Canada Garden

Sunday, May 25, 2025

Kentucky Lake 2025

Another trip to beautiful Kentucky Lake, to our old Kentucky home away from home. It was a different trip. First one without a boat, so Mark fished off the dock, where he caught several big fish. So good days fishing. We had no internet for some reason which also meant no TV. That's definitely a first for us! lol And Friday night, huge storms rolled through. No damage to the house, thank goodness, but no power either.

Every trip now is full of memories.

5/2016

10/2017

Monday, May 19, 2025

Holding On

Planting daffodils in the fall is one way to make yourself smile in the spring, despite the state of the world. Thank you as always to Mark for digging the holes.

We are in such a mess right now.

The day is coming. In the meantime, we love each other the best we can and hold on.

That Was January 2025

I have seriously neglected this little space on the internet! It was a rough winter, but we have survived. Our Betsy turned 17 in January. She's so beautiful, and such a sweet soul! I love her past heaven and back <3

An attempt at a picture with Murphy. He's the howling-est golden we've ever had.

He makes us laugh every day.

It's been nine years keto now. I'm not at my smallest, but this collage helps me remember where I've been.

Monday, December 23, 2024

Catching Up

My last post was from the Helping Parents Heal conference that was held in August. So much has happened since then. So few pictures. I've always tried to focus on the good here on this little spot on the vast net. I am trying to find something good to appreciate every day. Lord, lead the way.

Charlie and Perri got married. I didn't get to go, I had cataract surgery instead. I am thankful for getting rid of the cataracts. I still need a little follow up lazer procedure to get a better benefit, but I have to wait 90 days. C'mon January!

Such a sweet wedding!

Our country elected a new president. I feel like I'm a stranger in a strange land.

I have the honor of being able to work for a hospice company. I love making visits to patients and their families. I love Nicole, my fellow social worker who is an angel in my life. Most of the time I love the trips down Route 4 to Carlinville, seeing the farm fields, the tractors, the traffic, the big blue sky, the hawk sightings. Stopping at the little coffee shop for a latte, listening to podcasts about the angels and the afterlife, and oh yes, also about ways to try to understand the politics we're living under.

One of my favorite quotes. I know there is more to our lives than we can see; that we are spiritual beings going about in this world trying to find our way, being watched over by our ancestors and our guardian angels. I just keep forgetting and wind up down the rabbit holes again and again. And then I remember again. . .

Our Oceanna, growing up, turning 5 years old.

For the past couple of months, I've been praying for Isaac every moment. Trying not to judge myself the lousiest mom on the whole planet. Trying to find some compassion for myself. Trying to exercise, at least a little bit every week. I know it helps me feel better in the moment. I know it will help me age better. Thank goodness for Misty, my trainer and for Carrie, the pilates instructor. For Mark, who walks the dogs faithfully every day and who inspires me to walk with him every so often.

I'm thankful for Keto every day. This is a newer recipe, we call it keto lunchroom pizza.

Sunday, September 01, 2024

Helping Parents Heal 2024

We joined 1100 other parents at the Helping Parents Heal conference in Phoenix. The resort is on Wild Horse Pass, an Indian reservation, such a beautiful place.

We got to meet Fara Gibson, psychic medium extraordinaire. She's a sweetheart.

Phoenix in August, so of course it was 104 during the day. But with the low humidity, we sat outside in the shade every day. We never did see the bobcats, but someone posted this sighting. We had just been sitting in these chairs earlier that same day!

Suzanne Giesemann, her Messages of Hope podcasts have helped me get through many sleepless nights. I am so thankful to all the speakers, to Irene and Elizabeth, everyone involved. They are helping so many people.

Eric Clapton sent a message to the conference, sharing his story of losing his little boy Connor and lending his recording of Tears From Heaven to accompany the slideshow of everybody's kids. A glimpse of Judson's picture here.

I don't know what shrub this is, but the flowers were beautiful. I'm so glad we were able to go.

Sunday, August 04, 2024

How Can It Be August Already?!?

Kyle graduated from 8th grade! He's taller than all of us now.

My favorite picture from the night. The class was getting their picture taken up front, and we're all standing around, Rachel's taking pictures.

Kyle smiling! <3

Mark turned 64 years young

My mama turned 89 years young

Another summer at the beach for Isaac, Jen, and Oceanna

She's growing up so fast

Isaac went to France! Wow, a lot happening these days!

Laura has a new grandbaby Calum, he looks so much like his daddy Chuck.

Life has been good to us this summer of 2024

Friday, May 03, 2024

May 2024

I've always said I loved that Judson was a May Day baby. It seems like the perfect day to have a birthday.

I'm grateful I got to be his mom; I would not have missed that for the world.

Peonies from the back yard. Mary Sue, the original gardener at this house, planted these. They're much earlier than other varieties that I've had in the past.

We went to Jubilee Farm to walk the labyrinth. It was beautiful, perfect weather.

Mark has made the cutest garden space: 4 tomato plants, some hot peppers, basil, dill. Skye is going to be so mad that she can't get to the green tomatoes this year!