Happy 65th Anniversary, Mom & Dad!

Thursday, February 17th, is Mom and Dad's 65th Wedding Anniversary!  I think that is amazing.  What an example to their family.

We have celebrated their 40th, 45th, 50th, 55th, 60th, and now 65th.  A lot of things have happened since the 40th.  Their grandchildren weren't even all  born yet then.  In the 40th Anniversary                   picture Betty Jean is expecting Ryan.  In the 65th her daughter, Emberly, is expecting Liv.  Seems kind of fitting.

I'm pretty sure we are all in agreement that we hope our marriages are as successful as their marriage is.  So far we are coming along pretty well.  Joyce and Stephen just celebrated their 40th Anniversary.  Dennis and I will celebrate our 38th in March, and Betty Jean and Lowell will celebrate 32 years in November.

Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening by Robert Frost

This is one of my all-time favorite poems by one of my most favorite poets!
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
 He will not see me stopping here
 To watch his woods fill up with snow.
 My little horse must think it queer
 To stop without a farmhouse near
 Between the woods and frozen lake
 The darkest evening of the year.
 He gives his harness bells a shake
 To ask if there is some mistake.
 The only other sound's the sweep
 Of easy wind and downy flake.
 The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
 But I have promises to keep,
 And miles to go before I sleep,
 And miles to go before I sleep.

Snow Day!

I love snow days!  I am disappointed when the weatherman predicts a big snow, and we only get a light sprinkling.  I want it to cover the ground.  Blowing snow does NOT count!  I don't want any of my family out in it, though.  I want them all safe and sound in their homes!

This is what I found when I woke up this morning.  When I went to bed we had a little snow and I figured that was it.  Who knew this glorious sight was being prepared for me while I slept?  We had 10 inches!

I remember loving snow days as a child.  Once we built a snow fort in the front yard.  Dad helped us.  Mom was always ready with hot chocolate when we came inside.  She also made us snow ice cream. Such fun memories.  Mom told me the other day that she always enjoyed it when we had a snow day, too.  :D

As you all know, my illness makes me tend to be cold most of the time.  I don't venture outside in the cold weather much, but I sure can enjoy looking at the snow from my cozy house.  I don't think Dennis enjoyed the snow too much.  He got stuck in our driveway and couldn't make it to work.  Got to ride the tractor back to the house in the freezing cold. Then later he went to try to get the car out and check our mail and got stuck again!  Now the Vibe and the tractor are blocking our drive.  This time he got to walk the half mile back to the house.  Thankfully I had a nice hot stew nearly ready for him when he came in.  I think it hit the spot.  He ate 3 helpings.  You know "eatin' speaks louder than words". That is one of our favorite quotes from Mr. Darling on the Andy Griffith Show.  Yes, it's true.  I know that show so well I can quote it!!  :D  Oh yes, these pictures are of our back yard.

Happy 87th Birthday, Daddy!

Today is my dad's birthday.  He is 87 years old.  I am happy to say that he doesn't seem that old.  He is still out and about much like he always has been.  Maybe moving a little slower, but still "Homer".   

There's simply nothing that can replace your daddy.  He still takes care of us when we need it.  Plus I've mentioned before that he is mom's chauffeur, date for lunch, errand boy, and all-round good guy!

I love to watch dad usher at church.  If someone tries to leave after Sunday School and miss church he blocks the door like he won't let them out.  There's simply no one else like him.

As you can see by the picture, He is still a handsome man.  You hardly ever see him without a smile.  His merry spirit shines through.  He tried a different haircut for a while, but we made him go back to his old style.  He just didn't look like our dad without his "Ronald Reagan" hair.  


Dad loves to travel.  I get that from him.  I always tell him that he and I need to go on a trip and leave mom and Dennis at home.  They are both more homebodies.


Joyce, Betty Jean, and I owe him a lot.  We don't tell him that often enough.  Dad, I love you and hope you have a happy birthday.

Love, Francy

Groundhog's Day!

Here it is, Groundhog's Day!  I hoped against hope that he wouldn't see his shadow, but the sun is shining brightly outside.  Six more weeks of winter!  I'm not looking forward to it.

On the bright side, the sun IS shining!  Out here in the country no one has spoiled the beautiful white snow.  The sun glistening on the snow is dazzling.  What a view to look at from my cosy house!

Last night I was thinking back and wondering if it ever happens that the groundhog would not see his shadow.  You know, I do remember a year or two when that happened.  I don't remember an early spring those times, though.  It was many years ago and I'm not kidding!  It was probably when I was in elementary school so you know it was MANY years ago!  :)  I know we are all supposed to go by Punxsutawney Phil but I never do.  I figure he doesn't know anything about Oklahoma weather!  Wait a minute!  I just checked the news and saw that Punxsutawney Phil predicts an early spring.  Maybe this year I'll go by him after all.  They did say, though, that  his accuracy is about 39%.  Not too reassuring!

I'm probably just going to have to endure and make the most of the warmer days when they come.  My beautiful warm weather is just around the corner!  :D