Wednesday, May 28, 2014


News came today that my Uncle Jim made his heavenly trip. Last of the Goodwin brothers, a southern gentlemen and just a plain ol' good guy. He was loved much by me.

Distance was a hedge for me after I married but my heart always remembered him. Uncle Jim was so much like my daddy, and that was truly a gift to me...one in two. I'm saddened that our lives didn't cross more often but I am blessed in knowing that he knew I loved him and thought highly of him.

I can almost hear these brothers say....."Continue my heritage, I'm counting on you.".


Monday, May 26, 2014


Frank G. Goodwin, Jr.
WWII~US NAVY
Seaman First Class
USS Monticello

He broke his hand
aboard the ship
while working.

Saturday, May 24, 2014


Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Silences between friends 
make the real conversations. 
Not the saying, 
but the never needing to say, 
is what counts.
 ~Margaret L. Runbeck


Silence.  No talking whatsoever. 
Just an occasional look will do. 
Perhaps a smile or even a hug.

my friends
thank you

Monday, May 19, 2014

Simply Living

I want to live simply.
I want to sit by the window when
it rains and read books I'll
never be tested on.

I want to paint because I want to,
not because I've got something to prove.
I want to listen to my body,
fall asleep when the moon is high
and wake up slowly,
with no place to rush off to.

I want not to be governed by money
or clocks or any of the artificial
restraints that humanity
imposes on itself. I just want to be
boundless and infinite.

~FB: Sun Gazing

Thursday, May 15, 2014

This past week's dinner menus just didn't go as I had planned.

After a Monday morning trip to the grocery store and a "dropped" pizza crust can (which opened up), my menu was planned for me...a homemade pizza.

On Tuesday with a late afternoon financial meeting I just didn't plan to cook so we went to Olive Garden.

Wednesdays are my choir nights so dinners are usually quick meals or leftovers.

Tonight I am preparing my Monday night menu. HA! So take a look at what I prepared for us...

As I made a honey-mustard-mayo sauce with dried onion flakes, I put on a pot of fresh green beans. The chicken was in the refrigerator for 30 mins wrapped in seasoned pepper-salt. I also began cooking some bacon strips, very crispy. With the bacon grease I cooked the chicken 4-5 mins on each side.

When the chicken had cooked, 
I placed the pieces 
into a baking dish side by side.

I brushed the chicken with the HMM sauce, 
sprinkled the crispy bacon on top and 
sprinkled Colby & Monterrey Jack cheeses on top. 

After baking for 20-30 mins, 
depending upon your oven, 
dinner was ready. 

I can never remember to take a picture before I eat. Yum! Yum! 


Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Lunch & Surprise

I loved spending lunch with Andrea today at Tropical Smoothie. The food is always so good. We had a wonderful time. 

On the other hand she wasn't aware that lunch was just the beginning. She is "Forty Days from Forty" as of today. 

So after our lunch and as we were walking out to our cars, I asked her to step over to my car for a minute. Popping the trunk, I had her open & look in...she was surprised. A beach bag & 39 wrapped gifts of love to be unwrapped for the next forty days. 

Happy "Forty to Forty" Birthday Andrea!
We love you!!!
Glenn & Mel


Tuesday, May 13, 2014

She is still CHAMP!

Glenn's gone so another party with the girls was planned. Lisa hosted this night at my house. Her supper for us was delicious chicken salad, fruit, crackers & chips, and croissants. We all bring our own drink but Lisa surprised us with a wonderful punch to sip on while we played Phase Ten.

Jean blessed our night & food. We then sang "Happy Birthday" to Glo. She will have a special number day later this month, and I wanted to surprise her. I had all the girls bring a birthday card for her. She was surprised! I had also purchased a scrumptious raspberry elegance cake from Publix. It is so yummy!!!

Phase Ten is a good game. I love it! We played until 12:35 am. It was so much fun.


Don't mess with us!
hahaha!!!

Glo wins again!

May 8, 2014

Monday, May 12, 2014

My Solo Trip

Traveling solo
4.21.14

Without any incidents my trip was smooth & easy, yet long & tiring. Almost a full day of traveling to spend some time with my mother at "The Country"...a name for our home given by my nephew Chip many, many years ago when he was a young boy.
TRAVEL #1...long roads ahead

TRAVEL #2...family of three trees

As I traveled to SC my small, handheld camera remained close. Landmarks along the back roads guide me towards home, and many bring memories to my mind. This is what helps the long drive I make. Throughout this post I will post a few of them. But here's one I really like.
TRAVEL #3...
Always, always some on these steps...
would love to sit with &
to hear the stories
being told

Mother expected me on Wednesday late afternoon. With Glenn having an out-of-town business trip two days prior to Wednesday, I made a change in plans to surprise mother on Monday. And I did surprise her!
She is well and continues to live alone. 
We had a wonderful time.

TRAVEL #4...
I get a peaceful feeling
every time I pass this church.

Mom's friends came over Tuesday for their weekly bridge game. It was nice to see them. They have so much fun playing & being together. Mom & I had gone to the grocery store that morning so I was able to spend some time preparing food dishes for the week as well as the evening's supper while they were playing.
on our way to the grocery store

love walking around "The Country"

TRAVEL #5...variety of landscapes

I spent some time in the yard on Wednesday picking up limbs & raking. Mom had a camellia that needed planted so she found a spot for the plant and I reworked the area. Mom also had some painting that she wanted done...a door frame and an outside planter hanger. 

Susan, Tammy, mom and I went to Myrtle Beach on Thursday for a day of shopping at Tanger Outlet. We left around 8:30 am on a beautiful day. Our day involved  lots of looking and a few good bargains. I was tired when we got back home around 8 pm that night but happy for a day of being with family.

Friday morning my sister and BIL & I spent time cleaning up the cemetery where family is buried. We picked up limbs, cut the grass, filled in holes, & moved a foot marker out of the drive area. Kinda hot but a breeze ever once in a while.

Bright-Stubbs Cemetery
Marlboro County, SC

After our busy morning there was lunch and then a trip to Ann's for mother's hair appointment..
My sister & brother with their spouses came over Friday night for a dinner I prepared for all. We feasted on fried chicken, potato salad, cob corn, fried okra, rolls & banana pudding. We had a good time.
lots of good memories
riding on this truck

always a burn barrel

One of my favorites stores to shop at is Ollie's in Rockingham, NC. It's a store very similar to Big Lots but I like Ollie's better. I can always find good deals there. One of my best deals is a floor steamer. Mom & I went Saturday morning. And yes, I did find some deals. 

My brother came over later in the afternoon for a few hours. It was nice to spend some time with him. 
He doesn't like to have his picture taken.
I can see his eyes on me.



Living in the country is so peaceful. Whether you're walking on the grounds or just lying on the cot on the porch, there's no place better than the country. Dad loved getting yard items. There are so many fun, fun, loving items in the yard & on some of the trees. 




The church I attend when visiting, pastored by my BIL, had a Family Night, and mother & I went. I always enjoy spending time with the church members.


My Aunt Willie & mom enjoy going out for lunch from time to time. She drives and that gets them both out of their homes for a little while. Aunt Willie is my dad's sister. 

On Tuesday before I was to leave for AL I wanted to treat Aunt Willie & my sister Susan to lunch at The Rivers Edge in Cheraw, SC. 
rivers edge (17 of 31)
This lunch establishment is run by a Mennonite family. Their showcase of handmade quilts (for sale) is absolutely breathtaking. Their baked goods of bread, cinnamon rolls & desserts are scrumptious. Yum!!!

Wednesday threats of thunderstorms/tornado activity in Alabama/Georgia and along I-20 halted my return trip. Glenn & I together made the decision that I would remain an extra day in SC for travel safety. Our area in SC was covered with the rain map on the Weather Channel but we did not see a drop of rain...well, maybe 10 - 15 drops.

I left Thursday morning early (couldn't sleep) and never had a weather problem as I drove home.
TRAVEL #6

TRAVEL #7...lots & lots of school buses

5.1.14