We've Had Rain!

I just have a few white blooms

I found yellow 4 o'clock  seeds last year

Morning Glories are just coming up

We have had rain this week and my 4 o'clocks have appreciated it.  I know I am grateful for it --- there is a world of difference between rain and water out of the hose when it comes to my yard.  It has been wonderful for my older morning glories  -- and I think they grew an inch just in past two days that we have had rain -- but the ones just coming up looked drowned.  We will see what happens with them.

most of my 4 o'clocks are pink

I don't remember having red blooms before. 

Cousins Just Chillin'

Today I am grateful that:

• My grandchildren have each other.  I grew up without cousins my age, or any, of any age, that I knew at all. People with extended families -- they are the lucky ones.  These cousins love each other :)
• That my grandson found this K'Nex roller coaster kit at a thrift store for the amazing price of $6. (retail is more like $50)
• That my granddaughter did not tear the roller coaster down, or even attempt to, after they got it built! She is an angel.  My grandsons are angels too. They allowed her to stick some extra pieces on it.

Some Good News For Fighters of Forest Fires in New Mexico

So far the Little Bear fire has burned over 37,000 acres of the Lincoln National Forest and burned at least 224 homes.  As of tonight, I think this is day 6 of the fire, it is about 35% contained.  My niece is somehow, thankfully, one of the lucky ones and her home is not only unharmed but she was allowed to go back home about 4 days after being evacuated.  The greatest thing so far is no one has been seriously injured.  The second greatest thing re: the two wildfires in NM this month is that 

President Obama  signed a bill into law Wednesday that cuts the red tape for fighting those wildfires. It will allow the forest service to waive a 30 day waiting period and buy seven new air tankers to dump suppressants on fires in the west. The forest service is upping its existing fleet to 17.... according to this article http://www.krqe.com/dpp/weather/wildfires/crews-attack-little-bear-fire-from-all-angles  In my book there is no braver person than any fire fighter, and anything that helps with these terrifying wildfires is just pretty darn good news. The wildfires have just been horrible but there are few things to be grateful for ... additional planes, homes that were untouched, and a caring community to aide those 500 or so still in shelters or with friends in Ruidoso, NM and don't have any news yet of the status of their homes.

Whenever a Child Is Born So Is a Grandma

Four days a week I babysit my granddaughter who just turned 18 months old.  I can't think of anything I would rather do than get to help raise this baby. I felt the same way when I was able to see my grandsons every day from the time they were born until they started school.  Now that they are older I don't get to see them as often as I would like, but they are just a joy when we do get to be together.   I am one of the most blessed people on earth and so very grateful for these children.  One of the best perks is reliving the simple joy of putting a basket on your head, feeding ducks, playing with playdoh and getting sticky kisses.

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My Furry Babies

before

after

My daughter pointed out that once again it is hard to tell which end is which of our little dog. Gracie is a schnauzer, a sweet little pound puppy baby.  I think she might be 3 or 4 years old.  She went to the groomer today ~ she cleans up real well!  I am so glad we found her at the pound before she was put down.  I have had her for 2 years and have never regretted adopting her.  When you need some unconditional love check out the dogs and cats at your local pound.  I'm grateful for these dogs.  They keep me company when I am alone, comfort me when the agoraphobia keeps me from leaving the house and having fun times with friends like I wish I could do, and when my Max Schnauzer died in December I am grateful that I had these dogs so I wasn't left totally alone.  Max was like a child, spouse, loyal companion & best friend rolled into one to me.  These dogs aren't like that, yet, but they are  my good dogs and take care of me.

This is Zoe Marley Schneagle, my 1/2 schnauzer, 1/2 beagle.
This post has nothing to do with her ~ she
just wanted her picture taken too! I don't
know what my dogs think happens when
I get my camera out but they get excited
and pose.

This is the last picture taken of Max ... that is my wonderful grandson, Travis that Max is hugging (in the clown wig - just because he saw it in my closet - and I was going to send it to Goodwill and he decided he needed it) ... two of the wonderful guys I've gratefully had in my life!

Reading, and Helping to Create Readers, Is Important To Me

For this grandma summer begins by taking the kids to enroll in the library's summer reading program.  I participated in my first summer reading program 52 years ago when I was 6.  When my children came along I always enrolled them and then when I was 36 I received one of the biggest blessings of my life ~ a position in the children's department of a wonderful library where I was involved in every aspect of the summer reading program for 18 years. To be able to be one of the people responsible for developing the game pieces, special events, prizes, story times and virtually everything else with our library's summer reading program was just some of the most rewarding times of my life! I enjoyed it immensely. I am so grateful for libraries, and the years I was allowed to work in one, and for grandchildren to whom I gladly pass on the love of reading.