A Beautiful Morning!~!~!~!

Spring Flowers

This is a BEAUTIFUL morning, sun is shinning, nice breeze is blowing, everything is just about perfect. After receiving more rain than we need during the past several weeks, it is very refreshing to see the sunshine.

Spring time is my favorite time of the year. I like seeing new life and the beautiful flowers blooming. I like the night time and early morning sounds. The temperature is perfect in our bedroom with the sliding door open and the first thing I hear in the early morning hours is the birds singing in the trees just outside our room. A very good way to wake each morning. Then as I come to the front of the house, which faces East, I see the spectacular sunrises. Only God can provide such beauty. Are we blessed or what????

I trust everyone is looking forward to a blessed day in God's house tomorrow.

Dortha

Another damp & dreary day!!

Five Brothers, Aren't They Handsome????

I think these little guys are so handsome. They have one sister who is third from the oldest. Such a great family. Don't know why the baby could not have been a little girl but God knows.

Well, we have had yet another rainy day---more clouds than rain but we are promised some sunshine tomorrow. We will like that. At least we are saving on utilities. We need neither heat nor air. The temp is very comfortable.

Thanks for your comment, Kim. I see the hits change ever so slowly but I have no way of knowing who logs on. I know what I write is not very interesting and especially since I am making an effort to protect the innocent, it can get down right boring.

My trip to AR last week was very rewarding and interesting. My sister and her daughter, Barbara, met me there and we spent several hours at the White County Court House searching for info concerning the property Marie and I inherited when our Mother passed away. We had never done anything more than ask that the property be put in our names so we have no deed nor anything official showing that we are now the owners. We looked through several of those huge legal record books. We found info where our Dad purchased the property in Dec. 1925. The original purchase was for 45 acres and the price was $750.00. Our Dad made a payment of $150.00 the first year then payments of $200.00 each year until the $750.00 was paid in full. A few years later, he purchased an additional and adjacent 40 acres for $300.00. He made payments of $100.00 a year for 3 years. We also found record that our Dad signed the property over to our Mother in 1950 which was the same year they were divorced. Our Dad's signature was so typical of his signing his name.

There have been times when we have considered selling the property and have no idea what we could have sold it for. Perhaps somewhere around $80,000.00 but we are very glad at this point that we did not sell it. A few years ago, we made a contract with a drilling company giving them the right to drill for oil and/or gas. Possibly drilling will begin before the end of the month. Even as I type, drilling is underway on the property immediately South of our property. That acreage is not in our section so we will not receive royalty from there. We would be so very pleased and thankful if a producing well would become a reality in our section but as I said, God knows where the pool of minerals is and if it is His will, it will come to fruition. It is totally in His hands and we accept whatever is His will for us.

We patiently await the rest of the story!!!

Dortha

A Day to Remember!!!

God Bless America!!!!

Today is the day set aside to honor those who have dedicated their lives to serving our country and who make it possible for us to enjoy the freedom we know today. We owe much to those who have left home and family and gone to foreign lands to fight for the freedom that we sometimes take for granted. Without our Military, we might very well have no freedom.

We look forward to Memorial Day for many reasons. Since it is the first three-day holiday of the year, it represents many things---the opening of the pools, family picnics, barbeques and parades to name a few. While it is great to celebrate all these things, there is so much more to remember. We need to take a moment to reflect on the real meaning of the day and offer a prayer for our men and women in uniform and for their safety. We know many will be wounded, many will not return to their families and other will be changed forever as a result of the dangers they endure. I am honored and humbled that my dear husband served in the Navy during World War II. He was very blessed to have survived the many battles he was in.

Even though today is a day set aside to honor those who are serving and those who have lost their lives for the cause, we must remember them and up-hold them in prayer each and every day. It is only through God's blessings that we are free to live in the land of the brave. May we never take that freedom for granted.

WAY TO GO RYAN!!!!! We are proud of you.

Yours and His,
Dortha

Reminising!!

A Typical Farm Scene!!

I suppose this picture is more possibly a Fall scene rather than Spring time but it reminds me of our farm and is very typical of our raking and burning leaves in the Spring time as well as the Fall. Our farm house was not nearly as elegant as the one in the picture but the trees could very well represent the ones we played under and sat under when we needed shade.

I spent this past week end in my little home town in AR. Each year when I go there, my mind is flooded with memories of the 18 1/2 years I spent there. I realize now that 18 1/2 years is a very short time but it seemed long during my growing up years. It seemed ages from one Christmas to the next and it was very difficult to wait for special events such as a visit from our relatives or other treats. Most of our days were simply repeats of the day before---do the chores, work in the field, plant and harvest the garden vegetables and many other things that had to be done. There was very little time for play and I knew better than to tell my Mother that I was "bored". She would find a job for me right away.

I was born on a hot August day in 1928 and lived in the very same house until I married when I was 18 1/2 years old. Merrel and I were married on a Wednesday and left 2 days later to drive to Oregon. His brother and sister-in-law went with us. I had never been very far from home and felt as if I were going half way around the world. I left my Mother and Sister and everything that was familiar to me. I am not so sure that it was the best decision for me but I adjusted and have had a good life. I regret never having a life of my own as I went from one authoritative figure to another but I am thankful for Merrel and the family God has given me. My life has had some valleys but after each one, there is a mountain top. I have been blessed beyond measure and far above and beyond anything I have deserved.

I enjoy going "home" and driving over to the farm and remembering how we walked a mile each Sunday to the little country church where I heard about God and the plan of Salvation. I have never regretted the day I asked God to forgive my sins and to save me. I then drive by the location where our school house stood. I am thankful for the education I received there. I am thankful for the friends and neighbors who were all like family and how we helped each other. Some years, if some one were ill and unable to plant or harvest their field crops, neighbors would gather and do the work for them. No one had phones but word could spread throughout the entire community within a few hours.

It is good to spend time with the few friends who are left in the community and who have kept the church doors open and souls continue to be saved. I am thankful I got to spend 4 days there last week end.

Happy Memorial Day to all,
Dortha

Didn't Keep My Promise

Sorry I didn't keep my promise and post some memories of my Mother for Mother's Day. I didn't have any good reason for not getting it done. Just got busy and my mind didn't seem to be ready to do it. Actually I have the same feeling about Mother's Day that I do about Thanksgiving Day. I agree we have set aside a special day to honor our Mothers but we should honor them EVERYDAY just as we need to be thankful for God's blessings each day. I will get my mind in gear soon and post some memories.

We are expecting some storms tonight and I trust they will not be serious and destructive. We are all anxious for some sunshine and a few dry days. We need to get our vegetable garden planted so we will soon have some nice fresh vegetables to eat.

I hope every Mother out there had a great day. My special day was wonderful. Ten family members joined us for Sunday dinner. I requested, "NO GIFTS , please". My request: just spend some time with me!!! A few people didn't get the message!!!!

I am driving down to my old home town this week end. I will meet my Sister and other relatives there also friends. It is good to "go back home" and re-live lots of memories.

Love to all,
Dortha

Have a Great Weekend!!!

Can you believe today is May 2nd? Where did April go? I am reminded also that one week from tomorrow is Mother's Day. I would like to post some memories I have of my Mother next week.

I wish a blessed day of worship for everyone tomorrow. God is so good to give us the freedom of worship.

Yours and His,
Dortha

Thanks Kim

Thank you Kim, for your kind comments. I will consider posting again. I am so afraid of making more mistakes and that I do not want to do. I never wanted to hurt anyone in anyway. Talking only about myself may be very boring but at least I can post pictures and perhaps someone will enjoy them.

Love to all,
Dortha