My Grandma's Cup

I am a sentimental soul. 

One of the ways this presents itself is through the enjoyment I receive when I use the old earthenware and china bequeathed to me from my mom, my grandmas, and my mother in law. They are no longer on this earth, but somehow, the act of pouring coffee into a cup that they once treasured brings them close to my heart. 

I say it once again: It's the little things that bless me so.

This cup belonged to my dad's mom, Isabel Averill Gramling.

My Boys

Although I have made it my goal to reduce the four legged population on our homestead, (It was really out of hand, people!) I still have a dog, a cat, and two horses. I'm so glad they're still here, because they do my heart good.

Yesterday, Burt came along with me to Mercy Ships. I loaded both horses in the trailer and we drove the two minutes from our home to the back of the property where I have spent many hours riding my horses. My sweet husband swung into the saddle and became part of my world for a while. Although he has some sore bones in hidden places, he can see why I love it so and he might even do it again. 

Traveler was a perfect gentleman for my gentle man. Yes, I am blessed by all of these boys, four legged and two.

Rain

In our family, a rainy day has always been a cause for celebration.

We would usually stop whatever we were doing, and with my husband, Burt,  leading the charge, all five of us would pile out onto the front porch, reveling in the wonder of water falling from the sky.

When the girls were tiny, I remember teaching them to look closely at the dancing drops, and we would laugh at the tiny explosions as they hit the ground. Sometimes we could not all manage to make it outside when the rain started, but Burt would almost always have at least one girl on his lap, silently soaking in the comforting sound.

It's no wonder I looked outside one day and saw Abby lying in the front yard, waiting for the blessing, and when it came, she soaked it up.

Her daddy taught her well.