Notes From The Prairie

I have been babysitting my two grand daughters, ages 4 and 5. While the oldest one was in kindergarten, I thought I would check my e-mail at my daughter's house. Hailey, the four year old was standing next to me at the computer, hoping I would hurry up so she could play her Care bears game. I got an e-mail from Tom, my brother in law. It said to click here, to play Tic Tac Toe. As I did, Hailey asked me what it was. I explained to her it was a game, called Tic Tac Toe. She loves games, so asked me how it worked. I explained as I did it for her. This one, was a joke which I didn't know at the time. As I put my second or third "x" on the grid....a huge scary face popped up and SCREAMED at us! She and I both screamed and jumped! Then she began to cry. I hugged her, and told her I was sorry...and explained it was a joke and I didn't know it. Through the tears, she said.."do it again Grandma!" "Do it again?" I asked. "but it scared you!" ...

It seems like just yesterday to me, that I held you in my arms and rocked you to sleep:) How time flies by! Those moments of watching you climb trees, bringing home strays (like Garfield!), swim in kiddie pools, being a Brownie, and watching you and Amy do those dances for me to music...seem so fresh in my memories! Now you have grown into a fine young lady...whom your Dad and I are very proud of!!! Happy birthday my sweetie! Love you always and forever! Mom

Thank you Tom, for sharing another wonderful video! After so many losses this year of family and friends, this video says it all:)

This past year has made me realize how we all need to cherish life, it is but for a moment we are here. My brothers, sister, and I all live many miles away from one another. I have missed so many happy events due to this! Births, marriages, graduations, on and on. Even though we are miles apart, I know I can always count on these three people to be there for me if I needed them to be! From left to right, is Mike, me, Sharon, and Jim. I love you three more than words can express! This picture was taken last Saturday by my wonderful sister in law Kathy:) She is the camera "woman" in our family! Thank you sister!

It is so hard to say good bye to yet another family member. We went to Virginia's remembrance of life memorial this past Saturday. She had a wonderful life, and family. She loved her daughters and grandchildren immensely....and they loved her. I know she is with the Lord now, and her grandson JD...my nephew. We will dearly miss you both. If you look closely at this picture, you will see two people walking together into the sunset.

It is so true, LIFE and MORALS are being voted upon this election. Christians of all denominations must stand up and be heard this coming election day! I don't know about you, but I'm voting for LIFE. Thanks Tom for sending this to me! This was such an inspiring piece of film. I for one, will be voting the Republican ticket.

My Nephew was staying in a cabin. He put some ears of corn out, and guess who came to dinner? Yes, a Mama bear and her two cubs! Nature is such a wonderful thing! I didn't even know Bears liked corn! Good shot hon, hope you didn't get as close as this looks!!!! Love you!

I may have already told you this story, if so forgive the repeat. But today has been a day of reflection for me...not sure why. Perhaps I may just be listening to God more today than usual. I believe He talks to us all the time, if we would just listen. Most of the time we are too busy. But the Holy Spirit keeps on trying to speak to us. The story I'm about to tell you is true. This happened when I was in my 30's, and I had just been saved the previous year. We had just gotten custody of my step son. He was 16, and out of control. We took him to church, and it seemed to help for awhile, but he was like the birds that flew away from the seed. He had several girl friends, none of whom he was very nice to. I always encouraged him to bring them home so we could meet them. One in particular I was very fond of. She was so sweet, and I knew right away that she came from an abusive back ground. God has always given me the instinct of knowing things like this. It was nothing she said, b...

I love feeding finches. I have two feeders by my living room window...so that I can watch them eat...if I happen to be sitting on the couch. Today was one of those days! I wondered why there were so many finches this morning. They were hysterical! They were fighting over the best perch, while others hung to the side. Still others were sitting on top of the feeder, patiently waiting their turn. All of a sudden, a HUGE dark shadow came over the ground. Above them was the BIGGEST hawk I had ever seen! Then to my horror, there were two others! Three hawks circled my feeder....and my sweet little finches! Before I knew it, I was at the window..raised it, and was yelling at the hawks. Some of the finches flew away, very low.....staying away from the hawks. There were some finches that didn't leave. They aren't afraid of me, because they have come to know me. Would you believe that when the feeder is empty, they will hang on the screen of the window...to try to tell me I need to fill ...

Fall is a favorite time for me. I love it:) All the country roads around me, once barren, are now bustling with activity! For people who have always lived in the city, and never been around the country side during harvest, are missing such a wonderful experience. The farmers are in their fields, picking their crops before winter. The roads are filled with HUGE combines, going back and forth to the fields. Tractors, farm trucks, and semi's are hauling the grain that has been picked. Some are going to the elevators, to be weighed...so that the farmer knows how much grain has been picked. From there it's loaded into semi's to be taken to the factories to be made into food (cereals, etc.) The picture above was taken with my cell phone. I believe this is one of the fields my son in law will be harvesting. The sky was so beautiful that day, it was surreal. The harvest reminds me of the Bible. Below is a parable Jesus told about the seeds being planted, the Word of God. The harves...