Now that 'other half' and I are the very proud owners of a very wonderful military son-in-law, we recognize, first hand, the contributions made by our military men and women.  We salute them...

We had a bar b que to celebrate Memorial Day...

I decorated for the event...

There wasn't alot of room in the kitchen, so I just moved the 'eating' utensils into the utility room...It's located right off the kitchen so it was fairly easy to 'grab a plate' and help yourself!

A sweet bouquet of flowers from our local supermarket, placed in short vases, decorated the dining room table...very easy...

I had the easy part...decorations...Son grilled, daughter brought dessert and other family and friends brought the great and most wonderful side dishes...

When you see our wonderful men and women in uniform, thank them, buy their lunch, or just show your appreciation in some way...

God Bless America and God Bless You!

I am perfectly innocent...I'm setting the record straight right now...

Since when is it a crime to ask my big strong 'better half' to help me a minute?

I can not possibly pick up a huge piece of concrete.  "Pick it up and help me and we will be doing something good," said I.

Center it right between that post...thank you very much...
(Don't you just love the flowers in my flowerbed?)

Oh yeah...and just grab this and put it on the top of that stand, pleeeeeze...
(Notice, up top, the little round hose in the right top corner of the picture...)
It starts getting pretty crazy about right here and with this next step...

Almost there!  Will it work?  Is he a genius?  Did he lose his temper?  Are we done?

We are there...it does work...he is a genius...he did lose his temper...we are done...

The End

While 'better half' was at convention, spouses enjoyed a trip to Houmas House, a plantation south of Baton Rouge on Old River Road...

Because I missed the bus and had to be 'transported' via a hotel van, I missed the tour of the home; however, really enjoyed the gardens. 

I am posting beautiful garden pictures for your viewing enjoyment...

Kiss enough of these and you will find your prince...huh?  Whatever...I love this bit of whimsy...

Ashamed of your vegetable garden yet?  How about your yard?  Yeah, me too...

Lunch was served...it was pretty much delicious...served on Houmas engraved plates...

I'll leave you with this beautiful view of the fountain...notice the fabulous clouds...

Tourists and locals, alike, love to sit on the steps by the 'Ol' Mississip' and watch the barges go by.

New Orleans is most beautiful in the spring time...

'Better Half' had a convention in New Orleans...I was invited to tag along...we stayed at The Saint, a hotel on Canal Street--next door to The Ritz...

'Better Half' just came in and wants to know why I am smiling...I am uploading these pictures and realizing how silly the lobby looks...what do you think?

If there's one attitude families are guilty of more than any other when it comes to mothers, it's presumption... taking them for granted... being nearly blind on occasion to the load moms carry. This was reinforced in my mind last week as I was thumbing through a row of crazy greeting cards at a local drugstore. Time and again the joke in the card drew its humor from this obvious attitude that pervades a household: Forget the housework, Mom. It's your day. Besides, you can always do double duty and catch up on Monday!  Like this one: On the front of the card was a beleaguered mother. Draped over her neck were three unmatched socks and at her feet was an enormous stack of unwashed clothes. On the stove was a hot skillet burning the food. A cold, stained coffee pot needed attention. The refrigerator door was ajar and milk had spilled in it. The dishes, naturally, looked like a homemade Eiffel Tower reaching out of the sink. Inside the card was scribbled: "Look, lady, nobody said it was gonna be a free ride!"

But my favorite was a great big card that looked like a third-grader had printed it. On it was a little boy with a dirty face and torn pants pulling a wagonload of toys. On the front it read: "Mom, I remember the little prayer you used to say for me every day . . ." and inside, "God help you if you do that again!"

Jimmy Dean, the country-western singer, does a number that always leaves me with a big knot in my throat. It's titled "I Owe You." In the song, a man is looking through his wallet and comes across a number of long-standing "I owe yous" to his mother . . . which he names one by one.

Borrowing that idea, I suggest you who have been guilty of presumption unfold some of your own "I owe yous" that are now yellow with age. Consider the priceless value of the one woman who made your life possible - your mother.

Think about her example, her support, her humor, her counsel, her humility, her hospitality, her insight, her patience, her sacrifices. Her faith. Her hope. Her love.

Old "honest Abe" was correct: "He is not poor who has had a godly mother." Indebted, but not poor.

Moms, on Mother's Day Sunday we rise up and call you blessed. But knowing you, you'll feel uneasy in the limelight. You'll probably look for a place to hide. True servants are like that.

If you don't watch it, you'll be planning lunch during the sermon. But that would be a waste of time. Especially since you're going to be taken out to eat (which will add to our indebtedness!). But in all honesty, it won't come anywhere near expressing our gratitude.

So, live it up on Sunday. It's all yours.

My advice? Shake up the family for a change. Order steak and lobster.

Taken from Charles R. Swindoll, "Mother's Day," in The Finishing Touch: Becoming God's Masterpiece

You know how you feel when you're all excited about an upcoming event and are expecting great fabulousness and wonderment?  That's how I felt about the arts and crafts event at War Eagle Mills...

You know how you feel when you're all disappointed and can't understand why or what in the world happened to all the fabulousness and wonderment?  That's how I felt about the arts and crafts event at War Eagle Mills...

I'm confounded...there were very few vendors...The last time I came here--I admit, yes--it was some ten years ago, I couldn't get in the place...there were so many vendors and so many people wanting to give those vendors all their money!

'Better Half' said people my age have everything they want and don't need anything else...He further stated that most of the 'stuff' I--and people like me--have bought through the years, has been given away or is in some lonely and dark storage unit.  In other words--people are tired of arts and crafts and since there is no demand for 'that sort' of thing, there isn't much supply...Hmmm...

I may have to concede his point.  At least where this arts and crafts show is concerned...

Anyway, not many vendors, however; the grounds were very pretty.  Two sweet swans announced to all the folks present and future show dates...

I bought my sweet girls a swing made of an old tire...Sweet Girls' daddies will hang them from their little swing sets or the tree in their yards...

You know...since my glass is always half full, I will say...it was a beautiful day and a wonderful time of the year to go to an arts and crafts festival...

Off to Eureka Springs for a shopping day…A lovely town…lots of artisans…very eclectic group of vendors…I found my two sweet girls beautiful outfits, and, for me, a piece of jewelry and a  blouse...'better half' of this team found a few shirts and visited several leather shops.

Dang!  I wish I could produce a product that could make this claim!

I'm not sure how to explain--this walk way leads to the 'top side' of Eureka Springs' main street...there is a street underneath it...lots of shops and places to eat...

We toured the old Crescent Hotel. The owner of the Crescent also owns War Eagle Mills.  I'm assuming this information is correct...two people--one at the Crescent and the other at the War Eagle Mills store and restaurant--shared the story of the evolution of both places.

The Crescent is most interesting.  It's very old and requires, I'm sure, tons and tons of maintenance.  It sits atop, what seems like, the highest hill in Eureka Springs. 

People were everywhere!  The hotel was very busy...I love that...It was a beautiful day...the south is beautiful in spring...the hotel is beautiful...life is beautiful...know what I mean?  Right?

It was well worth our effort to make the trek up a winding road in order to take a short trip 'back in time' at the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs... 

To Withrow State Park we have gone.  The camping area is very remote…no telephone or internet service.  When I asked the park ranger if internet was available, he looked at me disgustedly and said ‘no’…My 'other half' agrees with the ranger—he is of the opinion if you are going to get away from ‘stuff’ you don’t need to take with you modern 'stuff'…I, however, am of this opinion--if the park services made it more convenient for folks, they would probably have a ‘full house’ most days…just sayin’…

Now, this ‘neck of the woods’ is home to the Waltons, Walmart’s founder.  We see, in this area, plenty of Walmarts and lots of chicken farms. 

Tyson originated here, as well.

Daisy BB Gun, too…

Lovely area…much to see…hiking, biking, canoeing...Eureka Springs is just up the way…

After the hike, I got a phone call from Brother.  I somehow, magically, had cell phone service...Brother and I do love to talk.  We have very long conversations, usually once a day.  My 'better half' has no use for ‘long winded’ telephone calls and doesn’t understand how Brother and I can talk, every day, for many, many minutes…any way…he whispered he would meet at the ranger station—about ¼ mile up the street—go ahead, take my time, finish my conversation, blah, blah, blah…

I have no sense of direction--never have had.  Friends attest to it…I am a big fan of global positioning system (gps).  When I am traveling, alone, I keep it ‘on’ and use it always.  Well, knowing that bit of information, you now know what happened…

I got lost…yep, I got lost…went past the ranger station--did not see it--and on a couple of extra miles…after a talk with an AR family, I was given directions, turned around and to the campsite I went!  You guessed it, husband was worried to death, had been looking for me--in the truck…maybe a bear…perhaps a kidnapping?  How about none of the above…just lost…

Forever on a diet, I chalked it up as excellent exercise…I also enjoyed visiting with the very friendly people living two miles past the park turnoff! 

I'm looking forward to the arts and crafts show.  We'll go there tomorrow...

We had a great time at Queen Wilhelmina State Park, now off to Withrow State Park we go...This park is about 150 miles from the Queen and is much closer to our original purpose for this trip--the arts and crafts show at War Eagle Mills.

Oh, but first, how about a trip to Crystal Bridges, the newest art museum in Bentonville...Oh me...now this is a treat...I highly recommend to everyone...

The entrance to the museum is dotted with spectacular color...flowers and shrubs everywhere.  There are walking trails throughout the property and all are 'decorated' with this natural beauty.

After the visitor is treated to the loveliness of the gardens, the 'silver' tree appears!  Unbelievable...I could not get enough of this beauty...

After several hours of viewing a very impressive amount of American art, back to the campsite we go...it's time for a hike...