Ode to the Nipper Diddy

Floating along on the small lake, I had a couple of bream poles in the water and Hubby, he was casting for that big bass. Fishing from the canoe was not our favorite way to fish, but the trolling motor on the jon boat was dead and the fish were calling. We had to answer that call and the canoe provided the means.

We had just about given up on the big boy hitting the pumpkin seed worms Hubby was using and the bream didn't like my red wigglers. Hubby changed to his and my favorite - the frog colored nipper diddy. If the bass was going to hit, it would hit Mr. Nipper Diddy! I had given up on fishing and I was easing the boat slowly along the shore. Enjoying the coolness of the shade from the overhanging trees, I moved the canoe quietly along. Hubby jerked his rod and my regular question was "did you get him?" "Nope, but I will this time!" "Come on, big boy, hit it again." He cast again into the shadows and that big ole bass flipped Mr. Nipper Diddy off his tail and right back at the canoe. Frustrated and determined, Hubby once again dropped the plug right in the shadows, and once again the bass rolled over and flipped the plug right back at us.

It was definitely time to go home. We had worn out our welcome and we were sure the call had gone out over the lake to ignore the two in the canoe.

Hubby and I have caught many a fish on a frog colored nipper diddy. They don't make these wonderful lures anymore, but they sure provided a lot of fun and excitement.

New Stories Added

See Belle's story site - new stories added weekly along with exerpts of my Belles Tales Book!

http://sites/goggle.conm/site/bellestalesandmore.com

A Little Piece of A Tittle Tale

Tittle was a little mouse that lived on Belle's Farm. Tittle loved living on a farm, it made him a landowner rather than just a field mouse. Those field mice were always having to scavenge for food. Tittle, well he just stole corn from the chickens or if Mr. Farmer didn't put the feed in the barrels, he filled up straight from the feed sacks. Tittles just loved it when Mr. Farmer was too busy to put the feed away. Tittle could carry off enough to last for a week at least, then he didn't have to fight with Essie the hen for the corn. Essie could be really mean with that beak of hers and it was just too hot to being running from Essie.

Tittle didn't know why people didn't like mice. He was a perfectly good little mouse and he liked to think of himself as a one mouse cleanup crew. Tittle was really good at cleaning all the crumbs and droppings off a floor and it didn't take him anytime to do it.

He really wished Mrs. Farmer wouldn't chase him with that broom. Silly woman didn't she know he could slip right through that broom straw. You could tell the new Mrs. Farmer hadn't lived on a farm before. She really had no idea how to catch a mouse. Now the Mrs. Farmer that use to live on the farm was nothing to play with. She was always chasing Tittle with a wet mop and he learned to steer clear of the house when she lived there. No mouse could escape wet mop strings.

Anyway, Tittle wanted to get some of that feed stored so her could head to the creek. He thought he might have a bath today. As hot as it was it would cool him off and he was sure it would surprise his Mom. Taking a bath without being told to was always a great way to surprise Mom. Tittles was scurrying back and forth filling his corner with corn. One more trip ought to do it and he would be off to the cool water.

Tittles stopped. Dead still, he listened. Yep, there it was. He was through for the day. Slowly, slowly, he back away and then ran as fast as he could. A huge, mean old king snake was now guarding the feed sack. Where had he come from? Tittles had to warn Mom. He didn't want her caught. Everybody knew that mice were a king snakes favorite meal. "Mom, Mom" Tittle called.

"What in the world are you yelling about?" Mom answered.

"Oh, Mom, there is a king snake in the feed room of the barn" Tittle cried.

"Well, we will just have to stay out of the barn for a few days and let him see there is nothing there for him to eat and he will be own his way" Mom replied.

"But where will we go?" asked Tittle.

"To the field of course. That is where we came from" Mom said.

Tittle felt sad. He hadn't lived in the field before. He had always made fun of the field mice. They didn't have a nice barn to live in and had to look for food and ate all those weird berries and things. They slept under logs and in trees and oh, how he wished he hadn't been so mean to them. Now he had to go live with them. Oh, what was Tittle going to do?

Click on the title above for the whole story - Happy reading! Belle

Fishing With Hubby

It's late afternoon and time to hit the lake. Going fishing with hubby today and probably tomorrow. The shell cracker have been biting and so have the crappy. Nothing feels better than the feel of a big bream grabbing your hook and reeling that big boy in.

The kids always want to go in the middle of the day. Way too hot kiddos! Those big boys dive deep and swim in the dark cool water of the lake and they are too busy watching for the fish of prey to have time to bite a hook. Wait until the sun cools down and there are shadows on the water and they will move closer to the top. By then they are hungry and feel safe and you can nab them quickly.

There was a summer on Lake Kerr that we played in and on the lake until long after dark and it never bothered me then. My loving cousins would flip that canoe over and in the water I would go with the turtles, snakes and frogs. Yuck! I must have been crazy! Now, you won't catch Belle on the water after dark. Too creepy! I don't like the slimy things rubbing against my feet and legs and surely not the turtles nibbling my toes.

For more Belle stories go to http://site.google.site.com//bellestalesandmore/home . Happy reading and until tomorrow, Keep on smiling.

Belle

The Awful Age

You know that age between being a cute little kid and a wonderful young adult. You know the nothing age - can't say nothing right, can't do nothing right.

Nothing you say comes out right - it is either too smart mouth or sounds really stupid. You try to be cute with other kids and they look at you like your a freak. You try to be cute with adults and they look at you like your a freak. You just don't fit in quite in the same place as that cute kid once did.

You still get a kick out of swinging on the playground, but the other kids will call you a dork. You enjoy rough housing and horsing around, but the other kids think you want to fight not play - even Mom and Dad think you're too rough. When did you get that strong? You are too old to say you'll kick some butt like you did when you were a little kid and everyone thought it was funny. Now if you say it they think you're a bully. How will football ever survive? Some of these kids will never make it in wrestling - a land of wimps.

Girls remember when you could do cartwheels down the driveway until you reached the awful age. Now you hear - keep your dress down, young ladies don't sit like that, put your legs down, that's not ladylike - from cute kid to lady overnight. Wow! How many times have you heard "don't get smart mouth with me, young lady."

Even what you say is always wrong. Sometimes I just ask a simple question like when I ask Dad why he kept buying onions when they gave him gas. How was I suppose to know that everyone in Kroger didn't need to know that onions gave Dad gas and that he had diarrhea last night? Those people in Wal Mart thought it was funny when I reminded Mom what Dad said about not spending too much money, but Mom sure didn't. I just stay in trouble!

Do not ever tell anyone, even your grandmother, that Mom colors her hair. Moms can stay made forever for that one and you will never get to do anything again! This one is confusing to me because make such a fuss when she colors her hair until someone tells her it is beautiful. Then she doesn't want anyone to know - boy this adult business takes a lot of learning. And never ever talk about anybody's weight - at home or in public. That will get you busted big time!

Another thing - do not tell your aunt or uncle anything your mom or dad says about them - same thing with grandma and grandpa. Not only will you get in trouble, but everybody gets mad at everybody else and then there is a family war going on.

School is horrible. You play army all the time and have all the good weapons - shoot the enemy, blow up the tanks, throw grenades, shoot the fighter plane out of the sky - then all of a sudden you can't pretend to kill anybody. Well, duh! How is the army suppose to win the war? When did the rules change? The cute little kid spent hours pretending to be the good guy fighting to clean the world of the bad guys and now that you're not quite a young adult, you can't do that anymore. It will get you in trouble. I know all the shootings and killings in the schools, but I am not talking about really killing somebody. It sure gets confusing - this awful age.

Mom keeps telling me it will all make sense one day, but it sure is hard right now. I have learned a lot though as you can tell. I know what not to say in some cases, but other times, I still say the wrong thing at the wrong time. I feel bad a lot of the time when I have said the wrong thing and caused a ruckus - it sometimes makes me not think I am too smart, then other times I think people are just dumb. Grandma tells me to always be careful of what I say and what I do; never say or do things that might hurt someone and always try to say nice things about people. She always says, God don't love ugly. I know she means God doesn't like it when we act ugly, but God loves everybody - even the wimps, even me when my mouth gets smart.

I don't know how long this awful age will last, but I am sure ready to get to the next stage. I think its known as a young adult.

Gardening in Red Clay

Have you ever really looked and felt of red clay? When dry it is hard as a rock with large cracks in it and when wet it is slick and slimy and sticks to everything. Many things will grow in it (weeds, poison ivy, junk), but you will never have a beautiful garden unless you change the soil. Planting in red clay is like trying to eat with your mouth wired shut - it is possible but you won't get fat eating that way.

A good garden base needs at least six (6) inches of topsoil and I really prefer ten (10) inches. Plant roots are strong, but the harder they have to work to grow, the more strained the plant above ground will look. Without a good base, it will fail to produce the foliage and blossoms it is capable of producing. Tubers, bulbs and rhizomes will do better in clay as their roots are thick and not as long.

Lay out your garden area using flour or builder's lime to outline your garden with at least a two inch line. Removing all the grass and weeds (about 2 inches) from the garden is just the beginning. I use a post hole digger and pull out about 10 to 12 inches of dirt in the center of the garden plot. You will be able to see how much good soil (top soil) you have on top of the clay. This will give you a good idea of the amount of top soil that will need to be added. Till the ground to the depth of the existing top soil before adding more top soil. Breaking this ground up before adding the additional soil will provide better drainage and help the roots to get a good start. (This is the time to take you shoes off and wiggly your toes in the dirt - believe me - nothing feels better.) After adding additional top soil, re-till the area; mixing the existing top soil with the new topsoil and then level the area.

Don't immediately put in plants. If you haven't done so before, watch the garden plot for a day or two. Notice when and how much sun and shade the area gets during the day. Some plants prefer morning sun, but can't tolerate the afternoon sun. Some prefer no sun at all, but do splendidly lounging in the shade.

Are there any trees around that will throw their leaves in the garden? Is there a walkway close by that the beautiful crepe myrtle you are planting will weep all over and probably stain the concrete or tiles? If you have a fountain or are planning on putting one in, make sure the blooms and leaves from your garden plants won't keep you busy dipping the refuse from the fountain. You will need to keep the water clean and the pump from getting clogged with refuse and debris from your plants. To be happy with your garden and the plants you have in mind, you must plan thoughtfully and carefully. Know how your plants will act from the first spring shoots to the late fall shedding. It can make a big difference in the joy you receive from all the hard work.

I love vines, but I don't want to be continually pruning to keep them in control. Wisteria is beautiful, but can easily overtake everything and anything in its path without a watchful eye and careful pruning. Jasmine is beautiful on a trellis, but will choke the life out of neighboring plants if left unattended.

Some plants grow faster than others and your garden may not reach your desired look for 2-3 years. Leave plenty of growing room for that little plant in a gallon container that will be 4 foot high and 3 foot in diameter in a years time. Yes, there is going to be empty spots in your garden unless you buy 3 and 4 year plants. If you are trying to landscape, this is a quick, but expensive way to accomplish your goal; but if you are trying to garden and want to experience the joy and satisfaction of creating your own space, then go with the smaller plants and develop them yourself.

Make sure you have water easily available. Plants must have water to survive and with the unpredictable and inconsistent rainfall levels experienced in the past 10 years, you need to be able to lay a soaker hose in the garden plot to keep those roots nourished - but don't over water! The same is try for fertilizer. Plants need the fertilizer, but don't over do it. Too much fertilizer will either burn up your plants or result in lush foliage with no blooms. Closely follow directions on the fertilizer.

Pests are one of our biggest problems. Sometimes soap and water will take care of the bugs. There are hose sprayers with containers attached that allow you to put in your fertilizer or in this case soap (a cheap dish soap works well) and spray your plants down either very early in the morning or late afternoon. Never spray your plants with the sun high in the sky. It will burn (blister) the foliage and blooms. Find a good resource for pest treatment. I use Better Homes and Gardens unless I have a real problem and then I contact the University of Georgia experiment station for advice. Your county extension agent is there to help also.

Living in rural Georgia and on a very old home site at that, I am continually finding plants from the previous dwellers popping up in my gardens, but I do love surprises! Keep your eyes open for that old weed that springs up, may be the start of something new. Happy gardening!

Memorable Rides

During our 25 year marriage there have been many Harley's and many rides. Some were fantastic, some I would just as soon forget. Remember - I ride, I don't drive! - so I am at the mercy of my hubby on our junkets. There are several groups that we ride with and we usually have a fantastic ride with beautiful scenery.

There have been many rides to Pine Mountain and Warm Springs. Different seasons bring different sites, but the trip is always memorable. This area of Georgia is gorgeous any time of the year, but spring and fall are my favorites for climbing the mountains and taking in the views. Warm Springs is a wonderful browsing town.

Another trip I always enjoy is the trip to Juliette. Home of "Fried Green Tomatoes", Juliette is small but full of surprises and offers much to see. Along the way is Lake Juliette and its park. Always treasures to be found here.

A trip to Andersonville is also an interesting ride. The park there is well worth the trip and the restaurant we always visit has wonderful home cooking and fresh baked breads, cakes, and pies. The trip back is always slower as we are carrying much more weight. Sated with good food, I usually nap on the trip home.

Indian Springs State Park is also a good ride with beautiful scenery, as is the trip to Madison and the Lake Oconee area. Going north is the trip through Douglasville and up into Elijah. I enjoy this trip in the fall when the leaves are turning and the apples are ripe. A back road trip to Clarkesville and Lake Burton is enjoyable. There is a wonderful old mill in Clarkesville that is now a mall that offers interesting items. These day trips have all given us wonderful memories and a good time. There is something special in riding in the wind, the smell of the earth and all its wonders.

For several years we made the Survivor Run to Cherokee, NC. An easy ride with terrific hills, great roads, changing scenery and good company, this trip was exciting and rewarding. We normally stay in Franklin and ride into Cherokee for the activities. Franklin is a great little town and we found several good places to eat while there. From out hotel room we can watch the bears roam on the mountain. Our last trip to Cherokee proved a little more than we look for in a good time as things got really rough among the groups attending. Sure miss the good buys we found on this trip. We always had breakfast at the Dillard House on the way back. Love their breakfast!

Jekyll Island and Savannah have both been a treat while riding. Savannah is my favorite Georgia city, so my joy there is a given. But remember Savannah must be walked to be appreciated. Jekyll affords so much to see if your interests includes history and nature. My most memorable ride to Jekyll was for the HOG conference. It was the same weekend as the Georgia vs. Florida Game and if your not aware, those that can't get lodging in Jacksonville, stay at Jekyll. That was one wild weekend. Everything went nice and smooth until the hotel blacked out the game in the rooms. If you wanted to see the game, you had to go to the bar. Things got a little ugly for a while. We enjoyed riding the islands while participating in the scavenger hunt. Learned a lot about the area from this trip. A bike trip to either of these sites is well worth the trip.

Myrtle Beach, Gulf Shores, Daytona are all good rides, but too long for my behind and too crowded for my taste. It takes me two days to get these old joints moving again, and that is just from sitting so long in one position. By the time I am moving around again it is time to head home and another two days recuperating. We have only trailered the bike one time and neither my hubby nor I enjoyed the trip. Beautiful trips if you make them a two day ride. I know folks, my body is getting older - not me!

Parades are not my thing. It is always stop and go and the weather is either hot as hades or freezing cold. We have been in several and enjoyed the getting there and back, but we could have set the parade out.

Most of the people we ride with, want to ride. They do not enjoy stopping for site seeing or browsing. They are missing so much! So many of the towns and communities are chocked full of interesting people and things. If you just want a ride, get on the interstate and go until you are ready to head back. A couple of times a year, there is groups of men that do a men's ride to different places and are usually gone for a week. They do nothing but ride - no sightseeing. Ride, eat, and sleep - I guess that is the sign of a true biker.

July Flowers

My first Lantana bloom this year, looks very delicate!















Finally, the Althea has started to bloom. My deep rose colored one hasn't opened yet.












I have been told this is Pipsissewa, however it doesn't look like any of the pictures in my research. Can anyone identify?







Thank you! Teresa Schrum, master gardener confirmed this is Pipsissewa via email with the following link.
http://www.duke.edu/~cwcook/trees/chma.html

Memories of Old Friends

This has been a great weekend and early week for me. I reconnected to two important people that have been very important to me and I have carried in my heart but had lost contact.

My cousin has always been special to me even though our relationship has always been over a great distance. I lost her email and have just reconnected. I am so happy.

The other is one of my best friends from high school. My school years were full of inner turmoil. Not my friend - she was full of life, always happy. She came from a large happy family filled with love. I am so glad to have reconnected and hope we can reforge the bonds that made our friendship so special to me even if it is just an email relationship as I don't even know where she lives yet! I look at our pictures and see we have both changed with time - I miss her beautiful red hair, but she still has that wonderful smile. My black locks have long given over to the silver and gray. I look in the mirror and wonder where that girl went; knowing she is still inside and I wouldn't go back for anything. Friend, we have a lot of catching up to do!

I have been able to stay connected to many people that have passed through my life via this wonderful Internet. It has sparked memories, reconnected me with friends and provided possibilities for the future. I love email - I have always liked writing over talking. I can go back to those words and read and re-read them. They don't disappear into thin air or get jumbled in my mind. I can keep in touch with those near and far. I even like the junk stuff. It let's me know someone had to think of me for just a second even if it was to only click on my name. That feels good.

I have much to look forward to and eagerly await my next message. To all you bloggers, keep writing - you may just brighten someone's day.

The Morning The Cow Lost Her Tail

Nobody can tell this story like Mom - but I will give it a try.

Dairy farming is hard at the best of times. Milking those angels early in the morning and again early afternoon, cleaning and more cleaning, planting, harvesting, feeding, then more cleaning. The milk barn is always cold and wet. A lucky farmer will have dependable help and believe me it makes all the difference. Sometimes it talks some false starts before you find just the right person. One who can get along with you, your animals, and do things the right way.

On most mornings, us girls never knew any of this was going on. We slept in our nice snug beds and dreamed our wonderful dreams, got up and had a warm nourishing breakfast, cleaned to the kitchen and then went to work or school. We didn't participate in those early morning milkings, but we worked the rest of the day. Summer and winter, wet or dry, warm or cold, it didn't matter, there was always work to be done.

The coldest day of the year and wet to boot, the milker called in sick. Yeah Right! No matter, the cows had to be milked. Dad got us all up. As we put on our layered clothes - long johns, sweats, two pair of socks, rubber boots, knit caps, and jackets - to stay as warm as possible. All those angels did not willingly come into the barn, some loved to play catch and slide in the mud and muck. Mom and Dad were already running the milking machines when my sister and I got to the barn.

What a mess! The cows had ice hanging from their tails and it was cold, really cold. Dad said we could go back to the house once we got all the cows in the barn and the feed hoppers filled. Sis and I went to work. I went after cows and she headed upstairs to fill the hoppers. There was nothing but frozen slush until you stepped in it - It wasn't frozen all the way through. Cows were in the barn, I was covered in - well you know, and Sis was down from the feed room.

Mom's head was covered in a hair net, her flannel pajama top was sticking out of the top of her sweat shirt and she was a sight. Mom was resting her head on the side of the cow as she took the milkers off. She turned around, dipped the milkers in the cleaning solution and put them on the next cow. She checked the cow she had finished milking, opened the door, and swatted her behind encouraging her to exit the milking stall. Most of the cows were hard to get out of the warmth of the barn when the milking was finished. The cow wouldn't budge, so she swatted her behind again. The cow jumped out of the stall and hollered as she ran out of the barn - without her bushy tail. A common practice in the winter, Mom had split the hair on the bottom of the cow's tail and tied it around the stall rods to keep the cow from swishing the tail in Mom's face while she was milking. Mom forgot to untie the hair when she let her out of the stall and the hair was jerked out of the end of the tail.

Mom starting hollering and crying, Dad was laughing, and Sis and I headed to the house. Poor cow! I don't believe she ever swished her tail again while being milked.

Be Kind

" Love is patient, love is kind." 1Corinthians 13:4 NIV

"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:32 NIV

"Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else." 1Thessalonians 5:15 NIV

I have just finished reading several blogs on the news web - Michael Jackson's death, Steve McNair's death, Senator Ensign's affair, Sarah Palin's resignation and several others. People are mean; their observations, opinions, and comments are mean Whether this is brought on by jealousy, envy, hate, fear. discontent or whatever, there are people out there that are just plain mean.

I am not a minister nor a teacher but I was taught that "if you can't say something good about somebody, don't say anything at all." (Thanks Dad) It is astounding to me that people can write comments about people they don't know, about situations without knowing the facts. A Sunday School teacher once told me that females will repeat a rumor without finding out the truth, but a male would not. She may have been correct back then, but she sure is off target now. It doesn't matter the gender, race, educational status or social status - everyone has a nasty comment about everything.

And where did these people come up with this stuff. The accusations, the hate spewing forth, just the plain old meanness reflected in these comments and opinions. No wonder this country is hurting; it is so full of hate it cannot move forward.
Where is our mercy? Who are we to judge?

"Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful, Mercy triumphs over judgment." James 2:12-13 NIV

Lizzy - the Nanny That Didn't Survive

Lizzy lived about three quarters of a mile from our home. She had her children living with her at times and I guess I never knew her last name. She was the best laundry person around and could iron quicker than anybody. She taught me to properly iron all those cotton items of the 1950s. Even underwear was ironed at our house, but I learned on Dad's handkerchiefs, then I moved to pillowcases, sheets, and tablecloths. It took me a long time before Lizzy let me iron anything harder than the tablecloths - and these you had to be extra careful with because Sunday company saw them on the table.

Lizzy was a good cook too and could make a little go a long way. I especially liked her grits. They were always just right and she always added extra butter for us.

Lizzy was a short, wizened little woman, with skin dark as night. I loved to rub her arm and smell her skin. It was a mix of snuff and sweat and just Lizzy. She would always tell me if I kept rubbing her skin the black was going to come off on me and I wouldn't look right then. I didn't care, Lizzy had the best skin in the world.

I asked if I could try her snuff one time and she said sure, but to make sure I could handle it, she would have to blow a bit in my face. She blew that powder and I sneezed and my eyes watered and it had a stink I will never forget - I never tried her snuff and haven't tried any to this day. Wish I could say the same for cigarettes.

My sister and I were not mean, but we sure were mischievous. We would call Lizzy to the back of the house and when she came down the hall we would throw pillows at her. Of course, she was so small we almost knocked her down and she would run back toward the kitchen threatening to tan our hides.

Lizzy also worked for the neighbors up the road and our closest playmates. Their daughter, Missy, was a mean little thing and she claimed Lizzy spanked her one time. Everybody knew Missy was lying about Lizzy, but her Dad fired Lizzy for spanking Missy. Lizzy died a few years later in the same little house where she had always lived. A couple years after Lizzy died Missy and her family built a new house. My sister and I rode our bicycles to see the new house and listened as Missy went on and on about all the new stuff she would have and how special it was and we would never have anything like that because we couldn't afford it. Getting madder and madder at Missy, I told her that was okay because Lizzy's ghost was still living in the house right across the road. I told her Lizzy was going to get even with Missy for lying about the spanking and haunt Missy as long as she lived in her new house. A week later, Missy's Dad had Lizzy's old house torn down. Missy's Mom called our Mom and said Missy refused to move in the new house because Lizzy's ghost lived across the road. My sister and I thought that was real funny.

My Dad raised German Shepherds for many years. None of the dogs were mean, but they were protective of our farm and would bark to warn that we had company. When anyone walked down the road (which was dirt) the dogs would bark like crazy. Lizzy decided the dogs could hear her walking, so when she got to the creek - about a quarter of a mile away - she would take off her shoes so the dogs would not hear her coming and then put them back on at the end of the road. We couldn't convince her they could see and smell her, even if they couldn't hear her.

Lizzy was another special woman in my life that I loved dearly. And with all the rubbing - her black never came off.

First Week of July

The hummingbirds are feeding again, the chicken is off the nest (no chicks, no eggs, no anything - she just left), rain is on the way and my yard is anticipating that rain coming in tonight.

My children (and that means children and grandchildren) spent the weekend with me and I feel restored. I always feel as if something is missing after a few days without seeing some of my children. I see more of my son and his family, but my daughter lives away and it is a special treat when she is with me. She is a balm to my soul. A special gift from God, she is what I wish I could be - practical, compassionate, caring, realistic, independent yet dedicated to her family, trusting, strong in faith - in my eyes, she has it all. But then, I am prejudiced, yet those that know her feel the same way. She and her husband compliment each other so completely.

I enjoyed some beautiful fireworks last night - we went for the grandchildren to enjoy and I don't believe they saw the first one. They sure enjoyed playing on Nanna's truck and visiting with friends. That's okay, I love fireworks. My daughter was born on July 3 and at two years old advised me she didn't want those things at her next birthday. It took many years before she learned to enjoy the magic.

Hubby just came in from the garden. the cut worm we have looked high and low for is no cut worm at all. It is that blasted beautiful rooster pecking my green tomatoes. Who would have thought! Not only do they still the seeds, but the fruit of what is left. At least the problem is identified and I can quit digging through that foliage looking for something that isn't there. We are getting lots of squash, peppers and tomatoes now. I am ready to put in the next round of veggies and hope they make it through the hot part of the summer.

Many people are heading to the beaches, mountains, or somewhere on vacations this week. This is the week I will miss the excitement of Panama City, the beauty of Gulf shores, the waves of Daytona, the tranquility of Jekyll, the exotic Key West, the historical Savannah, the cool mornings and evenings of Townsend, the discoveries of Cades Cove, the wonders of the many caverns of West Virgina, and all the people I meet when visiting these places. But only for a moment. I am so content in my little world, I have not desire to wander. This may change, but for now, this is where I am suppose to be. Travellers - have fun and stay safe.

I am working on my third book and I do believe I will leave it and pursue another experience for my little friend. The ideas are just popping in my head and I am anxious to get back to my writing. My grandchildren are spewing forth ideas faster than I can write and I find myself jotting down ideas for my next segment. The children are growing rapidly and as I listen to them play I can discern the changes developing in their action, reactions and though processes. It is incredible to listen to them play. My books reflect much of their combined personalities and characteristics. I only hope I am doing them justice. They enjoy my stories anyway and are always anxious for the next one. I have found much joy in writing and even though it hasn't paid any bills yet, I am praying it will turn fruitful soon.


Enjoy the vacation week and until next time . . .

Belle