Photo: Great grandparents at their farm in Blandinsville, IL, with five of their six children .. my grandpa was yet a twinkle in grandma's eye. Stable boy and governess also pictured. Hodges farm, circa 1903-4

Saturday, May 19, 2007


Down the HOME stretch: Over the past few weeks the place has taken on a finished appearance. Landscaping is underway with the installation of sprinklers and concrete curbing. On Monday we should have the front yard hydro seeded. For Mother's Day I received many pony-packs of beautiful flowers from the kids. These have been planted in the nooks and crannies of our front and rear rock retaining walls ... who needs flower pots??? The painter finished up on Tuesday and the trim and front porch came out great. The back acreage is such a lush emerald green filled with lots of wild flowers, ferns, strawberries, and young pine trees. Large trees stand guard and provide much needed shade on the back patio in the afternoon. From the front porch rockers you can watch the morning and evening activity of a woodpecker family that has made a cozy home in an old lopped off tree. I'm settling into a routine, one patterned after my earlier years living with my grandparents that includes a daily schedule, getting to bed early, taking time to smell the roses, and not over filling my day with too much busyness. Hurry back dear hubby ... our home is waiting for you!

Flower In The Crannied Wall

Flower in the crannied wall,

I pluck you out of the crannies,

I hold you here, root and all,

in my hand,

Little flower -

but if I could understand

What you are, root and all,
and all in all,

I should know what God and man is.

By: Alfred Tennyson


4 comments:

Pat said...

Beautful post. You have come to a lovely place in your life - a time to smell the roses and worry less about being busy. You have found what is really important and what feeds the soul. Now just when is DH going to join you?

Terry said...

I agree with Miss Patty.
This is a beautiful post!

If I didn't know that I was reading your blog, I would think that I was reading one of L.M. Montgomery books.
Sounds a lot like "The Golden Road" or "The Story Girl", even a little like "Rainbow Valley".

Almost makes me want to look up those books and read them again!
But I have determined to visit some of my blogging friends who I have been neglecting!!

Take care and enjoy your weekend Gramma Mac.
Are the kids all home for Sunday dinner today?....Love Terry

Sara said...

i am happy to be envious of you my sister. you are so wise to embrace this sweet season in your life. sit in that rocker and imagine me there with my cup of joe. be happy.

Jada's Gigi said...

Life and your home sound like they are settling down wonderfully for you...hope hubby comes quickly to enjoy it with you...you've both worked hard for it I know.