Strawberry Pies and other memories

I made a strawberry pie the other day - it's a great sign of Spring. And it always reminds me of my Grandpa Rowland. He used to make them in batches of 5, or some huge number like that. Then he would send them home with us - and Mom would let us eat pie for breakfast :) So I ate pie for breakfast! And I made myself a cup of tea and sweetened it with Splenda. And I thought about how my Grandpa would have liked Spelnda. He was diabetic and would make part of his batch of pie with Equal - but I think Splenda is better and I think he would have liked it :) The pies reminding me of him made me think of the things that remind me of my other grandparents.

Sometimes when I look at my hands I think my pinkies look like my Grandmommy Bishop's pinkies. And when I'm having nose issues because I can't seem to get it clean enough, or to stop whistling when I try to go to sleep I remember when my Grandmommy was in the hospital and my Mom was taking care of her and she would talk about helping her make sure she felt that her nose was clean. She was very particular about it and it bothered her but the nurses didn't have time to help her, so Mom made sure Grandmommy felt like her nose was clean. Yes, I know that a snotty nose and a pinkie are weird things to remind me of my Grandmother - but we don't get to pick these things.

There are all of these sweet, little, old ladies that come into the bank. They look so delicate and speak so softly - they remind me of my Grandma Rowland. She was so nice to everyone. In her living room hung her paddle - it had a pillow on the "busineess end" :) Her cabinets were always full of Little Debbie's. I liked that, even though I didn't always like the kinds she picked :)

Finally, my Grandaddy Bishop. I don't really remember anything about him. But I do remember his funeral. It's really not as sad as it sounds. The Methodist church was packed! I remember being impressed that so many people knew and loved my Grandaddy - I still am. Really the only part of the funeral that I remember was when the minister told the congregation that Jack didn't want us to be mourning but that this was a celebration because he was in heaven. Every other funeral I have been to has been compared to that first one. I have never dreaded funerals or been scared because even in his death my Grandaddy taught me that as God's children, death isn't something to fear but a celebration of a home going.

I look forward to being reunited with all of my grandparents and am so thankful for the memories I have and the legacy they left.

Crocs and Socks

I know, even the name is frightening! I was so excited about crocs after I finally tried on a pair of my friend's. I waited until Christmas and my wonderful mother-in-law, Wanda gave me a pair. During the winter I would wear them with socks and jeans (which I really don't think is that bad). Then I wore them au natural when we walked the dog one day recently and I ended up with blisters all over the top of my feet!! I was so disappointed because I really wanted them to be my dog-walking shoes - a little support, won't give me blisters on my heals like almost everything else does, lite, airy, etc. Now all my hopes are dashed! - sort of. I will not wear crocs with socks and shorts out, but I've resigned myself to this huge fashion disaster for walking the dog :) Lucky for me, my husband is no fashionista (or should I say fashionisto?) and doesn't mind walking with me and my crocs and socks.

Attack of the Lawnmower!

For any of you guys out there who are looking for an excuse not to mow the lawn, I've got one for you. Michael was mowing the lawn yesterday on his day off. The lawnmower shot out a rock which became embedded in Michael's shin bone as well as shattering into about thirty pieces all in his skin and muscle. He went to Urgent Care "just to make sure the wound was cleaned out all the way" and the doctor ended up having to yank pieces of rock out of his bone and even shave the bone!! They gave him IV antibiotics and sent him to the pharmacy for an antibiotic "horse pill" and for pain meds. His leg didn't start hurting until about 9pm, but by then he said it felt like they had shaved off some of his bone. :( The doctor told him he needs to wear his shinguards when he mows the lawn from now on - COOL! Seriously though, please pray for his recovery. He was planning on going turkey hunting with a couple of guys this weekend and, conveniently for my husband, hunting is a great ministry opportunity here in Montana. :) The doctor said it would be fine; I guess we'll just have to see how well he's getting around. Whatever you do, remember how dangerous it is to mow the lawn! :)