Changes...

Wave petunias in the fall...
with a few surprises like snapdragons and last years "annuals"

I know, strange photos to have displayed first. My flower gardens are starting to die off. But there are still many flowers, kind of like our friends. As they age they are still beautiful, full of surprises, but you can tell not as colorful, not sprouting or as green, a little withered. That must have been like how my 92 year old friend, Lila Nieman, felt these last few years of her life. She was still very beautiful, wrote me the most incredible letters(I love those handwritten letters), and always supported our family through prayer. I know she was key in bringing home both our babies safe, and very quickly. She was such an encouragement to us during those days when family just didn't get it and often said hurtful things. She even remembered Michael's first birthday and sent him a card and 10 dollars!!! I was so incredibly touched. She passed away last Sunday...she inspired me. I met Lila as a single woman in my "frontier" days up in Alaska. She taught me how to fry up some great grayling, cook some carrot cake, and make the most tender venison ribs-I learned this while her son and my hubs were out deer hunting. We went up river on flat river boats 50 miles into the Alaskan wilderness at her spry age of 82!! She herself spent years up in Coldfoot, Alaska, as a school teacher with her husband. They built their log home in North Pole, AK, where my hubs and I met. I loved hearing her stories...I will miss her greatly, and I am sorry that my children will not ever meet her here on earth. It makes me tear up to know she had their photos up on her fridge...
I also have tears of joy however knowing without doubt that someday we shall all meet again and rejoice-celebrating together, for now so long my dearest, Lila, we will miss you!!!


I am often reminded that sorrow often is accompanied with joy. In the peace of the day, the south winds brought some fallish type weather. Not in the first picture(that was taken 3 days ago and it was 90 degrees) but in the ones that follow. We have dry conditions and a gorgeous 70 degrees! My children make me so happy during my sadness. The weather sure made Phoebe excited and Michael a very happy 18 month old!!!
our little pool
can I please pick it, Mom? my experiment with a tomato garden, I'll have to say not bad for a 1st try and no caretaking!!!
He's heading for the lake!!
fooled ya, I was going for the swings!!
on the way back
phoebe gets sidetracked
she tasted a maple leaf
mom had to get a photo
Being 18 months is exhausting!