Sat on the porch last night after supper. Was enjoying watching a flock of eight male cardinals and their mates on the feeders. These cardinals always come at dusk and feed till almost dark. I think the goldfinches incessant noisy chattering gets on their nerves. They visit the feeders with the goldfinches during the daytime but more of them visit at dusk. Honestly, the gall dern, dang nabbit, blood sucking mosquitoes ran me back in the house! Was just getting relaxed when the skeeters appeared and ate me up. I’m blaming the bamboo and the creek behind the house for inviting them to visit. Guess it’s time for some citronella candles.

Back on the porch this morning. Felt the swing pillows on one side of the porch and they were dry. Assuming the other swing, which has views of all the bird feeders, had dry cushions, I plunked my slender self down and the cushions were ringing wet. Wet my butt all the way down to my boxer shorts. Smile! If that wasn’t enough to start my day off, I put my breakfast plate down on the now pillowless swing and one of my bagel halves slid off the plate and landed cream cheese side down on the porch. I caught the plate as it slid off the swing. Penelope thought she was having a bagel for her breakfast dessert but I chunked it off the porch for the visiting critters who pass through the yard.

Today’s cloudless cyan sky is the perfect backdrop for all the colors of the greening trees. God does his best to send us a beautiful day after a storm. Just like life, sometimes a storm’s destruction is hard to understand. But we get through these days focusing on what we have instead of what we don’t have.

The morning is full of wind chimes singing in tune with the birds chirping. Was thinking how peaceful the day was when suddenly a jet black crow broke up the music with his raucous crowing as he flew around in the yard. Then the train whistle blew to mark a crescendo in the symphony. Mother Nature’s wind baton is directing the orchestra today.

Going to visit Thomas and his family this week. The grand boys are getting inducted to the Beta Club at their middle school. They are smart little critters, so is their sister, and I’m very proud of them and their mama and daddy. As Chief would say, “They are fine fellas!” So glad they’re closer now. I can manage the drive to Fayetteville, Ga., better than to Augusta. Interstate’s honestly terrify me and make my hands sweat on the steering wheel. First time I drove to Fayetteville, I had two of the children in the car with me taking them home. Thank goodness for the phone’s GPS. When the bypass turned into three lanes of traffic I was a little nervous but Emerson was a great co-pilot and we made it fine.

Interstates terrify me and six lanes of interstate traffic once almost put me into cardiac arrhythmia. Thinking of other things I’m scared of include rollercoasters, unknown dogs, sharks in shallow ocean water, and my car breaking down on a lonely stretch of highway. First time I rode a roller coaster I was in Panama City, Florida, with the Jug Club and my date talked me into riding in the first car of the coaster at the Miracle Strip amusement park. Scared me so bad I can’t even remember the name of the boy I rode with! Needless to say, for a first ride, the first car was not a good choice! Have not been on one since. Can’t even watch them on commercials. I mistakenly got on the pirate ship ride that swings at Six Flags thirty some years ago, after Thomas begged me, and I still regret that decision!

Once had a dog I didn’t know angrily chase me for two blocks. I threw my bike down and climbed on the hood of our car on my own street, right in front of my house. Waited a few minutes thinking it was gone and then the dog bit me on the leg soon as my hand touched my front door knob. Rather walk by a snake than a dog I don’t know.

Have honestly not gone past ankle deep water in the ocean since I saw the movie Jaws in 1975. And most shark attacks happen in shallow water. My grandchildren swim around in the ocean like it’s a big pool. I’m not brave enough for that! I just stay on shark patrol when they’re in the water.

I have no sense of direction and have to really go someplace a million times before I remember the way. Chief could follow the map to a new place one time and never need the map again. I’ve been to Fayetteville two or three times but once I get to Newnan the GPS has to guide me the rest of the way to my children’s home. And God forbid I break down between my house and their house in my 21 year old faithful car. I wouldn’t even be able to tell them my location so they could come help me! Lord help me and let us pray!

Let me know what scares you. Happy Day!