Dear Reader:

“Boo Y’all” might seem strangely out of place at the end of May instead of October but Cindy Ashley’s napkins (she found for me last fall) fit perfectly with the blog readers’ get-together.

I (Boo) was so happy to welcome all of y’all yesterday and last evening. The only blog readers who made an appearance for the morning “tour” were my Dingle “Sistahs.” *Be thankful evening group that Doodle came bringing homemade lemon squares. They melt in your mouth.

It ended up being a Dingle reunion of sorts….catching up with each other and getting the sistahs to help me identify more plants/flowers like “hot lips.“. We had  iced tea and dessert and just talked and laughed. It was near noon before we sadly broke up the fun.

A little before four the doorbell rang and it was Cindy Ashley….she had a morning and evening engagement and wanted to know if she could squeeze a tour in mid-afternoon. Too funny. I told her I had just typed her name and her napkins were the name of the blog….a God Wink.

AS we looked at various things she suddenly pulled out a beautiful glass dragonfly and put it on a hook in the garden. Thank you Cindy. She also helped me get some solar lamps ready to put in the garden….so everyone thank her later…. she probably prevented anyone from tripping!.

“And then there was light”  Thanks Cindy! (Both came on last evening!)

Here are some candid, fun shots of coin tossing, flower giving, dessert eating, and such wonderful shared stories. Some of the stories behind certain flowers had such poignant stories/messages. Since the clock is ticking away and I will soon lose my glass slipper if I don’t finish the blog….I will save the flower stories until tomorrow. *There is something else I need to share before I close.

Everyone made a wish at the fountain (Sue Anne and Gin-gi made two wishes…a penny for each hand…they weren’t taking any chances.)

So until tomorrow….my wish is to continue living the simple life I have been granted among friends and family. Nothing more, nothing less. My life is beautiful every day.

“Today is my favorite day” Winnie the Pooh

* Yesterday morning Doodle told me about the loss of James (Jimmy) Shieder. I was completely stunned…From comments Mev had recently made in response to certain blogs I understood times had gotten tough, but I just didn’t realize how tough.

Lassie had the obituary notice on her Iphone and shared it with us….it was so loving and tender we all fought back tears. It was absolutely perfect…everything you want to say in a few words.  (The Gettysburg Address of obituaries) Here are just a few examples to explain how the reading affected me.

Surviving is his wife and best friend of 48 years, Mevelyn F. Shieder; from their love story came four daughters: The obituary goes on to list them and then adds: He also leaves behind the nine jewels in his crown, his grandchildren.

How beautifully poetic is that….Your wife is your best friend, four daughters emerge from your love story and Jimmy has nine jewels in his crown, his grandchildren. The Romantic poets couldn’t come close to this last message from James Shieder.

Mev, I just want you to know that your Facebook messages of celebration of life and the time you had together have moved so many people, including me. You are my hero!