Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Dear Dad,

I miss you. Not a day goes by that I don't have some sort of thought of you. From the small whispers of encouragement to the how-to-instructions I remember it all so clear. Thank you. Thank you for taking time to teach me.

You impact my days thru my memories. I especially love working outside in the yard and hearing your voice inside me...kinda like you're right there working alongside me. I'm even able to "figure" tasks with the knowledge you taught me. Sometimes it's quite scary to me & Glenn...we remember the "washing machine" incident. HA!

I'm loving my retirement as you said I would, and I'm keeping busy just like you always did. I fully understand your term "piddling". I do it every day.

Our family has grown to include a daughter-in-law. You and she would have been good friends...I just know it. You would have been so proud of Garrett on his wedding day. I can just see you & him together side by side in a picture "cutting the fool"...perhaps doing the Brightsville Shuffle? 

Oh the memories!

I miss you.

Love,

Mel

Sunday, September 28, 2014

For the past four years one of our sweet children of God at our church has been battling cancer of sclerosing rhabdomyosarcoma (rhabdo). She has been in remission twice since her diagnosis in 2010. She is 11 years old. Her name is Morgan Hasty, and she is a fighter!

Late yesterday evening she was airlifted to Children's Hospital-Birmingham for bleeding complications. She arrived safely, and I have no doubt all attending this precious vessel knew their task at hand for God was overseeing His plan for her.

God is awesome. Our plan would never match His plan. Our plan would never accomplish what His plan would accomplish. Our plan would have cracks where His plan would be solid.

At this writing she is resting, vitals are stable and the bleeding comes & goes. She is a fighter, and in God's hands. God's plan for this special one has yet to be revealed.

Lifting up Morgan.

Friday, September 26, 2014

What a wonderful week this has been! 
Crisp, cool air in the mornings and 
nice afternoon breezes... 
days of working in the yard and 
just having the best time.....it's Fall Y'all!!!


Glenn's favorite plant


Fall is absolutely my favorite time of the year. 
The leaves on the trees are changing to colors of 
red, yellow, orange, and golden browns. 
Glenn  & I just love to see these changes. 

We are nature lovers, and 
the mountains are our favorite vacation spot. 
With the windows down we just ride and 
enjoy the scenery. God's creation is awesome.



Monday, September 22, 2014

Just up the road in our Lakewood Subdivision 
is Lakewood Lake. Recently the lake has had 
quite an unusual amount of activity. 
A gaggle of geese gather at all times of the day 
around the water's edge and 
the grassy area by the side of the road.

Today I stopped and spent a little time
to view as well as photograph them.





Saturday, September 20, 2014

Up until this past week we were still having some really hot, hot, hot days. Days where your energy was just "zapped" from your body, and all you wanted to do was just lie under a fan blowing cool air on you while you napped.

But...for a couple of mornings the weather changed. A slight breeze blowing, the humidity lower and a chance to do a little yard work which was long overdue. 

Looking forward to cooler weather and a chance to see some of my "yard fellows" that I have been missing. 

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh...he's sleeping.



Friday, September 12, 2014





Dothan City Schools are launching their IPAD Initiative during this month. All students, fourth thru twelfth grades will receive an IPAD.

Today I was able to help with the loading of apps to the IPADs at Montana Magnet. Lots of work but rewarding. Their roll out is Monday. The children are excited and ready for this new experience.

UPDATE:
On the day of the roll out (9.15.14) we finished and had everything ready for the parents/students around 2:30 PM. Roll out begins at 5:30.

Monday, September 8, 2014


We're saying goodbye to summer. This year has been a year of "supermoons". The last of the supermoons is tonight.

Tonight's full moon also has an extra claim to fame. It is known as a "Harvest Moon". The tradition is that the moon's brightness helped light the way for farmers bringing in their crops late into the evening.
Slowly and surely
          I rise.
  Another day to behold;
              no pains or cries.
       Draped for movement
 on the tread and floor.
                      to add to the chart
                 one more score.

Monday, September 1, 2014

WHIPPING CHILDHOOD CANCER


September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month.
I accepted the "WhippingChildhoodCancer"
challenge to honor the 46 children
and the 7 who lose their battle
every day from Sandra McLendon and
on behalf of my HERO MORGAN HASTY.

With a pie to the face and
a $7 donation to a childhood cancer charity, 
it was an honor for me 
to challenge 7 of my friends.

By not accepting the challenge within 46 hours, 
I was asked to donate $46 and 
still tag 7 friends to the challenge.

I accepted and donated to Morgan's fundraising page
at children's hospital and tagged to this challenge these friends...Gina Riley, Cathy Lokay, Melissa Kenyon, 
Wendy Anderson, Kay Hamner, 
Tammy Morrell & Harold Hudgins.

LET'S WHIP CHILDHOOD CANCER!!! 
Morgan & her mom Mitzi

Morgan & her grandmother Sandra
(my choir alto buddy)

Mel "Whipping" Childhood Cancer