Signs of Spring

Because the back yard willow tree will shade the new garden, James had plans to take it down. But he made a beautiful discovery on Sunday - a nest in the Y-shaped trunk. The tree has been spared from the chain saw for now.

I grabbed the camera on Sunday and recorded this image. This nest is so low to the ground that I could take the photo. The nest is a beautiful structure with the green branches of the willow worked into it.

Today I looked and now there are three eggs.

Loving the color...robin's egg blue.....
.....TravelLady

Happy Birthday Glen

Glen and Carey

I want to wish my baby brother a happy birthday today. He had a hard task in life to be the baby brother and have three older sisters. We sure did mother him and boss him around.
This photo was taken in 1976 and was found in some of my father's papers. I believe that Glen was about thirteen years old. The little guy is my nephew Carey; he was about three at the time.
Glen started taking piano lessons last year and plays pretty well for an old guy. I heard that he got a new piano for his birthday. Christi and I will soon be summoned for a recital.

Happy Birthday to Glen.....
.....TravelLady

Back to the Present

Toni and Winston had a play date last Saturday. They love to get out in Christi and Jeff's back yard and run. Of course, Winston can run about 10 times faster than Toni. But Toni is lower to the ground and can turn on a 'dime'.

Winston has a happy look on his face when running. He is such a kind, gentle dog. He patiently endures all the jumping and hyperactivity that is Toni.

Toni in Winston's sandbox. Panting.

Thinking of happy times.....
.....TravelLady

Brothers

Howard, Gus, John

On my second day of upstairs closet cleaning, I discovered yet another large package of letters, photos, and cards that my father had saved. Christi and I think that he never discarded a piece of paper. The above image is of my father and his brothers, Howard and John.
John and Daddy have passed away. I am unsure of the status of Howard. He is a retired Navy veteran and was living in the Seattle, Washington area at the time that Daddy died. This image was taken in 2ooo in the driveway of Daddy's home in Memphis.
Daddy did not live to meet Thomas his grandson or Elijah and David his great-grandsons. I feel sad.
I am reminded of the verses in Ecclesiastes 3:11,12. "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from the beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live."

Pondering the puzzle of life.....
.....TravelLady

Fathers

Gus Wimpy

James, Cindi, Billy

Gus Wimpy was my father. He passed away in December, 2000. Christi and I found this slide of him today while looking through a box of his papers. He looks to be about forty years old at the time that the slide was taken. I sure do miss him!

James loves to fish. This image is from 1979 at a lake in Jackson, TN. Cindi had just fallen in the lake and James is comforting her. Billy is looking on. The time flies and the children grow up so fast. I sure do miss these little guys! (Now they are grown and married.)

Thinking of times past.....
.....TravelLady

Herb Parsons Lake

A Full Lake

I Love This Quote!

Toni was feeling much better.

After the snow and ice episodes of the past two months, we finally had a cloudy, mild day. So we loaded Toni and our cameras in the DTM and went to Herb Parsons. The water has been extremely low for the past few seasons due to drought like conditions. This past summer and fall were the wettest on record in several years and the water level is up to the spill way.
James bought his Tennessee fishing license and is now dreaming of the perfect morning for fishing. Toni and I plan to go and enjoy being outdoors......

.....TravelLady

Gone - February 2010

Toni was sick with gastroenteritis.

February 2010 will forever be remembered by me. Memphis had a month of cold weather with two snow events. Most nights the low was in the twenties! For a southern state this is a continued cold snap!! Also, Toni had a two week illness with nausea, vomiting, anorexia. The vet called it gastroenteritis and prescribed medications for infection and nausea and other gastric upsets. Food and water were restricted for three days to let her gut rest. Then we slowly introduced sips of ice water and ice chips. When we were allowed to give food, she would not eat.

James spent a few nights on the sofa with her. We prayed for her and us. We did not want her to suffer. (Are prayers for a dog appropriate?) She has recovered to about 90% of her former energy and personality.

Petey the rescue dog.

Pete was rescued. A home health nurse found him wondering a South Memphis street during the extreme freezing weather in January. He was hairless, skin and bones. He spent a month at the vet being treated for heart worms, the mange, and malnutrition. He is at the home of Deborah the nurse who rescued him. She brought him to our home for a "meet and greet".
It did not go well. Toni was not friendly and I did not want him. (I am being totally honest.)
James hopes to get a puppy soon - he could easily be a hoarder of anything living!

I finished reading this book about the life of Abigail Adams. She lived in the Boston area during the time of the American Revolution. Abigail was the first woman to be both the wife and mother of a US President. It was a great book and I was truly sad when I finished. I will miss traveling back to those times! Thanks, Melissa.
This book was a gift to James for Christmas by a doctor at MUH. It was written by a neurologist and is a great medical thriller. The action takes place in New York City and Ukraine. Another book that I am sorry to finish. I loved the locations. Thanks, Dr. W.

Several other events occurred during February 2010. The month is gone but the memory remains.......

.....TravelLady