"Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset." Saint Francis De Sales

Friday, April 28, 2017

Earth Day, Rain & Peggy



1. Earth Day was Saturday April 22. A time to think about toxic dumps, use of pesticides and dwindling wilderness. A day to remember the impact we have on our environment. Alina Bradford has an informative article at Live Science. Please take a moment to read it.

2. Rain, rain and more rain. Yes, we did need it, but sometimes God has a tendency to provide more than we ask for. I’m not complaining Lord, just an observation.

3. “There are three things you can do in a baseball game. You can win, or you can lose, or it can rain.     Casey Stengel
4. April 27, 1963 a fifteen year old high school freshman, Margaret Annemarie Battavio, reached #1 on the U.S. pop charts. The song, “I Will Follow Him.”

5. Happy 50th Anniversary to our friends Brenda and Peter. We were blessed to share this special event with them and their daughters.  

6. Dee and I spent the last couple of days working in the yard. Tomorrow we'll take a break and head over to my brother's home. He and I will be at the Celtic festival while Dee and Karen do a wee bit of shopping. "Scots We Hae!"

7. Bobby Bare - 500 Miles Away From Home


Go over to "This Ain't the Lyceum," where Kelly is hosting more takes.

Friday, April 21, 2017

Siblings, 95 Years & Trees



1. Monday, April 10, 2017 was Siblings Day. This is a photo of me with my sister Kim and brother Tee. I chose one from a few years back. We look just as good now. 
I'm the oldest.
2. Dee’s Mom, Lucy, reached her 95th birthday on April 9th. Dee’s brother Pat and his wife Judy showed up as a surprise. We gathered the family at our home for the celebration. The next big birthday will be 5 years from now when we put a photo of her on the "Smucker's Jar."
Dee's brother Pat, her Mom, Lucy and Dee
3. I completed some French and Indian period Militia as part of my historical miniature collection. Just in case you missed it, view them here.

4. Stephen, Christina and the girls joined us for Easter Mass. It is always a joy to share our church community with family. Our friends all know Stephen's family and make them welcome every time they are at church. Thank you Lord.

5. We had some trees taken down this week. The tree service we used were excellent. The next phase is to eventually grow grass where the trees were. That will commence in the fall.

First 2 trees trimmed.
Trees Down
Trees, stumps & roots gone.
6. “April was just beginning, and after the warm spring day it turned cooler, slightly frosty, and a breath of spring could be felt in the soft, cold air. The road from the convent to town was sandy, they had to go at a walking pace; and on both sides of the carriage, in the bright, still moonlight, pilgrims trudged over the sand. And everyone was silent, deep in thought, everything around was welcoming, young, so near— the trees, the sky, even the moon—and one wanted to think it would always be so.” 

7. Van Morrison - Brown Eye Girl





Go over to "This Ain't the Lyceum," where Kelly is hosting more takes.

Saturday, April 15, 2017

Surprise at Bates Creek


Donald Bates found a new creek northwest of his old fishing spot. There was no sign of anyone having walked the creek so he was confident that the fish would be more plentiful at this location.

The morning was better than he expected and by noon he had a large catch of fish. Pleased with his success, he sat back and finished the last bit of biscuit and dried meat. Donald was imagining himself presenting the fish to Mattie Bevan and hoping he would receive a kiss for his efforts.

Caught off guard, he was surprised when the small band of Hurons stepped out of the woods. For a brief moment everyone just stared at each other. Then Donald jumped up and ran. The Hurons had to find a place to cross which gave Donald the lead. Unfortunately he left his gear and fish on the bank. His only thought was to stay ahead of them and get to Briartun as fast as possible.

*****

I just completed this small unit of Militia, which will represent a squad in the skirmish rules I play. (Buckskins and Rangers by Robin Empey of Battlefield Game Designs.) 

These figures represent some of the Briartun characters, with more on the painting table. The Hurons, and lonely Coureurs de Bois, are figures that I painted awhile back. All are Old Glory figures.

Issac Gantt and some Briartun Militia

The Hurons come out of the woods. Behind them is Armond Langevin, a Coureurs des Bois from Quebec.

Friday, April 7, 2017

NCAA, Dogwood & Triduum



1. Ponce de Leon discovered, what is now Florida, on April 2, 1513. He believed that somewhere on the peninsula was a water source that would provide eternal life for anyone who drank of it. Unfortunately he never found it.

2. I would have liked to see the Gonzaga Bulldogs win, but those North Carolina Tar Heels played an excellent game. Read the “Carolina Post Game Notes.”



3. Our Dogwood tree. It continues to bloom every spring.

4. Next week is the Easter Triduum. Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil. Dee and I attend all three Masses. It is a journey for me, not just a single moment. The washing of the feet is a humble experience which I have taken part in. On good Friday the Veneration of the Cross is a solemn reminder of the walk Jesus made. Then there is the celebration of the resurrection. God’s promise to us of everlasting life.  
5.  “Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
6. We made it through the “tornado watch” this week. Thank you Lord and please watch over and help those who did not.
7. Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson, Pancho and Lefty.



Go over to "This Ain't the Lyceum," where Kelly is hosting more takes.