A suprise visit from a friend I have been missing.

Waking up with the realization that only after two more nights here, I will wake in a modest home on 2.19 acres in the woods. I know it is real but honestly am unable to believe it yet.

...a serious conversation with my nephew
he is 3 yrs old and we were talking about his birthday gift! :sparklyheart:

Joy
 

Seems like so long since I felt joy.

Walking in the yard today looking at all the pretty wildflowers and the native flowers in my garden give me joy. Texas is pretty in the spring.

:bouquet:

Seeing a ground hog (all of which I call George) standing on his hind legs....too cute :)

I have a resident groundhog named Manuel - he comes out around sunrise almost every morning - I leave broccoli out for him. He's adorable and quite rotund.

-the dog being goofy
-coffee
-my daughter was really sick but she's starting to feel better. Less germs.
- a conversation with someone this morning
- it feels good outside... For now.

More yesterday than today per se, but yesterday, my mom, grandmother, and I went to my cousin's wedding. And I managed to get my grandmother (who has serious stomach problems, like late-stage pancreatic cancer and gallstones) to actually eat, which she badly needs because she's had enough trouble eating lately that she's lost several pounds over the course of a couple of weeks. She seems to have quite a bit more energy today than she did during the time she wasn't eating.

The beauty of nature and the kindness of strangers...

And

A couple who saw my Patriots magnet yell "GO PATS!" at me. Indeed. Can't wait for football :)

BBQ and beers on the beach with beautiful weather and fantastic company. :hangloose:

As I was walking out from hickory nut falls today, a lady saw me and said to her husband, "ohh here comes a hiker!"

I've been hiking for years but no one has ever referred to me as a hiker. :)

Just now- the 16 year old daughter asking if we can get in my bed and watch I Love Lucy. She had a hard day. This is the perfect remedy.

In the past month that I've been laid up at home, Skip, my little dog has brought me much joy and a lot of company while laying up in the bed. He's comical and makes me laugh. He's just a joy to have as my sidekick.

My son and messages from him. I'm so proud!

So today I took my truck to my buddy to replace the brakes. His wife came pulling a little wagon with the little granddaughter in it, she is 18 months old. We sat and talked a bit. The baby was born at 24 weeks. She was 1 pound and 10 inches long at birth. She was in the hospital for a long while but is fine now and a happy little girl. Knowing that this active little person was born up against such odds and has come so far brings me great joy.

I made it through too! Whew...

Making Momma D's secret BBQ chicken sauce for the first time in several years. Brings back very fond memories of many wonderful dinners and special time spent with her.

A visit to the Biltmore which yielded a heap of wild life experiences ..

First, I was watching a big fish in the pond. Then I looked over and saw a fish about 3x the size of the bass. It had to be 18" or more. I remarked to a lady sitting nearby that I'd give anything for a fishing pole. She said "I did that once. They said if I got caught again I'd lose my season pass!" she's the old lady I will be one day lol

Then...as I was leaving I saw what I thought was a large piece of tire rubber in the road. As I got closer I realized it was a huge, coiled black snake.

I stopped and found a stick and helped it to the side of the road. He was posturing like a venomous snake and I wasn't about to find out the hard way. Come to find out , he was a little injured but I think he'll be ok. He was feisty!

Lastly, on the way out I saw what I thought was a loose dog. Upon looking I saw that it was a youngish bear. Prolly under 5 years old. He had on a tracking collar. My fear was that he was headed towards Hendersonville road...a VERY busy road . I bleeped the horn to try to scare him the other way.

It was literally a wild day. And I totally forgot to mention the turkey hen that was standing very close to us and clucking for her babies. They had gone through the fence and She couldn't figure out how to get to them...silly bird