Singing in the rain

It was raining when I woke up this morning.  The sun came out after a while, then along came more rain.  This pattern was repeated all day.  So I, of course, had songs related to rain running through my head.  Mainly the Creedance Clearwater Revival songs  Who'll Stop the Rain and Have You Ever Seen the Rain.  Love their music!  I began to think of others and remembered I Love A Rainy Night by Eddie Rabbit.  That was a good one.  I loved Elvis singing Kentucky Rain.   I loved Elvis singing most anything.  The Carpenter's were very good and so was their song, Rainy Days and Monday's.  Can't leave out Fire and Rain by James Taylor.   I know I'm leaving a lot of good songs out, and I really can't leave out Singin' in the Rain, the Gene Kelly musical.  That one makes you want to play/sing in the rain!  Well, unless you're in Missouri and it's usually thundering and lightning with it! 

The photo here is one I took between rains when it looked like it might clear up and the sun was shining.

I thought the jets above the clouds made an interesting shot.  Click on the picture to get a better look.

I didn't go to work this afternoon...have just been so very tired and not feeling quite myself.  Don't know what the problem is...probably just lazyitis!  

We will be leaving Friday for a little getaway.  Between now and then I have a lot to do, what with work tomorrow and another appointment Thursday.  I hope to post again, but if not...I will hopefully get some photos taken on the getaway and show where we went next week.

Until next time...

A rainy night

Whew...we've been busy the last few days.  From doctor's appointments, celebrating our anniversary, to more flower planting, some deep cleaning in the basement and the usual chores.  We did get out Saturday night for dinner to celebrate our wedding anniversary.  We were invited to 2 different weddings Saturday...they picked a good day, didn't they...worked for us!...however, we decided to not go to either so we wouldn't have to leave one out.  

Our son came by Thursday night around 10:30 from a business trip to St. Louis.  He wasn't feeling good and decided not to drive on to Kansas City.   He was really sick all day Friday and Friday night.  I think he may have gotten some food poisoning, but he also had a very high fever and headache.  He felt better Saturday and went home in the afternoon.   I'm glad he was here and not home alone feeling as bad as he did...he was glad to be here, too! 

We've had more rain, it just never seems to end.  One day is nice, the next thing you know clouds are forming and it rains.  It was especially hot and humid today, I'm sure that will bring another round of storms.  Here's some pictures I took today of the clouds...the first one was after the first storm blew by.

This one was taken on a quick trip to WallyWorld.  There

was heavy rain and high winds in the area, we saw some

limbs in the yards when we drove through the town.

After I finally got to sit down tonight, I played around with my blog background.  I've been looking at different sites that offer free backgrounds for quite some time now.   I have a "look" in mind, but I haven't figured out how to get there yet.  Just haven't had time to spend on it.  I also want to work on the header, I'm not satisfied with the white title.   This background will have to do for now.   

It's time to think about getting some sleep.  It's only 2:15 am after all!  Big chicken that I am, I'm keeping an eye on the weather, sure enough there's a severe storm warning out just west of here and I bet we'll get it too.   Maybe I'll just read a bit and hope it goes through quickly so I can sleep.  

Have a good Monday!

Until next time...

A song

I Believe

I believe for every drop of rain that falls

A Flower grows

I believe that somewhere in the darkest night,

A candle glows

I believe for everyone who goes astray,

Someone will come

To show the way

I believe, I believe

I believe above the storm the smallest prayer

Will still be heard

I believe that someone in the great somewhere

Hears every word

Every time I hear a newborn baby cry

Or touch a leaf or see the sky

Then I know why

I believe

Every time I hear a newborn baby cry

Or touch a leaf or see the sky

Then I know why I believe

Why I believe

~Ervin Drake, Irvin Graham, Jimmy Shirl and Al Stillman

 

I love music.  Some times I want to listen to soothing, easy listening music when I want to be quiet and rest.  Other times I want something fast paced, the kind that's energizing. 

I love most kinds of music, really, except for rap and heavy metal.  That said, I was driving home from work tonight and couldn't find anything I wanted to listen to on the radio, so I turned it off and had some prayer time.  I do a lot of praying when I'm driving (oh yeah, I keep my eyes open!).  This old song just popped into my head and it brought tears to my eyes.  I'm not sure why. 

When I started blogging, I made my mind up to 3 things.  I wouldn't talk about politics, religion or show pictures of my family and tell where we live.  Oops, I think that is 4 things.  Anyway, the picture idea was from the family...they didn't want theirs all over the internet.  So I agreed.  Hubby didn't want anyone to know where we lived, so I agreed again.  As far as politics and religion goes, I know that some people have really strong feelings about them and I just didn't want to hurt feelings.  Well, I probably have blown it on the politics in some of my comments to other bloggers about items in the news.  And as far as religion goes, I will say that I am a Christian and believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior.  But I will not tell you that you must belong to a particular denomination.  If others choose to do so, that is fine by me.  As far as I'm concerned, we can all just get along and love each other.  Isn't it just that simple?  If only...

The flowers should be growing very well around here...we've had lots of rain today.  At least I didn't have to worry about all the pots outside today! 

We had lightning hit close to the house this morning.  I was almost afraid to look outside for fear a tree would come tumbling down.  It was terrifyingly loud and the flash in the window was reddish.  Our poor kitten was frightened and hid under the bed.  I pretended to be brave and didn't dive under myself, tho I wanted to!  

Hope you have a wonderful day, rain or shine! 

Until next time...

Our Furbaby

My little furbaby, Stormy, had a wee bit of surgery (spayed) about 10 days ago.  It was a traumatic time for her and probably the veterinary personnel, too!   She is back to her normal self now.  Here is a picture I snapped of her sleeping a few days after I brought her home from the vet.  Her incision looks a lot like a belly button in the photo. 
  

The next picture shows her getting into everything feeling like her usual perky self.  We're so glad the surgery is over and went well.  We were fretting over this just as if she were one of our children!

BTW, has anyone else had problems with blogger being down the last day or so?  I couldn't post Sunday or Monday.  

Tomorrow is another work day/night.  I don't leave for work until 2 pm or later, so I've gotten used to staying up late so I will not get up so early.  Ha!  That's how it's supposed to be...nature is usually calling early in the morning so I get up for that...crawl back in bed and try to go back to sleep.  Everyone else is up and going to work early.  Stormy snuggles up with me and sleeps until the alarm goes off.  She sleeps better than I do! 

Until next time...

It's Friday....

Sunrise, sunset

Sunrise, sunset

Swiftly flow the days....

The above photo was taken at one of our local city lakes a week or so ago on the cell phone.  I love sunsets and I thought this one very beautiful.  You can click on the photo to make it larger.  

What have I been doing lately...since I haven't been blogging much?  Well, let's see....last month, I had a nasty virus not only once, but twice!  Yep, it got me again and the cough lasts forever...or so it seems.  I still have a bit of a cough now and then.   It really just wore me out, but I managed to keep working and the time I did miss, I made up. 

We did get to Kansas City to see our son who recently moved there from San Antonio.  It is so very good to have him closer to home.  We had a good visit.   He has a really nice apartment and I'd love to have the swimming pool there in my back yard.  (Yeah...right...like I'd be caught in a swimming suit...LOL)
   

There is a large screen tv protected by the brick wall on the right of the pool ladder.  Yep, I could relax very nicely there!  The building on the right side is a large exercise room and there is a paved trail all around the complex for the jogging/walking people.  That also helped sell my son on the place.  

 

Our kitten, Stormy, got spayed last week.  We waited until she was almost a year old.   If you have ever lived with a kitten that hasn't been spayed, you know what that is like!  She is back to her usual self now, after not feeling so good after the surgery.  I hope she doesn't mind me showing a photo of what she looks right now...(haha)!  Okay, that photo will have to wait...I haven't taken it off my camera yet!  

I went shopping yesterday and got a few more bags of mulch, another large bag of potting soil, and 3 more Knockout roses.  I bought quite a few annuals to put in my pots and ended up with several extras.  So, we dug out some more pots and I needed more soil.  We spray painted some of our pots this year...some of them were pretty faded from the sun.  They turned out really well.  Now, I need to find a spot for the 3 roses.  

 

 
There is much to do today, so I need to get busy.   Time is moving swiftly, as always.   Have a wonderful weekend!

Until next time...

Proud to be an American

And I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free,

and I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me and I'll proudly stand next to him to defend her still today, 'cuz there ain't no doubt I love this land, God bless the USA.      
                          ~Lee Greenwood

                          

I love this song, it sums up how I feel about this beautiful land that I love and I'm so grateful for our brave men and women who we honor this Memorial Day weekend by decorating their graves and we also remember our loved ones who have gone before us with floral tributes, too.  

This cemetery is where I placed flowers at the gravesites today of my parents, both sets of grandparents and my two brothers.   And numerous other relatives.  The tree in the center was planted by my father behind my mother's headstone over 30 years ago. 

I was surprised by the lack of flags this year.  Usually they have flags at all of the veteran's graves, but maybe they are just late getting it done this year.   I hope that the younger generations will remember our fallen heroes as well as their loved ones and continue this tradition of "Decoration Day" and not just let it be a 3 day holiday where they only think of barbeques and good times.   Let us never forget.  

The following poem is one that speaks to me.  

WHEN I AM GONE

When I come to the end of my journey

And I travel my last weary mile,

Just forget if you can, that I ever frowned

And remember only the smile.

Forget unkind words I have spoken;

Remember some good I have done.

Forget that I ever had heartache

And remember I've had loads of fun.

Forget that I've stumbled and blundered

And sometimes fell by the way.

Remember I have fought some hard battles

And won, ere the close of the day.

Then forget to grieve for my going.

I would not have you sad for a day,

But in summer just gather some flowers

And remember the place where I lay.

And come in the shade of evening

When the sun paints the sky in the west

Stand for a few moments beside me

And remember only my best.

                                     ~ Mrs. Lyman Hancock 

I always try to go to the cemetery in the evening, it is so peaceful.  So how about you?  Did you have someone whose gravesite you decorated with flowers?  

Have a wonderful weekend!

Until next time...

A break coming up

We had more than enough rain again.  Please go away until we need you.  And please, when you come again, don't pour so much at once!   Practice a little of that moderation that another blogger was talking about recently.  Thank you! 

I'm more than likely going to be taking a blogging break.  There's so much to do and so little time.  We will be out of town this coming weekend.  And we have several projects lined up to do, so that, along with my part-time job, will leave little time for the computer!  I hope to stop by some of my favorite blogs from time to time.   

Everyone have a wonderful week and I'll be back when I can!

Until next time...

A wonderful surprise!

What a wonderful day and a nice surprise! 

Hope you have had a nice Mother's Day, too.

We were getting ready to go out to eat.  I thought my husband and daughter were taking me out of town for a nice Mother's Day meal and I heard this voice coming from the living room saying "Dinner plans are canceled".  I thought to myself..."Hub's voice sure sounds different"...and then I said loudly, "What?"  And then I heard again, "Dinner plans have been canceled."  Then, I recognized that the voice was indeed my son and not my hubby's.   I was really surprised and so glad to see him!  It was the nicest surprise I have had in a while!  And the first Mother's Day that he has been able to be here in a long time. 

I had thought that it would be nice to have him home today, but he had just driven to KC from San Antonio Friday with the remainder of his belongings and had a lot of work to do Saturday in getting settled in his new apartment.  So, I just thought that he would be too busy to drive in.  It is about 2 hours away.
  

He had called earlier and he sounded busy and said he was doing a little shopping and he was sorry but my card would be a little late.  What a kidder!  He was shopping for steaks, and other goodies so we would grill and eat here when he got here.  He had his sister in on the deal to stall us and keep us from going out earlier like we wanted to.  Frankly, I was getting a little aggravated because she was dragging her heels getting ready to go!  Now I know why!  Don't you just love a good surprise?  They really pulled a good one. 

The above card was from him and a reminder of days of old when he lived at home and had the messiest room in the universe.  He always finds the cutest cards.  The lovely bouquet of lilies in the first pic are from him, too.  

This was the sweet card from my daughter.  My little point and shoot camera doesn't take the best close-ups and this card is really pale pink! 

She gave me a beautiful purse that I had looked at one day when we were shopping.  I love purses and this was a welcome gift.

We had a wonderful meal and a good visit.  The time just flew by.  The whole weekend was very nice although very cool and windy.  I think we are having what they call a "blackberry winter".  That is when is turns pretty cool or cold after the blackberries start blooming.  Well, this is Missouri and you never know what will happen weather-wise.  I bought quite a few flowers for my pots Friday and Saturday, but had to leave them in the garage because there was danger of frost last night! 


Until next time...

No time

No time, no time....

That song by the Guess Who, popular in the 60's, kept running through my mind last night!  Don't ask me where it came from...couldn't tell ya!  And guess what?  The old tune is still spinning this morning!  Hmmm.  Wonder what it all means?  If anything. 

Do you feel like you have enough time to get everything done you want to do or do you feel as I do sometimes that there is never enough time?  For me, it's probably because I'm slower than I used to be.  Oh, I can type really fast, I can read really fast...but just about everything else has slowed down considerably. 

Like right now I need to be getting ready for work.  I want to stop by one of my favorite little shops before I go.  They are only open a few hours Wednesday through Saturday.   I don't know if they allow photos of the shop inside.  If I have time, I'll try to get some.  Eek...there's that word...time...again.   Hope you have a splendid day!!

Until next time...

A good week and weekend

I have enjoyed the last week so much!  It was so nice to finally feel like myself again (I was sick for a week or more with a nasty virus) and then I got to see a dear friend of mine who now lives in Oregon.  We were in school together and have been friends ever since.  It had been four years since she and her husband were last here in MO.  She came in alone this time to go to an aunt's 100th birthday celebration.  We went to lunch last Monday and had a good visit.  The neatest thing happened...an older gent came into the little cafe where we were eating and ordered a meal, ate it and left.  We didn't know it until we asked for our check, but he had paid for our meal, too, when he left!  How kind and generous! 

We had a good weekend in spite of more rain.  My daughter and I took a road trip to Moberly.  We stopped by an interesting shop and browsed around.  Then we stopped by a couple of parks to see what they looked like this time of year.

Here are a few pics I took:

 The above pics are in a small park called Lion Beuth Park.

It was so quiet and peaceful there with many birds

singing, geese swimming and a few people were fishing

in the small lake.

We walked across the interesting bridge that was once

part of a train and a boy came along and threw a line out.

He said he hadn't had any luck so far! 

This lake is in Moberly's largest park.  We were 

at the other end of the lake and tried to get a

photo there, but too many people were strolling 

around and feeding the geese! 

We had lunch at Golden Corral and did some more shopping and before long it was time to head for home.  A good day spent with my daughter.

Hubby stayed home and went looking for mushrooms, but didn't find any.  They seem to be a little scarce so far this year.

We heard from our son who had driven a U-Haul full of his belongings from Texas to KC over the weekend.  He flew back to Texas today and will drive up to KC next Fri. when his apt. will be available.  He stored his things in a friend's garage for now.  We will be going to see him when he gets settled in.  It sure will be great having him closer.  But he will still have to fly back and forth to Texas for work until someone can take over his territory there.  His job requires him to do a lot of traveling, so it won't be anything new for him.  

I hope everyone has a great start to the new week!

Until next time...