Best/ worse/ ? did you learn today? #110 visit with friends!

Barb, glad Norm is doing better, we've missed you..but I did think of you though out looking for material yesterday..what a time you'd have had with me...we sure could have gotten into material trouble...

Trisha, you are going biking so I would imagine it's sunshine there...is hubby digging while you are biking?

Waiting for Greg to drop in so I can get the doors out of my car...if I try on my own I'm sure to scratch them..

Should be painting doors NOT flower pieces...

Your shopping expedition sounds like it was a lot of fun. And you are so right - I could get in really BIG trouble with you at a quilt store!!! I too liked the mauve quilt. I haven't tried to do a rag quilt as the arthritus in my hands makes cutting the seams really difficult. So I'll leave those to someone else. By the way, both of those blue w/stars are wonderful. Phone's ringing.. must go.......

Smile grab your Kleenex



Carl's Garden

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



I thought this was a lovely story and wanted to share it with you all

Carl's Garden

Carl was a quiet man. He didn't talk much. He would always greet you with a big smile and a firm handshake.

Even after living in our neighborhood for over 50 years, no one could
really say they knew him very well.


Before his retirement, he took the bus to work each morning. The lone
sight of him walking down the street often worried us.

He had a slight limp from a bullet wound received in WWII.



Watching him, we worried that although he had survived WWII, he may not
make it through our changing uptown neighborhood with its
ever-increasing random violence, gangs, and drug activity.

When he saw the flyer at our local church asking for volunteers for
caring for the gardens behind the minister's residence, he responded in
his characteristically unassuming manner. Without fanfare, he just
signed up.
He was well into his 87th year when the very thing we had always feared
finally happened.

He was just finishing his watering for the day when three gang members
approached him. Ignoring their attempt to intimidate him, he simply asked, 'Would you like a drink from the hose?'

The tallest and toughest-looking of the three said, 'Yeah, sure,' with
a malevolent little smile.

As Carl offered the hose to him, the other two grabbed Carl's arm,
throwing him down. As the hose snaked crazily over the ground, dousing
everything in its way, Carl's assailants stole his retirement watch and
his wallet, and then fled.

Carl tried to get himself up, but he had been thrown down on his bad leg. He lay there trying to gather himself as the minister came running
to help him.


Although the minister had witnessed the attack from his window, he
couldn't get there fast enough to stop it.

'Carl, are you okay? Are you hurt?' the minister kept asking as he
helped Carl to his feet.

Carl just passed a hand over his brow and sighed, shaking his head.
'Just some punk kids. I hope they'll wise-up someday.'


His wet clothes clung to his slight frame as he bent to pick up the
hose.. He adjusted the nozzle again and started to water.

Confused and a little concerned, the minister asked, 'Carl, what are
you doing?' 'I've got to finish my watering. It's been very dry lately,' came the calm reply.

Satisfying himself that Carl really was all right, the minister could
only marvel. Carl was a man from a different time and place.

A few weeks later the three returned. Just as before their threat was
unchallenged. Carl again offered them a drink from his hose

This time they didn't rob him. They wrenched the hose from his hand and
drenched him head to foot in the icy water.

When they had finished their humiliation of him, they sauntered off
down the street, throwing catcalls and curses, falling over one another
laughing at the hilarity of what they had just done.

Carl just watched them. Then he turned toward the warmth giving sun,
picked up his hose, and went on with his watering.

The summer was quickly fading into fall. Carl was doing some tilling when he was startled by the sudden approach of someone behind him.
He stumbled and fell into some evergreen branches.


As he struggled to regain his footing, he turned to see the tall leader
of his summer tormentors reaching down for him. He braced himself for
the expected attack.

'Don't worry old man, I'm not gonna hurt you this time.'

The young man spoke softly, still offering the tattooed and scarred
hand to Carl. As he helped Carl get up, the man pulled a crumpled bag
from his pocket and handed it to Carl.


'What's this?' Carl asked. 'It's your stuff,' the man explained. 'It's
your stuff back. Even the money in your wallet.' 'I don't understand,'
Carl said. 'Why would you help me now?'
The man shifted his feet, seeming embarrassed and ill at ease. 'I
learned something from you,' he said. 'I ran with that gang and hurt
people like you. We picked you because you were old and we knew we
could do it. But every time we came and did something to you, instead
of yelling and fighting back, you tried to give us a drink. You didn't
hate us for hating you. You kept showing love against our hate.'
He stopped for a moment. 'I couldn't sleep after we stole your stuff,
so here it is back.'
He paused for another awkward moment, not knowing what more there was
to say. 'That bag's my way of saying thanks for straightening me out, I
guess.' And with that, he walked off down the street.
Carl looked down at the sack in his hands and gingerly opened it. He
took out his retirement watch and put it back on his wrist. Opening his
wallet, he checked for his wedding photo. He gazed for a moment at the
young bride that still smiled back at him from all those years ago
He died one cold day after Christmas that winter.
Many people attended his funeral in spite of the weather.
In particular the minister noticed a tall young man that he didn't know
sitting quietly in a distant corner of the church.
The minister spoke of Carl's garden as a lesson in life.
In a voice made thick with unshed tears, he said, 'Do your best and
make your garden as beautiful as you can. We will never forget Carl and his garden.'
The following spring another flyer went up. It read: 'Person needed to care for Carl's garden.'
The flyer went unnoticed by the busy parishioners until one day when a
knock was heard at the minister's office door.
Opening the door, the minister saw a pair of scarred and tattooed hands
holding the flyer. 'I believe this is my job, if you'll have me,' the
young man said.
The minister recognized him as the same young man who had returned the
stolen watch and wallet to Carl.

He knew that Carl's kindness had turned this man's life around. As the
minister handed him the keys to the garden shed, he said, 'Yes, go take
care of Carl's garden and honor him.
The man went to work and, over the next several years, he tended the
flowers and vegetables just as Carl had done.
During that time, he went to college, got married, and became a
prominent member of the community. But he never forgot his promise to
Carl's memory and kept the garden as beautiful as he thought Carl would
have kept it.
One day he approached the new minister and told him that he couldn't
care for the garden any longer. He explained with a shy and happy
smile, 'My wife just had a baby boy last night, and she's bringing him
home on Saturday.'
'Well, congratulations!' said the minister, as he was handed the garden
shed keys. 'That's wonderful! What's the baby's name?'
'Carl,' he replied.

Sit back and watch the power of God work in your life for doing
the thing that you know He loves.


GOOD FRIENDS ARE LIKE ANGELS, YOU DON'T HAVE TO SEE THEM TO KNOW THEY
ARE THERE

OK 'tubby' needed Kleenex for that one..
Barb, maybe you and Norm could work as a team, you sew, he could cut...yesterday was my last search for patriotic material Barb..going to make a square using each, then you can choose which one best might match your project...

here is the little corner, never any attention given it as I want to dig and put railway ties in same location, but until then I prettied it up

Went over to wish Cliff a 'happy fathers' day when they drove in, told me I had to sit before I fell down..lol..so had ginger ale,how refresshing, came home, had a bath and now I'm ready to relax and so I should be it's nearing 7pm..

My project needs to be sanded in order for the white to show through and look aged but it has to cure for a few days first...now I'm on the lookout for higher plants and a few shrubs for in the front on the bench...will look pretty when it gets some growth and sanded

Couldn't resist, this bike was across the street for sale, $10.00 so I went and bought it..I would say a 3 or 4 year old would be pleased to use it...brake gear and all...I'll see if perhaps LeeAnn might like it for Tay..maybe he could ride it next year..I'm sure the kick stand is worth at least $5.00 ..if she doesn't I'm sure I'll find some little child in need of a bike...

oh thank you .. yaaaay squirrel feeder up but i think he isnt sure about this lol

Oh Liz, you can see he's awfully tempted...won't be long you'll be purchasing tons of peanuts...

Did you enjoy your day? How about your sister, did she catch you smoking, lol...

Now that the day is almost over and Father's have been pampered, I can hear all kinds of lawn mowers going..doubt very much that it's the kids mowing..

Did you all enjoy your weekend?

Best of today...all around nice day and sunshine at that..

Worse of the day..seeing Ann having her panic attacks again and then watching Gail Debbie at the Hardware store trying to be so brave..omg it's only been 3 weeks...

What did I learn today...that the variegated vine Cliff and Bernice told me to dig up has roots all the way to hell...

I have been weeding between rains. Will it ever stop for just one week??? I swear sorry but everytime I pull a weed or a tree one pops up in it's place. I am skidding my wheels here. I go out every day and take pics of something new blooming. Here is something to brighten you all's day. HUGS BEV

Smile
By Maxine


My mind works like lightning, One brilliant
Flash and it is gone.





A husband is someone who, after taking
the trash out, gives the impression that
he just cleaned the whole house.


My next house will have no kitchen - just
Vending machines and a large trash can.





Definition of a teenager?
God's punishment...for enjoying sex.


As you slide down the banister of life, may
The splinters never point the wrong way.

hmmmm well hands on hips here!!!!!!
after all that comotion to get the feeder done, well mr squirrel
who if he dosnt straighten up will be a mini davy crocket hat for the dog!
it decided to go hand pick a plum instead can you believe that!
will be on in the morning to yap some more on squirrel patrol now!

oh betty what a beautifil planter

Betty love the planter, and what a cute bike!

Love the story about Carl......Hope you had a great day Tubby!

Liz, hope you had a great day too....aren't squirrels lovable, frustrating little furbies?

We had a great ride this morning...only about 20 miles and flat!!

Sage arrived about the time we got home....she and Bill went to work on the pond area..

Porter Supervised.....

and mom helped me finish the rest...

Really tired tonight....waving to all...talk to you tomorrow.

Morning all,

Bev, what a beautiful photo..lilies are breathtaking...we both must be on the same rain frequency, however, ours seems to happen more on weekends than weekdays....how's that lovely grandaughter of yours..is she feeling much better? guess you haven't gone to the park if it's been raining..hope today brings you sunshine..

Liz, how cute is that, you should have the photo framed...now tell me, did you put something in the feeder for him to eat? You and animals, well just too funny! Hope you enjoyed your day and got some pretty 'pressies'

Trisha, that pond looks inviting, from the photo is it in the side yard vs. back yard? Was it mostly sandy for Bill to dig?
Sailor is much the same as Porter, loves to lie and watch you work...too cute, mom helping out as well..sounds as though you had a productive but yet enjoyable 40th..

Tubby, not sure where you get these posts writtings, I do enjoy them...how is your gardens growing, eating from them yet?

Mary, if you can, please drop in and let us know how you are doing..

Judy, how did your weekend go at the cottage, lots of fun thing sto do?

LindaKay and Barb, how are DH's doing...are they being good patients..

Breakfast time, sitting here yawning..it's a rest day today..

Early morning bloom for AnnMarie...

Hmmm doing the walk around what did I find amongst all the greenery, well hidden, a lily plant that will have many blooms..will either have to find a new home for it or move some of the larger plants as to allow it sunshine..

Did I tell you about the Rogers Plant...lordy it's giving me trouble...

Planted it at back deck-shade and bit of sun...
Moved it to near the patio area - full sun- burning - almost dead
So, now I've moved it to the DG Friendship Garden, let's see if your friendship can revive it..lol

Enjoyed all your posts..
Great job on the corner picket planter Betty and Bernie.

There has been no sign of the raccoon since the neighbours trapped one and took it away.

Had a lovely day yesterday..my friend came over for lunch and then we sat and yakked for several hours..she left with about six divsions of my plants.

Then I called both my sons and wished them happy Father's Day and told them what great father's they are.

On Friday I went to visit another friend and see what her fella built at the side of her house..a sunny pergola with a wall of flowers as the backyard is in shade most of the time.
This is the front side that you see up the driveway..can;'t wait to see it all filled in..

and this is from the inside

Carol, that's very interesting, means a lot less bending when using ground for planting..and gives them privacy..I thought of you this morning, it's large object pick up, drats, I should have cased the area..just as I was pulling out of town there went a truck with the sides of a gazebo, beautiful black rod iron..very much like your pieces you just made into garden art... see, you snooze and you miss out!

Did much the same as you yesterday, friends over, visited with another at her house, ate on the run, called my boys to also tell them what great fathers they've become...when Noah was at the house visiting I told him to go home and give dad big hug/kisses (not sure at his age he wanted to do the kissing part) because when never knows how many more years they'll have a dad..he kind of looked at me oddly...at that age, one lives forever...

had a long post but i pushed the wrong button darn it!

Oooo Starzz that's nice! Going to be very pretty.

Betty that is a cute bike! Some child will be very lucky to get that one, hopefully the person you have in mind will want it. Well I've got to get to work here.

Oh, there was a big rig carrying pigs that overturned on one of the interstates, the police are out trying to heard up the pigs. I apologize to my mom and everyone in law enforcement, but there's a joke in there somewhere...

wrong pic too lol

LOL Liz, hate it when that happens!

Love the blue bottle tree Liz, bet when the sun shines on it it's spectacular...

Crissy, pigs all over, must be quite a sight..imagine trying to round them up..yes, LeeAnn wanted the bike, her son is a bit young but she'll put it away until next year..

Think I heard you mention Crissy that DH was considering the midnight shift again, is that an option?

Good morning!

Wow, lots to read...

Betty, OMG, your Picket fence turned out Awsom!! Brothers did an incredible job...Ok give em directions to my house, better yet you could just show them the way!

You had a busy day visiting all the relatives...wow, you braved all the rain and puddles, seriously that is Love. Thanks for taking us with.
Gardens are looking lovely too.

Hi Carol, sounds like you had a wonderful visit! Your friends new Pergola is truely grand!...I am glad that racoon has not found it's way back...

Liz, you and Crissy are just too funny! My gosh, don't think I can drive to Ca on any roads, the way you too talk I'd be the cause of road rage, lolol.

Yep, I had to drive 3 highways, my gosh first time in ever, We were on the road...When all of the sudden Steve is hit with a major exhaustion 'bout!! Can't keep his eyes open and even dozed for a second! YIKES so I was joking saying how maybe I should drive, next thing i know, he pulls over...Talk about learning quick, But I was flipping out that he was falling a sleep, so i braved it up and took over the wheel. I did really good too, just put "my" music on and trekked along, only freaked out at the interstate changes...He slept for 2 hours! ROFLOL, jacob was snoozing in the back, so when he woke up, was quite shocked that I was anvegating, lol said Seriously mom your driving??! LOL, I said yeah now go back to sleep and let me do thiis. Then we needed to stop for gas, good thing too as it started to rain and that was the end of my driving...By then he was rejouvenated, Thank God...Was praying the whole time everyone was pretty cool on the road and of Gave my thanks when we stopped. By time we got to Cottage, it was definately Miller time for Judy! LOL.

So, the weekend was relaxing...Rained Friday night, Saturday was beautiful, I read and we went to a couple of garage sales...Picked up a great table and chairs! They definatley need some work, but what a great trash to treasure we will have and a grand kitchen table! will post a picture later. Also, the kid wanted this small round table so we got it for 2.00. Later in the evening, julia, Alissa and Anthony made it...They had stuff to do so came later. Yesterday Made breakfast for Steve and also lunch, played on the boat...Was a nice day, we didn't get home till 10:30 and I was exhausted from the drive, didn't have to drive again but I sorta think i enjoyed the driving...At least I was in control and that is somehow very different.

So today Jacob started football camp...yuck had to be there by 7:45...today i've tons of laundry and hopefully work in the yard in between!
Neighbors tree shed another huge limb, man it knocked my lil Spruce tree upside down, hope I can save it.

Well I hope you are all having a great day.

Oh Trisha, your pound work looks Awsom!!

Judy you keep practicing that driving and before you know it, you'll be able to venture across the border..Steve must be working too long of hours, not getting enough sleep...he really must have been tired to fall off asleep knowing you were at the wheel..lol...sounds as though you had a wonderful time..table and chairs, now what will you do to give them a new life?

How long is football camp for Jacob Judy? Drats on the damage to your little tree...might not do much this year but should be ok for next season...

Seems we are all getting rain except those in need...

Speaking of furniture, Debbie, you were using a new medium on a piece of furniture a few months ago, how did it go with the stripping..have a cabinet I'd love to redo, looking for a medium which is easy to take paint off....

Such a beautiful day out there...girls are gone for lunch, Suzanne is in a meeting but leaving for the city in an hour, Paul already in the city..think anyone would notice if I skipped out for the afternoon..lol

A gentleman just cam in to the office..presented me with a card...

LET'S BE FRIENDS! Excuse me

Deaf mute (cannot read lip) selling this useful article to the public as a way of supporting my family...

Donation - $3.00

God Bless You James 4:13

Thank you...

Ok I bought one but you have to ask yourself how ligit it is...great way to ask for $$$ and not have to answer questions...

Oh well, must believe that he is in need...it's not $3.00 that will hurt me right? I just won't eat as much lunch today and that certainly WON'T do me harm...lol

Bet Suzanne is ready to pull her hair out..couple came in for a meeting, brought 4 young children, all I can hear is screeming, don't touch, banging the door etc.. hard to conduct business with all that going on...she'll be fit to be tied...Wayne from the Toronto office made an error in booking and Suzanne had to take it for him here in Barrie..her day schedule was already in place so taking 1 hr to meet with them means no lunch hour for her...

Betty, it did Ok to take off the top layer....but Dh ended up sanding it all as it just wouldn't strip it down as necessary. It was 3M stripper. There is another out, Citrus something....not sure how that works.

Hi Everyone!
I just happened upon this tread after seeing it mentioned in another. may I join in? I know some of you from other threads that me and my poodle boy Elvis frequent.
All the gardens and projects look so wonderful! I don't seem to have much get up and go lately or else it already got up and went....what with the humidity and all.
I have to motivate to go to the Va this afternoon toug to pick up some meds or will be in a heck of a shape.
BBL
Sheri

Betty it's not an option, his boss asked him if he would work graveyard the week of the 4th, June 29th thru July 2nd. After that he goes back to Swing Shift. We had a long chat Friday night about the difference, he said he'd rather work Graveyard because he gets to see me 3 hours in the evenings. I reminded him that those 3 hours he's almost always asleep, which really isn't seeing me at all, just forcing me to be very quiet in and around the house, which gives me nothing to do. He agreed and said he had never thought about that, but it didn't matter, he doesn't like Swing Shift. I'm wondering if he's just made up his mind to hate it, regardless, and if he has a bit of a control issue with being home 'with me' in the evenings, just to ensure that I'm at home until it's too late to go anywhere. I certainly hope not.

Yay Yay Yay Best of Today I fixed a General Ledger without any instructions whatsoever!! Ha!!

Judy I'm always the cause of Road Rage, girl I invented Road Rage!

Sheri, of course you can join in...our rooms are always big enough for everyone..that's a long drive for you isn't it? or are you a border community..regardless in the high humidity unless you have a/c it's likely to be unbearable..

Debbie, did the stripper work as advertized though..sometimes and more likely than not they don't...I use circa (?) forget the # but I'd like to try something that involves less work..so funny, want something refinished but don't want to work on it...

Ann mentioned they'd love to try the re-use it store for cupboards for the cottage, now enlarged and shortly to be their home IF Mike's treatments work...didn't they just get an entire kitchen unit in...very/very large..he said when it was put in 5 yrs. ago it cost $80,000 and they will most likely charge $10 - $15,000 for it...all oak and has a big center unit..think it's far out of Ann/Mike's budget with all the time he's taking off for treatment...will tell her about it though...

Welcome Sheri You will have good time trying to keep up with all of us. BEV

Hi...
Welcome Sheri...nice to meet ya, and lil Elvis too.

OMG, excitement broewing here...made an appointment to see the baby Conures tomorrow. Girls and I are going to pet store to find a book and kind of food.and check out new cages...The lady suggested we wait until they eat on their own, which I am also inclined to do, only a week or two, so we can make ready. She says they have been being handled everyday so that is good too...Don't want them to get too attached to mom and dad bird.

Crissy, lol you are too funny, thanks for the warning. Oh hey good for you on the books!

Geesh, we jumped right on into summer! it's hot and humid here today, making me not want to do too much...lol, i hear ya Sheri!

Welcome Sheri!! Great to have you here!

Judy I have a BA in IT and I can't stand bookkeeping! LOL Your welcome for the warning LOL

Betty, I was very happy with the way the stripper worked for me. I put a heavy coat on it, covered it with syran wrap....and let the sun work it for about an hour. It really worked well on my projects. One of which included my stairs in the front hall going to second floor.

I think DH's issue..he is impatient and wants it done now. It loosened his topcoat...and he just wanted to grab that power sander...and he did. If he had been patient, it would have been fine.

Hi Sheri
Have a seat while I tell you a story...LOL

Two men in a bar..One says I make 25 $ an hour...the other man says I make 26 $ an hour...First man says I run 10 miles a day..The other man says I run 11 miles a day...
This goes on for quite some time...Finally the first man says I impregnated your wife..
Second man says well that makes us even.....



Tubby