Overcast dull sky today with wind. It was in the 60s but felt cooler to me. Filled up several of the bird feeders. The fighting finches were back squabbling over the tube feeder. Lots of male cardinals dressed in their red finery. The females are just as beautiful with their subdued colorings. Saw some wood thrushes and wrens and chickadees. Got lots of hummingbirds today. Saw the first ruby throated hummingbird on a feeder near the porch. He’s the first male to visit. The others are all females. Maybe he has a harem! The hummingbirds fought over the feeders all afternoon just like the finches.

I’ve been reading over the comments on my blog pages and thought I might share some of the comments with y’all.

“Life is not fair but why would it be. We have to always remember that so that we can be grateful for what we have. I am sitting here with my boy trying on his cap and gown knowing that his hard work has made his life fairer.” We all have learned that life is not fair and bad things do happen to good people. We get through these times with our faith and prayers.

“I think some days that grief might indeed crush us, but it doesn’t. It just leaves a shadow where it has knocked you flat.” I have written many times about grief and how we don’t get over it, we just learn how to live with it. Grief is not healed by time. Time passed deepens our grief and helps us realize how deeply we felt for our loved one. We just put one foot in front of the other and learn how to walk the new path of our life. Eventually we walk into the sunlight again.

“Yes, grandchildren give us a feeling of being needed and wanted.” Grandchildren are gifts from God given to spread happiness and joy as we age. My three grandchildren are blessings I shared with Chief. They have helped heal me while I’ve grieved for Chief.

“You could be the next critter removal business in the big city of Roanoke. I could help you. We could be called Two Ladies and a Net. No creature big or small that we can’t sweep off your porch” Loved this quote from my friend when I wrote about sweeping two baby possums out of the house. I need her now! Saw a mouse last night!

“It is amazing how I can remember exactly how my grandmother’s house smelled, and listening to Lawrence Welk together. Wonder what my grandchildren will remember me for?” I think my grandchildren will remember me for all the Whoopi cushions and jokes we’ve laughed about. They’ll remember the big country breakfasts we shared with Chief and all the Christmas dinners here at The Gran with their cousins. They’ll remember my being scared of sharks at the beach and the long bike rides they shared with me. Card games, Monopoly, and Scrabble, freeze pops, and popcorn with movies

“I think it is too early to discuss the meaning of life, but I do know it’s about all the people we have around us everyday. Just be kind and loving. You don’t need to know someone to smile and wish them a wonderful day… Just hug on the older people. I wonder how many days it has been since someone has. Give your dog some extra love because he certainly gives you enough. And give your wonderful family an extra long hug, hold their hands and tell them how proud you are of them. Don’t forget your friends that you should treasure every day, especially your old stand by friends that give you comfort, peace, understanding and love and have done it for a long, long time.” A genuine smile is so powerful and a sincere hug has the power to change a life.

“Yes, Lane. Snowfall still thrills my soul. Living in Colorado I get to see plenty of it. I always think of you when it snows. I can see us at Handley High School peering out the window hoping to see a flake of snow fall.” You know me, you know I’m a fool about the snow. Even if it’s a one percent chance of snow, I’m gonna stay up all night and watch for the first flake!

“I also made many of those pot holders! To me they were the best! And I remember all the paper dolls… The world is so different now. Children today have missed out on a great deal of fun because of technology!” I loved making those potholders, too. Gonna get a loom for me and my granddaughter and teach her how to make them on our vacation this summer. Might get us some paper dolls, too.

“It has always amazed me that the human spirit can take so much grief and keep on walking around on this earth. When Mama died it seemed as if I tumbled down a long dark tunnel that I would never be able to crawl out of. But I have found that God does not want us in the dark, he wants us in the sunlight, looking at his world. People that don’t see the little things in life have missed out on a wonderful adventure.” Well said, friend!

“I know I’m crazier than a betsy bug but I just laugh at my self and go on.” This quote from a friend has become my personal mantra!

“You’re not only are bringing life to your memories for your children, but you bring life to my memories as well. So many of your memories seem to spark, similar memories of mine. Shared stories are a blessing to many…. Keep them coming!” A favorite comment I received yesterday. I love her blog, too.

“Words are singularly the most powerful force available to humanity. We can choose to use this force constructively with words of encouragement, or destructively using words of despair. Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate and to humble,” – Yehuda Berg