| Family | Recipes | Links | ||||||||
Springtime at Hickory Hills
May 5, 2008
 |
City visitors to Hickory Hills over this past weekend were amazed at the beauty of the country. Beautiful dogwood and red bud bushes were in full bloom. Their beauty was everywhere. Over and over exclamations about their abundance came forth. The picture of beauty of the landscape stood out even though the dandelions that had gone to seed were rampant in the yard. As we walked along the airport runway, a turtle of about five inches in length was sunning itself on the pavement. As we approached it reluctantly began to tuck its head adorned with red eyes, into its shell. Our visitors were able to touch its shell and admire its uniqueness before they moved on down the runway. On our return, the turtle was gone as predicted. Who said that turtles move slowly? Remember, "Slow and steady wins the race!" Later, we drove through Hickory Hills and admired all of the new homes and beauty around them. People from the city often discover the benefits of blending with the land and establish homes in the area. The beautiful landscape and hard work of caring for it by some of the landowners results in a world of wonder. Our little four-year-old friend held out her arms and ran as far as she could down one hill and up another. Driving a bit farther, we saw horses and cattle in the fields. One neighbor was trimming her yard. As we stopped to converse, she offered to allow our little friend a ride on the back of a horse. Clad in her boots, walking through the muddy barnyard, Karen walked up to Ben and Jacks extending her hand with treats. She slipped the bridle around Ben's head, put a blanket on his back and mounted our little friend upon it. For twenty or more minutes our little friend was in "heaven" while she was lead on the horse's back around the open field. Tears filled the eyes of the observers to see the happiness on that little girl's face. A prayer before dinner was the icing on the cake when our little friend prayed, "Please bless Ben and let him be able to run!" What a message! It's a four-year-old's version of asking for freedom for a friend and perhaps herself. God Bless the innocence and insight of our little ones!
|
May 1, 2008
The house!! A great place to be when it's a home. A not-so-nice place to be when it is only a house, and especially when it is dirty. That's why "spring cleaning" is a must here at Hickory Hills. First, start with the mind. Why not clean up those unhealthy eating habits? Why not get out in the sunshine and take a nice walk? Why not read a good book, do devotions...handle all of the chores that are so easy to neglect? Why not write a nice thank you note to that deserving person or group? Why not call a friend who is lonely? Why not visit a shut-in? Doing this kind of "mind" work can prepare you for the physical work that remains to be done. Now, clean the windows on the inside and out, clean out all of the "junk" you never use. Take the recovered items to the Samaritan House or other facility that helps others. If need be, have a garage sale. Throw out that dirty carpet. Organize the shelves, scrub the floor. Do whatever it takes to get things livable. Finally, cook a healthy meal, crawl up with a good book and indulge the senses in the clean smell, look, feel, sound and touch of your efforts. You'll be glad you did. |
 |
April 16, 2008
 S's Strong Tree |
This tree drawn by S gives me hope. With a strong trunk and beautiful apples hanging on a bright green group of leaves leaning slightly to the right, I begin to see that this tree is not a simple tree at all. Rather, it is a sign of strength, freshness and brightness with a juicy taste. Standing firmly, it states its case. The newly planted trees in our yard at Hickory Hills are not quite so lucky. Deer, using our yard as a feeding place, have tramped out the grass and during rutting season, rubbed most of the bark off of our new saplings. On the defense, we have spread grass seed and straw over the bare places in the yard. The tree branches have been wrapped with special paper and netting was spread over the limbs for protection. Before rutting time in the fall, it is our goal to put net fences around the trees for protection. Yesterday I heard a conservationist talk about what to do when deer become pests. He suggested enjoying them and perhaps putting a salt block for licking away from your yard so that deer would spend their time there. We heard of a man who mixes a solution of three eggs and some dish detergent in a gallon measure, then fills the container to the one gallon mark with water. He then pours the mixture into a spray bottle and sprays it around his plants and yard. This has worked as a deer deterrent for him for deer are known not to like the smell of eggs. As for the already damaged trees, the only solution is to wait for them to heal themselves. They will either heal or die. I have hope that they will one day be strong, beautiful trees, leaning whichever way they chose reveling in the sunshine while the deer lick their salt in the woods. |
April 7, 2008
Finally, we have some nice warm weather and everyone at Hickory Hills is taking advantage of the beautiful walking opportunity that surrounds us here. Tonight I took advantage of that offering. With my camera in hand, I took several shots of God's beauty that I will share with you during the next few days. This shot lets you know that even though I had on my sunglasses and the sun was shining when I began my trek, I met up with a neighbor and we had a nice chat. Thus, I got this beautiful picture of sunset at Hickory Hills. On the return walk, the sun was completely hidden. It's disappearance lets me know that we need to "make hay while the sun shines". It's o.k. this time. We need to be neighborly, too. Let the sun shine in!
|
Sunset at Hickory-Hills |
April 4, 2008
 |
Having S and J here during spring break provided an opportunity for them to create new clip art for the web site. Today's feature is one of S's creations. Being that she was ten years old yesterday, she was likely wishing upon a star that she would get enough money to buy the Webkins and other things in vogue that are on her wish list. Of the two girls, she is the "spender." Speaking of spending, how do you like to spend your time? Are you tired of rain and flooding? Are you ready for sunshine and a warm day outside? How about politicians? It seems to be raining them these days. Today I am spending my time rejoicing about the fact that I could lose my balance and fall backwards out of our van and survive. Attempting to put up the rear seat, I landed with the back of my head against the cement driveway yesterday. I am amazed that I can still think, see and employ all of my other senses to sit here today. God is good. |
March 18, 2008
S and J are visiting their grandparents during their spring break this week while Mommy and Daddy "work their fingers to the bone" at their accounting office. The reason: It is tax season. Girls can take only so much of being at "the office" drawing and reading while it rains outside and Mommy and Daddy can see nothing but piles of paper and computer screens. For the girls, it's a week away from Simon the cat, Gabriel the dog and Maddie the rabbit. Of course, it's also a week away from caring for them. Mommy and Daddy have to do that chore before they leave for work in the morning. Sometimes Simon and Gabriel or one or the other gets to ride along and spend the day sleeping in the office. That gives the pets a change of scene. So far the girls have done the following: roller bladed, ran, practiced piano, read books, drew clip art for Grandma (see the one on this post), folded laundry for Grandma, enjoyed eating different things and much more. They are looking forward to a trip to town tonight to spend their Easter gift cards. We will probably eat out, also. Grandma and Grandpa certainly enjoy their visits. It is fun to watch how the younger generation uses its time. We are proud of these girls for it is obvious that they have guidance at home. They are the kind of kids we enjoyed having when both Grandpa and I were teachers in the classroom for so many years. We are thankful for their visits and their good behavior! |
art by Shannon |
March 16, 2008
 |
Taking a break from one's regular routine for recreational activity is necessary for balance in our lives. Whether the activity be a game of bridge, a walk in the woods, a window shopping venture, a visit to a friend, or in our case, attending a high school state championship basketball tournament, people need time for diversion from the daily grind. The Ohio High School State Basketball Championships provided the opportunity for enjoyment for us this past week. Players from teams in the schools of the four divisions of Ohio high school basketball vied against each other for the four state championships. Some games were so exciting with one team being ahead one minute and the other side ahead the other. One game was won with a shot that propelled through the basket in the last few seconds before the ending buzzer. I found enjoyment in talking with people associated with the different teams, learning about their coaches, players and their records. Watching people as they view their favorite team is fun, too. Add it all together and high school basketball affords a few days of total enjoyment, but perhaps not complete relaxation. On the contrary, at the conclusion of the event, one finds home a welcome place to recover from the "good tired." |
March 9, 2008
"I'm trying to figure it out." That's what this doggie seams to be saying. Perhaps he is wondering why people get into such a fuss about things. When something doesn't go to suit him, this guy just lets out a good bark or growl, then goes on being his lovable self. The most important thing to him is having a friend around with whom to play, a bit of food and water and a nice warm place to sleep. Yes, he might get into a bit of mischievousness once in awhile, but his main job is just being a friend. People might take a lesson from dogs. Take care of problems when they arise, then go on with life. There is no need to keep beating "dead horses." Enjoy life. Give a good bark or growl and then do your best to be your lovable self. Make friends by being a friend, take care of yourself and have some fun. Life will go on just the same whether you are upset about an issue or not. Really, people get tired of hearing complainers. I say that we should pray for them. Being so stressed can lead to health problems and even, demise. We should take a lesson from the dog. |
 |
March 7, 2008
One definition of crossword puzzle as found at dictionary.com is as follows: a puzzle in which words corresponding to numbered clues or definitions are supplied and fitted into correspondingly numbered sets of squares, on letter per square, the words being arranged horizontally or vertically so that most letters form part of two words. I don't know about you, but I find enjoyment in working such puzzles in the car as we travel, in the doctor's office while waiting for an appointment, or in the evening when the daily paper arrives at our house. I feel satisfaction when I can at least get most of the puzzle completed successfully. It's a great day when the puzzle is totally completed. Life is full of puzzles. We watch for words or clues that will fit into our somewhat "numbered" minds. Some us get stuck in one kind of thinking.The horizontal thinker looks around where he is to gather information whether in conversation, reading, or perhaps from technical sources. Others look up or down, the latter being predominant. Sometimes it is easiest of all to get in the gutter and be so miserable that it is a temptation to draw others into the same state. The answer to the puzzle is balance, good sense and the ability to discern between what really is best for us and what only appears to be. Have a balanced day!
|
 |
March 6, 2008
 |
Today a clown is here to bring us to the lighter side of life. This guy finds pleasure in making others happy. Wasting time complaining and blaming others for things he doesn't like are not part of his makeup. He knows that life is short and that many times it is not fair. He has decided that we might as well make the best of the life we are given while we can. There are many things that we might change, but is that what we want to do with the time we have left? Why not try bringing some joy to others instead? The kindness in his heart makes him want to do good, not hurt others. Though his portion may be small, he is thankful for what is available to him. He realizes that we live in the Land of the Free and is respectful of that privilege. He has no time for tearing others down to a lower level of thinking. Think about it...is all that complaining making your day...or should we look for the good around us? Have a positive day!
|
March 4, 2008
Ivy vines cling to brick walls with tiny tendrils. They circle and grow in a myriad of ways. Attached to them are heart-shaped leaves here and there like innocent victims. The green color of the leaves lends itself to freshness and life. In winter, some vines turn brown and continue to cling. Some must be ripped from their place of abode because of the ugliness. Not only that, but damage is done to the mortar in the bricks by the clinging tendrils. Some people are like the ugly brown vines. Twisting and turning the truth, they show their ugliness by writing their distorted feelings on blogs, forums and the like on the internet. Some of these writers are in the winter of life and as they cling, struggle to give their last hurrah. With ugliness and the threat of damage, they test the mortar's strength. In a myriad of ways, the circle is drawn, and the hearts of those who are innocent are pulled into the ugly darkness only to be redeemed by the armour of truth. |
|
March 3, 2008
 |
March is the month for kite-flying. The snowy winter that we have experienced has caused one to wonder if that time would ever come. Well, it is March, the wind is blowing and the present temperature is 62 °. Sounds like a good time to give the kite a try. I used to really pester my parents to allow me to buy a kite and set it free into the air. Assembling the fragile paper contraption, getting the "tail" just the right length and weight, and finding a good place to fly the kite were all parts of the process. Attached to a sometimes tangled ball of string, my kite would often get stuck in the nearest tree or power line. For days after the event, I would see my kite dangling there reminding me of my failed attempt. Next year, I would try again. Life is sometimes like a kite. Keep trying! |
| Evelyn Ann and her Daddy fly a kite in Wyoming. Notice...no power lines or trees are present. |  |
 |
The kite is in the air!!!
|
 art by Justine |
|