  Then the hydrangeas got a reserve grand champion:

All six of my pictures got a blue first place ribbon:

My chocolate no bake cookies got a red second place ribbon, but Texas Sheet Cake got reserve grand champion. 

Peach and Strawberry jam got blue ribbons but Sassafras Jelly got Grand champion purple ribbon.

The beach, the sea

 The beach is one of my happy places and the sea is my friend.  I sit on the beach and whisper my thoughts to the sea. The waves come crashing in bringing the sound of wisdom and clarity. Sometimes I tell her my secrets and she might reveal one of hers to me. There are so many of her treasures to be found. I respect her strength and beauty.  I truly believe that all who visit carry some of that beauty with them and she still is so incredibly beautiful.  Beauty and strength a wonderful combination. Today I left her to go home and wondered when I will see her again. I know that even if I see her tomorrow it won't be soon enough.  

I love the beach

 I love the beach. I don't know how many hundreds of times I've said those words. I passed that love on to my children because each and everyone of them love it too. Conversations with a three year old can be tricky. Sometimes they speak perfect English and sometimes their words aren't clear or maybe their meaning isn't clear. Today Parker, my 3 year old grandson, tells me quite sincerely he loves the beach. I was a little surprised as a rogue wave had just knocked him down, but he got right back up and faced the wave again and there's so much beauty in facing what knocks you down and not hating it.

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