Dear Reader:

Isn’t it wonderful when everyone has “his or her day” every now and then…a time for them to shine? Making the transition from kindergarten to public first grade has been a real challenge for little Eva Cate this year. As wonderful as her kindergarten experience was…(learning by touching, field trips, play and fun) she didn’t know how to work the computers to take the first tests and she definitely was behind in her reading and math skills according to public schools’ assessments.

Nothing that can’t be caught up with time…but you hate to watch her struggle trying to pick up what the other children learned in public kindergarten for preparation for first grade. In the perfect world all children would be allowed to learn by observation, field trips, nature, but sadly in today’s world technology reigns. For better or worse…it’s a new world out there today.

But yesterday…(Fun Run- James B. Edwards big fund-raiser for the school) Eva Cate was the first girl in her class to finish the 35 lap run! 35 laps….I doubt I could do three. Way to go…those teeny tiny legs just flew around those laps….how proud she was and daddy too! She discovered that she could do something better than all the other girls in her class and many of the boys…she could outrun them.

• A special shout-out and thank you for all the family who participated in this fund-raiser for Eva Cate’s school….what am amazing family I am blessed to be a part of….and Pap….you are something else girl! We love you so!

God had a wink for me connecting Eva Cate’s award-winning run with a funny little message from “God” on how He tries to help seniors continue getting much needed exercise. Steve Downey, husband to classmate, cancer sustainer/survivor, and friend at Erskine, Carole, sent me this me funny little ditty. Enjoy!

God’s Plan for Aging

Most seniors never get enough exercise. In His wisdom God decreed that seniors become forgetful so they would have to search for their glasses, keys and other things thus doing more walking. And God looked down and saw that it was good.

Then God saw there was another need. In His wisdom He made seniors lose coordination so they would drop things requiring them to bend, reach & stretch. And God looked down and saw that it was good.

Then God considered the function of bladders and decided seniors would have additional calls of nature requiring more trips to the bathroom, thus providing more exercise. God looked down and saw that it was good.

So if you find as you age, you are getting up and down more, remember it’s God’s will. It is all in your best interest even though you mutter under your breath not-so nice words back at God!

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Before we go any further, let me tell you something about Carole, my friend from Erskine. She, too, has been battling cancer for the past several years…a tough, aggressive cancer that pops in and out making it very difficult to contain. Carole was able to attend her only son’s wedding a couple of years back but she let us know earlier this year the cancer was back and aggressive.

She has been in and out of the hospital for all types of treatments…lately, mainly chemo, which recently had a terrible backlash on her health and sent her back to the hospital for another long stay. She has decided to stop chemo, to let go of this treatment, and live life the best she can for as long as she can. And May is her goal…her son and daughter-in-law are expecting their first child, Carole’s first grandchild, and she is determined to be there.

I got a card off to Carole earlier this week and reminded her that “isn’t is wonderful that cancer can not invade the spirit” because Carole has more spirit than anyone I know and an unbelievable support system in her husband Steve, who never leaves her side.

This picture was taken a year ago at our Erskine reunion…since then Carole’s cancer returned and  she was unable to come this year. As a personal favor, I would greatly appreciate prayers for this amazing tower of strength that I am proud to call my friend. You have come through for me so many times…and believe me, there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the only reason I am still here is because of the power of your prayers. Would you please spread that love to my friend now…We all want her to see and hold that baby so badly! Thank you.

So until tomorrow…The power of prayer is so amazing that it gives us a tiny glimpse into the power of our Creator.

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

Yesterday morning, with all the fog, my garden looked a little creepy itself and obviously, my friend, the spider, enjoyed the fog to help hide his/her big webs going up everywhere. Spooky! Here are some samples:

Those sneaky spiders had built webs in empty flower hangers, Rutledge’s beautiful red maple and lots of plants….so sneaky. 

But there was also magic…the kind God makes. In the morning (in the fog) there were two white blooms on the confederate rose.

Look closely at the bottom white bloom in the above picture….three hours later I went out…and magically it was turning pink and ended in a rose color but sadly fell off before I got the photo this evening.

Look who just turned 10 months! Little Boogie Boy…Brooke’s adorable grandson, Caleb.

Halloween is drawing closer…and “The Witch Is In!” Do drop by….AHHHHH AHHH AHHA…you never know what you will find…perhaps a woman with the (oh no) dreaded SHINGLES!